The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars (Penguin Audio)) [Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

George Lucas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1993 | Series: Star Wars (Penguin Audio)

National Public Radio's 1981 adaptation of Star Wars was one of the most successful presentations in the history of radio—and a very tough act to follow. Nevertheless, two years later, the members of the Star Wars production team eagerly returned to create a radio version of The Empire Strikes Back.

Like its predecessor, this electrifying drama boasts an outstanding cast (including Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Anthony Daniels as See Threepio, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, and John Lithgow as Yoda); a greatly expanded script, with many scenes not found in the movie; and audio engineering of unparalleled excellence. The Empire Strikes Back takes you once more into a galaxy of pure sound and limitless imagination for an adventure you'll never forget.

Star Wars®,™, & © 1993 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Perhaps you think the Star Wars trilogy cannot be fully realized with audio alone. You think you'd miss the stunning visuals, the emotions of the actors, and the special effects. You think it would be a disappointment. As Yoda might say, "So impossible is it? So certain are you?" This production of The Empire Strikes Back was created by the same team that produced National Public Radio's amazingly successful presentation of Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama in 1981. Presented in 10 episodes, the longer format allows for a great expansion of the story and new scenes--though purists may be disappointed by the slight but significant change in the story line while the Rebels are on Hoth. Once again, Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels are on hand to reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker and C-3PO, and this time they are joined by Billy Dee Williams reprising his part as Lando Calrissian. A fine cast performs the rest of the roles, notably John Lithgow as Yoda and the very compelling Perry King as the "slimy, double-crossing, no good swindler" Han Solo. Sound effects and John Williams's score from the movie have been remixed to help create a convincing soundscape--so good, you can really "see" the movie by listening to it. The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama will thrill all Star Wars fans, whether or not they enjoy audiobooks. (Running time: 5 hours, 5 cassettes) --C.B. Delaney

Review

Empire Strikes Back [brought to you by HighBridge Audio] was recorded in 1983 for National Public Radio, once again utilizing Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Anthony Daniels C3PO, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian and John Lithgow as Yoda. Including the stunning music of John Williams performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, the ten episodes on five cassettes will capture the listener's imagination. I defy anyone to strap on headphones, or go for a very long drive listening to this show, and not fall right into the story itself. Sound separation and fidelity is unsurpassed, and hey, the story's not too bad either. -- Baby Boomer Collectibles, August 1994

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Highbridge Audio; Original radio broadcast edition (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565110005
• ISBN-13: 978-1565110007
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,291,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Books on Cassette > Radio Shows
  • #50 in Books > Books on Cassette > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction
  • #65 in Books > Books on Cassette > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Film, Good Book, August 7, 2007

By 

David Pruette "Rancors Love to Read" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Mass Market Paperback)

We all know the story that unfolds in The Empire Strikes Back, and many people consider it to be the best of the films. So what does an author do to make the story seem fresh to the reader? Add details? Change the story? Closely follow the film? In the case of this book, Mr. Glut has elected to follow the film. I think he made the right decision, and he describes the action very well. I was not distracted by being familiar with the story, and I think that the unique individual who has not seen the film would obtain a good grasp of the tale by reading this book. Just as in the film, it was great fun to follow our heroes from Hoth to Bespin and Dagobah. One can only wonder what happens next.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent summer paperback of classic Star Wars tale, June 11, 2004

By 

Eric San Juan (Brick, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Mass Market Paperback)

This novelization of what many consider to be the best Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, isn't going to offer you reams of new information, but you will get small glimpses into scenes that never made the movie through bits of dialogue not seen on screen. For some, that alone may be enough to warrant a purchase.

For those looking for an in-depth Star Wars read, look elsewhere. This is casual reading material. The book's pacing is brisk and the reading light. Experienced readers will polish this off in one lazy Saturday afternoon, while younger readers will enjoy this over the course of a week. This isn't a BAD thing, of course - it just is what it is. And what it is, is a fairly run of the mill movie novelization.

While this isn't as essential as some original Star Wars books, most notably those by Timothy Zhan, hardcore Star Wars fans will probably want to check this out. It is, after all, one of the core group of stories around which the Star Wars universe was based. In addition, some non-film material (Luke training with Yoda comes to mind) is interesting enough to make you see the movie in a different light. Just don't expect classic literature. This is a novelization of a movie, and reads like it. Nice beach reading, and little more.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful radio adaptation of the film., March 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars (Penguin Audio)) (Audio Cassette)

The second part of George Lucas' famous STAR WARS saga comes to radio, and it's well worth the wait. Mark Hamil, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams are on hand to reprise their film roles, and they are ably supported by Brock Peters, Ann Sachs, Perry King, and John Lithgow (as Yoda). The 10-part script takes the time to flesh out the characters and the setting, making the saga appear more real than ever. After hearing THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK on audio, you just might be tempted to get rid of your video copy--it's really that good! So start up the cassette player, and journey to a galaxy far, far away.