Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is the sixth and final chapter (but the third to be released) in the popular six-part Star Wars film series by George Lucas. It debuted in 1983, and was re-released with changes in 1997 and 2004.

In this epic conclusion of the saga, Luke Skywalker and friends travel to Tatooine to rescue their friend, Han Solo from crime lord, Jabba the Hutt. The Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star while the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts his father Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.

Opening crawl
Episode VI

RETURN OF THE JEDI

Luke Skywalker has returned to his home planet of Tatooine in an attempt to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt.

Little does Luke know that the Galactic Empire has secretly begun construction on a new armored space station even more powerful than the first dreaded Death Star.

When completed, this ultimate weapon will spell certain doom for the small band of rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy....

Backstory
Shadows of the Empire reveals that construction has begun on a new, more powerful Death Star than the previous one. At the suggestion of Prince Xizor, Emperor Palpatine allows the plans to this new station to slip into Rebel hands, albeit at a price. The Bothan spies have discovered that the plans are to be sent in a small computer onboard a fertillizer freighter, the Suprosa, en route to their home planet of Bothawui. The Bothans send an alert (in the form of a message droid) to Tatooine, believing Rebel leader Princess Leia Organa to be present. The alert asks her to come to Bothawui, as they have this information for her. However, she is not on Tatooine, so Luke Skywalker and Dash Rendar intercept the message instead, and take up the challenge. Luke and Dash, along with a fleet of volunteer Bothans, intercept the freighter coming out of hyperspace. They mount an attack which proves successful, albeit at the cost of the lives of several Bothans. The victory allows the plans to come into the Rebel hands, ready to be decoded.

Story
Return of the Jedi begins in 4 ABY, one year after the events of The Empire Strikes Back (although the novelization gives the time period as six months).



Darth Vader lands in the docking bay of an uncompleted second Death Star, which the Empire is creating, and is more powerful than the first. He is greeted by Commander Moff Jerjerrod, but demands the Empire be put back on schedule in order to complete the Death Star on time. Jerjerrod argues that they need more men, but quickly agrees to double their efforts when he learns that Emperor Palpatine is coming.



Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker and his company have arrived on Tatooine in the latest attempt to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt 's desert palace. First the droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, arrive with a holographic message from Skywalker pleading Jabba to release Solo, but they end up as slaves. That evening, Jabba's Palace Band (led by Sy Snootles and Max Rebo) entertains the slug-like creature's guests. Jabba is captivated by the graceful gyrations of his slave girl Oola, and hauls on her chain, desiring more than sensual dance from her. Oola resists his demands and is thrown into the pit of the rancor monster where she is immediately killed. Suddenly, Princess Leia (in the guise of bounty hunter Boushh) arrives with "prisoner" Chewbacca to collect part of the bounty Jabba himself sought after years earlier when he put a price on Solo's head. Jabba then sends Chewbacca to the prisons. That night, Leia/Boushh releases Solo from his carbonite coffin, only to be overseen by Jabba, his minions, and now-slave droids. Both Solo and Leia are captured; Solo is put in the prison with the Wookiee while Jabba takes Leia as his personal slave girl, replacing Oola as the subject of his affections.



Luke eventually arrives, coming at dawn to make one final plea to Jabba to release Solo, but Jabba orders the young Jedi into the pit of the rancor monster. Skywalker successfully kills the rancor by crushing it with the gate of its compound and piercing its neck with the spikes at the bottom of the gate, but he too is captured by Jabba's minions. As punishment, Jabba, using C-3PO as a translator, commands Luke and his friends to be destroyed (over a course of a thousand years) by the man-eating sarlacc at the Great Pit of Carkoon.



Luke and his companions (with Lando Calrissian disguised as one of Jabba's prison guards) go to the Pit of Carkoon. With the help of R2-D2, Luke then retrieves his recently built lightsaber to battle his captors. Solo, by this time blinded from the aftereffects of carbonization, accidentally destroys the jetpack of bounty hunter Boba Fett when he turns around and smashes an axe in it. Fett then flies out of control, crashes and falls in the pit to be digested by the sarlacc. Leia, meanwhile, with chain in hand, strangles Jabba to death. The droids are then set free, and jump off the sail barge. They land in the Tatooinian sand. Luke and Lando kill the remaining captors, then Luke rescues Leia, and both point the guns toward the heart of Jabba's Sail Barge. Luke and company escape with their lives before the gun discharges, destroying the sail barge. All of the crew (except for Luke) depart Tatooine for the rendezvous point near Sullust (mentioned in The Empire Strikes Back) where the Rebel Alliance is assembling, while Luke and R2-D2 (in their X-wing) head for Dagobah to fulfill a promise made some time earlier.

On the Death Star, the Emperor arrives, praising Lord Vader on his efforts in the construction of the Death Star, assuring him that everything is going as he has planned.



