Alamo Drafthouse is celebrating the "Summer of 1983," a sequel to last year's extremely popular film series marking the 30th anniversary of the greatest Hollywood blockbusters of the 1980s – and for many people, the most wowing cinema experiences of their childhoods. Last year Alamo honored 1982. And while that was indeed the greatest summer of movies ever, it turns out a slew of celebrated popcorn classics were released in the summer 1983 as well, movies like Trading Places, Risky Business, and National Lampoon's Vacation.
And of course, the crown jewel of that summer was Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. The Alamo is proud to host the film's theatrical return for its actual 30th anniversary on Saturday, May 25. The Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane in Austin, TX, will be the site of an all-day, galactic-sized celebration. Alamo is honored to be one of only two places this summer where the original trilogy classic can be seen on the big screen again, the first time since 1997.
Return of the Jedi provided an immensely satisfying ending to the saga, following up the utter devastation wrought by a certain paternal reveal at the end of Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back with the most emotional film in the series. With films, the passage of time can sometimes produce a feeling of predestined outcomes, as storylines and characters become ingrained in our collective consciousness. But it was an incredibly bold move at the time for George Lucas to take Darth Vader, a walking embodiment of evil, in a more sympathetic direction, using the Emperor as a super villain foil that allowed Vader's humanity to creep in. The Alamo is here to argue that the film's dynamic scenes between Vader, Luke and the Emperor are some of the best that science fiction cinema has ever had to offer.
What's more, the Alamo is also going to turn the clock back to a time before the construction of the technological terror we're so proud of… yes, before the Internet Age, back when the public celebrated their anticipation for a film… in LINE! Reserved seating will not be available for Return of the Jedi and Alamo will be creating an all day party with food & Star Wars-related activities throughout the day, including a costume contest. Tickets are on sale NOW for the May 25th Austin screening of Return of the Jedi.
The "Summer of 1983" programming will be featured in all Alamo Drafthouse markets, including Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, TX; Denver, CO; Kansas City, MO; and Ashburn and Winchester, VA. Tickets for Return of the Jedi in Austin are on sale now. Tickets for all other films will go on sale two weeks before each screening date. Follow @drafthouse on twitter for on-sale announcements.
The following films will be featured in "Summer of 1983":
Return of the Jedi (Austin-only)
Trading Places
Scarface
The Killing of Satan
Risky Business
The Deadly Spawn
Octopussy
Screwballs
WarGames
National Lampoon's Vacation
Jaws 3-D
Visit the "Summer of 1983" website for film schedule and to purchase tickets: drafthouse.com/1983
