STAR WARS
EPISODE IV
A NEW HOPE

FROM THE
JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS

Written by
George Lucas

From a story by George Lucas
Revised Fourth Draft
January 15, 1976

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away…
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main
title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly
crawls into infinity.
It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from
a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil
Galactic Empire.
During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans
to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an armored
space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet.
Pursued by the Empire’s sinister agents, Princess Leia races
home aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that
can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy…
The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers
from the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed
by a giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly
laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing
the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
1 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER – MAIN PASSAGEWAY 1
An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-
D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His
face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar eye.
Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot of
human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like metallic
surface of an Art Deco design.
Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.
THREEPIO
Did you hear that? They’ve shut
down the main reactor. We’ll be
destroyed for sure. This is
madness!
Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in
the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
We’re doomed!
The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
only another robot could understand.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
There’ll be no escape for the
Princess this time.
Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy
equipment are heard moving around the outside hull of the
ship.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
What’s that?
2 EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE 2
The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
3 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER 3
The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and
a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make
their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel
soldiers who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding
shattered arms and faces.
An explosion hits near the robots.
THREEPIO
I should have known better than to
trust the logic of a half-sized
thermocapsulary dehousing
assister…
Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
around the two hapless robots.
4 EXT. TATOOINE – DESERT WASTELAND – DAY 4
A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon.
The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone
figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations
who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy
hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but
lovable lad with a prize-winning smile.
2.
A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided
by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky
motions. A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke’s
eye and he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars
from his utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few
moments studying the heavens, then dashed toward his dented,
crudely repaired Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that
travels a few feet above the ground on a magnetic-field). He
motions for the tiny robot to follow him.
LUKE
Hurry up! Come with me! What are
you waiting for?! Get in gear!
The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his
arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps
into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum
madly.
5 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER – MAIN HALLWAY 5
The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away
from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through
the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run
in a frenzied panic.
6 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER 6
A woman’s hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo’s dome.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
7 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER 7
Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
soldiers can be heard in the distance.
THREEPIO
Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio’s attention and
he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smokefilled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years
old) stands in front of Artoo.
3.
Surreal and out of place, dreamlike and half hidden in the
smoke, she finishes adjusting something on Artoo’s computer
face, then watches as the little robot joins his companion.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
At last! Where have you been?
Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
They’re heading in this direction.
What are we going to do? We’ll be
sent to the spice mine of Kessel or
smashed into who knows what!
Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Wait a minute, where are you going?
Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
8 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER – CORRIDOR 8
The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted
bodies of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the
neck as an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
IMPERIAL OFFICER
The Death Star plans are not in the
main computer.
Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
in vain.
VADER
Where are those transmissions you
intercepted?
Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
VADER (CONT’D)
What have you done with those
plans?
REBEL OFFICER
We intercepted no transmissions.
Aaah… This is a consular ship.
Were on a diplomatic mission.
VADER
If this is a consular ship… were
is the Ambassador?
4.
The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer’s throat, creating a
gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
his troops.
VADER (CONT’D)
Commander, tear this ship apart
until you’ve found those plans and
bring me the Ambassador. I want her
alive!
The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
9 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER – SUBHALLWAY 9
The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her
eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds
of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the
troopers spots her.
TROOPER
There she is! Set for stun!
Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
TROOPER (CONT’D)
She’ll be all right. Inform Lord
Vader we have a prisoner.
10 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER – SUBHALLWAY 10
Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod.
He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into
the cramped four-man pod.
THREEPIO
Hey, you’re not permitted in there.
It’s restricted. You’ll be
deactivated for sure..
Artoo beeps something to him.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Don’t call me a mindless
philosopher, you overweight glob of
grease! Now come out before
somebody sees you.
5.
Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
the mission he is about to perform.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Secret mission? What plans? What
are you talking about? I’m not
getting in there!
Artoo isn’t happy with Threepio’s stubbornness, and he beeps
and twangs angrily.
A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
robot jumps into the lifepod.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
I’m going to regret this.
11 INT. IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER 11
On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two
terrified robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel
spacecraft.
CHIEF PILOT
There goes another one.
CAPTAIN
Hold your fire. There are no life
forms. It must have been shortcircuited.
12 INT. LIFEPOD 12
Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial
starship. Stars circle as the pod rotates through the
galaxy.
THREEPIO
That’s funny, the damage doesn’t
look as bad from out here.
Artoo beeps an assuring response.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Are you sure this things safe?
13 EXT. TATOOINE – ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT – POWER STATION – DAY13
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty
empty street of the tiny settlement.
6.
An old woman runs to get out of the way of the speeding
vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as he flies past.
WOMAN
I’ve told you kids to slow down!
14 INT. POWER STATION – DAY 14
Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a
rugged mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has
been asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through
the office, yelling wildly.
FIXER
Did I hear a young noise blast
through here?
CAMIE
It was just wormie on another
rampage.
Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy
city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics
of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the
background.
LUKE
Shape it up you guys!… Biggs?
Luke’s surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear
hug.
LUKE (CONT’D)
I didn’t know you were back! When
did you get in?
BIGGS
Just now. I wanted to surprise you,
hot shot. I thought you’d be
here… certainly didn’t expect you
to be out working.
(he laughs)
LUKE
The Academy didn’t change you
much…but you’re back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn’t you get
your commission?
Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
7.
BIGGS
Of course I got it. Signed aboard
The Rand Ecliptic last week. First
mate Biggs Darklighter at your
service…
(he salutes)
…I just came to say good-bye to
all you unfortunate landlocked
simpletons.
Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps
out of it.
LUKE
I almost forgot. There’s a battle
going on! Right here in our system.
Come and look!
DEAK
Not again! Forget it.
15 EXT. TATOOINE – ANCHORHEAD – SETTLEMENT – POWER STATION -15
DAY
The group stumbles out into the
stifling desert sun. Camie and The
Fixer complain and are forced to
shade their eyes. Luke has his
binoculars out scanning the
heavens.
LUKE
There they are!
Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain to
see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
Biggs sees two small silver specks.
BIGGS
That’s no battle, hot shot…
they’re just sitting there!
Probably a freighter-tanker
refueling.
LUKE
But there was a lot of firing
earlier…
Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
building in the process. Luke grabs them.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Hey, easy with those…
8.
CAMIE
Don’t worry about it, Wormie.
The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
FIXER
I keep telling you, the Rebellion
is a long way from here. I doubt if
the Empire would even fight to keep
this system. Believe me Luke, this
planet is a big hunk of nothing…
Luke agrees, although it’s obvious he isn’t sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke’s ineptitude.
16 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER – HALLWAY 16
Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the
briskly marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as
Darth Vader emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord
stares hard at the frail young senator, but she doesn’t
move.
LEIA
Lord Vader, I should have known.
Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit for
this, when they hear you’ve
attacked a diplomatic…
VADER
Don’t play games with me, Your
Highness. You weren’t on any mercy
mission this time. You passed
directly through a restricted
system. Several transmissions were
beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
I want to know what happened to the
plans they sent you.
LEIA
I don’t know what you’re talking
about. I’m a member of the Imperial
Senate on a diplomatic mission to
Alderaan…
VADER
You’re a part of the Rebel
Alliance… and a traitor. Take her
away!
9.
Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the
smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial
Commander turns to Vader.
COMMANDER
Holding her is dangerous. If word
of this gets out, it could generate
sympathy for the Rebellion in the
senate.
VADER
I have traced the Rebel spies to
her. Now she is my only link to
find their secret base!
COMMANDER
She’ll die before she tells you
anything.
VADER
Leave that to me. Send a distress
signal and then inform the senate
that all aboard were killed!
Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander.
They stop and snap to attention.
SECOND OFFICER
Lord Vader, the battle station
plans are not aboard this ship! And
no transmissions were made. An
escape pod was jettisoned during
the fighting, but no life forms
were aboard.
Vader turns to the Commander.
VADER
She must have hidden the plans in
the escape pod. Send a detachment
down to retrieve them. See to it
personally, Commander. There’ll be
no one to stop us this time.
COMMANDER
Yes, sir.
17 EXT. SPACE 17
The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
planet Tatooine.
10.
18 EXT. TATOOINE – DESERT 18
Jundland, or “No Man’s Land”, where the rugged desert mesas
meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and
clumsily work their way across the desert wasteland. The
lifepod in the distance rests half buried in the sand.
THREEPIO
How did I get into this mess? I
really don’t know how. We seem to
be made to suffer. It’s our lot in
life.
Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
I’ve got to rest before I fall
apart. My joints are almost frozen.
Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
What a desolate place this is.
Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts
off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
stops and yells at him.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Where are you going?
A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
robot.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Well, I’m not going that way. It’s
much too rocky. This way is much
easier.
Artoo counters with a long whistle.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
What makes you think there are
settlements over there?
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Don’t get technical with me.
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
11.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
What mission? What are you talking
about? I’ve had just about enough
of you! Go that way! You’ll be
malfunctioning within a day, you
nearsighted scrap pile!
Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the
direction of the vast dune sea.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
And don’t let me catch you
following me begging for help,
because you won’t get it.
Artoo’s reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
off in the direction of the towering mesas.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
No more adventures. I’m not going
that way.
Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the
distant mountains.
19 EXT. TATOOINE – DUNE SEA 19
Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a
dune; only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for
endless miles. He looks back in the direction of the now
distant rock mesas.
THREEPIO
That malfunctioning little twerp.
This is all his fault! He tricked
me into going this way, but he’ll
do no better.
In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand
from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of
reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
towards him.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Wait, what’s that? A transport! I’m
saved!
The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
approaching transport.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Over here! Help! Please, help!
12.
20 EXT. TATOOINE – ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT – POWER STATION – DAY20
Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer
and the others can be heard working inside.
LUKE
(Very animated)
…so I cut off my power, shut down
the afterburners and came in low on
Deak’s trail. I was so close I
thought I was going to fry my
instruments. As it was I busted up
the Skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle
Owen was pretty upset. He grounded
me for the rest of the season. You
should have been there… it was
fantastic.
BIGGS
You ought to take it easy Luke. You
may be the hottest bushpilot this
side of Mos Eisley, but those
little Skyhoppers are dangerous.
Keep it up, and one day, whammo,
you’re going to be nothing more
than a dark spot on the down side
of a canyon wall.
LUKE
Look who’s talking. Now that you’ve
been around those giant starships
you’re beginning to sound like my
uncle. You’ve gotten soft in the
city…
BIGGS
I’ve missed you kid.
LUKE
Well, things haven’t been the same
since you left, Biggs. It’s been
so… quiet.
Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
BIGGS
Luke, I didn’t come back just to
say good-bye… I shouldn’t tell
you this, but you’re the only one I
can trust… and if I don’t come
back, I want somebody to know.
