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'Empire Strikes Back' & More Heading to National Film Registry

by Ethan Anderton
December 28, 2010
Source: THR

For over 20 years now The Library of Congress has chosen a select group of films to be preserved in the National Film Registry, and this year's titles have just been revealed. THR has provided the full list of the 25 films to be preserved for all-time and once again, it's amazing to think that some of these films weren't already in there to begin with. George Lucas has two additions this year with The Empire Strikes Back and his original short Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB (which launched the filmmaker's career) and other influential filmmakers like Spike Lee and the recently deceased Blake Edwards also had films included. More highlights below!

Along with Lee's Malcolm X and Edwards original 1964 spawning of The Pink Panther, there are plenty of other films indicative of our culture and times. Throwing back to the days of disco, the Bee Gees laden flick Saturday Night Fever appears on the list along with the politically charged drama All the President's Men, a chronicle of a shady time for the United States' government and President Richard Nixon. Joining The Pink Panther in the select comedies added to the National Film Registry this year is the classic spoof Airplane! which saw the tragic loss of several co-stars this year with the passing of both Peter Graves and Leslie Nielsen.

The preservation of film and the stories that define our culture and society is difficult but necessary undertaking in order for future generations to have a sense of history and a window into the eyes of some of our generation's finest artists in cinema. Whether it's slapstick comedy, a sprawling space opera or a battle with pure evil (The Exorcist has also been added to the registry), all of these films deserve to be recognized for their contribution to film and the entertainment of millions around the world. For some background information on each new title being preserved in the Library of Congress, head on over to THR for the full list. Thoughts?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Manuel

I don't understand WHY an all-time-classic-masterpiece like "Condorman" is not in the list... shame on them.
unrealjedi

Replace "George Lucas" with "Irvin Kershner". Kershner made that movie legendary, not Lucas. All the President's Men... seriously legit movie.
Mike Petel

I really hope that its the original unadulterated version of Empire, and not the remastered ret-conned version that annoys me beyond sanity.
Xerxex

this is good news.
A5J4DX

cool
the douche

Why is Porky's not in there? That movie taught me the in's and out's of getting laid. That's where I learned about the birds and the bees.
http://Mountaintopmovies.blogspot.com Mountain Top Movies

I believe that Troll 2 should be on the list and I am completely disappointed that they missed it. A piece of cinematic masterpiece such as Troll 2 should never be missing from a list like this
would it help if i got out and pushed?

@ #3 — +1 for that. It should be the 1980 version NOT the cartoon version from 1997 and 2004.
franz O

agreed with #2. Kershner was INTEGRAL to the star wars franchise. he humanized lucas's vision... without kershner, there is nothing but an exercise in technological advancements... RIP.