Memories of the Empire Strikes Back wanted for my book.

[Simply Sci-fi]

The deadline for my book to be finished is approaching and I'm desperately short of memories of The Empire Strikes Back at the cinema in 1980.

Mature fans (16 plus) on the whole appreciated the more grown-up tone of the film. Younger fans (myself included) were often confused and shocked. Children didn't believe that Darth Vader was Luke's father. I didn't enjoy the film as an 11-year-old fan but I came to love it as an adult.

Any response would be appreciated!

Craig.

 

[x-pack]

Being born in '76 the Empire era was my introduction Star Wars. The first figures bought for me would have all been on lovely ESB logo cardbacks. If you look at my profile photo, which shows my treasured collection at the time, you'll see that they are all Empire. Weirdly though I didn't actually see the film until the late 80's and I can't for the life of me explain why. Eventually though I rented it from the local video shop (remember doing that?) which sparked that period that a lot of fans have probably been through where we watch a Star Wars film almost daily for months, or even years.

It's probably more to do with that early connection with the toys than the film that ESB looms large in my collecting

 

[SAVORY100]

My pre-ESB experience of Star Wars was playing with a few toys in a friends front garden... I had a Chewbacca (I think) and he had a host of figures, my most memorable item though was his landspeeder... we raced it back and forth across the black diamond embossed brick faced courtyard for what seemed like hours! My earliest Star Wars film memories though circulate around ESB.
I had just turned seven year's old when it was out in the summer of 1980 and my family; Mum and Brother, were on holiday in Weymouth with my two cousins (Kirsty and Trudi) and their Mum. My memory suggests it was a hot summer and we had a great time all round. About mid-way through the week long seaside break my cousins, who are a couple of years older than me, we were all getting a bit overheated (or at worst bored of sandcastles) and to celebrate my birthday my Mum took me and the two girls to the cinema. This was from memory one of, if not the first, times I had ever been to a cinema. I was mesmerised by the whole experience and this only enhanced the film itself and undoubtedly helped shape my later love for the trilogy as a whole. I don't recall it being 'dark', in the way we would read and understand it to be now as adults. I guess at seven, I was just taken in by the spaceships, the creatures and lightsaber battles. My brother though at only 4 years old, drew the short straw and was left with my Aunt going round and round on the carousel at the fairground while we watched the film... :lol:
I have a more vague memory of getting the sticker album that holiday to accompany the film, but this may be a false memory that actually occurred year later; I'm sure Craig can clarify the timeline/reality on this detail.
What I am certain about is that that autumn, back at school in Woolstanton, we had an art project to create a model of our choosing, me and a classmate (I forget who, but oddly Sublevel studios may have an idea(?)) created a Millennium Falcon from a typical selection of cardboard boxes and the like... it didn't end well though, we fought over it in class, I damaged our cherished work and was removed from class for my misdemeanour! :shock:

 

[Robstyley]

One of the first films I ever saw at the cinema was Empire Strikes Back and also E.T. My Mum and her mate took me and her mates two sons. It was at the Odeon in Southend, proper old skool Cinema with 2 massive screens, a grand entrance with all the lights and lightbulbs etc. Sadly it's not there anymore, they knocked it down. I saw loads of films there in the 80's and 90's. Unfortunately my memories of seeing Empire that day are very hazy, almost non existent. It was 35 years ago! It's Yoda that sticks in my memory, I was quite taken with him. I've quizzed my Mum about it recently and she just said we were well excited before and we all loved it. That made me smile

 

[sith-smith]

I'm pretty sure I went to see it twice at the cinema. Was only 8 at the time and only really enjoyed the first part up to when they left hoth. After that I think I found it all a bit boring.

Never fully understood much of the Luke in the cave scene. I do remember that as I kid I completely missed that that was Luke's face behind the severed Vader's mask. My initial thoughts were that it was a Death Squad commander in disguise, trying to trick Luke!

 

[kingshearer]

I was only 7 so don't really remember much about the props etc in the cinema.

Empire Strikes Back was my first cinematic experience of the Star Wars Universe. Unfortunately the first visit was a false start.
Me and my brother were taken to the Odeon Cinema in Newcastle upon Tyne one Sunday (I think) afternoon by our Mam and Dad to see it. When we got there we had a choice of hundreds of seats since there was hardly anyone there. This immediately struck me as odd since Empire had become somewhat of a phenomena with huge critical acclaim and even though we must have went several weeks after it's official release it was still selling out. Not to let this bother me too much we took our ringside seats and started to watch the trailers. The last trailer was for a subtitled film which seemed to go on and on. Ten minutes past and I turned to my mam asking if there had been a mistake "no no it will be on soon" another 10 minutes and my parents were now a bit ruffled and as our eyes had by then become accustomed to the dark we were able to make out the other folk at the cinema and my mam and Dad were furiously whispering to each other and after further debate the penny had well and truly dropped and they broke the news to me and wor kid. Most of the audience were Indian folk and had come to watch Bollywood's latest blockbuster.
Months later my Mam was still laughing at her and my Dad's incompetence.

