Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K Blu-ray Movie ![United States United States](https://images3.static-bluray.com/flags/US.png)
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital CopyDisney / Buena Vista | 1980 | 127 min | Rated PG | Mar 31, 2020
![Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K (Blu-ray Movie), temporary cover art Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K (Blu-ray Movie), temporary cover art](https://images4.static-bluray.com/movies/covers/257141_medium.jpg)
Movie rating
| 9 | / 10 |
Blu-ray rating
Users | ![]() | 4.1 |
Reviewer | ![]() | 4.0 |
Overall | ![]() | 4.0 |
Overview click to collapse contents
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K (1980)
After the destruction of the Death Star, the Galactic Empire continues to pursue the Rebel Alliance. After the Rebellion's defeat on the ice planet of Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony DanielsDirector: Irvin Kershner
Adventure | Uncertain |
Action | Uncertain |
Sci-Fi | Uncertain |
Fantasy | Uncertain |
Epic | Uncertain |
Specifications click to expand contents
Video
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
Japanese: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Subtitles
English SDH, French, Japanese, Spanish
Discs
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Packaging
Slipcover in original pressing
Playback
Region free
Review click to expand contents
Rating summary
Movie | ![]() | 5.0 |
Video | ![]() | 0.0 |
Audio | ![]() | 4.5 |
Extras | ![]() | 3.5 |
Overall | ![]() | 4.0 |
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 6, 2020Disney has released 1980's 'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. A number of supplements are included on a dedicated Blu-ray disc.
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The Rebel Alliance has fled to the icy, remote world of Hoth. Han Solo's (Harrison Ford) plans to leave and pay off Jabba the Hut are put on hold when Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones) and the Empire track the rebels down. A mad scramble to escape, and a battle that leaves the base in ruins, leave many rebels dead. Han, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) flee aboard the 'Millennium Falcon' while Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) leave the world on Luke's X-Wing. Rather than regroup with the remaining fleet, Luke travels to the isolated swampy world of Dagobah in search of Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz). Han, Chewie, Leia, and 3PO are pursued by the Imperial fleet and ultimately find themeless seeking safe harbor at Cloud City, a majestic community governed by Han's old friend, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams).
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality ![n/a of 5](https://images3.static-bluray.com/rating/b0.jpg)
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The only thing chillier than Hoth might be this UHD, and the only thing more frozen than its surface might be the grain structure throughout the film.
Disney has in some ways decimated the experience, dumbing it down but not entirely obliterating the picture. The resolution does allow the
material to find another gear of clarity and textural resolve, at least considering what remains of its natural state. Filtering and processing run rampant.
Look at the
softness and mushiness on the white surfaces when Vader force chokes his first victim, the admiral who came out of light speed too close to the Hoth
system, in chapter 12. Details are just wiped away and there's an instability, a muddiness, to the surfaces. It's the same story when R2 opens a door
late in the film
as he, Leia, Lando, and Chewie (with the dismantled 3PO on his back) escape to the Falcon. The scenes on Cloud City are the poorest of the
bunch. The frozen grain is hopelessly and ceaselessly obvious against the bright surfaces and it's here where the most readily evident edge
enhancement is also apparent; see the
1:27:55 mark for the most obvious example in the movie. But like with A New Hope, the image does boast the finest and most robust detailing
ever for home consumption, even if it's a far cry from perfection. Even as there's more of a flatness and a smoothness here than with that original film,
there are moments of borderline grand detail. Some close-ups during the Hoth battle inside speeders and walkers show near resplendent clarity and
texturing, though just as many look awful. An intimate scene between Leia and Han on the Falcon midway through the film might reveal the
best looking close-ups in the movie. There are a number of optical effects shots and these have never integrated seamlessly, but the UHD certainly does
them no favors.
The HDR color palette does bring a nice bit of tonal upgrade to the film, though it's more of a reinforcement rather than a recreation. Viewers will note
fantastic white elements on Hoth, even seen from orbit for the first time as the probe droid enters the atmosphere. The snow is crisp, more brilliant
and pure than ever before. The same can be said of Echo Base's snowy dugout interiors and, of course, storm trooper uniforms. Lightsabers enjoy
amplified intensity in the final act when Vader and Luke square off in some lower-light areas within the city's bowels. Yoda's green skin and the murky
Dagobaah sequences present with firmer depth while more naturally illuminated Cloud City locations spring to life with newfound vibrance. Black levels
are superior here, whether outer space, shadowy corners, or Vader's costume. Skin tones appear nicely accurate as well. Overall, though, the UHD is a
disappointment but at the same time the best the film has ever looked for home viewing.
The included screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p Blu-ray disc, which has itself received a fairly drastic makeover compared to the
2011 20th Century Fox release. Also note that the "video" score for 1080p above is left blank; I have not yet conducted a full review of the new 1080p
Blu-ray video quality.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality ![4.5 of 5](https://images4.static-bluray.com/rating/b9.jpg)
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Empire's Dolby Atmos soundtrack fares a good bit better than its video counterpart. Once the volume has been upwardly adjusted, listeners
will find a
well-versed audio presentation that takes advantage of its newfound top end channels without fundamentally altering the established sonic landscape.
