Behind The Scenes Of Empire Strikes Back

When Star Wars came out in 1977 I was 9 years old, the perfect age to be warped for life. I can remember scouring every issue of Starlog, Cinefex, Cinefatastiqe and every other magazine and book I could find. Images like this scene, brilliantly recreated by Konrad Aksinowicz fueled my imagination and ignited my passion for visual effects and filmmaking. The creative geniuses at ILM have always been heroes of mine, and paved the way for me and entire generation of anonymous craftspeople making movie magic behind the scenes.

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It's A Good Bet The Empire Knows We're Here

So there you are, on a barren, frozen world, having spend months carving out ice caves and trying to survive. You finally get everything just about how you need it and one of these things (brilliantly recreated by Lino M) shows up and blows everything. Probe droids, this is why we can’t have nice things (or secret bases).

Approximately 3720 to 1

The moment I saw this picture by builder did b I was instantly transported to a galaxy far, far away. This is one of those scenes in Empire Strikes Back that I have to watch every time. You know what I mean, you may seen a movies hundreds of times, but there’s those few scenes that you just have to watch no matter what you’re doing. Like the Ferrari out the window in Ferris Bueller (spoilers) or the kitchen scene in Gremlins, it’s just what you do. And now, I think it’s time to watch Empire on this rainy Sunday morning.

Battle Of Hoth

The moment I looked at this excellent little Empire Strikes Back vignette by builder GolPlaysWithLego John Williams' phenomenal score started playing in my head. Then the scene played out in my imagination, and I was 12 again. This is part of the magic of LEGO and Star Wars, they just go together like peanut butter and toast (which is what I was eating when I wrote this, I'm a man-child).

Medical Frigate

I've always loved the Nebulon-B, from the first moment I saw it on screen in the Empire Strikes Back I was intrigued. It was designed by my dear old friend Nilo Rodis, inspired by an outboard motor. The description for this MOC says that it's "original creation by dranac modifications and photo by one case". I will say they make a hell of a team, because this is an outstanding model and presentation.

"I'll Never Join You!"

Hopefully your browser and screen is just the right size that the bottom of this picture by storm TK431 is cut off, because it's a really fun reveal (yeah, those are guys holding mattresses). I don't know about you, but I've always been absolutely captivated by behind the scenes photos. Even though I've worked on dozens of movies, I still get a thrill stepping on set and seeing the sausage being made, it's just how I'm wired. This classic scene from ESB doesn't look quite so perilous huh?

Use Your Tiny Harpoons and Tow Cables

This is by far the best small-scale AT-AT I have seen in LEGO form! Thanks to MIro Dudas, we instantly recognize this iconic scene and vehicle from The Empire Strikes Back. This model is so incredibly accurate, if I happen let my eyes go out of focus, it doesn't even appear to be LEGO. It also appears that the midsection could be easily switched out with orange elements to remake this as an AT-ACT (though there are other differences between the two variants). I appreciate that Miro even included the walker's footprints in the snow, a detail others leave out of their scenes. Nicely done!

We've Spotted Imperial Walkers!

One of my favorite Star Wars vehicles in one of my favorite Star Wars scenes in one of my favorite Star Wars movies built out of my favorite construction toy. I still vividly recall seeing this for the first time with my grandmother, who kept asking who the bad guys were. All we need is a large painted backdrop, a snowscape (with trap doors) and some patience and we can animate an epic battle, who's with me? Nicely done dmaclego.

Oh The Retro Feels

As a card carrying charter member of the 8-bit club (no, that's not a real thing) I have the deepest affection for this MOC by Burglarhobbit. When we popped in the cartridge for The Empire Strikes Back way back in 1980 we marveled at the graphics, they were so "lifelike". Oh those were simpler times. Fun fact, I still have the poster for this game rolled up in my garage, it's rad.

Bounty Hunters, We Don't Need Their Scum

This MOC, inspired by one of my favorite movies of all time, The Empire Strikes Back, make me happy and confused at the same time. Of course anything Star Wars gives me a warm fuzzy, so that explains the happiness. But why Bossk has been seemingly replaced by Han Solo is totally baffling to me. Explain yourself Burglarhobbit.

Update: It turns out part of the contest this was submitted to dictated that you include "yourself" in the MOC. So this is Burglarhobbit, dressed as Han Solo, making a cameo (I'm sure it still confused Vader to no end).

They'd Be Crazy To Follow Us

Here at BrickNerd we like to look back from time to time, sometimes a long, long time ago. One of the most thrilling scenes in The Empire Strikes Back has never been cuter thanks to builder marshal banana. 

"I Love You"..."I Know"

OK, what are the odds that two amazing carbon freeze chambers from The Empire Strikes Back would show up in two days? I know there's a contest going on, but is one of the categories "build a carbon freeze chamber"? I can't read German so I'm not sure what's going on, but as long as these cool MOCs keep coming I don't care. I do care about the photography though, stop shooting MOCs with iPhones.

"What If He Doesn't Survive?"

This carbon freezing chamber from KW Vaubon looks awesome. It reminds me of a Kenner playset from the 80's. If only LEGO had produced an Ugnaught this facility could be fully staffed. I would love to see this lit and photographed like the movie. It would take some patience, and a fog machine, but it would be amazing.

Thanks for the tip ElBarto!