'Empire Strikes Back' gets gorgeous James Bond-style credits
The Star Wars universe is plenty big enough to accommodate some James Bond superspy action in a fan's beautifully rendered new credit sequence for "Episode V."
Vimeo user and interactive designer Kurt Rauffer has strong positive memories of watching "The Empire Strikes Back" on videotape with his family when he was growing up in the '90s. He called on that experience and the way it sparked his imagination as a child for a senior project at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Rauffer's new credit sequence for "Star Wars: Episode V" plays with the distinctive visual cues found in the intros to James Bond films.
Rauffer uploaded the video on Friday. He spent a whole semester working on the title sequence with magical results. It feels like you've stepped into an alternate reality where Daniel Craig could show up in a Jedi robe at any moment. Rauffer used Radiohead's haunting version of a theme song recorded for the Bond film "Spectre" but never used.
Rauffer uses a visual cue from the first Star Wars film as the trench run takes on an otherworldly glow. Luke Skywalker falls through space. TIE fighters tumble from the sky. Lightsabers extend upward against a starry background. There's a meditative feel to the video. Rauffer writes, "I really wanted to play on the concept of Luke trying to find himself and true purpose, so the music and inspiration felt fitting." It's a beautiful homage.