Luke’s eyes are wide with Biggs’ seriousness and loyalty.
13.
LUKE
What are you talking about?
BIGGS
I made some friends at the Academy.
(he whispers)
…when our frigate goes to one of
the central systems, we’re going to
jump ship and join the Alliance…
Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
LUKE
Join the Rebellion?! Are you
kidding! How?
BIGGS
Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth
bigger than a meteor crater!
LUKE
I’m sorry. I’m quiet.
(he whispers)
Listen how quiet I am. You can
barely hear me…
Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
BIGGS
My friend has a friend on Bestine
who might help us make contact.
LUKE
You’re crazy! You could wander
around forever trying to find them.
BIGGS
I know it’s a long shot, but if I
don’t find them I’ll do what I can
on my own… It’s what we always
talked about. Luke, I’m not going
to wait for the Empire to draft me
into service. The Rebellion is
spreading and I want to be on the
right side — the side I believe
in.
LUKE
And I’m stuck here…
BIGGS
I thought you were going to the
Academy next term. You’ll get your
chance to get off this rock.
14.
LUKE
Not likely! I had to cancel my
application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sandpeople
since you left… they’ve even
raided the outskirts of Anchorhead.
BIGGS
Your uncle could hold off a whole
colony of Sandpeople with one
blaster.
LUKE
I know, but he’s got enough
vaporators going to make the place
pay off. He needs me for just one
more season. I can’t leave him now.
BIGGS
I feel for you, Luke, you’re going
to have to learn what seems to be
important or what really is
important. What good is all your
uncle’s work if it’s taken over by
the Empire?… You know they’re
starting to nationalize commerce in
the central systems… it won’t be
long before your uncle is merely a
tenant, slaving for the greater
glory of the Empire.
LUKE
It couldn’t happen here. You said
it yourself. The Empire won’t
bother with this rock.
BIGGS
Things always change.
LUKE
I wish I was going… Are you going
to be around long?
BIGGS
No, I’m leaving in the morning…
LUKE
Then I guess I won’t see you.
BIGGS
Maybe someday… I’ll keep a
lookout.
15.
LUKE
Well, I’ll be at the Academy next
season… after that who knows. I
won’t be drafted into the Imperial
Starfleet that’s for sure… Take
care of yourself, you’ll always be
the best friend I’ve got.
BIGGS
So long, Luke.
Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
power station.
21 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK CANYON – SUNSET 21
The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly
creatures fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the
creepy rock canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking
noise as he goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound
and stops for a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues
on his way.
In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall
and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a
pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the
narrow path.
The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages
one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his
back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then
off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller
than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave
the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down
the trail.
22 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK CANYON – SANDCRAWLER – SUNSET 22
The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tanklike vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a
large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot
is sucked into the giant machine.
The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
16.
23 INT. SANDCRAWLER – HOLD AREA 23
It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic
whimper and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at
the end of the chamber.
24 INT. SANDCRAWLER – PRISON AREA 24
Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic
conversation, while others simply mill about. A voice of
recognition calls out from the gloom.
THREEPIO
Artoo-Detoo! It’s you! It’s you!
A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
25 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK CANYON – SANDCRAWLER – SUNSET 25
The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
ridge.
26 EXT. TATOOINE – DESERT – DAY 26
Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the halfburied lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine.
A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
FIRST TROOPER
Someone was in the pod. The tracks
go off in this direction.
A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
and gives it to the first trooper.
SECOND TROOPER
Look, sir — droids.
27 EXT. TATOOINE – DUNES 27
The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
28 INT. SANDCRAWLER 28
Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
17.
THREEPIO
Wake up! Wake up!
Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
Threepio’s fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer
lights pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the
long chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with
blinding white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way
through the odd assortment of robots.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
We’re doomed.
A Jawa starts moving toward them.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Do you think they’ll melt us down?
Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! Will this
never end?
29 EXT. TATOOINE – DESERT – LARS HOMESTEAD – AFTERNOON 29
The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
adobe block house.
The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots,
straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented
metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell
horribly, attracting small insects to the dark areas when
their mouths and nostrils should be.
Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen Lars,
a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are
sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slumpshouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
standing in the main courtyard.
18.
BERU
Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a
translator to be sure it speaks
Bocce.
LUKE
It looks like we don’t have much of
a choice but I’ll remind him.
Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
for sale with the Jawa leader.
OWEN
I have no need for a protocol
droid.
THREEPIO
(quickly)
Sir — not in an environment such
as this — that’s why I’ve also
been programmed for over thirty
secondary functions that…
OWEN
What I really need is a droid that
understands the binary language of
moisture vaporators.
THREEPIO
Vaporators! Sir — My first job was
programming binary load lifter…
very similar to your vaporators.
You could say…
OWEN
Do you speak Bocce?
THREEPIO
Of course I can, sir. It’s like a
second language for me… I’m as
fluent in Bocce…
OWEN
All right shut up!
(turning to Jawa)
I’ll take this one.
THREEPIO
Shutting up, sir.
OWEN
Luke, take these two over to the
garage, will you?
(MORE)
19.
I want you to have both of them
cleaned up before dinner.
LUKE
But I was going into Toshi Station
to pick up some power converters…
OWEN
You can waste time with your
friends when your chores are done.
Now come on, get to it!
LUKE
All right, come on! And the red
one, come on. Well, come on, Red,
let’s go.
As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back
into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep
and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is restrained
by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.
Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the
head of the red astro-droid’s head plate and it sparks
wildly.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Uncle Owen…
OWEN
Yeah?
LUKE
This R2 unit has a bad motivator.
Look!
OWEN
(to the head Jawa)
Hey, what’re you trying to push on
us?
The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has
sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to
attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio
taps Luke on the shoulder.
THREEPIO
(pointing to Artoo)
Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is
in prime condition. A real bargain.
LUKE
Uncle Owen…
OWEN (CONT’D)
20.
OWEN
Yeah?
LUKE
What about that one?
OWEN
(to Jawa)
What about that blue one? We’ll
take that one.
With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the
damaged astro-droid for Artoo.
LUKE
Yeah, take it away.
THREEPIO
Uh, I’m quite sure you’ll be very
pleased with that one, sir. He
really is in first-class condition.
I’ve worked with him before. Here
he comes.
Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.
LUKE
Okay, let’s go.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Now, don’t you forget this! Why I
should stick my neck out for you is
quite beyond my capacity!
30 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD – GARAGE AREA – LATE AFTERNOON 30
The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
with a cord to his face.
THREEPIO
Thank the maker! This oil bath is
going to feel so good. I’ve got
such a bad case of dust
contamination, I can barely move!
21.
Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in
thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small
two-man Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the
garage. Finally Luke’s frustrations get the better of him
and he slams a wrench across the workbench.
LUKE
It just isn’t fair. Oh, Biggs is
right. I’m never gonna get out of
here!
THREEPIO
Is there anything I might do to
help?
Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger
drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.
LUKE
Well, not unless you can alter
time, speed up the harvest, or
teleport me off this rock!
THREEPIO
I don’t think so, sir. I’m only a
droid and not very knowledgeable
about such things. Not on this
planet, anyways. As a matter of
fact, I’m not even sure which
planet I’m on.
LUKE
Well, if there’s a bright center to
the universe, you’re on the planet
that it’s farthest from.
THREEPIO
I see, sir.
LUKE
Uh, you can call me Luke.
THREEPIO
I see, sir Luke.
LUKE
(laughing)
Just Luke.
THREEPIO
And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg
relations, and this is my
counterpart, Artoo-Detoo.
22.
LUKE
Hello.
Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
scrape several connectors on the robot’s head with a chrome
pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping
oil from his bronze body.
LUKE (CONT’D)
You got a lot of carbon scoring
here. It looks like you boys have
seen a lot of action.
THREEPIO
With all we’ve been through,
sometimes I’m amazed we’re in as
good condition as we are, what with
the Rebellion and all.
LUKE
You know of the Rebellion against
the Empire?
THREEPIO
That’s how we came to be in your
service, if you take my meaning,
sir.
LUKE
Have you been in many battles?
THREEPIO
Several, I think. Actually, there’s
not much to tell. I’m not much more
than an interpreter, and not very
good at telling stories. Well, not
at making them interesting,
anyways.
Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo’s
neck joint. He uses a larger pick.
LUKE
Well, my little friend, you’ve got
something jammed in here real good.
Were you on a cruiser or…
The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling
head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch threedimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator,
being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is
a rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly
lit garage. Luke’s mouth hangs open in awe.
23.
LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my
only hope.
LUKE
What’s this?
Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for
Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence
fragment over and over.
THREEPIO
What is what?!? He asked you a
question…
(pointing to Leia)
What is that?
Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
sentence fragment over and over.
LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my
only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
You’re my only hope.
THREEPIO
Oh, he says it’s nothing, sir.
Merely a malfunction. Old data. Pay
it no mind.
Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.
LUKE
Who is she? She’s beautiful.
THREEPIO
I’m afraid I’m not quite sure, sir.
LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi…
THREEPIO
I think she was a passenger on our
last voyage. A person of some
importance, sir — I believe. Our
captain was attached to…
LUKE
Is there more to this recording?
Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
squeaks and a whistle.
24.
THREEPIO
Behave yourself, Artoo. You’re
going to get us in trouble. It’s
all right, you can trust him. He’s
our new master.
Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
He says he’s the property of ObiWan Kenobi, a resident of these
parts. And it’s a private message
for him. Quite frankly, sir I don’t
know what he’s talking about. Our
last master was Captain Antilles,
but with what we’ve been through,
this little R2 unit has become a
bit eccentric.
LUKE
Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he
means old Ben Kenobi?
THREEPIO
I beg your pardon, sir, but do you
know what he’s talking about?
LUKE
Well, I don’t know anyone named ObiWan, but old Ben lives out beyond
the dune sea. He’s kind of a
strange old hermit.
Luke’s gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
moments.
LUKE (CONT’D)
I wonder who she is. It sounds like
she’s in trouble. I’d better play
back the whole thing.
Artoo beeps something to Threepio.
THREEPIO
He says the restraining bolt has
short circuited his recording
system. He suggests that if you
remove the bolt, he might be able
to play back the entire recording.
Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and
hasn’t really heard what Threepio has been saying.
25.
LUKE
H’m? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you’re
too small to run away on me if I
take this off! Okay.
Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
Artoo’s side.
LUKE (CONT’D)
There you go.
The princess immediately disappears…
LUKE (CONT’D)
Well, wait a minute. Where’d she
go? Bring her back! Play back the
entire message.
Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
embarrassment.
THREEPIO
What message? The one you’re
carrying inside your rusty innards!
