CLASSIC IMAGE: BACK TO BICKERING!

They're the best of friends, despite their constant squabbling- cinema and science fiction's friendliest onscreen robots, C-3PO and R2-D2 return for The Empire Strikes Back.

In the film's post production phase, George Lucas takes the first eight minutes of the film and apparently cuts out half the film's early footage, of which Artoo and Threepio’s bickering scene from the Rebel base corridor into the main hangar would be one of the first trimming casualties. When Anthony Daniels asks editor Paul Hirsch why it was trimmed, having been happy with the performance, Hirsch replies: “It’s the first time we see you in the movie. That angry-where do you go from there?”

BEHIND THE SCENES: AN OLD SMOOTHIE'S FAREWELL

Billy Dee Williams and Harrison Ford rehearse their farewell scene as Lando and Han on the Rebel Hangar Bay set at Elstree Studios, London, during April 1982. Located within one of the smaller studios at the facility, due to filming availability and prior scheduling arrangements, space here was at a premium- note the X-wing nose cone only and the far studio walls which would be obscured on screen. And, in left background, a lucky child visitor- either a competition winner (of which PALITOY had previously organised a visit-the-set event linked to REVENGE OF THE JEDI during the end of 1981) or the son of a crew member.

Lando's farewell wasn't just to Han- originally he was also seen off by his fellow Star Warriors- a scene that I wish had made it to the final cut.

Our heroes disembark the transport to the Imperial Shuttle.

Chewie says goodbye.

As does Leia.

A serious Luke wishes Lando well.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: FIGHTER ASSEMBLAGE

Utilizing more matte paintings than the previous films in the Classic Trilogy series, RETURN OF THE JEDI had many standout pieces, but this is one of the finest, courtesy of the ever-talented Michael Pangrazio, showing the interior of the main Mon Calamari Rebel Cruiser berthing numerous fighters (including X and A-Wings, soon to return for THE FORCE AWAKENS) and the Millennium Falcon, blending into bottom corner live-action material previously filmed at Elstree Studios on one of its smaller stages, circa April 1982.

To make the top background of the painting more busy, some additional holes were put in the image incorporating some technicians and pilots at work, whose footage was shot at ILM during post production.

Filming extra material at ILM.