Luke and Artoo arrive on Dagobah to find a terminally-ill Yoda. Luke has returned to complete his Jedi training, but Yoda declares no further training is required. All that remains for Luke is to confront Vader. Yoda then reveals that Vader is indeed his father. The 900-year-old Jedi Master gives one last mention of wisdom to the young Jedi before he dies (and disappears the way Ben Kenobi did in A New Hope).

As Luke approaches his X-wing, the spirit form of Kenobi confirms that Vader was once Anakin Skywalker, a former Jedi Knight who turned to the dark side of the Force. Kenobi also reveals that Luke has a twin sister, hidden from Luke at birth as protection from the Emperor. Luke senses that his sister is actually Princess Leia. Kenobi warns Luke to bury his feelings, for they could in time "serve the Emperor."

At the rendezvous point near Sullust, the Rebel Alliance gathers to reveal plans to attack the Death Star. As part of the plans, Luke, Leia, Solo, and a strike team must penetrate the shield generator on the fourth moon of Endor in order to deactivate the shield if the Rebel fleet is to attack the Death Star.



The strike team lands on Endor only to be discovered by scout troopers. A speeder bike chase ensues, only for Leia to be thrown off her speeder and knocked unconscious. Luke and Han discover Leia's helmet, then both try to find her. Leia is awakened by one of Endor's forest creatures, an Ewok named Wicket. Suddenly, another stormtrooper discovers Leia, but Wicket does away with the trooper before rescuing Leia.

Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and the droids, meanwhile, fall into a booby trap set by the Ewoks. Artoo cuts open the net setting them free, but the Ewok tribe discovers Threepio and proclaims him to be their god. The droid's Human and Wookiee friends are taken prisoner, and the Ewoks proclaim Luke to be the main course in a banquet in Threepio's honor. Discovered by Leia, Luke then uses the Force to levitate Threepio to show off his "great magic." Convinced of the Rebels' good intentions, the Ewoks set them free and later that evening makes them "part of the tribe," thereby the Ewoks agree to join the fight against the Empire.

But Luke decides the time has come to leave Endor and face Darth Vader. Leia follows Luke out of the tribal gathering before she is revealed the truth that Vader is Luke's father and Leia is his sister. Leia is in complete denial and is comforted by Solo.

Vader arrives in his shuttle to a docking bay, and Luke, having already surrendered to the Empire, talks with Vader in an attempt to bring the Sith Lord out of the dark side of the Force, but to no avail. The Empire takes Luke into custody for transportation to the Death Star.

The next day, the Rebels attempt to locate the shield generator, and the Rebel fleet enters hyperspace from Sullust to prepare for the final attack.

Luke and Vader finally enter the Death Star and confront the Emperor, who reveals that it was the Emperor himself that coordinated the Rebels finding the secret plans and locating the shield generator so that the Alliance can fall into a trap of Palpatine's devising.



The Rebels enter the heart of the shield generator, only to be taken prisoner by the Imperial forces. The fleet emerges from hyperspace for the battle, but discovers the shield is still up, thus an intense space battle begins.

Solo and company are led out of the bunker by the stormtroopers, but the droids and the Ewoks have already orchestrated the attack on the Empire, and another intense battle commences with the Rebels and Ewoks on one side, the Empire on another.

Palpatine shows to Luke the full power of the Death Star, and the station, now fully operational, destroys one of the Alliance's ships. Meanwhile, on Endor, the battle continues, with casualties (Rebel, stormtrooper, and Ewok) already mounting. Eventually, Han, Leia, and Chewbacca gain access to the bunker.

On the Death Star, Luke, already fueled by anger, lashes out at the Emperor with his lightsaber, only to be deflected by Vader, and thus the final duel between father and son begins. After a while, Vader forces Luke to let down his guard, while quietly sensing within his son's mind that Luke has a sister. Vader intends to turn her to the dark side if Luke won't, but Luke responds viciously in intense saber fighting, up to the point where Luke strikes off Vader's right hand (just as Vader cut off Luke's in The Empire Strikes Back). The Emperor encourages Luke to kill his father so the young Jedi can take Vader's place alongside Palpatine. But Luke controls his anger and throws aside his lightsaber. He declares himself to be a Jedi Knight as his father Anakin was before him.

Han, Leia, and Chewbacca escape from the bunker, just in time for its destruction, thus bringing down the shield. The Alliance is now free to attack the half-completed Death Star.



Emperor Palpatine declares that if Luke cannot be turned to the dark side, he should be killed, thus Palpatine uses Force lightning against Luke. The sight of seeing Luke dying causes Vader's heart to melt, thus beginning the touching and dramatic redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Vader finally ceases to exist as Anakin lifts the Emperor off his feet, and despite the deadly Force lightning now surging on Anakin, he drops his former master into a chasm, killing the Emperor.

The Millennium Falcon and its remaining Rebel fighters enter the bowels of the Death Star, and some fighters engage in a point-blank attack on the Super Star Destroyer, causing the Imperial flagship's destruction.