A women’s voice calls out from another room.
AUNT BERU
Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!
Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
robot.
LUKE
All right, I’ll be right there,
Aunt Beru.
THREEPIO
I’m sorry, sir, but he appears to
have picked up a slight flutter.
Luke tosses Artoo’s restraining bolt on the workbench and
hurries out of the room.
LUKE
Well, see what you can do with him.
I’ll be right back.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Just you reconsider playing that
message for him.
Artoo beeps in response.
26.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
No, I don’t think he likes you at
all.
Artoo beeps.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
No, I don’t like you either.
31 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD – DINING AREA 31
Luke’s Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the wellused kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls
of food and starts for the dining area.
Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
grain.
LUKE
You know, I think that R2 unit we
bought might have been stolen.
OWEN
What makes you think that?
LUKE
Well, I stumbled across a recording
while I was cleaning him. He says
he belongs to someone called ObiWan Kenobi.
Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
manages to control himself.
LUKE (CONT’D)
I thought he might have meant old
Ben. Do you know what he’s talking
about? Well, I wonder if he’s
related to Ben.
Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.
OWEN
That old man’s just a crazy old
wizard. Tomorrow I want you to take
that R2 unit into Anchorhead and
have its memory flushed. That’ll be
the end of it. It belongs to us
now.
27.
LUKE
But what if this Obi-Wan comes
looking for him?
OWEN
He won’t, I don’t think he exists
any more. He died about the same
time as your father.
LUKE
He knew my father?
OWEN
I told you to forget it. Your only
concern is to prepare the new
droids for tomorrow. In the morning
I want them on the south ridge
working out those condensers.
LUKE
Yes, sir. I think those new droids
are going to work out fine. In
fact, I, uh, was also thinking
about our agreement about my
staying on another season. And if
these new droids do work out, I
want to transmit my application to
the Academy this year.
Owen’s face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
it.
OWEN
You mean the next semester before
harvest?
LUKE
Sure, there’re more than enough
droids.
OWEN
Harvest is when I need you the
most. Only one more season. This
year we’ll make enough on the
harvest so I’ll be able to hire
some more hands. And then you can
go to the Academy next year.
Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his
uncle.
OWEN (CONT’D)
You must understand I need you
here, Luke.
28.
LUKE
But it’s a whole ‘nother year.
OWEN
Look, it’s only one more season.
Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.
LUKE
Yeah, that’s what you said last
year when Biggs and Tank left.
AUNT BERU
Where are you going?
LUKE
It looks like I’m going nowhere. I
have to finish cleaning those
droids.
Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
mechanically finishes his dinner.
AUNT BERU
Owen, he can’t stay here forever.
Most of his friends have gone. It
means so much to him.
OWEN
I’ll make it up to him next year. I
promise.
AUNT BERU
Luke’s just not a farmer, Owen. He
has too much of his father in him.
OWEN
That’s what I’m afraid of.
32 EXT. TATOOINE – LARS HOMESTEAD 32
The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
homestead.
33 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD – GARAGE 33
Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.
29.
LUKE
What are you doing hiding there?
Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
sight.
THREEPIO
It wasn’t my fault, sir. Please
don’t deactivate me. I told him not
to go, but he’s faulty,
malfunctioning; kept babbling on
about his mission.
LUKE
Oh, no!
Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
34 EXT. TATOOINE – LARS HOMESTEAD 34
Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead
and searches the darkening horizon for the small triped
astro- robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on
the salt flat as Luke scans the landscape with his
electrobinoculars.
THREEPIO
That R2 unit has always been a
problem. These astro-droids are
getting quite out of hand. Even I
can’t understand their logic at
times.
LUKE
How could I be so stupid? He’s
nowhere in sight. Blast it!
THREEPIO
Pardon me, sir, but couldn’t we go
after him?
LUKE
It’s too dangerous with all the
Sandpeople around. We’ll have to
wait until morning.
Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.
OWEN
Luke, I’m shutting the power down
for the night.
30.
LUKE
All right, I’ll be there in a few
minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.
He takes one final look across the dim horizon.
LUKE (CONT’D)
You know that little droid is going
to cause me a lot of trouble.
THREEPIO
Oh, he excels at that, sir.
35 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD – PLAZA 35
Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.
OWEN
Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be
loafing now!
36 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD – KITCHEN 36
The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru
prepares the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.
OWEN
Have you seen Luke this morning?
AUNT BERU
He said he had some things to do
before he started today, so he left
early.
OWEN
Uh? Did he take those two new
droids with him?
AUNT BERU
I think so.
OWEN
Well, he’d better have those units
in the south range repaired be
midday or there’ll be hell to pay!
37 EXT. TATOOINE – DESERT WASTELAND – LUKE’S SPEEDER – DAY 37
The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
wasteland.
31.
38 INT./EXT. LUKE’S SPEEDER – DESERT WASTELAND – TRAVELING -38
DAY
Luke leans over the back of the
speeder and adjusts something in
the motor compartment.
LUKE
(yelling)
How’s that.
Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this
direction somewhere, but I don’t
see how that R2 unit could have
come this far. We must have missed
him. Uncle Owen isn’t going to take
this very well.
THREEPIO
Sir, would it help if you told him
it was my fault.
LUKE
(brightening)
Sure. He needs you. He’d probably
only deactivate you for a day or
so…
THREEPIO
Deactivate! Well, on the other hand
if you hadn’t removed his
restraining bolt…
LUKE
Wait, there’s something dead ahead
on the scanner. It looks like our
droid… hit the accelerator.
39 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK MESA – DUNE SEA – COASTLINE – DAY 39
From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs
the gun before it can be fired.
32.
The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they’re sometimes
called, speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into
an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get
in the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky
terrain.
40 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK MESA – CANYON 40
The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large
as elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns,
and long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders
mount saddles strapped to the huge creatures’ shaggy backs
and ride off down the rugged bluff.
41 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK CANYON – FLOOR 41
The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon.
Luke, with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder,
stands before little Artoo.
LUKE
Hey, whoa, just where do you think
you’re going?
The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
menacingly behind the little runaway.
THREEPIO
Master Luke here is your rightful
owner. We’ll have no more of this
Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish… and
don’t talk to me about your
mission, either. You’re fortunate
he doesn’t blast you into a million
pieces right here.
LUKE
Well, come on. It’s getting late. I
only hope we can get back before
Uncle Owen really blows up.
THREEPIO
If you don’t mind my saying so,
sir, I think you should deactivate
the little fugitive until you’ve
gotten him back to your workshop.
LUKE
No, he’s not going to try anything.
Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of
frantic whistles and screams.
33.
LUKE (CONT’D)
What’s wrong with him now?
THREEPIO
Oh my… sir, he says there are
several creatures approaching from
the southeast.
Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.
LUKE
Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on,
let’s have a look. Come on.
42 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK CANYON – RIDGE – DAY 42
Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the
two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the
young adventurer.
LUKE
There are two Banthas down there
but I don’t see any… wait a
second, they’re Sandpeople all
right. I can see one of them now.
Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a
large, gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is
startled and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He
can be heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and
rattles down the side of the mountain.
The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed
gaderffii — the dreaded axe blade that has struck terror in
the heart of the local settlers. But Luke manages to block
the blow with his laser rifle, which is smashed to pieces.
The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is forced
to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister Raider stands
over him with his weapon raised and lets out a horrible
shrieking laugh.
43 EXT. TATOOINE – ROCK CANYON – FLOOR – DAY 43
Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in
the rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the
inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the
speeder. The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts
and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan
is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the
Sandpeople fleeing in terror.
34.
Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.
BEN
Hello there! Come here my little
friend. Don’t be afraid.
Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a heap and
begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on
Luke’s forehead and he begins to come around.
BEN (CONT’D)
Don’t worry, he’ll be all right.
LUKE
What happened?
BEN
Rest easy, son, you’ve had a busy
day. You’re fortunate you’re still
in one piece.
LUKE
Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to
see you!
BEN
The Jundland wastes are not to be
traveled lightly. Tell me young
Luke, what brings you out this far?
LUKE
Oh, this little droid! I think he’s
searching for his former master…
I’ve never seen such devotion in a
droid before… there seems to be
no stopping him. He claims to be
the property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Is he a relative of yours? Do you
know who he’s talking about?
Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.
BEN
Obi-Wan Kenobi… Obi-Wan? Now
thats a name I haven’t heard in a
long time… a long time.
35.
LUKE
I think my uncle knew him. He said
he was dead.
BEN
Oh, he’s not dead, not… not yet.
LUKE
You know him!
BEN
Well of course, of course I know
him. He’s me! I haven’t gone by the
name Obi-Wan since oh, before you
were born.
LUKE
Then the droid does belong to you.
BEN
Don’t seem to remember ever owning
a droid. Very interesting…
He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.
BEN (CONT’D)
I think we better get indoors. The
Sandpeople are easily startled but
they will soon be back and in
greater numbers.
Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.
LUKE
Threepio!
44 EXT. TATOOINE – SAND PIT – ROCK MESA – DAY 44
Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and
begins to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps.
Luke and Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio
lying half buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken
off.
Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then
flips a hidden switch on his back several times until
finally the mechanical man’s systems turn on.
THREEPIO
Where am I? I must have taken a bad
step…
36.
LUKE
Can you stand? We’ve got to get out
of here before the Sandpeople
return.
THREEPIO
I don’t think I can make it. You go
on, Master Luke. There’s no sense
in you risking yourself on my
account. I’m done for.
Artoo makes a beeping sound.
LUKE
No, you’re not. What kind of talk
is that?
Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
air.
BEN
Quickly, son… they’re on the
move.
45 INT. KENOBI’S DWELLING 45
The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio’s arm, as
old Ben sits thinking.
LUKE
No, my father didn’t fight in the
wars. He was a navigator on a spice
freighter.
BEN
That’s what your uncle told you. He
didn’t hold with your father’s
ideals. Thought he should have
stayed here and not gotten
involved.
LUKE
You fought in the Clone Wars?
BEN
Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the
same as your father.
LUKE
I wish I’d known him.
37.
BEN
He was the best star-pilot in the
galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I
understand you’ve become quite a
good pilot yourself. And he was a
good friend. Which reminds me…
Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around. As
Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
with several electronic gadgets attached to it.
BEN (CONT’D)
I have something here for you. Your
father wanted you to have this when
you were old enough, but your uncle
wouldn’t allow it. He feared you
might follow old Obi-Wan on some
damned-fool idealistic crusade like
your father did.
THREEPIO
Sir, if you’ll not be needing me,
I’ll close down for awhile.
LUKE
Sure, go ahead.
Ben hands Luke the saber.
LUKE (CONT’D)
What is it?
BEN
Your fathers lightsaber. This is
the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as
clumsy or as random as a blaster.
Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across
the ceiling.
BEN (CONT’D)
An elegant weapon for a more
civilized time. For over a thousand
generations the Jedi Knights were
the guardians of peace and justice
in the Old Republic. Before the
dark times, before the Empire.
Luke hasn’t really been listening.
38.
LUKE
How did my father die?
BEN
A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who
was a pupil of mine until he turned
to evil, helped the Empire hunt
down and destroy the Jedi Knights.
He betrayed and murdered your
father. Now the Jedi are all but
extinct. Vader was seduced by the
dark side of the Force.
LUKE
The Force?
BEN
Well, the Force is what gives a
Jedi his power. It’s an energy
field created by all living things.
It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy together.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
BEN (CONT’D)
Now, let’s see if we can’t figure
out what you are, my little friend.
And where you come from.
LUKE
I saw part of the message he was…
Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo’s face.
BEN
I seem to have found it.
Luke stops his work as the lovely girl’s image flickers
before his eyes.
LEIA
General Kenobi, years ago you
served my father in the Clone Wars.
Now he begs you to help him in his
struggle against the Empire. I
regret that I am unable to present
my father’s request to you in
person, but my ship has fallen
under attack and I’m afraid my
mission to bring you to Alderaan
has failed.
(MORE)
39.
I have placed information vital to
the survival of the Rebellion into
the memory systems of this R2 unit.
My father will know how to retrieve
it. You must see this droid safely
delivered to him on Alderaan. This
is our most desperate hour. Help
me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only
hope.
There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his
eyes.
BEN
You must learn the ways of the
Force if you’re to come with me to
Alderaan.
LUKE
(laughing)
Alderaan? I’m not going to
Alderaan. I’ve got to go home. It’s
late, I’m in for it as it is.
BEN
I need your help, Luke. She needs
your help. I’m getting too old for
this sort of thing.
LUKE
I can’t get involved! I’ve got work
to do! It’s not that I like the
Empire. I hate it! But there’s
nothing I can do about it right
now. It’s such a long way from
here.
BEN
That’s your uncle talking.
LUKE
(sighing)
Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever
going to explain this?
BEN
Learn about the Force, Luke.
LUKE
Look, I can take you as far as
Anchorhead.
LEIA (CONT’D)
(MORE)
40.
You can get a transport there to
Mos Eisley or wherever you’re
going.
BEN
You must do what you feel is right,
of course.
46 EXT. SPACE. 46
An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
battle station: the Death Star!
47 INT. DEATH STAR – CONFERENCE ROOM 47
Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general,
is speaking.
TAGGE
Until this battle station is fully
operational we are vulnerable. The
Rebel Alliance is too well
equipped. They’re more dangerous
than you realize.
The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.
MOTTI
Dangerous to your starfleet,
Commander, not to this battle
station!
TAGGE
The Rebellion will continue to gain
a support in the Imperial Senate as
long as….
Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge’s speech is cut
short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful
ally, The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand
and bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes
his place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands
behind him.
TARKIN
The Imperial Senate will no longer
be of any concern to us. I’ve just
received word that the Emperor has
dissolved the council permanently.
The last remnants of the Old
Republic have been swept away.
LUKE (CONT’D)
41.
TAGGE
That’s impossible! How will the
Emperor maintain control without
the bureaucracy?
TARKIN
The regional governors now have
direct control over territories.
Fear will keep the local systems in
line. Fear of this battle station.
TAGGE
And what of the Rebellion? If the
Rebels have obtained a complete
technical readout of this station,
it is possible, however unlikely,
that they might find a weakness and
exploit it.
VADER
The plans you refer to will soon be
back in our hands.
MOTTI
Any attack made by the Rebels
against this station would be a
useless gesture, no matter what
technical data they’ve obtained.
This station is now the ultimate
power in the universe. I suggest we
use it!
VADER
Don’t be too proud of this
technological terror you’ve
constructed. The ability to destroy
a planet is insignificant next to
the power of the Force.
MOTTI
Don’t try to frighten us with your
sorcerer’s ways, Lord Vader. Your
sad devotion to that ancient
religion has not helped you conjure
up the stolen data tapes, or given
you clairvoyance enough to find the
Rebel’s hidden fort…
Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader’s
spell.
VADER
I find your lack of faith
disturbing.
42.
TARKIN
Enough of this! Vader, release him!
VADER
As you wish.
TARKIN
This bickering is pointless. Lord
Vader will provide us with the
location of the Rebel fortress by
the time this station is
operational. We will then crush the
Rebellion with one swift stroke.
48 EXT. TATOOINE – WASTELAND 48
The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
and scattered bodies.
LUKE
It looks like Sandpeople did this,
all right. Look, here are Gaffi
sticks, Bantha tracks. It’s just…
I never heard of them hitting
anything this big before.
Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.
BEN
They didn’t. But we are meant to
think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sandpeople always
ride single file to hide there
numbers.
LUKE
These are the same Jawas that sold
us Artoo and Threepio.
BEN
And these blast points, too
accurate for Sandpeople. Only
Imperial stormtroopers are so
precise.
LUKE
Why would Imperial troops want to
slaughter Jawas?
Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.
43.
LUKE (CONT’D)
If they traced the robots here,
they may have learned who they sold
them to. And that would lead them
home!
Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
the speeder and jumps it.
BEN
Wait, Luke! It’s too dangerous.
Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with the
burning Sandcrawler.
49 EXT. TATOOINE – WASTELAND 49
Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
50 EXT. TATOOINE – LARS HOMESTEAD 50
The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps
out and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home.
Debris is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great
battle has taken place.
LUKE
Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!
Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and
uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He
is stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
resolve comes over him.
51 EXT. SPACE 51
Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
52 INT. DEATH STAR – DETENTION CORRIDOR 52
Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia’s face is
filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.
VADER
And, now Your Highness, we will
discuss the location of your hidden
Rebel base.
The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
arms bearing a large hypodermic needle.
44.
The door slides shut and the long cell block hallway appears
peaceful. The muffled screams of the Rebel princess are
barely heard.
53 EXT. TATOOINE – WASTELAND 53
There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the
dead. Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to
him.
BEN
There’s nothing you could have
done, Luke, had you been there.
You’d have been killed, too, and
the droids would be in the hands of
the Empire.
LUKE
I want to come with you to
Alderaan. There’s nothing here for
me now. I want to learn the ways of
the Force and become a Jedi like my
father.
54 EXT. TATOOINE – WASTELAND 54
The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
Ben is standing.
BEN
Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will
never find a more wretched hive of
scum and villainy. We must be
cautious.
Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
smile.
55 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET 55
The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several combathardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A
Trooper questions Luke.
TROOPER
How long have you had these droids?
45.
LUKE
About three or four seasons.
BEN
They’re for sale if you want them.
TROOPER
Let me see your identification.
Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID while
Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.
BEN
You don’t need to see his
identification.
TROOPER
We don’t need to see his
identification.
BEN
These are not the droids your
looking for.
TROOPER
These are not the droids we’re
looking for.
BEN
He can go about his business.
TROOPER
You can go about your business.
BEN
(to Luke)
Move along.
TROOPER
Move along. Move along.
56 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET 56
The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse
cantina on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange
forms of transport, including several unusual beasts of
burden, are parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and
begins to fondle the speeder.
THREEPIO
I can’t abide these Jawas.
Disgusting creatures.
46.
As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
away.
LUKE
Go on, go on. I can’t understand
how we got by those troopers. I
thought we were dead.
BEN
The Force can have a strong
influence on the weak-minded. You
will find it a powerful ally.
LUKE
Do you really think we’re going to
find a pilot here that’ll take us
to Alderaan?
BEN
Well, most of the best freighter
pilots can be found here. Only
watch your step. This place can be
a little rough.
LUKE
I’m ready for anything.
THREEPIO
Come along, Artoo.
57 INT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – CANTINA 57
The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy
den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic
alien creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At
first the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed,
slimy, furry, scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle
over drinks. Ben moves to an empty spot at the bar near a
group of repulsive but human scum. A huge, rough-looking
Bartender stops Luke and the robots.
BARTENDER
We don’t serve their kind here!
Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
outlandish creatures, doesn’t quite catch the bartender’s
drift.
LUKE
What?
47.
BARTENDER
Your droids. They’ll have to wait
outside. We don’t want them here.
Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome
creatures along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly
glare.
Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.
LUKE
Listen, why don’t you wait out by
the speeder. We don’t want any
trouble.
THREEPIO
I heartily agree with you sir.
Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.
Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall savagelooking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey with
fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a furcovered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
sight to behold.
Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation
between Ben and the giant Wookiee.
Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
or whatever.
A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.
CREATURE
Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?
The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
belligerent monstrosity.
HUMAN
He doesn’t like you.
48.
LUKE
I’m sorry.
HUMAN
I don’t like you either.
The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
adventurer.
HUMAN (CONT’D)
Don’t insult us. You just watch
yourself. We’re wanted men. I have
the death sentence in twelve
systems.
LUKE
I’ll be careful than.
HUMAN
You’ll be dead.
The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn’t easy. His
three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in
behind Luke.
BEN
This little one isn’t worth the
effort. Come let me buy you
something…
A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young
would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through
tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking
liquid. With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a
wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at
old Ben. The bartender panics.
BARTENDER
No blasters! No blaster!
With astounding agility old Ben’s laser sword sparks to life
and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut
in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns
off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt.
Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man’s abilities,
attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter
of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is
given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing
his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben
points the the Wookiee.
49.
BEN
This is Chewbacca. He’s first-mate
on a ship that might suit our
needs.
58 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET 58
Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on
an electronic conversation with another little red astrodroid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches
two stormtroopers in the street.
THREEPIO
I don’t like the look of this.
59 INT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – CANTINA 59
Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty
years old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple,
sentimental, and cocksure.
HAN
Han Solo. I’m captain of the
Millennium Falcon. Chewie here
tells me you’re looking for passage
to the Alderaan system.
BEN
Yes, indeed. If it’s a fast ship.
HAN
Fast ship? You’ve never heard of
the Millennium Falcon?
BEN
Should I have?
HAN
It’s the ship that made the Kessel
run in less than twelve parsecs!
Ben reacts to Solo’s stupid attempt to impress them with
obvious misinformation.
HAN (CONT’D)
I’ve outrun Imperial starships, not
the local bulk-cruisers, mind you.
I’m talking about the big Corellian
ships now. She’s fast enough for
you, old man. What’s the cargo?
50.
BEN
Only passengers. Myself, the boy,
two droids, and no questions asked.
HAN
What is it? Some kind of local
trouble?
BEN
Let’s just say we’d like to avoid
any Imperial entanglements.
HAN
Well, that’s the trick, isn’t it?
