ESB director Irvin Kershner has passed away

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.c...ikes-back-director-irvin-kershner-dies-at-87/

Irvin Kershner, director of what many think is the best Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, passed away this morning. In addition to Star Wars, Irvin was one of George's mentors and directed never Say never again (The 'unofficial' Sean Connery Bond film) and Robocop II.

 

RIP, Irvin Kershner.

ESB is still my favorite of the Star Wars films. From the interviews I've read and seen, he seemed like a great guy.

 

RIP Mr. Kershner... thanks for all the wonderful films.

 

I loved listening to him in interviews. Very entertaining.

 

Wow. I am currently reading The Making of The Empire Strikes Back, and have been very impressed by the approach "Kersh" took to the material and characters and the pains he took with every facet of the movie. He was totally dedicated when he was making ESB, working longer hours than anyone else and coming to the stages most weekends when everyone was gone just to walk through the sets and think about the picture. And it can't have been easy, with Lucas understandably wanting to retain some control.

A true professional and a craftsman who had paid his dues, and by all accounts a good guy. My respects, Mr. Kershner.

--Justin

 

RIP - ESB is heads and shoulders above other SW films. Much of it thanks to Kerschner.

 

Not a good day for dead celebrities already...

 

He made one of the best films ever.

 

My favourite film of all time, and in my opinion, one of the greatest.

RIP Mr. Kershner. Think I'll go watch The Empire Strikes Back, now.

 

He directed one of the best films in movie history. He directed the first sequel which was better than the original film!

RIP Mr. Kershner. Hollywood lost one of it's greatest directors today!

 

Dammit! Not what I wanted to hear after learning of Leslie Nielsen's passing. Death seems to be having a field day with the legends of cinema.

Farewell, Mr. Kershner. You achieved nothing short of a filmmaking miracle -- a sequel to a classic movie that was not only a masterpiece in its own right, but actually superior to its predecessor. Thanks for the memories.

 

I thought Kershner passed away years ago.

I must have confused him with Richard Marquand.

 

I considered TESB the weakest of the original trilogy films but he did a great job. RIP.

 

Sad news. ESB was an exceptional film.

 

I've never seen any of Irvin Kershner's other films, but I've seen Empire Strikes Back so many times now I wouldn't be surprised if it numbers a round million.

I believe Kershner is usually credited with trying to add a more human element to the performances of the leads, and certainly Empire Strikes Back stands tall as one of the best blockbusters Hollywood has ever made and one of the best space opera films, as well.

Indeed you were. Kersh is on the ESB commentary tracks.

 

Ah, that's terrible. He made one hell of a film.

 

And he's a breath of fresh air and fascinating insight, between the monotonous ramblings of sound editor Ben Burtt.

I'll be watching ESB tonight in his honor (Irvin, not Burtt).

 

Not to discount his achievement, but THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN is generally regarded as better than the original FRANKENSTEIN. It's usually cited as the first film sequel to be better than its predecessor.

Later examples include GOLDFINGER and A SHOT IN THE DARK (the second of the Inspector Clouseau films). You can also make a case for THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, the second of the Basil Rathbone series, as well as TARZAN AND HIS MATE starring Johnny Weismuller . . . .

(Yeah, I watch a lot of TCM.)

EMPIRE is definitely the best of the SW films, though. No question.

 

RIP. I've always enjoyed his insights during the ESB commentary and the great, recently released 'Making of' book on the film.

 

Hes a celebrity??? I doubt most besides us scifi geeks would know who he was.