The overheads are used to very good, natural effect throughout the film, with many fine examples coming during the opening act on Hoth. Ambient
effects in Echo Base's command center swirl about with some interestingly unique tones, offering both dispersed and discrete elements. Cold winds
bluster through to good effects with some helpful overhead integration when Han searches for Luke early in the film. When it's announced that "the first
transport is away," listeners will feel like the sound is emanating, at least somewhat, from the top. Ditto a shot soon to follow announcing "Imperial
walkers on the north ridge." Various explosions during the Hoth battle result in structural collapse. These details bear the fruits of quality top end detail
and low end extension, the former particularly impressive as snow and debris seem to tumble atop the listener. An X-Wing seems to fly over during the
last moments of escape in chapter 18 as well. Add the general chaos of battle and the swirling surround elements, nicely detailed laser blasts, deep
walker footfalls, and
general din and the whole segment delivers a fantastic sonic experience. Similar environmental traits may be heard on the Falcon as repairs
take place in chapter 24 and, of course, on Dagobah, which comes alive with
a symphony of eerie, creepy-crawly sounds as Luke meets Yoda and trains in the ways of the force. Climactic clashes within Cloud City, both the running
laser battle as well as the lightsaber duel between Luke and Vader, make good use of immersion and overhead components. Musical clarity is excellent
and it's properly balanced around the listener, dominant across the front but not shy about engaging surrounds, too. Dialogue delivery never
stumbles. This is a very high quality presentation that will leave fans ecstatic.
Note that the bundled Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack; Fox's 2011 release included a 6.1 track.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras ![3.5 of 5](https://images2.static-bluray.com/rating/b7.jpg)
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The Empire Strikes Back's UHD disc contains no supplements, but numerous extras may be found on the paired Blu-ray discs: two carryover
commentaries on the feature film disc and a number of video-based supplements on the dedicated extras disc. New supplements, be they new to
Blu-ray or
entirely new, are marked as such and
reviewed. Note that the previous Fox release is fairly clumsy to navigate; I've tried to ensure comparative listings are correct. Coverage of carryover
content from the original 20th Century Fox boxed set can be found here. Note that some of the extras that were
separated out into different sections on the previous release ("Hoth," "Dagobah," "Pursued by the Imperial Fleet," and "Cloud City") have been
combined here. A
Movies Anywhere
digital
copy code is
included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.
Blu-ray Disc One (Feature Film):
- Audio Commentary: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt, and Dennis Muren.
- Audio Commentary: Cast and Crew (Archival).
Blu-ray Disc Two (Bonus):
- NEW! Conversations: The Lost Interviews (1080p, 9:31): Charles Lippincott interviews cast and crew from the Star Wars universe between 1975 and 1978; these tapes were only recently unearthed. Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, and John Williams are heard over still photos, concept drawings, and film clips from the set and the recording studio.
- NEW! Discoveries from Inside: Matte Paintings Unveiled (1080p, 4:42): J.W. Rinzler is joined by Matte Painting Supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw to look over a few key art pieces created for the franchise.
- Legacy Content
- A Conversation with the Masters (2010)
- NEW! Dennis Muren: How Walkers Walk (480i, 1:54): A brief, vintage, rapid-fire look at the stop-motion technology used to bring the Imperial armor to life.
- Interviews: Hoth Overview, George Lucas on Editing 'The Empire Strikes Back' 1979, Irvin Kershner Interview, Dagobah Overview, Pursued by the Imperial Fleet Overview, George Lucas on the Force: 2010, and Cloud City Overview.
- Deleted/Extended Scenes: Han and Leia: Extended Echo Base Argument, Luke's Recovery, Luke and Leia: Medical Center, Wampa Attacks, The Fate of General Veers, Yoda's Test, Hiding in the Asteroid, Alternate Han and Leia Kiss, Lobot's Capture, and Leia Tends to Luke.
- The Collection: AT-AT Walker Fallen Model, Snowspeeder Model, Tauntaun Maquette, Rebel Transport Model, Hoth Landscape Matte Painting, Leia Hoth Costume, Han Solo Interior: Hoth Costume, Yoda Model, Luke's Severed Head, Dagobah Bog Matte Painting, Dagobah Matte Painting, Luke's Tan Costume, Star Destroyer Model, 'Millennium Falcon' Model, Space Slug, Darth Vader's Star Destroyer Model, Star Destroyer Hull Model, Executor Bridge Matte Painting, Boba Fett Prototype Costume, Imperial Officer Costume, Rebel Cruiser Model, Twin-Pod Cloud Car Model, Cloud City Models, Cloud City Matte Painting, Cloud City Landing Platform Matte Painting, Cloud City Core Vane Matte Painting, Cloud City Core Vane Platform Matte Painting, Lando Bespin Costume, and 'Slave I' Matte Painting.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation ![4.0 of 5](https://images3.static-bluray.com/rating/b8.jpg)
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Most Star Wars fans consider The Empire Strikes Back to be the best of the bunch, and this reviewer agrees. Unfortunately, it has not received the best UHD of the bunch. While the Atmos soundtrack is great and the extras are fine, the video presentation suffers from severe, and unnecessary, processing that leaves grain frozen, details wanting, the film source robbed of its majesty. What a shame. It's tough to recommend on its technical merits, but the film itself, obviously, earns my highest recommendation.