And it’s going to cost you
something extra. Ten thousand in
advance.
LUKE
Ten thousand? We could almost buy
our own ship for that!
HAN
But who’s going to fly it, kid!
You?
LUKE
You bet I could. I’m not such a bad
pilot myself! We don’t have to sit
here and listen…
BEN
We haven’t that much with us. But
we could pay you two thousand now,
plus fifteen when we reach
Alderaan.
HAN
Seventeen, huh!
Han ponders this for a few moments.
HAN (CONT’D)
Okay. You guys got yourself a ship.
We’ll leave as soon as you’re
ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.
BEN
Ninety-four.
HAN
Looks like somebody’s beginning to
take an interest in your handiwork.
51.
Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
questions. The bartender points to the booth.
TROOPER
All right, we’ll check it out.
The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.
HAN
Seventeen thousand! Those guys must
really be desperate. This could
really save my neck. Get back to
the ship and get her ready.
60 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET 60
BEN
You’ll have to sell your speeder.
LUKE
That’s okay. I’m never coming back
to this planet again.
61 INT. MOS EISLEY – CANTINA 61
As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The
creature speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English
subtitles.
GREEDO
Going somewhere, Solo?
HAN
Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I
was just going to see your boss.
Tell Jabba that I’ve got his money.
Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding the
gun on him.
GREEDO
It’s too late. You should have paid
him when you had the chance.
Jabba’s put a price on your head,
so large that every bounty hunter
in the galaxy will be looking for
you. I’m lucky I found you first.
HAN
Yeah, but this time I got the
money.
52.
GREEDO
If you give it to me, I might
forget I found you.
HAN
I don’t have it with me. Tell
Jabba…
GREEDO
Jabba’s through with you. He has no
time for smugglers who drop their
shipments at the first sign of an
Imperial cruiser.
HAN
Even I get boarded sometimes. Do
you think I had a choice?
Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.
GREEDO
You can tell that to Jabba. He may
only take your ship.
HAN
Over my dead body.
GREEDO
That’s the idea. I’ve been looking
forward to killing you for a long
time.
HAN
Yes, I’ll bet you have.
Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as
the other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up
and starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some
coins as he leaves.
HAN (CONT’D)
Sorry about the mess.
62 EXT. SPACE 62
Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
63 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 63
VADER
Her resistance to the mind probe is
considerable.
(MORE)
53.
It will be some time before we can
extract any information from her.
An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
IMPERIAL OFFICER
The final check-out is complete.
All systems are operational. What
course shall we set?
TARKIN
Perhaps she would respond to an
alternative form of persuasion.
VADER
What do you mean?
TARKIN
I think it is time we demonstrate
the full power of this station.
(to soldier)
Set your course for Princess Leia’s
home planet of Alderaan.
TROOPER
With pleasure.
64 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET 64
Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures
hawking exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men,
monsters, and robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways,
whispering and hiding from the hot winds.
THREEPIO
Lock the door, Artoo.
One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the
background.
TROOPER
All right, check that side of the
street. It’s secure. Move on to the
next door.
The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
THREEPIO
I would much rather have gone with
Master Luke than stay here with
you.
VADER (CONT’D)
(MORE)
54.
I don’t know what all the trouble
is about, but I’m sure it must be
your fault.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
You watch your language!
65 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET – ALLEYWAY – USED 65
SPEEDER LOT
Ben and Luke are standing in a
sleazy used speeder lot, talking
with a tall, grotesque, insect-like
used speeder dealer. Strange exotic
bodies and spindly-legged beasts
pass
by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some
coins.
LUKE
He says it’s the best he can do.
Since the XP-38 came out, they’re
just not in demand.
BEN
It will be enough.
Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad
creature moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches
them as they disappear down another alley.
BEN (CONT’D)
If the ship’s as fast as he’s
boasting, we ought to do well.
66 INT. DOCKING BAY 94 – DAY 66
Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and
purple creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay.
Jabba is the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred
face is a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious
killer. He is a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on
extended feelers and a huge ugly mouth.
JABBA
Come on out, Solo!
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
55.
A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
HAN
I’ve been waiting for you, Jabba.
JABBA
I expected you would be.
HAN
I’m not the type to run.
JABBA
(fatherly-smooth)
Han, my boy, there are times when
you disappoint me… why haven’t
you paid me? And why did you have
to fry poor Greedo like that…
after all we’ve been through
together.
HAN
You sent Greedo to blast me.
JABBA
(mock surprise)
Han, why you’re the best smuggler
in the business. You’re too
valuable to fry. He was only
relaying my concern at your delays.
He wasn’t going to blast you.
HAN
I think he thought he was. Next
time don’t send one of those
twerps. If you’ve got something to
say to me, come see me yourself.
JABBA
Han, Han! If only you hadn’t had to
dump that shipment of spice… you
understand I just can’t make an
exception. Where would I be if
every pilot who smuggled for me
dumped their shipment at the first
sign of an Imperial starship? It’s
not good business.
HAN
You know, even I get boarded
sometimes, Jabba.
(MORE)
56.
I had no choice, but I’ve got a
charter now and I can pay you back,
plus a little extra. I just need
some more time.
JABBA
(to his men)
Put your blasters away. Han, my
boy, I’m only doing this because
you’re the best and I need you. So,
for an extra, say twenty percent
I’ll give you a little more time…
but this is it. If you disappoint
me again, I’ll put a price on your
head so large you won’t be able to
go near a civilized system for the
rest of your short life.
HAN
Jabba, I’ll pay you because it’s my
pleasure.
67 EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY – ALLEYWAY 67
Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay
Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry.
The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder
lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
transmitter.
68 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT – DOCKING BAY 94 68
Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is
Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a
large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that
could only loosely be called a starship.
LUKE
What a piece of junk.
The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
HAN
She’ll make point five beyond the
speed of light. She may not look
like much, but she’s got it where
it counts, kid. I’ve added some
special modifications myself.
Luke scratches his head. It’s obvious he isn’t sure about
all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others
to follow.
HAN (CONT’D)
57.
HAN (CONT’D)
We’re a little rushed, so if you’ll
hurry aboard we’ll get out of here.
The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
Solo.
69 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON 69
Chewbacca settles into the pilot’s chair and starts the
mighty engines of the starship.
70 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT – DOCKING BAY 94 70
Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
Falcon passing Solo.
THREEPIO
Hello, sir.
71 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREET 71
Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
creature.
TROOPER
Which way?
The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
bay.
TROOPER (CONT’D)
All right, men. Load your weapons!
72 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT – DOCKING BAY 94] 72
The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
docking bay entrance.
TROOPER
Stop that ship!
Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers
rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire
at Han as he ducks into the spaceship.
TROOPER (CONT’D)
Blast ’em!
Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
slams the overhead entry shut.
58.
73 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON 73
HAN
Chewie, get us out of here!
The group straps in for take off.
THREEPIO
Oh, my. I’d forgotten how much I
hate space travel.
74 EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY – STREETS 74
The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the
general alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises
above the dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into
the morning sky.
75 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 75
Han climbs into the pilot’s chair next to Chewbacca, who
chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
76 EXT. SPACE – PLANET TATOOINE 76
The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
77 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 77
Han frantically types information into the ship’s computer.
Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway,
makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
HAN
It looks like an Imperial cruiser.
Our passengers must be hotter than
I thought. Try and hold them off.
Angle the deflector shield while I
make the calculations for the jump
to light speed.
78 EXT. SPACE – PLANET TATOOINE 78
The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
stardestroyers.
79 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 79
Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the
galaxy spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into
the cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
59.
HAN
Stay sharp! There are two more
coming in; they’re going to try to
cut us off.
LUKE
Why don’t you outrun them? I
thought you said this thing was
fast.
HAN
Watch your mouth, kid, or you’re
going to find yourself floating
home. We’ll be safe enough once we
make the jump to hyperspace.
Besides, I know a few maneuvers.
We’ll lose them!
80 EXT. SPACE – PLANET TATOOINE 80
Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
81 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 81
The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the
window.
HAN
Here’s where the fun begins!
BEN
How long before you can make the
jump to light speed?
HAN
It’ll take a few moments to get the
coordinates from the navi-computer.
The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
LUKE
Are you kidding? At the rate
they’re gaining…
HAN
Traveling through hyperspace isn’t
like dusting crops, boy! Without
precise calculations we could fly
right through a star or bounce too
close to a supernova and that’d end
your trip real quick, wouldn’t it?
The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
warning light begins to flash.
60.
LUKE
What’s that flashing?
HAN
We’re losing our deflector shield.
Go strap yourself in, I’m going to
make the jump to light speed.
The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
makes the jump to hyperspace.
82 EXT. SPACE 82
The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
second.
83 EXT. DEATH STAR 83
Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
84 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 84
Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
displaying a small green planet.
MOTTI
We’ve entered the Alderaan system.
Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
hands are bound.
LEIA
Governor Tarkin, I should have
expected to find you holding
Vader’s leash. I recognized your
foul stench when I was brought on
board.
TARKIN
Charming to the last. You don’t
know how hard I found it signing
the order to terminate your life!
LEIA
I surprised you had the courage to
take the responsibility yourself!
TARKIN
Princess Leia, before your
execution I would like you to be my
guest at a ceremony that will make
this battle station operational.
(MORE)
61.
No star system will dare oppose the
Emperor now.
LEIA
The more you tighten your grip,
Tarkin, the more star systems will
slip through your fingers.
TARKIN
Not after we demonstrate the power
of this station. In a way, you have
determined the choice of the planet
that’ll be destroyed first. Since
you are reluctant to provide us
with the location of the Rebel
base, I have chosen to test this
station’s destructive power… on
your home planet of Alderaan.
LEIA
No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have
no weapons. You can’t possibly…
TARKIN
You would prefer another target? A
military target? Then name the
system!
Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
TARKIN (CONT’D)
I grow tired of asking this. So
it’ll be the last time. Where is
the Rebel base?
Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
Alderaan.
LEIA
(softly)
Dantooine.
Leia lowers her head.
LEIA (CONT’D)
They’re on Dantooine.
TARKIN
There. You see Lord Vader, she can
be reasonable.
(addressing Motti)
Continue with the operation. You
may fire when ready.
TARKIN (CONT’D)
62.
LEIA
What?
TARKIN
You’re far too trusting. Dantooine
is too remote to make an effective
demonstration. But don’t worry. We
will deal with your Rebel friends
soon enough.
LEIA
No!
85 INT. DEATH STAR – BLAST CHAMBER 85
VADER
Commence primary ignition.
A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another
lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A
huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area
and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan.
The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
86 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – CENTRAL HOLD AREA 86
Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small
“seeker” robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He
falters, seems almost faint.
LUKE
Are you all right? What’s wrong?