Back on the Death Star, in the middle of an evacuation, Luke has carried his father's ravaged body to the foot of the former Vader's shuttle. Anakin asks Luke to take his mask off so his son can see his face for the one and only time. Anakin's face is revealed to be pale white (from not seeing natural sunlight in 23 years), and his head severely scarred from his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi (as depicted in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith). Anakin tells Luke that his son was right, and asks him to tell his sister the same. With that, Anakin Skywalker dies.

The Millennium Falcon and its strike force (in the last Rebel fighter inside) reach the Death Star's main reactor and fire concussion missiles and proton torpedoes at it, causing it to collapse. Luke escapes the Death Star with his father's body and flies out through the flames, and so do Wedge Antilles and the Millennium Falcon before the Death Star explodes.



Seeing the destruction from above, Han senses Leia's love for Luke. He offers to steps aside when Luke arrives, but she tells Han that Luke is her brother. After a moment of scock or surprise, Han and Leia engage in a passionate kiss.

That evening, Luke sets a funeral pyre ablaze to burn the body of his father, still encased in the armor of Darth Vader. Through the midst of the rising flames and fireworks, Rebel fighters streak across the sky in celebration of the Rebel victory in the Galactic Civil War. Luke is reunited with his companions Han, Lando, the droids, Chewbacca, the surviving Rebel fleet, the Ewoks, and his sister Leia. Luke then catches sight of the spirit figures of Ben Kenobi, Yoda, and the redeemed Anakin Skywalker. Leia takes Luke by the hand away from the images and rejoins their friends and colleagues.

Aftermath
The Thrawn trilogy (consisting of Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command) reveals that the Battle of Endor was not the end of the story. The destruction of the Death Star, the loss of Vader and the Emperor, and the defeat of the Imperial fleet represented a major turning point in the war. Within five years, well over half of what was Imperial space was under the control of the New Republic.

The war continued for another 15 years. The New Republic would be challenged by Imperial commanders, such as Ysanne Isard, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Admiral Daala, and Admiral Pellaeon. The New Republic would even be challenged by the Reborn Emperor&mdash;the spirit of Palpatine in a new clone body. But the New Republic would weather all these storms.

Fifteen years after the Battle of Endor Admiral Pellaeon and the other Imperial leaders realized that further military conflict with the New Republic would be fruitless. The remnants of the Imperial forces signed a peace treaty with the New Republic. The decades-long Galactic Civil War was finally over.

Also, after Jabba's death, Luke was held in high respect for deleting all the debts the Hutt posted on his unfortunate undertakers. The horrible part was Zorba the Hutt, Jabba's father, was furious when he heard of his son's demise. He took over Cloud City, and in the long run, posted bounties on whomever was responsible for Jabba's eratication, primarily Luke Skywalker and his sister, Leia Organa.

Memorable quotes
"...Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your father's fate, you will."

- Yoda

"Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

"Your overconfidence is your weakness." "Your faith in your friends is yours."

- Luke Skywalker and Emperor Palpatine

"Never! I'll never turn to the dark side. You've failed, your Highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me."

- Luke Skywalker

"I've got to save you." "You already have, Luke. You were right about me. Tell your sister...you were right."

