The Empire Strikes Back (1980) | Ep. 16 - Part 2

Lucas funded the film almost entirely himself to keep control, gambling everything on the sequel. It paid off spectacularly. John, Westy, and Matt continue the story, up to that line in Cloud City.

We dig into the crew behind the film — the screenplay with Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, John Williams's score and the Imperial March, and the advances in creature and effects work — before breaking down the finale, the reception, and why it's so often called the greatest sequel ever made. Plus the hosts' final verdict and scores.

Part 1 is the war on the ice and the road to Dagobah — Kershner, the cast, the first half. Start there.

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