BEN
I felt a great disturbance in the
Force… as if millions of voices
suddenly cried out in terror and
were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.
Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
he fixes his gaze on Luke.
BEN (CONT’D)
You’d better get on with your
exercises.
Han Solo enters the room.
63.
HAN
Well, you can forget your troubles
with those Imperial slugs. I told
you I’d outrun ’em.
Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
HAN (CONT’D)
Don’t everyone thank me at once.
Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move
along a chess-type board.
HAN (CONT’D)
Anyway, we should be at Alderaan
about oh-two-hundred hours.
Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky furcovered arms over his head.
THREEPIO
Now be careful, Artoo.
Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures
to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses
Chewbacca’s face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny
robot. Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion
and begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
He made a fair move. Screaming
about it won’t help you.
HAN
(interrupting)
Let him have it. It’s not wise to
upset a Wookiee.
THREEPIO
But sir, nobody worries about
upsetting a droid.
HAN
That’s ’cause droids don’t pull
people’s arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known
to do that.
64.
THREEPIO
I see your point, sir. I suggest a
new strategy, Artoo. Let the
Wookiee win.
Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his
movements. Han watches with a bit of smugness.
BEN
Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force
flowing through him.
LUKE
You mean it controls your actions?
BEN
Partially. But it also obeys your
commands.
Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
“seeker”, a chrome baseball-like robot covered with
antennae, hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to
one side of the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a
lightning-swift lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke’s
face. Luke doesn’t move and the ball backs off. It slowly
moves behind the boy, then makes another quick lunge, this
time emitting a blood red laser beam as it attacks. It hits
Luke in the leg causing him to tumble over. Han lets loose
with a burst of laughter.
HAN
Hokey religions and ancient weapons
are no match for a good blaster at
your side, kid.
LUKE
You don’t believe in the Force, do
you?
HAN
Kid, I’ve flown from one side of
this galaxy to the other. I’ve seen
a lot of strange stuff, but I’ve
never seen anything to make me
believe there’s one all-powerful
force controlling everything.
There’s no mystical energy field
that controls my destiny.
Ben smiles quietly.
65.
HAN (CONT’D)
It’s all a lot of simple tricks and
nonsense.
BEN
I suggest you try it again, Luke.
Ben places a large helmet on Luke’s head which covers his
eyes.
BEN (CONT’D)
This time, let go your conscious
self and act on instinct.
LUKE
(laughing)
With the blast shield down, I can’t
even see. How am I supposed to
fight?
BEN
Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t
trust them.
Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
BEN (CONT’D)
Stretch out with your feelings.
Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes
a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the
bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
position.
BEN (CONT’D)
You see, you can do it.
HAN
I call it luck.
BEN
In my experience, there’s no such
thing as luck.
HAN
Look, going good against remotes is
one thing. Going good against the
living? That’s something else.
66.
Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
control panel.
HAN (CONT’D)
Looks like we’re coming up on
Alderaan.
Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
LUKE
You know, I did feel something. I
could almost see the remote.
BEN
That’s good. You have taken your
first step into a larger world.
87 INT. DEATH STAR – CONFERENCE ROOM 87
Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
TARKIN
Yes.
OFFICER CASS
Our scout ships have reached
Dantooine. They found the remains
of a Rebel base, but they estimate
that it has been deserted for some
time. They are now conducting an
extensive search of the surrounding
systems.
TARKIN
She lied! She lied to us!
VADER
I told you she would never
consciously betray the Rebellion.
TARKIN
Terminate her… immediately!
88 EXT. HYPERSPACE 88
The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
surreal light show surrounds the ship.
89 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 89
HAN
Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut
in the sublight engines.
67.
Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit
window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in
speed, then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder
and violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward
them, battering the sides of the ship.
HAN (CONT’D)
What the…? Aw, we’ve come out of
hyperspace into a meteor shower.
Some kind of asteroid collision.
It’s not on any of the charts.
The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
cockpit.
LUKE
What’s going on?
HAN
Our position is correct, except…
no, Alderaan!
LUKE
What do you mean? Where is it?
HAN
Thats what I’m trying to tell you,
kid. It ain’t there. It’s been
totally blown away.
LUKE
What? How?
Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins to
settle down.
BEN
Destroyed… by the Empire!
HAN
The entire starfleet couldn’t
destroy the whole planet. It’d take
a thousand ships with more fire
power than I’ve…
A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
alarm starts humming.
HAN (CONT’D)
There’s another ship coming in.
LUKE
Maybe they know what happened.
68.
BEN
It’s an Imperial fighter.
Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside
the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A tiny,
finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.
LUKE
It followed us!
BEN
No. It’s a short range fighter.
HAN
There aren’t any bases around here.
Where did it come from?
90 EXT. SPACE 90
The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
91 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 91
LUKE
It sure is leaving in a big hurry.
If they identify us, we’re in big
trouble.
HAN
Not if I can help it. Chewie…jam
it’s transmissions.
BEN
It’d be as well to let it go. It’s
too far out of range.
HAN
Not for long…
92 EXT. SPACE 92
The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
93 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 93
The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny
fighter. In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter
until it is obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben
stands behind Chewbacca.
BEN
A fighter that size couldn’t get
this deep into space on its own.
69.
LUKE
It must have gotten lost, been part
of a convoy or something.
HAN
Well, he ain’t going to be around
long enough to tell anyone about
us.
94 EXT. SPACE 94
The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
they race toward camera and disappear over head.
95 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 95
The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
planet.
LUKE
Look at him. He’s headed for that
small moon.
HAN
I think I can get him before he
gets there… he’s almost in range.
The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a
monstrous spherical battle station.
BEN
That’s no moon! It’s a space
station.
HAN
It’s too big to be a space station.
LUKE
I have a very bad feeling about
this.
HAN
Yeah, I think your right. Full
reverse! Chewie, lock in the
auxiliary power.
The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away
toward the gargantuan battle station.
LUKE
Why are we still moving towards it?
70.
HAN
We’re caught in a tractor beam!
It’s pulling us in!
LUKE
But there’s gotta be something you
can do!
HAN
There’s nothin’ I can do about it,
kid. I’m in full power. I’m going
to have to shut down. But they’re
not going to get me without a
fight!
Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.
BEN
You can’t win. But there are
alternatives to fighting.
96 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – DEATH STAR 96
As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the
awesome metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle
station becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the
gigantic sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports
into which the helpless pirateship is dragged.
97 EXT. DEATH STAR – HUGE PORT DOORS 97
The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
control room and huge laser turret cannons.
98 VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM 98
Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic
field.
99 INT. DEATH STAR – DOCKING BAY 2037 99
The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
stand at attention in a central assembly area.
OFFICER
To you stations!
(to another officer)
Come with me.
100 INT. DEATH STAR – HALLWAY 100
Stormtroopers run to their posts.
71.
101 INT. DEATH STAR – HANGAR 2037 101
A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with
weapons ready to fire.
OFFICER
Close all outboard shields! Close
all outboard shields!
102 INT. DEATH STAR – CONFERENCE ROOM 102
Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.
TARKIN
Yes.
VOICE
(over intercom)
We’ve captured a freighter entering
the remains of the Alderaan system.
It’s markings match those of a ship
that blasted its way out of Mos
Eisley.
VADER
They must be trying to return the
stolen plans to the princess. She
may yet be of some use to us.
103 INT. DEATH STAR – DOCKING BAY 2037 103
Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
VOICE
(over intercom)
Unlock one-five-seven and nine.
Release charges.
OFFICER
(to Vader)
There’s no one on board, sir.
According to the log, the crew
abandoned ship right after takeoff.
It must be a decoy, sir. Several of
the escape pods have been
jettisoned.
VADER
Did you find any droids?
72.
OFFICER
No, sir. If there were any on
board, they must also have
jettisoned.
VADER
Send a scanning crew on board. I
want every part of this ship
checked.
OFFICER
Yes, sir.
VADER
I sense something… a presence I
haven’t felt since…
Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
OFFICER
Get me a scanning crew in here on
the double. I want every part of
this ship checked!
104 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – HALLWAY 104
A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In
a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels
suddenly pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi
sticks his head out of a third locker.
LUKE
Boy, it’s lucky you had these
compartments.
HAN
I use them for smuggling. I never
thought I’d be smuggling myself in
them. This is ridiculous. Even if I
could take off, I’d never get past
the tractor beam.
BEN
Leave that to me!
HAN
Damn fool. I knew that you were
going to say that!
BEN
Who’s the more foolish… the fool
or the fool who follows him?
73.
Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees.
105 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY 105
The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the
two stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
TROOPER
The ship’s all yours. If the
scanners pick up anything, report
it immediately. All right, let’s
go.
The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
HAN’S VOICE
Hey down there, could you give us a
hand with this?
The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of
gunfire is heard.
106 INT. DEATH STAR – FORWARD BAY – COMMAND OFFICE 106
In a very small command office near the entrance to the
pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and
notices the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
GANTRY OFFICER
TX-four-one-two. Why aren’t you at
your post? TX-four-one-two, do you
copy?
A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his
head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an
annoyed look.
GANTRY OFFICER (CONT’D)
Take over. We’ve got a bad
transmitter. I’ll see what I can
do.
As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing
the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary
state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone- chilling
howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow.
The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted
by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and the
robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also dressed
as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.
74.
LUKE
You know, between his howling and
your blasting everything in sight,
it’s a wonder the whole station
doesn’t know we’re here.
HAN
Bring them on! I prefer a straight
fight to all this sneaking around.
THREEPIO
We found the computer outlet, sir.
Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of
the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it
carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel.
Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
BEN
Plug in. He should be able to
interpret the entire Imperial
computer network.
Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding
information to the little robot. After a few moments, he
beeps something.
THREEPIO
He says he’s found the main
computer to power the tractor beam
that’s holding the ship here. He’ll
try to make the precise location
appear on the monitor.
The computer monitor flashes readouts.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
The tractor beam is coupled to the
main reactor in seven locations. A
power loss at one of the terminals
will allow the ship to leave.
Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.
BEN
I don’t think you boys can help. I
must go alone.
HAN
Whatever you say. I’ve done more
that I bargained for on this trip
already.
75.
LUKE
I want to go with you.
BEN
Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch
over the droids.
LUKE
But he can…
BEN
They must be delivered safely or
other star systems will suffer the
same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny
lies along a different path than
mine. The Force will be with you…
always!
Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head
in agreement.
HAN
Boy you said it, Chewie.
Han looks at Luke.
HAN (CONT’D)
Where did you dig up that old
fossil?
LUKE
Ben is a great man.
HAN
Yeah, great at getting us into
trouble.
