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Monday October 14th 2024

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back | 1980

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back film location: Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Finse, Norway
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back film location: the ice planet, “Hoth’: Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Finse, Norway | Photograph: wikimedia / Graham Lewis

The Millennium Falcon was built on a huge soundstage at Elstree Studios, in Hertfordshire, where most of the filming took place – 64 sets and 250 scenes over a four month shoot.

The ice planet ‘Hoth’ was filmed on the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, at Finse. In the heart of the Hardangervidden mountain plateau, Finse is at the foot of the glacier. It’s easily accessible by rail, two and a half hours from Bergen, and four and a half from Oslo. The railway station at Finse is the highest in Europe, situated between Hallingskarvet National Park and Hardangervidda National Park.

The script was the last work of Leigh Brackett, veteran screenwriter of The Big Sleep and Rio Bravo.