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Return of the Jedi (1983) ft. Adam Freed and Adam Vanderwerff
May 21, 2025 · 158 min

Dana and Tom with returning guests, Adam Freed (Managing Editor and Senior Film Critic at MovieArcher.com) and Adam Vanderwerff discuss the last of the original trilogy of Star Wars films with Return of the Jedi (1983): directed by Richard Marquand, written by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas, cinematography by Alan Hume, music by John Williams, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Alec Guinness, and James Earl Jones.

Plot Summary: Return of the Jedi is the epic conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy. It follows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) as they battle to overthrow the oppressive Galactic Empire.

After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance prepares for a final assault on the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the second Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke confronts Darth Vader, hoping to redeem his father from the dark side and put an end to Emperor Palpatine’s tyranny. With thrilling battles, emotional reunions, and the power of hope, the Rebels fight to restore freedom to the galaxy.

Guests:

Adam Freed

Managing Editor and Senior Film Critic at (MovieArcher.com)@moviearcher on Twitter and InstagramPreviously on Batman (1989), Pulp Fiction (1994) Revisit

Adam Vanderwerff (Duncan Disability Law)

Previous Episodes: Office Space (1999), Ghostbusters (1984), M*A*S*H (1970)

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back to Adam and Adam

02:04 Vanderwerff's Favorite Movie

05:26 Cast of Return of the Jedi

06:20 Relationship(s) with Return of the Jedi

14:52 Star Wars as a Whole

19:47 What is Return of the Jedi About?

27:46 Background for Return of the Jedi

29:04 John Williams Appreciation

34:31 Plot Summary for Return of the Jedi

35:27 Did You Know?

45:47 First Break

46:32 What's Up with Freed and Vanderwerff

53:19 GMOAT Hall of Fame

01:08:52 Best Performance(s)

01:19:24 Best Scene(s)

01:29:57 Second Break

01:30:38 In Memoriam

01:36:05 Best/Funniest Lines

01:40:20 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy

01:47:09 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance

01:53:35 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty

02:00:53 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness

02:08:27 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability

02:17:58 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total

02:20:01 Remaining Questions for Return of the Jedi

02:24:59 Thank You to Our Guests

02:27:28 Remaining Thoughts

02:29:18 Just for Andrew Corns

02:37:18 Credits

This episode is also available in full video on YouTube.

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