1980 The Empire Strikes Back

This is the movie that truly started it all. Released in 1980, it blew open the Star Wars universe and deepened each character.

The story, written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, was bigger, bolder and darker than the first film. Here we have a story where the baddies win and the heroes are left to lick their wounds.

It also opened up the merchandise. You could get pillow cases, lunch boxes as well as a wider range of figures. One of those figures became the ultimate collectable, Boba Fett; originally only available as a postal order, it has become one of the most sought after of action figures. Not bad for a character who hardly appears.

George Lucas passed the directing reigns on to Irvin Kirshner, after his harrowing experience trying to get Star Wars made. The grittier story is echoed in the shadowy images, and the final showdown between a young Luke and Vader is pure cinematic melodrama.

For many this is the best in the series. It certainly has confidence and awareness of itself. It stands up alone, but is also considered one of the best sequels made. You could watch this and not any of the others in the series and be enthralled by the ultimate story of good versus evil. Sometimes evil wins.

The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Marvel Edition

Search here at Abe Books for the novelsation by Donald F. Glut - The Empire Strikes Back

Gaming consoles were few and far between in 1980, so kids headed to the arcades for video fun. Empire was a souped up version of the original Star Wars game, which was basically an attack on the Death Star. Here we could fight At-At's and lose our money at the same time.