Irvin Kershner was an American author, actor and creator in film and television. Irvin Kershner. Service. He later turned to television, directing and photographing a series of documentaries ... Every Star Wars Movie Ranked by Box Office Performance, Sony Movies Classic – we pick the best films playing as the channel launches, How Boba Fett Actor Jeremy Bulloch Set the Template for The Mandalorian, Directors or writers or producers those I've seen one of their films, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Deleted Scenes. The force is with you again, "22nd Moscow International Film Festival", "Irvin Kershner, Director Of 'The Empire Strikes Back,' Dies At 87", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Irvin_Kershner&oldid=1002020855, American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, Temple University Tyler School of Art alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Winner, Director of Achievement – Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (2002). [4] He considered himself an internationalist, saying "I've been a student of Christianity. After serving as a flight engineer in World War II, Irvin Kershner signed up for art, design and film-related courses at Temple University, Drexel University and USC. RoboCop 2 is a 1990 American science fiction action film directed by Irvin Kershner (replacing Paul Verhoeven from the first film), written by Frank Miller and Walon Green, and starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Belinda Bauer, Tom Noonan and Gabriel Damon. This morning it was reported that Irvin Kershner, who directed the best of the Star Wars feature films, The Empire Strikes Back, had died in Los Angeles. Irvin Kershner, nicknamed "Kersh," (April 29, 1923 November 27, 2010) was the director of the 1980 film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. From 1953 to 1955, Kershner worked abroad on behalf of the United States Information Service, directing several well-circulated documentaries. A graduate of the University of Southern California film school, Kershner began his career in 1950, producing documentaries for the United States Information Service in the Middle East. [4], Nominated- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Special Program, Irvin Kershner sends a message to a crowd at, University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Special Program, "Biography – Irvin Kershner, American director", "In Memoriam: Irvin Kershner joins the Force", "Irvin Kershner dies at 87; film director", "Irvin Kershner, Hollywood Director, Dies at 87", "Famed Jewish Hollywood director, Irvin Kershner, dies at 87", https://collider.com/george-lucas-irvin-kershner-death, "In Hindsight, 'Empire Strikes Back' Director Irvin Kershner Would've Helmed One of the Prequels", Fasten your seatbelts! Irvin Kershner was born on April 29, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Irvin Kershner, American television and film director who worked in a variety of genres but was perhaps best known for The Empire Strikes Back (1980) from the Star Wars series. Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner seems oddly out of his depth here, and the absence of John Barry's music is keenly felt - in fact, with its naff jazz underscore and rampant silliness, this feels more akin to Inspector Clouseau than 007. Director: Irvin Kershner | Stars: Nick Adams, John Carradine, Elisha Cook Jr., John Pickard. He later developed and directed the television series The Rebel (1959–61), as well as the pilots for Peyton Place, Cain's Hundred, Philip Marlowe, and others. Irvin Kershner (born Isadore Kershner; April 29, 1923 – November 27, 2010) was an American director, actor, and producer of film and television. By the time he was offered the directing job, Irvin Kershner was a veteran filmmaker whose resume included directing several documentaries in the Middle East, television shows and independent films such as the Roger Corman produced Stakeout on Dope Street. According to Kershner himself, he once asked Lucas, "Of all the younger guys around, all the hot-shots, why me?" He gained notice early in his career as a filmmaker for directing quirky, independent drama films, while working as an influential lecturer at the University of Southern California. Later, he went to New York and Provincetown to study with the famous painting teacher Hans Hofmann. The Worst Movies Directed by Irvin Kershner; The Top 10 Movies Directed by Irvin Kershner; The Best Horror Movies Of the 1980s; The Best Science Fiction Movies of 1977; The Best Comedy Movies Of the 2000s; The Most Recently Released Movies; The Most Recently Added Movies; Movies by Decade from this Chart. His other notable credits included the films Loving (1970) and Never Say Never Again (1983) and … [9] When asked by Lucas to work on the project over lunch, Kershner refused. imdb.com Kershner on Wookieepedia Kershner on RoboCop Wiki "[8], Kershner, who was an appealing directorial candidate to Lucas because of his concern for character development, was at first reluctant to direct the film. "[5], Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back, the sequel of the 1977 hit film Star Wars. My pride is in being international. The film is a genre staple and ranks amongst the greatest sci-fi films ever made, a masterclass in impactful storytelling that catapulted the franchise to even loftier heights. [7] Kershner was a surprising choice for such a movie. RoboCop 2-Wikipedia He played a film director in Steven Seagal's On Deadly Ground. Kershner stated, in retrospect, that he would have accepted an offer to direct one of the films of the Star Wars prequel trilogy had they been produced sooner, as Lucas originally estimated the first of them to be ready for release in 1988 rather than in 1999. "[10] Of his cinematic style, Kershner has said, "I like to fill up the frame with the characters' faces. The film director Irvin Kershner, who has died aged 87, was known in the trade as a hired gun. [2] He attended Temple University's Tyler School of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He also directed the pilot of the television series seaQuest DSV, and he made his debut as an actor in the Martin Scorsese film The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), in which he played Zebedee, the father of the apostles James and John. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. He was a faculty member at the Master of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California. There's nothing more interesting than the landscape of the human face. Later in his career, he transitioned to high-budget blockbusters such as The Empire Strikes Back, the James Bond adaptation Never Say Never Again, and RoboCop 2. I don't think of myself as a Jew except by birth, as I don't follow the customs. Irvin Kershner, Director: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. "[11], Kershner turned down a chance to direct Return of the Jedi (1983), having spent almost three years of work on The Empire Strikes Back. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Kershner had directed several major film and television hits, but retired in 1994 after completing SeaQuest DSV. He signed on to direct an adaptation of I, Robot from a script by Harlan Ellison, which was never filmed. [6] Writer-producer George Lucas knew Kershner as a teacher in the film program at USC School of Cinematic Arts. 1990s 1; 1980s 2; Irvin Kershner (known as "Kersh" to his friends) directed what many consider the best of the Star Wars films, The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Irvin Kershner was born on April 29, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The unsung hero of The Empire Strikes Back: how director Irvin Kershner saved the soul of Star Wars Forty years ago, the former painter fought George … He then moved to Los Angeles where he studied photography at the Art Center College of Design. Through the course of his career, he received numerous accolades, and was nominated for both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Palme d'Or. I've been interested in the historical basis of the Muslim religion. 67 likes. A graduate of the University of Southern California film school, Kershner began his career in 1950, producing documentaries for the United States Information Service in the Middle East. Find on Wikipedia. Irvin Kershner was best known for 'The Empire Strikes Back' but was a director of 'extraordinary versatility,' said one movie critic. Reviews. Kershner worked as writer, director, cinematographer, and editor. Irvin Kershner’s films include Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, The Last Temptation of Christ, Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, Eyes of Laura Mars… Irvin Kershner movie reviews & film summaries | Roger Ebert. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair. Robocop 2 (1990) Roger Ebert. After serving as a flight engineer in World War II, Irvin Kershner signed up for art, design and film-related courses at Temple University, Drexel University and USC. There’s little we can say about Irvin Kershner‘s “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” that hasn’t been said millions of times over. Kershner died on November 27, 2010, at his home in Los Angeles after a ​3.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;white-space:nowrap} 1⁄2-year battle with lung cancer. The Force Is with Them: The Legacy of 'Star Wars', Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy, A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later, Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection, Hans Hofmann: Artist/Teacher, Teacher/Artist, Never Say Never Again: Royal Film Premiere, From 'Star Wars' to 'Jedi': The Making of a Saga, SP FX: Special Effects - The Empire Strikes Back, Corporate Wars: The Making of 'RoboCop 2', OCP: Declassified - Deleted Scene: Elvis Telethon Segment. Irvin Kershner was born on April 29, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [13], After Empire Strikes Back, Kershner directed Never Say Never Again (Sean Connery's return to the role of James Bond), the HBO film Traveling Man (starring John Lithgow and Jonathan Silverman, this film earned Kershner an ACE Award nomination), and RoboCop 2. He directed more than 14 other feature films. ... Sodankyla film festival started at 1986 and was created by Finnish directors Anssi Manttari, Aki and Mika Kaurismaki, along with Peter Von Bagh. Films directed by Irvin Kershner. Irvin Kershner (April 29, 1923 as Isadore Kershner – November 27, 20101) was an American film director, known for Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, RoboCop 2 and Never Say Never Again. Irvin Kershner (born Isadore Kershner; April 29, 1923 – November 27, 2010) was an American film director and occasional actor, best known for directing quirky, independent films early in his career, and then The Empire Strikes Back, the James Bond film Never Say Never Again, and RoboCop 2. Irvin Kershner, who directed the first (and best) sequel to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, has died in Los