After the Empire overpowers the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker begins training with Jedi Master Yoda, while Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett pursue his friends across the galaxy.
Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Elstree and Borehamwood, Borehamwood, Hertsmere, Hertfordshire, England, WD6 1JG, United Kingdom
Scene: (Hoth X-wing landing pad; ice gorge; Wampa cave; Hoth command center; Hoth main ice tunnel; Hoth ice corridor; Hoth rebel base medical center; Dark Side Cave; "I am your father", demolished in 1989)
Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Elstree and Borehamwood, Borehamwood, Hertsmere, Hertfordshire, England, WD6 1JG, United Kingdom
Scene: (holograms; East Platform; Cloud City corridors; Cloud City dining room; Cloud City living quarters; Cloud City anteroom; Cloud City window long shot skyline; Cloud City side hallway; Cloud City junk room; Luke hanging underneath Cloud City, demolished in 1989)
Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Elstree and Borehamwood, Borehamwood, Hertsmere, Hertfordshire, England, WD6 1JG, United Kingdom
Scene: (X-wing interiors; Hoth battlefield; Millennium Falcon cockpit; Millennium Falcon main hold; Millennium Falcon is hit by lasers; Cloud City backing with two Stormtroopers walking; medical center on rebel starcruiser)
Westminster Muslim Cultural Centre, 30, Winchester Street, Tachbrook Estate, Pimlico, City of Westminster, Greater London, England, SW1V 4RW, United Kingdom
JO Pass Trail, Tulare County, California, United States of America
The greatest Star Wars sequel found its frozen ice world of Hoth in the mountains of Norway – where a real blizzard trapped the crew and ended up on screen – while Dagobah, Cloud City and the rest of the galaxy were built at England’s Elstree Studios.
Where was The Empire Strikes Back filmed?
The Empire Strikes Back was filmed at Finse in Norway (the ice planet Hoth) and Elstree Studios in England.
Every Empire Strikes Back location, explained
1
Hoth – Finse, Norway
The frozen exteriors of Hoth used Finse, a remote mountain spot in Norway, where a blizzard forced the crew to film Luke’s opening scene right outside their hotel.
2
Dagobah and Cloud City – Elstree
Yoda’s swamp world and Cloud City were built as sets at Elstree Studios near London.
3
The Hoth base interiors
The Rebel base and hangar interiors were also constructed at Elstree Studios.
4
The studio galaxy
Most of the film’s space and interior scenes used the vast stages at Elstree.
Planning a visit
Finse in Norway – reachable only by train, high in the mountains – is the real Hoth, a spectacular and genuinely icy destination for Star Wars fans.
Empire Strikes Back Fun Facts
1
A real blizzard became Hoth A snowstorm trapped the crew at Finse in Norway, so Mark Hamill’s opening scene was filmed just outside the hotel door.
2
Finse is only reachable by train The remote Norwegian mountain location has no road access.
3
Dagobah was a studio swamp Yoda’s world was an elaborate set built at Elstree.
4
'I am your father' The film delivered one of cinema’s most famous twists.
5
Often called the best Star Wars It’s widely regarded as the finest film in the saga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ice planet Hoth in real life?
It’s Finse, a remote mountain location in Norway.
Where were Dagobah and Cloud City filmed?
As sets at Elstree Studios near London.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Finse in Norway is reachable by train and popular with fans.
Did a real blizzard affect filming?
Yes – a snowstorm at Finse was used for Luke’s opening Hoth scene.