LUKE
I didn’t hear you give any ideas…
HAN
Well, anything would be better than
just hanging around waiting for him
to pick us up…
LUKE
Who do you think…
Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
Luke goes over to him.
76.
LUKE (CONT’D)
What is it?
THREEPIO
I’m afraid I’m not quite sure, sir.
He says “I found her”, and keeps
repeating, “She’s here.”
LUKE
Well, who… who has he found?
Artoo whistles a frantic reply.
THREEPIO
Princess Leia.
LUKE
The princess? She’s here?
HAN
Princess? What’s going on?
THREEPIO
Level five. Detention block A Atwenty- three. I’m afraid she’s
scheduled to be terminated.
LUKE
Oh, no! We’ve got to do something.
HAN
What are you talking about?
LUKE
The droid belongs to her. She’s the
one in the message… We’ve got to
help her.
HAN
Now, look, don’t get any funny
ideas. The old man wants us to wait
right here.
LUKE
But he didn’t know she was here.
Look, will you just find a way back
into the detention block?
HAN
I’m not going anywhere.
77.
LUKE
They’re going to execute her. Look,
a few minutes ago you said you
didn’t want to just wait here to be
captured. Now all you want to do is
stay.
HAN
Marching into the detention area is
not what I had in mind.
LUKE
But they’re going to kill her!
HAN
Better her than me…
LUKE
She’s rich.
Chewbacca growls.
HAN
Rich?
LUKE
Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you
were to rescue her, the reward
would be…
HAN
What?
LUKE
Well more wealth that you can
imagine.
HAN
I don’t know, I can imagine quite a
bit!
LUKE
You’ll get it!
HAN
I better!
LUKE
You will…
HAN
All right, kid. But you’d better be
right about this.
78.
Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
LUKE
All right.
HAN
What’s your plan?
LUKE
Uh… Threepio, hand me those
binders there will you?
Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Okay. Now, I’m going to put these
on you.
Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Okay. Han, you put these on.
Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
HAN
Don’t worry, Chewie. I think I know
what he has in mind.
The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as
Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
THREEPIO
Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for
asking… but, ah… what should
Artoo and I do if we’re discovered
here?
LUKE
Lock the door!
HAN
And hope they don’t have blasters.
THREEPIO
That isn’t very reassuring.
Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.
107 INT. DEATH STAR – DETENTION AREA – ELEVATOR TUBE 107
Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored
suits as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive.
79.
Troops, bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the
trio completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious
glance.
Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.
LUKE
I can’t see a thing in this helmet.
A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away
by Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and
the elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.
108 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN HALLWAY 108
Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main
passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot
similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end
of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then
disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so
fleeting that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an
illusion. No one in the hallway seems to notice him.
109 INT. DEATH STAR – INTERIOR ELEVATOR – DETENTION SECURITY109
AREA
Luke and Han step forward to exit
the elevator, but the door slides
open behind them. The giant Wookiee
and his two guards enter the old
grey security station. Guards and
laser gates are everywhere. Han
whispers to Luke under his breath.
HAN
This is not going to work.
LUKE
Why didn’t you say so before?
HAN
I did say so before!
110 INT. DETENTION AREA 110
Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
the trio.
OFFICER
Where are you taking this… thing?
Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut
up.
80.
LUKE
Prisoner transfer from Block oneone- three-eight.
OFFICER
I wasn’t notified. I’ll have to
clear it.
The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in
the information. There are only three other troopers in the
area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the
alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of
Chewbacca’s electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one
of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han’s laser rifle.
HAN
Look out! He’s loose!
LUKE
He’s going to pull us all apart.
HAN
Go get him!
The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and
Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are
blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of
laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser
gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the
last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is
about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink
system, which is screeching questions about what is going
on. He quickly checks the computer readout.
HAN (CONT’D)
We’ve got to find out which cell
this princess of yours is in. Here
it is… cell twenty-one-eightseven. You go get her. I’ll hold
them here.
Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into
the buzzing comlink.
HAN (CONT’D)
(sounding official)
Everything is under control.
Situation normal.
INTERCOM VOICE
What happened?
81.
HAN
(getting nervous)
Uh… had a slight weapons
malfunction. But, uh, everything’s
perfectly all right now. We’re
fine. We’re all fine here, now,
thank you. How are you?
INTERCOM VOICE
We’re sending a squad up.
HAN
Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor
leak here now. Give us a few
minutes to lock it down. Large
leak… very dangerous.
INTERCOM VOICE
Who is this? What’s your operating
number?
Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
HAN
Boring conversation anyway.
(yelling down the hall)
Luke! We’re going to have company!
111 INT. DEATH STAR – CELL ROW 111
Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door
away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees
the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping
and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on
her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and
stands staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
LEIA
(finally)
Aren’t you a little short to be a
stormtrooper?
Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.
LUKE
What? Oh… the uniform. I’m Luke
Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you.
LEIA
You’re who?
82.
LUKE
I’m here to rescue you. I’ve got
your R2 unit. I’m here with Ben
Kenobi.
LEIA
Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?
LUKE
Come on!
112 INT. DEATH STAR – CONFERENCE ROOM 112
Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the
far end of the conference table.
VADER
He is here…
TARKIN
Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you
think so?
VADER
A tremor in the Force. The last
time I felt it was in the presence
of my old master.
TARKIN
Surely he must be dead by now.
VADER
Don’t underestimate the power of
the Force.
TARKIN
The Jedi are extinct, their fire
has gone out of the universe. You,
my friend, are all that’s left of
their religion.
There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
TARKIN (CONT’D)
Yes.
INTERCOM VOICE
Governor Tarkin, we have an
emergency alert in detention block
A A-twenty- three.
TARKIN
The princess! Put all sections on
alert!
83.
VADER
Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with
him.
TARKIN
If you’re right, he must not be
allowed to escape.
VADER
Escape is not his plan. I must face
him alone.
113 INT. DEATH STAR – DETENTION AREA – HALLWAY 113
An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
elevator door.
HAN
Chewie!
Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
HAN (CONT’D)
Get behind me! Get behind me!
A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door
through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke
and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting
up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
HAN (CONT’D)
Can’t get out that way.
LEIA
Looks like you managed to cut off
our only escape route.
HAN
(sarcastically)
Maybe you’d like it back in your
cell, Your Highness.
Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as they
continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
way down the corridor.
LUKE
See-Threepio! See-Threepio!
THREEPIO
(over comlink)
Yes sir?
84.
LUKE
We’ve been cut off! Are there any
other ways out of the cell bay?…
What was that? I didn’t copy!
114 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN BAY GANTRY – CONTROL TOWER 114
Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small
comlink transmitter.
THREEPIO
I said, all systems have been
alerted to your presence, sir. The
main entrance seems to be the only
way in or out; all other
information on your level is
restricted.
Someone begins banging on the door.
TROOPER VOICE
Open up in there!
THREEPIO
Oh, no!
115 INT. DEATH STAR – DETENTION CORRIDOR 115
Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as
they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and
Chewbacca are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay
at the far and of the hallway. The laserfire is very
intense, and smoke fills the narrow cell corridor.
LUKE
There isn’t any other way out.
HAN
I can’t hold them off forever! Now
what?
LEIA
This is some rescue. When you came
in here, didn’t you have a plan for
getting out?
HAN
(pointing to Luke)
He’s the brains, sweetheart.
Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
85.
LUKE
Well, I didn’t…
The princess grabs Luke’s gun and fires at a small grate in
the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
HAN
What the hell are you doing?
LEIA
Somebody has to save our skins.
Into the garbage chute, wise guy.
She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
says something.
HAN
Get in there you big furry oaf! I
don’t care what you smell! Get in
there and don’t worry about it.
Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work
their way toward the opening.
HAN (CONT’D)
Wonderful girl! Either I’m going to
kill her or I’m beginning to like
her. Get in there!
Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han
fires off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover,
then slides into the chute himself and is gone.
116 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 116
Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and
muck. Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit.
He finds a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It
won’t budge.
HAN
(sarcastically)
Oh! The garbage chute was a really
wonderful idea. What an incredible
smell you’ve discovered! Let’s get
out of here! Get away from there…
LUKE
No! wait!
Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The
laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room.
86.
Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes
almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a
rather grim look on her face.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Will you forget it? I already tried
it. It’s magnetically sealed!
LEIA
Put that thing away! You’re going
to get us all killed.
HAN
Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I
had everything under control until
you led us down here. You know,
it’s not going to take them long to
figure out what happened to us.
LEIA
It could be worse…
A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the
murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins
to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser
pistols drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the
walls.
HAN
It’s worse.
LUKE
There’s something alive in here!
HAN
That’s your imagination.
LUKE
Something just moves past my leg!
Look! Did you see that?
HAN
What?
LUKE
Help!
Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.
HAN
Luke! Luke! Luke!
87.
Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air
and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped
around his throat.
LEIA
Luke!
Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
LEIA (CONT’D)
Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.
LUKE
Blast it, will you! My gun’s
jammed.
HAN
Where?
LUKE
Anywhere! Oh!!
Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
muck by the slimy tentacle.
HAN
Luke! Luke!
Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly
quiet. Han and Leia give each other a worried look as
Chewbacca howls in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and
muck Luke suddenly bobs to the surface.
LEIA
Grab him!
Luke seems to be released by the thing.
LEIA (CONT’D)
What happened?
LUKE
I don’t know, it just let go of me
and disappeared…
HAN
I’ve got a very bad feeling about
this.
Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble and
edge toward the Rebels.
88.
LUKE
The walls are moving!
LEIA
Don’t just stand there. Try to
brace it with something.
They place poles and long metal beams between the closing
walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant
trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn’t look too good.
LUKE
Wait a minute!
Luke pulls out his comlink.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Threepio! Come in Threepio!
Threepio! Where could he be?
117 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN GANTRY – COMMAND OFFICE 117
A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for
See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio’s hand comlink, which
is sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and
Threepio are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great
explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the
floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.
FIRST TROOPER
Take over!
(pointing to the dead
officer)
See to him! Look there!
A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door slides
open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo follows
his bronze companion out into the office.
THREEPIO
They’re madmen! They’re heading for
the prison level. If you hurry, you
might catch them.
FIRST OFFICER
(to his troops)
Follow me! You stand guard.
The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
watch over the command office.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Come on!
89.
The guard aims a blaster at them.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Oh! All this excitement has overrun
the circuits of my counterpart
here. If you don’t mind, I’d like
to take him down to maintenance.
TROOPER
All right.
The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow,
hurries out the door.
118 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 118
As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and
smaller. Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back
with his giant paws.
Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is
snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.
LUKE
Threepio! Come in, Threepio!
Threepio!
Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole.
Leia begins to sink into the trash.
HAN
Get to the top!
LEIA
I can’t
LUKE
Where could he be? Threepio!
