Question: Was the original release of Empire Strikes Back called Episode V in 1980? Or was this added in a later re-release?

Did the original opening crawl actually start out with

> 
> *Star Wars  
> 
>  Episode V  
> 
>  The Empire Strikes Back*
> 
> 
> 

or just

> 
> *Star Wars  
> 
>  The Empire Strikes Back*
> 
> 
> 

or maybe even

> 
> *Star Wars  
> 
>  Episode II  
> 
>  The Empire Strikes Back*
> 
> 
> 

?

Answer: 
*Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope* was the only live-action feature length Star Wars film to ever be released without an episode number or subtitle. 

Per the Wikipedia entry for [Star Wars (Film)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star%5fWars%5f%28film%29)

> 
> The film was originally released as Star Wars, without "Episode IV" or the subtitle A New Hope. **The 1980 sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, was numbered "Episode V" in the opening crawl.** When the original film was re-released on April 10, 1981, Episode IV: A New Hope was added above the original opening crawl. In early interviews, it was suggested the series might comprise nine or twelve films. The film was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, and with additional scenes and enhanced special effects in 1997.
> 
> 
>
It was released as Episode V although Lucas toyed with it being Episode II in the beginning.

It is not quite the grand vision some would make out hence why the prequels contradict so much.