Chosen to direct The Empire Strikes Back, he turned in one of the best sequels – and highest box-office earners – of all time
The film director Irvin Kershner, who has died aged 87, was known in the trade as a hired gun. His most famous film, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the fifth episode in the Star Wars saga, is most commonly linked to its executive producer, George Lucas. Never Say Never Again (1983) is celebrated as the film in which Sean Connery made his comeback as James Bond after 12 years away from the role, the director merely providing the vehicle. Kershner's first feature, Stakeout On Dope Street (1958), was made under the aegis of Roger Corman, who usually gained the main credit for the films he produced. Yet, eclectic as Kershner seemed, his best films reveal a visual flair, with an eye for the telling detail and a sympathy for the rebel.
The Philadelphia...
The film director Irvin Kershner, who has died aged 87, was known in the trade as a hired gun. His most famous film, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the fifth episode in the Star Wars saga, is most commonly linked to its executive producer, George Lucas. Never Say Never Again (1983) is celebrated as the film in which Sean Connery made his comeback as James Bond after 12 years away from the role, the director merely providing the vehicle. Kershner's first feature, Stakeout On Dope Street (1958), was made under the aegis of Roger Corman, who usually gained the main credit for the films he produced. Yet, eclectic as Kershner seemed, his best films reveal a visual flair, with an eye for the telling detail and a sympathy for the rebel.
The Philadelphia...
- 11/30/2010
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
We’re sad to announce the passing of director Irvin Kershner, at the age of 87.
Famously the director of what is surely the best Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, Irvin Kershner has sadly passed away at the age of 87.
Kershner also helmed Sean Connery’s belated reappearance of James Bond, Never Say Never Again in 1987, and the sci-fi sequel RoboCop 2 in 1990.
In a career that stretched back to the 50s, Kershner’s body of work is voluminous and varied, ranging from dramas, such as 1959’s The Young Captives, to the supernatural thriller Eyes Of Laura Mars, in 1978, which was written by a young John Carpenter.
It’s for The Empire Strikes Back that Kershner will be best remembered, however, and for this truly spectacular contribution to geek culture, he has our unending gratitude.
Follow Den Of Geek on Twitter right here.
Famously the director of what is surely the best Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, Irvin Kershner has sadly passed away at the age of 87.
Kershner also helmed Sean Connery’s belated reappearance of James Bond, Never Say Never Again in 1987, and the sci-fi sequel RoboCop 2 in 1990.
In a career that stretched back to the 50s, Kershner’s body of work is voluminous and varied, ranging from dramas, such as 1959’s The Young Captives, to the supernatural thriller Eyes Of Laura Mars, in 1978, which was written by a young John Carpenter.
It’s for The Empire Strikes Back that Kershner will be best remembered, however, and for this truly spectacular contribution to geek culture, he has our unending gratitude.
Follow Den Of Geek on Twitter right here.
- 11/29/2010
- Den of Geek
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