I was devastated but the very next day, as an apology, me and my brother were rewarded with a Greedo and Walrus Man figure ( Walrus Man was my first figure and joined my hand-me-down R2D2). And the following weekend we got to see the Hollywood version of Empire Strikes Back.
I loved the film but was even more excited about trying to second guess what figures would be released and couldn't wait for them to appear in the shops. I wasn't disappointed but never managed to get the full set since they were coming out faster than I could save or be treated.

I also had the ESB FKS sticker album (still do) which cost my parents a fortune (in hindsight this didn't help my figure collection) and I managed to complete it by sending off for the missing stickers using the coupon on the back.

Sorry but this is more farcical than factual information!!

 

[chipsteak]

I was six in 1980. I have an older brother who had been ramping up my excitement for Star Wars since I could remember. His Star Wars Weeklys had been helping too.

Brother was keen to see ESB as soon as we could. I was so hyped up I remember my legs trembling on the way to The Odeon. The film didn't dissapoint after a long life of waiting. The whole thing was a highlight. When I got home, the felt pens came out so I could illustrate it all to uninterested sisters. This went on for some while.

I had heard Vader was Luke's dad so didn't get the benefit of the twist. I thought it was common knowledge from the first film so assumed this must be Luke just finding out. But, didn't Luke kill him earlier on Dagobah anyway? I'm confused....

I found out ( via info from Craig here ) that it was two full years before I eventually saw 'Star Wars' as part of the double bill. Such was the ESB experience that I spent two years obsessing over Star Wars, having only seen the sequel.

 

[tobedesu]

Unfortunately, I can't recall much.
I watched ESB as part of a double bill with ANH in 1981. I'd be 7 at that time. I'm sure it was a Saturday afternoon.
It came to our local theatre - Rugby Theatre.
I really can't remember all of the hype and build up at the time other than probably seeing stuff like the bits on Blue Peter and so on.
I also can't remember whether or not I had some figures before or after watching the films.

My friend and I went with our mums to watch the double bill.
During the films, I was having problems seeing over the people in front of me, so switched seats with my mum and them my friends mum, but still couldn't get a good view.
I remember thinking that Luke was the coolest and that we had the same haircut.
After the film we played with pretend lightsabers and blasters on the way home.
I didn't see Return of the Jedi until it came out on VHS.

 

[kingshearer]

Yes, everyone had big hair back then

 

[kingshearer]

I do remember that as I kid I completely missed that that was Luke's face behind the severed Vader's mask. My initial thoughts were that it was a Death Squad commander in disguise, trying to trick Luke!

That would have made for a much better film!

 

[chipsteak]

I didn't recognize it as Luke's face either. Older brother had to put me straight.

An abiding specific memory from my first viewing is when this happens...

It was one of the 'eight pages of fabulous colour' from the novelization. I'd been pouring over those eight pages for god knows how long.

 

[Fishtalk]

I was 12 in 1980, my friend and I were allowed to catch the bus to the nearest cinema (10 miles away) one Saturday morning. My brother was adamant we wouldn't get in, but we did. Like others, the Hoth scenes enthralled me the most - I found the Dagobah scenes boring (then, not now). As for the big revelation, I figured Vader was lying. All the comics and magazines were saying Boba Fett was Lukes Father - it seemed plausible.

My overriding memory of this time came a week later, I saw an advert on telly for that nights edition of the Southbank Show, something a 12 year old would never normally watch. However, it was all about Star Wars - specifically the concept of the Force. My parents didn't see the ad, and as the show didn't start until 10.00pm they wouldn't let me stay up to watch it, despite my protests. So I begrudgingly went to bed, only to be woken by my Mum later - yes, it is about Star Wars she said, and I was allowed downstairs and I sat and watched it in my pyjamas. Happy times.

 

[Simply Sci-fi]

The television coverage for The Empire Strikes back was not entirely focussed us kids, was it? Even though I was a big fan, I don't remember the South Bank Show and documentaries such as The Risk Business and another based on John Williams. We had C-3PO/Anthony Daniels appearing on
Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill on Blue Peter.

The discussion will roll on about how children reacted to The Empire Strikes Back at the time. What seems certain is that no matter what the plot contained, the film was chock full of fascinating places, great action and ultra-cool vehicles. What young lad wouldn't want an AT-AT or Millennium Falcon? Although I didn't enjoy the film, I still craved the toys and carried on collecting regardless.

 

[spoons]

I saw ESB in the west end for my or my brothers birthday in 1980 or possibly a reshowing in 1981. I would have been 7 or 8. I'm fairly convinced it was for my birthday but that would have been March so maybe we saw a reshowing in 1981 - either way it was a long time ago!

