For many, Irvin Kershner directed the best of the Star Wars films, for others, he directed one of the best films ever made. He was a chameleon in the director’s chair, often tapped for sequels of big name films or franchises, though none resonated with as much perfection as The Empire Strikes Back.
Sure, Robocop 2 and Never Say Never Again have small, brief moments of greatness, but The Empire Strikes Back is all Kershner needed to do to carve his name into the stone annals of cinema history.
He died over the weekend after a long bout with an unspecified illness at the age of 87.
It was Kershner who helped create some of the best and most memorable moments in the Star Wars saga, above the objections of series creator George Lucas. Han’s infamous “I know” was a source of argument for the two, Lucas wanted to change it, but Kersh insisted that an audience reaction back up his take on the scene.
It’s been reported that Kershner also fought for more poignant moments in the film, one story I recall hearing over the years is that George Lucas wanted to cut away from Yoda saying, “No. There is another,” on Dagobah and eliminate the red light of the X-Wing washing over him. It’s one of the most powerful images and moments in the film and Kersh fought for it.
Though Star Wars is inherently George Lucas’, it’s impossible to gauge the influence he had on the continuing adventures of the greatest space saga of all time.
To honor him today I’ll be watching two films. Obviously, The Empire Strikes Back is at the top of that list, but the second film isn’t one he directed. Irvin Kershner played a small but vital part in Martin Scorsese’s underrated film The Last Temptation of Christ. His boisterous voice is one that can’t be mistaken and he’s a remarkable part of that remarkable film.
I’m going to listen to his commentary on Empire, as well. He was a fountain of knowledge and thanks to the current age of information, what small fraction of his knowledge that he shared with the world will live on forever.
The Force will be with him. Always.
UPDATE: I would like to direct you to Derek Hunter’s daily illustrations. Today’s honors Kershner:
