The Empire Strikes Back is the fifth episode in the Star Wars saga, although it was the second film to be made, following on from A New Hope.

With the Death Star in tatters, the Rebel Alliance continues in its, erm, rebellion against the Empire. After a showdown on snowy Hoth, Luke Skywalker heads off to meet Yoda, who'll train him up to be a Jedi Knight.

Meanwhile, Darth Vader continues his hunt for Luke, Leia and Han, enlisting some of the galaxy's most notorious bounty hunters for the task. Han and Leia are ensnared by series favourite Boba Fett in Cloud City, Bespin, causing Luke to pause his training to mount a rescue.

In Cloud City, Luke comes face-to-face with Vader for a lightsaber duel, and the dark lord wraps things up by blurting out one of cinema's most iconic jaw-dropping revelations.

Written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from a story by George Lucas, and directed by Irvin Kershner, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back opened on 21 May 1980.

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