Angeles. The Empire Strikes Back (1997) Roger Ebert. A graduate of the University of Southern California film school, Kershner began his career in 1950, producing documentaries for the United States Information Service in the Middle East. Irvin Kershner didn’t live to see the new generation of Star Wars films, so he missed out on watching each of them be measured against his own — The Empire Strikes Back. Kershner later discussed his motivations: "I was grabbed by the fairytale which Lucas invented and wanted to be part of keeping it alive. Irvin Kershner (born Isadore Kershner; April 29, 1923 – November 27, 2010) was an American director, actor, and producer of film and television. Irvin Kershner on IMDb: Awards, nominations, and wins. Richter and Tom Cole, but the project was cancelled following months of pre-production. Official Facebook Page for the director of "Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back", the James Bond film "Never Say Never Again", "A Fine Madness" and "RoboCop 2". Kershner's agent was told about the meeting and encouraged him to take the job. Nominee, Best Director, Special Program-Drama, This page was last edited on 22 January 2021, at 12:56. Kershner was the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants. [14] In 2000 he was a member of the jury at the 22nd Moscow International Film Festival.[15]. [17] He was survived by two sons, David and Dana. From 1953 to 1955, Kershner worked abroad on behalf of the United States Information Service, directing several well-circulated documentaries. Directed by. [12] Later, he was initially hired by producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown to direct an adaptation of Eric Van Lustbader's novel The Ninja from scripts by W.D. When he returned to the States, he and Paul Coates (1921–1968) developed Confidential File, a documentary television series. Directed by. Irvin Kershner was born in Philadelphia, to Jewish parents. [16] He and the Founding Director Martha Nell Smith remained close and he served as her advisor until the end of his life. Kershner then accepted a job as still photographer on a State Department film project in Iran under the Point Four Program, which ultimately led to an assignment as a director and cinematographer of documentaries in Iran, Greece and Turkey with the United States Information Service. Relatively unheralded film with top quality work from director Irvin Kershner, cinematographer Gordon Willis and master of the mid-life crisis George Segal. The study of music (violin, viola, and composition) was the most important activity of his early years. The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. During World War II, Kershner served three years with the U.S. Eighth Air Force as a flight engineer. 11. Review by PatrickFeeble ★★★★½ This is the kind they don't make anymore! Raid on Entebbe is a 1977 NBC television film directed by Irvin Kershner.It is based on an actual event: Operation Entebbe and the freeing of hostages at Entebbe Airport in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 4, 1976.The portrayal of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was Peter Finch's final performance; he died five days after the film's release.. I studied Buddhism. All Films ; Fandango US ; Amazon US ; Amazon Video US ; iTunes US ; Upgrade to a Letterboxd Pro account to add your favorite services to this list—including any service and country pair listed on JustWatch—and to enable one-click filtering by all your favorites.. Powered by JustWatch In fall 2002, spring 2003, fall 2004, and spring 2004, Kershner served as a Visiting Professor and Research Associate at the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH) at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he also provided cinematography training. Irvin Kershner was born on April 29, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [3][4] Kershner had been working on photographic projects before his death. He then moved on to feature films, including: Hoodlum Priest (which starred Don Murray); The Luck of Ginger Coffey (with Robert Shaw and Mary Ure); A Fine Madness (with Sean Connery, Joanne Woodward, and Jean Seberg); The Flim-Flam Man (starring George C. Scott); Up the Sandbox (with Barbra Streisand); Loving (with George Segal and Eva Marie Saint); The Return of a Man Called Horse (starring Richard Harris); the critically acclaimed TV movie Raid on Entebbe (a true-life drama which was nominated for nine Emmys, including Best Direction); and the supernatural thriller Eyes of Laura Mars (starring Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee Jones). Votes: 28. [3] He later began his film career at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, teaching photography and taking cinema courses under Slavko Vorkapić, a montage artist and then dean of the School. Irvin Kershner Celebrity Profile - Check out the latest Irvin Kershner photo gallery, biography, … Rest in peace, Irvin Kershner, you director of RoboCop 2 and some film called The Empire Strikes Back. Early in his career as a director, he was recognized for making surreal, experimental drama films while acting as an prominent professor at Southern California University. If you want to continue to explore the fascinating world of "WandaVision," we have you covered with some inspired recommendations. Born: 29 April 1923, New York Died: 27 November 2010, Los Angeles, Ca. [9], Kershner had projects that he was going to be involved with in the late 70s and early 80s. 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