The Empire Strikes Back 1980 UK Quad GWTW Style Film Poster

Few sequels have ever raised the stakes quite like The Empire Strikes Back. Irvin Kershner took George Lucas's galaxy somewhere darker, stranger and considerably cooler, delivering Hoth, Yoda, the Imperial March and one of cinema's most famous revelations. For many, it remains the high point of the entire Star Wars saga.

And then there is the poster. Roger Kastel's magnificent painted artwork has become known as the "Gone With The Wind" style, its sweeping image of Han Solo and Princess Leia deliberately echoing the romantic composition of Howard Terpning's celebrated artwork for the 1967 re-release of Gone With The Wind. Vader looms above it all, while Luke, AT-ATs, TIE Fighters and the droids tumble through a beautifully moody blue-and-orange montage. Space opera at its most gloriously cinematic.

The British quad is a serious Star Wars rarity. This exceptionally scarce version was produced in very limited numbers for central London display and is particularly associated with the London Underground, where quad posters often had to be trimmed to fit the Underground's poster frames. Surviving examples are highly prized – and Kastel's artwork makes this one of the great Star Wars posters, full stop.

This original movie poster was folded (as issued) but has been professionally linen-backed and is sized approx. 26 1/2 x 38 3/4 inches. It will be sent rolled (unframed).

• Year: 1980
  
• Poster Type: UK Quad
  
• Style: GWTW
• Rolled/Folded/Other: Rolled Linen-backed
  
• Condition: Excellent
  
• Condition Details: Trimmed to fit the London Underground displays. Linen-backed with light touch-up to folds. Looks superb.