Film On The Rocks: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Film on the Rocks is an annual collaboration between the non-profit organization Denver Film and Red Rocks Amphitheater owner, Denver Arts & Venues. The series is now on its 24th season, and it’s on its second year back after opening up the amphitheater after the pandemic. This project aims to provide viewers with a great outdoor movie experience while basking in the Colorado night sky and landscape. This 2023, Film on the Rocks has an incredible line-up of new and classic Blockbuster movies, such as Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Mama Mia!, Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and India Jones’ Raiders of the Lost Ark. From June 12th to August 21st, 2023, the Film on The Rocks will have screenings on select dates.

Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is the third part of the Star Wars trilogy. This epic space film features an interstellar world where rebels stand up to the Galactic Empire run by Darth Vader and the Force. Released in 1983, the film grossed over 482 million dollars against a 32 to 42-million dollar budget. And in usual George Lucas fashion, Return of the Jedi showcased incredible visual and audio special effects, which has been regarded as ahead of its time.

The screenplay was written by Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It took the production crew one year to film with a working budget of 32 million dollars. The production team made sure to use state-of-the-art optical and sound effects. The film also features an epic soundtrack composed by John Williams, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.

The film was released and received wide critical acclaim from viewers. Film critic Roger Ebert described it as “a complete entertainment, a feast for the eyes and a delight for the fancy.” He added that it was terrific “how Lucas and his associates keep topping themselves.” Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribute published, “From the moment that the familiar Star Wars introductory words begin to crawl up the screen, Return of the Jedi is a childlike delight. It's the best video game around. And for the professional moviegoers, it is particularly enjoyable to watch every facet of filmmaking at its best.”

The film has earned numerous accolades, including a Special Achievement Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award for Best Special Visual Effects, and five Saturn Awards.

This 2023, the film is on its 40th anniversary, and what’s a better way to celebrate than watch the epic space movie at the Red Rocks Amphitheater? Hurry and score your tickets now!