- Luke Skywalker and Anakin Skywalker

Cast

 * Luke Skywalker - Mark Hamill
 * Han Solo - Harrison Ford
 * Princess Leia Organa - Carrie Fisher
 * Lando Calrissian - Billy Dee Williams
 * C-3PO - Anthony Daniels
 * Chewbacca - Peter Mayhew
 * Anakin Skywalker - Sebastian Shaw, Hayden Christensen (uncredited, DVD Edition only)
 * The Emperor - Ian McDiarmid
 * Yoda - Frank Oz
 * Voice of Darth Vader - James Earl Jones
 * Darth Vader - David Prowse
 * Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi - Alec Guinness
 * R2-D2 - Kenny Baker
 * Moff Jerjerrod - Michael Pennington
 * Admiral Piett - Kenneth Colley
 * Bib Fortuna - Michael Carter
 * Wedge Antilles - Denis Lawson
 * Admiral Ackbar - Tim Rose
 * General Madine - Dermot Crowley
 * Mon Mothma - Caroline Blakiston
 * Wicket - Warwick Davis
 * Paploo - Kenny Baker
 * Boba Fett - Jeremy Bulloch
 * Oola - Femi Taylor
 * Sy Snootles - Annie Arbogast
 * Yarna D'al Gargan - Claire Davenport
 * Teebo - Jack Purvis
 * Logray - Mike Edmonds
 * Chief Chirpa - Jane Busby
 * Ewok Warrior - Malcom Dixon
 * Ewok Warrior - Mike Cottrell
 * Nicki - Nicki Reade
 * Jhoff - Adam Bareham
 * Gherant - Jonathan Oliver
 * Star Destroyer Captain #1 - Pip Miller
 * Star Destroyer Captain #2 - Tom Mannion
 * Jabba Puppeteers - Toby Philpott, David Barclay, Mike Edmonds
 * Puppeteers - Michael McCormick, Simon Williamson, Swim Lee, Richard Robinson, Deep Roy, Hugh Spirit, Michael Quinn
 * Ewoks - Margo Apostolos, Ray Armstrong, Eileen Baker, Michael H. Balham, Bobby Bell, Patty Bell, Alan Bennett, Sarah Bennett, Pamela Betts, Danny Blackner, Linda Bowley, Peter Burroughs, Debbie Lee Carrington, Maureen Charlton, William Coppen, Sadie Corrie, Tony Cox, John Cumming, Jean D'agostino, Luis De Jesus, Debbie Dixon, Margarita Fernandez, Phil Fondacaro, Sal Fondacaro, Tony Friel, Dan Frishman, John Gavam, Michael Gilden,  Paul Grant, Lydia Green, Lars Green, Pam Grizz, Andrew Herd, J.J. Jackson, Richard Jones, Trevor Jones, Glynn Jones, Karen Lay, John Lummiss, Nancy MacLean, Peter Mandell, Carole Morris, Stacy Nichols, Chris Nunn, Barbara O'Laughlin, Brian Orenstein, Harrell Parker Jr., John Pedrick, April Perkins, Ronnie Phillips, Katie Purvis, Carol Read, Nicholas Read, Diana Reynolds, Daniel Rodgers, Chris Romano, Dean Shackenford, Kiran Shah, Felix Silla, Linda Spriggs, Gerald Staddon, Josephine Staddon, Kevin Thompson, Kendra Wall, Brian Wheeler, Butch Wilhelm
 * Mime Artists - Franki Anderson, Ailsa Berk, Sean Crawford, Andy Cunningham, Tim Dry, Graeme Hattrick, Phil Herbert, Gerald Home, Paul Springer
 * Stunt Performers - Bob Anderson, Dirk Yohan Beer, Marc Boyle, Mike Cassidy, Tracy Eddon, Sandra Gross, Ted Grossman, Frank Henson, Larry Holt, Bill Horrigan, Alf Joint, Julius Leflore, Colin Skeaping, Malcom Weaver, Paul Weston, Bob Yerkes, Dan Zormeier

Crew

 * Director - Richard Marquand
 * Producers - Howard G. Kazanjian, George Lucas
 * Music composer - John Williams

Characters

 * 8D8
 * Ackbar
 * Cane Adiss
 * Akkik
 * Ak-rev
 * Sim Aloo
 * Amanaman
 * Arnet
 * Arno
 * Attark
 * Avarik
 * Barada
 * Asha
 * Barich
 * Beezer
 * Nizuc Bek
 * BG-J38
 * Walex Blissex
 * Kren Blista-Vanee
 * Blount
 * Doda Bodonawieedo
 * Boussh
 * Olander Brit
 * Bruckman
 * Buboicullaar
 * Brooks Carlson
 * Tycho Celchu
 * Chiraneau
 * Airen Cracken
 * Pash Cracken
 * Ardon Crell
 * Salacious B. Crumb
 * Arvel Crynyd
 * CZ-4
 * Barquin D'an
 * Ars Dangor
 * Delevar
 * R'kik D'nec
 * Doallyn
 * Drelosyn
 * Taym Dren-garen
 * Dr'xureretue
 * Dyer
 * Elsek
 * Endicott
 * Ephant Mon
 * EV-9D9
 * Thul Fain
 * Jake Farrell
 * Soontir Fel
 * Fel's Wrath
 * Calk Fen
 * Fenson
 * Grizz Frix
 * Bib Fortuna
 * Fozec
 * Gailid
 * Gamall Wironicc
 * Gartogg
 * Geezum
 * Gherant
 * Ghana Gleemort
 * Ghoel
 * Giran
 * Godherdt
 * Gorrt
 * Graak
 * Greeata
 * Janus Greejatus
 * Greeve
 * Grey Four
 * Grond
 * Haash'n
 * Harc Seff
 * Hebsly
 * Herat
 * Hermi Odle
 * Hewex
 * Igar
 * Irol
 * Janse
 * Jendon
 * Jess
 * Jhoff
 * Joh Yowza
 * Davod Jon
 * Jonus
 * J'Quille
 * Jubnuk
 * Junkin
 * Kalit
 * Kazak
 * Kensaric
 * Kin Kian
 * Chirpa
 * Kithaba
 * Klaatu
 * Bidlo Kwerve
 * Myn Kyneugh
 * Lathe
 * Laudica
 * Leektar
 * Lesim
 * Logray
 * Loje Nella
 * Lumat
 * Aved Luun
 * Crix Madine
 * Malakili
 * Bane Malar
 * Marmor
 * Marquand
 * Droopy McCool
 * Lyn Me
 * Merrejk
 * Mianda
 * Midge
 * Misik
 * Mon Mothma
 * Garon Nas Tal
 * Karie Neth
 * Nicki
 * Nippet
 * Ten Numb
 * Nien Nunb
 * Nysad
 * Oberk
 * Oola
 * Orrimaarko
 * Ortugg
 * Judder Page
 * Panno
 * Paploo
 * Siiruulian Phantele
 * Turr Phennir
 * Pote Snitkin
 * R2-Q5
 * Rabin
 * Rapotwanalantonee Tivtotolon
 * Ree-Yees
 * Rennek
 * Renz
 * Palejo Reshad
 * Rhymer
 * Rogua
 * Romba
 * Loci Rosen
 * Rayc Ryjerd
 * Saelt-Marae
 * Horton Salm
 * Rystall Sant
 * Keir Santage
 * Sarkli
 * Shasa Tiel
 * Beedo
 * Squalls
 * Sy Snootles
 * Leslomy Tacema
 * Tamat
 * Tanus Spijek
 * Tarl
 * Vul Tazaene
 * Teebo
 * Telsij
 * Tessek
 * Velken Tezeri
 * Thaneespi
 * Pucumir Thryss
 * Thug
 * Umpass-stay
 * Vedain
 * s'Too Vees
 * Verrack
 * Vesden
 * Vigrriev
 * Vizam
 * Wallen
 * Wam Lufba
 * Wampa (DS-61-11)
 * Warlug
 * Warok
 * Wicket Wystri Warrick
 * Watts
 * Wiley
 * Wittin
 * Wooof
 * Wuta
 * Yarna d'al' Gargan
 * Murttoc Yine
 * Yorr
 * Yotts Orren
 * Yoxgit
 * Yutani
 * Zephee

