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Here we are in the waning days of a year-long celebration of the most-admired and beloved of the Star Wars films, "The Empire Strikes Back" and we are greeted with the news that the man behind the camera for that amazing movie has passed away...or in "Star Wars" vernacular, become one with the Force.
Rest in Peace, Irvin Kershner...and thank you.
Thank you for taking something that had already moved me (the original Star Wars) and making it even more...amazing, touching, thrilling.
I was a fan with Star Wars...and "Empire" sealed the deal...those characters that catapulted through the original movie suddenly became more real...with emotions, motivations and genuine drama.
One of my favorite books to go back to again and again is Alan Arnold's "Once Upon a Galaxy: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back". The main reason for this is re-reading the passages with Kershner...the interviews and the "by-the-set" parts are a real cool glimpse into a man who really cared about his craft. It was all about the story and the characters. The cultural influences and different beliefs, ecology and other matters of life were constant companions in his conversations about the film and what he was trying to say with it. It was more than just an assignment, more than just another popcorn flick or money-generating sequel...it mattered to him.
One of the best instances is the oft-told story behind what became one of the most memorable scenes of not just "Empire" or Star Wars, but of movies, period....the infamous "I love you" "I know"...
The high stress level on the set, the cranky cast...wanting to create that moment that was a great character moment for his two leads...pushing and pulling until Ford wa either exasperated or inspired to come up with that iconic line...that whole drama is as exciting as anything in the movie....
I've seen interviews with Kershner over the years, including "in person" at CIV and he always came across as endearing and enthusiastic...always interested in the questions and the fans...a true gentleman.
While it's sad to say goodbye to the old maverick, I'm kind of glad that at least the last year for him has been filled with a lot of public admiration and appreciation for his tremendous contribution to that saga that is "Star Wars" during this 30th Anniversary of that great film.
Thanks to him, the force will always be with us...
Rest in Peace, Irvin Kershner...and thank you.
Thank you for taking something that had already moved me (the original Star Wars) and making it even more...amazing, touching, thrilling.
I was a fan with Star Wars...and "Empire" sealed the deal...those characters that catapulted through the original movie suddenly became more real...with emotions, motivations and genuine drama.
One of my favorite books to go back to again and again is Alan Arnold's "Once Upon a Galaxy: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back". The main reason for this is re-reading the passages with Kershner...the interviews and the "by-the-set" parts are a real cool glimpse into a man who really cared about his craft. It was all about the story and the characters. The cultural influences and different beliefs, ecology and other matters of life were constant companions in his conversations about the film and what he was trying to say with it. It was more than just an assignment, more than just another popcorn flick or money-generating sequel...it mattered to him.
One of the best instances is the oft-told story behind what became one of the most memorable scenes of not just "Empire" or Star Wars, but of movies, period....the infamous "I love you" "I know"...
The high stress level on the set, the cranky cast...wanting to create that moment that was a great character moment for his two leads...pushing and pulling until Ford wa either exasperated or inspired to come up with that iconic line...that whole drama is as exciting as anything in the movie....
I've seen interviews with Kershner over the years, including "in person" at CIV and he always came across as endearing and enthusiastic...always interested in the questions and the fans...a true gentleman.
While it's sad to say goodbye to the old maverick, I'm kind of glad that at least the last year for him has been filled with a lot of public admiration and appreciation for his tremendous contribution to that saga that is "Star Wars" during this 30th Anniversary of that great film.
Thanks to him, the force will always be with us...
