Other meanings of Return of the Jedi
Film
Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas, based on a story by Lucas. It is the third installment in the original Star Wars trilogy and the sixth in the nine-film Skywalker saga. The film stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Williams, with Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine. Set one year after The Empire Strikes Back, it follows the Rebel Alliance's attempt to destroy the second Death Star and the redemption of Darth Vader. The film was released on May 25, 1983, and received mixed-to-positive reviews, with praise for its visual effects and action sequences but criticism of the Ewoks. It grossed over $475 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1983.
One year after the events of The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker, now a Jedi Knight, returns to Tatooine with his friends to rescue Han Solo from the gangster Jabba the Hutt. After a series of confrontations, Luke uses the Force to escape execution and the group flees, destroying Jabba's sail barge.
Luke then returns to Dagobah to complete his training with Yoda, who reveals that Vader is Luke's father and that Leia is his twin sister. Yoda dies, and Luke learns that the Emperor is overseeing the construction of a new Death Star. The Rebel fleet attacks the Death Star, while Luke confronts Vader and the Emperor on the forest moon. Luke refuses to turn to the dark side, and Vader, moved by his son's suffering, throws the Emperor into a reactor shaft, sacrificing himself. The Rebels destroy the Death Star, and the galaxy celebrates.
George Lucas initially planned a nine-film saga, but after the stress of making The Empire Strikes Back, he decided to end the trilogy with Return of the Jedi. He hired Richard Marquand, a British director known for The Eye of the Needle, to direct, while Lucas served as executive producer and was heavily involved on set.
The script went through several drafts, with early concepts including a second Death Star and the Ewoks, who were originally intended to be Wookiees. The production faced challenges, including a writers' strike and the need to create convincing special effects. The film's climax on the second Death Star was shot in a model that was later reused for the 1997 Special Edition. The Ewoks were designed to be cute to appeal to younger audiences, but their portrayal has been criticized as a stereotype of indigenous peoples.
Mark Hamill returned as Luke Skywalker, whose character arc culminates in his confrontation with the Emperor. Harrison Ford reprised his role as Han Solo, though he was reportedly unhappy with the character's arc and requested that Solo be killed off. Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia, who is revealed to be Luke's sister. Billy Dee Williams returned as Lando Calrissian, who leads the Rebel attack on the Death Star.
Ian McDiarmid made his debut as Emperor Palpatine, replacing the original Empire version (a chimpanzee with red eyes). David Prowse and James Earl Jones again provided the physical and vocal performances for Darth Vader. The film also introduced the Ewoks, played by Warwick Davis and other actors, and featured a cameo by the band members of the group that performed the cantina music in the first film.
Return of the Jedi explores themes of redemption, the nature of good and evil, and the importance of compassion. Luke's refusal to fight his father and his ultimate act of throwing away his lightsaber demonstrate the Jedi ideal of non-aggression, which is central to his victory. The film also critiques the concept of absolute power, as the Emperor's overconfidence leads to his downfall.
The Ewoks, despite their primitive technology, defeat the technologically superior Imperial forces, suggesting that nature and community can overcome industrial might. Some critics have interpreted the film as a commentary on the Vietnam War, with the Ewoks representing the Viet Cong. The film's ending, with the spirits of Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda appearing, emphasizes the cyclical nature of the Force and the restoration of balance.
Upon release, Return of the Jedi received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the special effects and the emotional resolution of the saga. However, some criticized the Ewoks as a marketing ploy and the film as a rehash of the first film's Death Star plot. It grossed $475 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 1983 and the second-highest-grossing film at the time.
The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning a Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects. It has since become a cultural touchstone, influencing numerous films and spawning a franchise of its own, including the Ewok television films and the animated series Star Wars: Ewoks. The film's ending, with the celebration on Endor, has been parodied and referenced in countless media.
The original title was to be Revenge of the Jedi, but was changed to Return because Lucas felt revenge was not the Jedi way. The film's working title was Blue Harvest, a fake horror film title used to keep the production secret.
The Ewok language was created by sound designer Ben Burtt, who based it on Kalmyk, a Mongolian language. The film's score by John Williams includes the iconic 'Emperor's Theme' and the 'Celebration' music. The special edition added a new song, 'Jedi Rocks', and altered the ending to show celebrations on other planets.
The film's original theatrical cut was released on VHS and laserdisc, but the 1997 Special Edition and subsequent releases have replaced it. The 2011 Blu-ray release included a CGI-enhanced version of the Emperor's hologram in The Empire Strikes Back, but the original footage remains in the theatrical cut.
This article is about the 1983 film. For other uses, see Return of the Jedi (disambiguation).
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