Sapient species

 * Amani
 * Baragwin
 * Bothan
 * Chevin
 * Dressellian
 * Elom
 * Ewok
 * Gamorrean
 * Geran
 * Gran
 * Hoover
 * Ishi Tib
 * Kitonak
 * Klatooinian
 * Kowakian monkey-lizard
 * Mon Calamari
 * Nikto
 * Ortolan
 * Pa'lowick
 * Quarren
 * Shawda Ubb
 * Sic-Six
 * Skrilling
 * Sullustan
 * Twi'lek
 * Ubese
 * Weequay
 * Whiphid
 * Wol Cabbashite
 * Yarkora
 * Yuvernian
 * Yuzzum

Locations

 * Endor (both the planet and the moon)
 * Sullust (mentioned only)
 * Taanab (mentioned only)
 * Coruscant (post-1997 releases)
 * Naboo
 * Bespin

Ships and vehicles

 * 74-Z speeder bike
 * Bantha-II cargo skiff
 * Braha'tok-class gunship
 * B-wing starfighter
 * Coruscant air bus
 * Death Star II
 * EasyRide passenger airspeeder
 * Ewok combat glider
 * Imperial Communications Ship
 * Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
 * Luxury sail barge
 * MC80 Star Cruiser (Home One type)
 * MC80 Star Cruiser (Liberty type)
 * MC80 Star Cruiser (Reef Home type)
 * RZ-1 A-wing interceptor
 * Tector-class Star Destroyer
 * TIE/In starfighter

Creatures

 * Endor chicken
 * Iguana
 * Klatooine paddy frog
 * Leebsie-lurker
 * life tree
 * Rancor
 * Rat
 * Rock Wart
 * Sarlacc
 * Worrt

Droid models

 * 8D smelter droid
 * BT-16 security droid
 * EV supervisor droid
 * GNK power droid
 * J9 worker drone
 * TT-8L Sentry Droid

Production


The film's director was the late Richard Marquand, who passed away in 1987 of a heart ailment, but reports have suggested that George Lucas was still heavily involved in the shooting of Return of the Jedi and likely directed some of the second unit work personally when shooting threatened to go over schedule. Lucas admits in the documentary Empire of Dreams that he had to often be on the set due to Marquand's relative inexperience with special effects, but comments by The Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner on that film's DVD audio commentary track suggests that Lucas, who acted more as an advisor on The Empire Strikes Back, had a similar role on the production of Return of the Jedi. Moreover, George Lucas, according to Kershner, called The Empire Strikes Back Kershner's movie, not his.

Some have noted the differences between Richard Marquand's direction style and Lucas's direction style and say that they're dissimilar. The screenplay was written by Lawrence Kasdan and Lucas (with uncredited contributions by David Webb Peoples), based on Lucas's story. Howard Kazanjian served as producer.

The film was originally named Revenge of the Jedi until it was pointed out that a Jedi taking revenge is contrary to the strict Jedi Code, though many speculate that George Lucas had planned to call the film Return of the Jedi all along, and only used "Revenge" as a means to throw off merchandise counterfeiters. It has also been claimed that the original title of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was originally The Vengeance of Khan, and that the title was changed because of its similarity to Revenge of the Jedi. In any event, the original title was partially reused for Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

For several reasons, the working title of the project was Blue Harvest and dubbed "Horror Beyond Imagination" to engender no interest whatsoever in order to disguise what the production crew was really filming from fans and the prying eyes of the press. George Lucas had severed all his remaining ties to the Hollywood system out of a feeling of persecution after the success of The Empire Strikes Back and had become a truly independent filmmaker. Lucasfilm is a non-union company, and despite George Lucas's stature and clout, that, says Howard Kazanjian in Empire of Dreams, made acquiring shooting locations more difficult and more expensive, even though A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back were mammoth hits.

