Synopsis

After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, Luke Skywalker returns to the Rebel Alliance for its decisive assault on the second Death Star. While the fleet attacks the station, Luke confronts Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, hoping to redeem his father rather than destroy him. On the forest moon of Endor, the Rebels enlist the native Ewoks in their ground campaign.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was released in the United States on May 25, 1983, exactly six years after the original Star Wars opened in theaters.

• The production initially used the title "Revenge of the Jedi." It was later changed because revenge was considered inconsistent with the ideals associated with a Jedi.

• "Blue Harvest" served as a cover title during location shooting. The name helped conceal the production from the press, fans, and local observers.

• Principal photography began on January 11, 1982, at Elstree Studios in England. Additional exterior work took place in California and Arizona.

• Industrial Light & Magic developed new visual-effects techniques for the film, including a high-speed camera rig for the speeder-bike chase and computer-generated wire-frame imagery of the unfinished Death Star.

• Return of the Jedi received four Academy Award nominations and won for Best Sound Effects Editing.