I remember enjoying the film but clearly not paying that much attention - I didn't recognise the toy ATATs from the film and just remembered their legs. I don't remember being scared or confused just excited about going to the cinema.

I got the ESB storybook soon after (and still have it) and a lot of my memories of the film come from that book. I'd spend hours tracing the picture of Vader taking Han's gun and used to draw scenes from the film.

I remember seeing Star Wars on VHS a few years later but always had a love of the toys before I'd seen either film.

 

[stratpack]

I saw Empire for the first time in the cinema during a double bill with SW probably 1981 or 82. I was only 5 or 6 at the time and my old man took me with him to see it. We walked in during the ceremony at the end of the first film, we must have already seen SW as I can remember not feeling perturbed about missing it.

As a child who was absorbing this universe for the first time on the big screen two things stuck in my mind - the brightness of Hoth and the echo of Dagobah. I can vividly remember standing at the balcony rail turning round asking my dad 'when are the big camels coming?'. I had no idea what they were called and it wasn't till later looking through my mothers Brian Mills catalogue at the full page ESB spread of all the toys that i found out their name. The Dagobah scene sticks out as it was full of jungle noises and very spooky. I can remember the sound echoing round the old cinema and it almost seemed like I was there!

Great memories although my old man can't remember anything about it.

 

[sith-smith]

I do remember that as I kid I completely missed that that was Luke's face behind the severed Vader's mask. My initial thoughts were that it was a Death Squad commander in disguise, trying to trick Luke!

That would have made for a much better film!

Quite possibly...it certainly made it interesting for me at 8yrs of age!!

Though lacks the depth/meaning the actual story had, but can't see how that would have meant anything to kids back then!

 

[Frunkstar]

Hi Craig

Well my memory of ESB is over in Germany as a kid, they used to have Video Kino's there - a sort of video shop but with little rooms where you could watch films they had in stock there & then, a video cinema, it was a great place for kids to go in a small group on a rainy day, rooms ranged from 2 to 8 seats, quite grotty really looking back at them now, but worked out really cheap to go with your mates & watch a film on a shitty day, I remember ESB was always on the first choice list for out group as we were all into star wars & well with ESB being the best film :mrgreen: it was pretty much watched to death, god only knows how many times we watched that film in one of those.

 

[Palifan]

Hi Craig

Well my memory of ESB is over in Germany as a kid, they used to have Video Kino's there - a sort of video shop but with little rooms where you could watch films they had in stock there & then, a video cinema, it was a great place for kids to go in a small group on a rainy day, rooms ranged from 2 to 8 seats, quite grotty really looking back at them now, but worked out really cheap to go with your mates & watch a film on a shitty day, I remember ESB was always on the first choice list for out group as we were all into star wars & well with ESB being the best film :mrgreen: it was pretty much watched to death, god only knows how many times we watched that film in one of those.

I also remember those video booths in Amsterdam...... I don't seem to remember them showing much Star Wars though

Ian

 

[kingshearer]

Hi Craig

Well my memory of ESB is over in Germany as a kid, they used to have Video Kino's there - a sort of video shop but with little rooms where you could watch films they had in stock there & then, a video cinema, it was a great place for kids to go in a small group on a rainy day, rooms ranged from 2 to 8 seats, quite grotty really looking back at them now, but worked out really cheap to go with your mates & watch a film on a shitty day, I remember ESB was always on the first choice list for out group as we were all into star wars & well with ESB being the best film :mrgreen: it was pretty much watched to death, god only knows how many times we watched that film in one of those.

I also remember those video booths in Amsterdam...... I don't seem to remember them showing much Star Wars though

Ian

No you there for Jedi and the scenes of Leia in Jabba's palace!

 

[Paddy the Jedi]

Hi Craig,I was 6 when Star Wars was released. I don't remember seeing it in the Cinema as I guess I was too young to be taken by my parents!! I do remember seeing it before Empire though - is it possible this was on TV? I did receive a Palitoy Landspeeder,Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper!!( I guess these were Palitoy 12 backs). I also recall seeing lots of the first issue carded figures hanging on pegs in my local Woolworths- which was in Armagh city,County Armagh Northern Ireland. As for Empire I might have seen this in the Cinema. I remember being totally mesmerised ( as so many kids were) by the battle on Hoth and of course the giant At- Ats!! I did get for Christmas 1980 an At -At, Snowspeeder and several figures such as Luke in Hoth gear and At -At Driver. I used to recreate the classic scene with Rebels and the Empire on my bed as it was an off- white colour with a brown floral design on it!!!!!! What was I thinking!!! Of course I still have all my toys intact and I'm so glad I chose the At- At as the alternative was the popular Big Trak vehicle( both roughly 39-99 in Argos). I hope my memories help. My name is Gary Cunningham and I still love the toys made by Palitoy and Kenner that were such a big part of my informative childhood years!!!!! Looking forward to your book,kind regards Gary.