Reaction
Return of the Jedi is widely considered by some critics and many fans as the weakest film of the original trilogy. Some indication of public opinion can be gleaned by its relatively modest 109th place ranking in the Internet Movie Database's Top 250 films list. As a comparison, A New Hope is ranked at #11, and The Empire Strikes Back is ranked #10, as of 07/20/06.

While the entire Jabba the Hutt sequence and the action set pieces, particularly the breathtaking speeder bike chase on the Endor moon, the space battle between Rebel and Imperial pilots, and Luke Skywalker's duel against Darth Vader are well-regarded, the ground battle between the Ewoks and the Stormtroopers remains a bone of contention. A large number of fans believe George Lucas pushed the "cutesy" factor with the Ewoks. However, fans seem to be rather divided on the premise that an extremely primitive race of small creatures could, albeit with minimal aid, defeat an armed ground force comprised of the Empire's best troops. Some fans call it ludicrous, while others credit the Ewoks' bravery, ingenuity, and determination.

An overwhelming number of fans also flatly dislike the kitschy Tarzan yell by Chewbacca as he swings from a vine on top of an Imperial Scout Walker (a feat that was nonetheless repeated in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith).

However, contemporary critics seem to have been largely complimentary. In 1983, Roger Ebert gave the film a four-star rating, and Gary Arnold of the Washington Post described Return of the Jedi as "a triumph."

The Shaw/Christensen controversy
With the release of the third episode that depicts how and why Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side of the Force, George Lucas once again altered Return of the Jedi to strengthen the relationship between the original trilogy to the prequel trilogy.

In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker is played by Hayden Christensen. However, in the original and Special Edition version of Return of the Jedi, a much older actor named Sebastian Shaw played both the dying Anakin Skywalker and his Force ghost. In the DVD release, Anakin's ghost has become a young man, played by Hayden Christensen, and this is the canon version of the ghost.

Lucas explains in the DVD commentary that Anakin has learned to control his life force beyond death, just as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda had before him. (This is very briefly explained in Revenge of the Sith). So rather than appear as the older man who was Darth Vader, Anakin is able to return to the young man he once was before turning to the dark side.

The basic controversy arises from critics of Lucas's ongoing changes to all of the Star Wars films. On one hand, the redemption of Luke's father as an older man suggests that this is the image that should represent him after death. On the other, the older man was arguably never Anakin Skywalker until his final moments, and the vision of Hayden Christensen brings the story full circle - Darth Vader defeated, Anakin Skywalker at rest. Many fans argue that the insertion of Christensen is disrespectful towards Shaw.

Background
Direction is credited to the late Richard Marquand. However, reports have suggested that Marquand's involvement in the creative process was minimal, and George Lucas effectively took over the making of the film. The screenplay was written by Lawrence Kasdan and Lucas (with uncredited contributions by David Webb Peoples), based on Lucas's story. Howard Kazanjian served as producer.

The film was named Revenge of the Jedi until a few weeks before its premire to point out companies using the title "Revenge of the Jedi" in making fake t-shirts, toys, etc. Lucas believed that true fans would know that the title was fake, because vengeance is not a Jedi quality. But it has also been claimed that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was originally subtitled The Vengeance of Khan, and that the title was changed because of its similarity to Revenge of the Jedi. The original title was partially reused for the sixth film (Episode III), Revenge of the Sith.

During production, in an attempt to maintain secrecy and disguise the filming from fans and press, it was alleged it was a horror film entitled Blue Harvest and utilizing the slogan "Horror Beyond Imagination".

The space battle between the Rebel and Imperial fleets, and the starfighter attack on the Death Star, were well-regarded by critics.

The first two Star Wars movies were adapted for radio in the early 1980s, but it was not until 1996 that a radio version of Return of the Jedi was heard. See Star Wars (radio) for details.

With a massive worldwide marketing campaign, Star Wars series artist Drew Struzan created the iconic and distinctive images for the movie posters and other advertising.

A serious wardrobe problem was present in the film in that all Imperial characters, regardless of rank, are shown wearing identical rank insignia, being that of an Imperial Navy Commander. This was not recognized by the production staff until halfway through the film's shooting and the error remained uncorrected in the final version of the film.

As with the other two films of his original trilogy, Lucas issued a Special Edition of Return of the Jedi in 1997, making a number of cosmetic changes and additions, including replacing a piece of music from the closing scene.

Re-releases
Along with the other two films of his original Trilogy, George Lucas issued a Special Edition of Return of the Jedi in 1997, making a number of changes and additions, including replacing a piece of music from the closing scene.

On September 21, 2004 the three original movies were finally released on DVD. There have a few further minor changes to the film on this release&mdash;such as sound effects and improvements to the visual quality of the film.

During the sequence when the Emperor's defeat at Endor is announced to the galaxy, an additional scene showing the celebrations on Theed, Naboo was shown. A Gungan can be heard yelling "Wesa free" in this scene.

In the scene showing the people of Coruscant celebrating, the Senate Building and the Jedi Temple have been added in the background.

Sebastian Shaw played Anakin in the hangar bay and in the final celebration scene in the original film. In the DVD release, Shaw continued to be Anakin in the hangar bay scene. Look closely and you will see that Shaw's bushy eye-brows have now been digitally removed. However, during the final celebration, Shaw was replaced by Hayden Christensen. In this release Anakin appeared as he did in Episode III. Instead of simply reshooting the Force Ghost of Anakin with Hayden, test footage of Hayden's head was digitally grafted to the body of Sebastian Shaw playing the role. Thus, Anakin is seen wearing the robes of a Jedi Master when he did not achieve that rank in reality (though some might argue that he changed to a Master upon being redeemed by Luke). This has been retconned by saying that because Force Ghosts are spirits, they may appear however the Force allows them to.

On September 12th, 2006, Lucasfilm will release a two-disc set consisting of the Orginal, unaltered version of Return of the Jedi on one disc with the altered edition on the other. This release will last until December 31st, 2006.

Trivia

 * A serious wardrobe problem was present in the film in that all Imperial characters, regardless of rank, are shown wearing identical rank insignia, being that of an Imperial Navy Commander. This was not recognized by the production staff until halfway through the film's shooting and the error remained uncorrected in the final version of the film. However, there are two extras wearing the rank of lieutenant in the scene where the Emperor arrives.
 * Another wardrobe problem is shown when Oola's breast flops out of her costume, just before she is dropped into the rancor pit (at 0:13:45 on DVD) . This problem is present in all versions of the film.
 * Kenneth Colley (Admiral Piett) and Michael Pennington (Moff Jerjerrod) are the only actors to play the same Imperial officer in two Star Wars films. Grand Moff Tarkin appeared in both Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith but played by different actors. Piett is the only Imperial officer with a speaking role in more than one film (Jerjerrod appears in the special edition of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, but he does not say a word).
 * In the original Return of the Jedi script when Obi-Wan Kenobi explains what happened to both Luke and Leia after their birth, the character we now know as Padmé was said to have survived and became a handmaiden to Bail Organa's wife, secretly raising Leia as her own child. She later died three or four years after the birth. However, this part was deleted to shorten the scene because Lucas did not think it was necessary for the plot at the time.
 * This is the only film in the trilogy in which Denis Lawson's name is spelled correctly in the ending credits. In the other films, his name is misspelled "Dennis."
 * A legend among fans holds that Lando and the Millennium Falcon were originally scripted to perish in the Death Star explosion. However, Lando was always intended to escape the Death Star, as has been evidenced in past scripts for the movie. The legend had been fueled by the fact that before the Death Star attack, Han tells Leia that he has a feeling he isn't going to see his ship again.
 * In the novelization of Return of the Jedi, Han Solo makes reference to Luke Skywalker's initial impression of the Millennium Falcon, calling it "the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy." However, in the film, Solo refers to it simply as "the fastest ship in the fleet."
 * The word "Ewok" is never mentioned in the film.
 * The name "Palpatine" is never mentioned in the film.
 * This is the only film in both trilogies without a blue lightsaber vs. red lightsaber fight. Also, this is the only movie featuring a green lightsaber where no green sabers lose to red sabers. In The Phantom Menace, however, a green saber does win, although it is also a green saber loss as well, because in Episode I the wielder of the green saber (Qui-Gon Jinn) dies.
 * The first film to use THX. Ironically, it is the only Star Wars film that contains no reference to THX 1138 Although recently Sideshow collectibles released their 12" Princess Leia as Boussh figure.  On the side of the helmet there is an 1138.  As Sideshow is noted for using studio source material from Lucasfilm to reference for their products it is possible that the solution to the location of this 20 year old easter egg treasure hunt has been solved. Helmet 1138 image
 * On Endor, Han Solo says "We'll meet at the bunker at 0300 hours", which is military time for 3:00 A.M. However, it is clearly light out when they meet (though they may not have been using local time).
 * Filming began on January 11, 1982 and ended on May 20, 1982.
 * With a massive worldwide marketing campaign, Star Wars series artist Drew Struzan created the iconic and distinctive images for the movie posters and other advertising. (In the film's release poster, Luke Skywalker is depicted holding a blue lightsaber&mdash;a lightsaber color that does not appear in the film. His new lightsaber is green&mdash;although it is blue in one trailer, suggesting the decision to make it green was taken late in production. In fact, the decision was made to make Luke's blade contrast with the blue sky of Tatooine and make it more visible during the skirmish at Carkoon).
 * The first two Star Wars movies were adapted for National Public Radio in the early 1980s, but it was not until 1996 that a radio version of Return of the Jedi was heard. See Star Wars (radio) for details.
 * George Lucas included the scene in which Yoda confirms that Darth Vader is Luke's father because, after a discussion with a children's psychologist, he didn't want younger moviegoers to dismiss Vader's claim as a lie.
 * Kenneth Colley (Admiral Piett) is the only actor to play the same Imperial officer in two Star Wars films. Originally, George Lucas did not plan for Piett to make a return. However, a large amount of fan mail convinced him otherwise; while they were filming the Tatooine scenes, he wrote a few lines of dialogue for Piett.
 * The 1997 CD-ROM Star Wars: Behind the Magic confirms that the sequence showing the cremation of Vader's body/armor was directed by Lucas himself.
 * This film, though rated "PG," contains brief nudity in the first part of the film, when Jabba's Twi'lek slave attempts to escape by pulling on the chain. She jerks upward, and her right breast flies up from the costume. (It should also be noted that the rating PG-13 did not exist until 1984)
 * George Lucas reportedly took over direction with Irvin Kershner's former assistant toward the end of production, reportedly because the actors weren't responding well to director Richard Marquand. The working relationship between George Lucas and Marquand was said to be bad, and that the main camera operator left the project because he felt Lucas was mistreating Marquand. In his audio commentary for the 2004 film, however, Lucas, insists that he and Marquand had a good working relationship and went so far as to praise Marquand for being a very nice guy who was good with actors.
 * Harrison Ford suggested that Han Solo sacrifice his life to save his friends in order to give the film more emotional weight, but George Lucas disagreed with him.
 * David Lynch, with a Best Director nomination for the 1980 film The Elephant Man was approached by Lucas to helm Return of the Jedi, but he declined and went on to direct Dune.
 * George Lucas originally intended for his friend Steven Spielberg to direct the film.
 * In the celebration scene on Coruscant, a person can be heard yelling "The son of the suns!" This is a reference to a line from the Journal of the Whills that was originally planned to precede the original Star Wars film. The line originally read "And in a time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as 'The Son of the Suns.'"
 * Although George Lucas originally intended Boba Fett to die in ROTJ upon falling into the Sarlaac, he has recently stated that he doesn't have a problem with Fett surviving, as the EU has shown.
 * Robotic mime & music duo Tik and Tok played J'Quille the Whiphid and Saeltmarae (Yakface).
 * In the final scene, when the ships are flying over Coruscant, a statue in the distance falls over. The statue is assumed to be Palpatine.
 * This is the first Star Wars film to show a lightsaber actually blocking a laser bolt.
 * This is the first Star Wars film to show a lightsaber combat something other than another lightsaber. Luke on the Sail Barge fights guards with staffs and blasters. In A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, a lightsaber is seen only fighting another lightsaber. It should be noted that Obi-Wan's removal of Ponda Baba's arm does not count as a fight - but could be considered a combat between a lightsaber and another weapon.
 * Near the end of the film, during the Luke/Vader duel, Luke does a backflip up onto a platform above Vader. Instead of attempting to do the same, Vader stays on the ground and throws his lightsaber at Luke. This may be due to the fact that Vader has learned his lesson from a similar situation during his duel with Obi-Wan in Revenge of the Sith.
 * During the scene where the shuttle Tydirium is flying over Endor's forests (1997-DVD release only?) at the lower right hand corner of the screen, between two trees, is a section of power line that just stop behind the left tree.
 * When a Y-wing pilot destroys a TIE Interceptor. Wedge Antilles acknowledges it by replying "Good shot red 2" but a cockpit closeup of the pilot shows that it is Horton Salm of Gold Squadron.
 * On board the second Death Star when Luke takes his lightsaber to try and strike down the Emperor, Darth Vader blocks his attempt. If you look closely you'll notice that Luke's saber looks like it is going through Vader's.
 * First movie where the term "TIE Fighter" is used.
 * The ground battle on Endor was filmed in California's redwood forest.
 * This is the only movie where Darth Vader does not force choke someone, this does not count Episode 1 or Episode 2. It should be known that Luke does force choke two Gamorreans at Jabba's palace.

Novelization
The novelization of Return of the Jedi was written by James Kahn. While it contains many scenes that were deleted from the final cut, with the release of Episode III, Kahn's assertion that Anakin Skywalker's memories of "lava crawling up his back" have proved to be in error. In the novelization of Return of the Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi recounts to Luke Skywalker that he and Anakin Skywalker had battled and that his father "fell into a molten pit."

The novelization also erroneously refers to Owen Lars as Obi-Wan Kenobi's brother.

During Vader's final moments of life, he regrets having never met Yoda, the Master who trained his son. The prequels reveal that Vader, as Anakin, did indeed know Yoda very well.

Radio drama
A radio drama adaptation of the film was written by Brian Daley and was produced for and broadcast on the National Public Radio in 1996.