Threepio, will you come in?
119 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY – SERVICE PANEL 119
THREEPIO
They aren’t here! Something must
have happened to them. See if
they’ve been captured.
Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from
the tiny robot.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Hurry!
90.
120 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 120
The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced
against the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at
each other. Leia reaches out and takes Han’s hand and she
holds it tightly. She’s terrified and suddenly groans as she
feels the first crushing pressure against her body.
HAN
One thing’s for sure. We’re all
going to be a lot thinner!
(to Leia)
Get on top of it!
LEIA
I’m trying!
121 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY – SERVICE PANEL 121
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Thank goodness, they haven’t found
them! Where could they be?
Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I
turned it off!
122 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 122
Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his
head above the rising ooze. Luke’s comlink begins to buzz
and he rips it off his belt.
123 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY – SERVICE PANEL 123
Muffled sounds of Luke’s voice over the comlink can be
heard, but not distinctly.
THREEPIO
Are you there, sir?
124 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 124
LUKE
Threepio!
125 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY – SERVICE PANEL 125
THREEPIO
We’ve had some problems…
91.
LUKE
(over comlink)
Will you shut up and listen to me?
Shut down all garbage mashers on
the detention level, will you? Do
you copy?
126 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 126
LUKE
Shut down all the garbage mashers
on the detention level.
127 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY – SERVICE PANEL 127
LUKE
(over comlink)
Shut down all the garbage mashers
on the detention level.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
No. Shut them all down! Hurry!
Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
screaming and hollering from Luke’s comlink.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
Listen to them! They’re dying,
Artoo! Curse my metal body! I
wasn’t fast enough. It’s all my
fault! My poor master!
LUKE
(over comlink)
Threepio, we’re all right!
128 INT. DEATH STAR – GARBAGE ROOM 128
The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief.
The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace
in the background.
LUKE
We’re all right. You did great.
Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
number.
LUKE (CONT’D)
Hey… hey, open the pressure
maintenance hatch on unit number…
where are we?
92.
129 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY – SERVICE PANEL 129
HAN
(over comlink)
Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.
130 INT. DEATH STAR – TRACTOR BEAM – POWER GENERATOR TRENCH 130
Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep.
The clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard.
The old Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading
to a control panel that connects two large cables. He
carefully makes several adjustments in the computer
terminal, and several lights on the board go from red to
blue.
131 INT. DEATH STAR – UNUSED HALLWAY 131
The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused
hallway. Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on
the blaster belts.
HAN
If we can just avoid any more
female advice, we ought to be able
to get out of here.
Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
from Solo.
LUKE
Well, let’s get moving!
Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the
garbage room, as he runs away and then stops howling.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Where are you going?
The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy
tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a
victim. Han aims his pistol.
LEIA
No, wait. They’ll hear!
Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes
relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply
shakes his head in disgust.
93.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Come here, you big coward!
Chewie shakes his head “no.”
HAN (CONT’D)
Chewie! Come here!
LEIA
Listen. I don’t know who you are,
or where you came from, but from
now on, you do as I tell you. Okay?
Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.
HAN
Look, Your Worshipfulness, let’s
get one thing straight! I take
orders from one person! Me!
LEIA
It’s a wonder you’re still alive.
(looking at Chewie)
Will somebody get this big walking
carpet out of my way?
Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.
HAN
No reward is worth this.
They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.
132 INT. DEATH STAR – POWER TRENCH 132
Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of
stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly
slips into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few
feet of him.
OFFICER
Secure this area until the alert is
canceled.
FIRST TROOPER
Give me regular reports.
All but two of the stormtroopers leave.
FIRST TROOPER (CONT’D)
Do you know what’s going on?
94.
SECOND TROOPER
Maybe it’s another drill.
Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the
stormtroopers as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures
with his hand toward them, as the troops think they hear
something in the other hallway. With the help of the Force,
Ben deftly slips past the troopers and into the main
hallway.
SECOND TROOPER (CONT’D)
What was that?
FIRST TROOPER
Oh, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about
it.
133 INT. DEATH STAR – HALLWAY 133
Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship.
Troopers are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his
pocket comlink.
HAN
(looking at his ship)
There she is.
LUKE
See-Threepio, do you copy?
THREEPIO
(voice)
For the moment. Uh, we’re in the
main hangar across from the ship.
LUKE
We’re right above you. Stand by.
Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
points out the window to the ship.
LEIA
You came in that thing? You’re
braver that I thought.
HAN
Nice! Come on!
Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.
95.
FIRST TROOPER
It’s them! Blast them!
Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and charges
the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.
HAN
(to Luke and Leia)
Get back to the ship!
LUKE
Where are you going? Come back!
Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.
LEIA
He certainly has courage.
LUKE
What good will it do us if he gets
himself killed? Come on!
Luke is furious but doesn’t have time to think about it for
muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke
and Leia start off toward the starship hangar.
134 INT. DEATH STAR – SUBHALLWAY 134
Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is
yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a
dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few
feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops
begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are
moving into an attack position in front of the lone
starpirate. Han’s determined look begins to fade as the
troops begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at
him.
135 INT. DEATH STAR – SUBHALLWAY 135
Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt
to save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of
laser guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate
extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of
furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running
the other way also.
136 INT. DEATH STAR – SUBHALLWAY 136
Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down
a narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers.
96.
They quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race
through an open hatchway.
137 INT. DEATH STAR – CENTRAL CORE SHAFT 137
Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge
that spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into
infinity. The bridge has been retracted into the wall of the
shaft, and Luke almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his
balance off the end of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes
hold of his arm and pulls him back.
LUKE
(gasping)
I think we took a wrong turn.
Blasts from the stormtroopers’ laser guns explode nearby
reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at
the advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch
that pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom,
leaving them precariously perched on a short piece of bridge
overhang. Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the
steel door.
LEIA
There’s no lock!
Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.
LUKE
That oughta hold it for a while.
LEIA
Quick, we’ve got to get across.
Find the control that extends the
bridge.
LUKE
Oh, I think I just blasted it.
Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
ominous drilling and pounding sounds.
LEIA
They’re coming through!
Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when
laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser
pistol at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang
across the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more
troops appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is
hit, and grabs at his chest.
97.
Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by
Luke’s laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move
back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.
LUKE
Here, hold this.
Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt.
It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge
overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the
rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears
and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.
Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet
of more troops.
LEIA
Here they come!
Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the
gorge and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He
tugs on the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the
princess in his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him
quickly on the lips. Luke is very surprised.
LEIA (CONT’D)
For luck!
Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss
to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as
Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the
stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at
the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into
the tiny subhallway.
138 INT. DEATH STAR – NARROW PASSAGEWAY 138
Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several
stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks
to make sure they’re gone, then runs down the hallway in the
opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of
the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
139 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY 139
Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the
pirateship entry ramp.
THREEPIO
Where could they be?
Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome left
and right, beeping a response.
98.
140 INT. DEATH STAR – CORRIDOR – BLAST SHIELDS DOOR 140
Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
troopers hot on their trail.
TROOPER
Close the blast doors!
At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and
manage to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing
troops before the doors slam shut.
TROOPER (CONT’D)
Open the blast doors! Open the
blast doors!
141 INT. DEATH STAR – HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY 141
Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the
hangar, Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the
tunnel, not ten feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also
ignites his and steps slowly forward.
VADER
I’ve been waiting for you, Obi-Wan.
We meet again, at last. The circle
is now complete.
Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical
offensive position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a
defensive stance.
VADER (CONT’D)
When I left you, I was but the
learner; now I am the master.
BEN
Only a master of evil, Darth.
The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few
moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right
moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and
strain, as if an invisible weight were being placed upon
him. He shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his
eyes.
Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked
by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash
stroke by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the
Jedi’s blows is blocked, then countered.
99.
Ben moves around the Dark Lord and starts backing into the
massive starship hangar. The two powerful warriors stand
motionless for a few moments with laser swords locked in midair, creating a low buzzing sound.
VADER
Your powers are weak, old man.
BEN
You can’t win, Darth. If you strike
me down, I shall become more
powerful than you can possibly
imagine.
Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.
142 INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN FORWARD BAY 142
Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back
against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the
Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.
HAN
Didn’t we just leave this party?
Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join
them.
HAN (CONT’D)
What kept you?
LEIA
We ran into some old friends.
LUKE
Is the ship all right?
HAN
Seems okay, if we can get to it.
Just hope the old man got the
tractor beam out of commission.
143 INT. DEATH STAR – HALLWAY 143
Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they
hit their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact.
Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord
of The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his
group’s vantage point.
LUKE
Look!
100.
Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking
bay.
144 INT. DEATH STAR – DOCKING BAY 144
Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death
Star’s Imperial docking bay.
THREEPIO
Come on, Artoo, we’re going!
Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who
were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards
Ben and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
145 INT. DEATH STAR – HALLWAY 145
Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The
troops rush toward the battling knights.
HAN
Now’s our chance! Go!
They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops
charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader
takes advantage of Ben’s momentary distraction and brings
his mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to
deflect the blow and swiftly turns around.
The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts
his sword from Vader’s then watches his opponent with a
serene look on his face.
Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben’s
cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.
Vader is puzzled at Ben’s disappearance and pokes at the
empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers
and the robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two
and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.
LUKE
No!
The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
The robots are already moving up the ramp into the
Millennium Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe,
returns their fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks
up and advances toward them, as one of his troopers is
struck down.
HAN
(to Luke)
Come on!
101.
LEIA
Come on! Luke, its too late!
HAN
Blast the door! Kid!
Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it
explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers
charge forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a
close behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out
of the docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of
his onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing
troops, as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the
pirateship. He fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles
to the floor.
BEN’S VOICE
Run, Luke! Run!
Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He turns
toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
troopers and races into the ship.
146 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 146
Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move.
The dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the
ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.
HAN
I hope the old man got that tractor
beam out if commission, or this is
going to be a real short trip.
Okay, hit it!
Chewbacca growls in agreement.
147 EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON 147
The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star
docking bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into
the vastness of space.
148 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – CENTRAL HOLD AREA 148
Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off
blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around
him protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She
sits down beside him.
149 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 149
Solo spots approaching enemy ships.
102.
HAN
(to Chewie)
We’re coming up on the sentry
ships. Hold ’em off! Angle the
deflector shields while I charge up
the main guns!
150 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – CENTRAL HOLD AREA 150
Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth,
as the princess smiles comfortingly at him.
LUKE
I can’t believe he’s gone.
Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.
LEIA
There wasn’t anything you could
have done.
Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with the
princess.
HAN
(to Luke)
Come on, buddy, we’re not out of
this yet!
151 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS – COCKPIT 151
Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.
152 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – HOLD AREA 152
Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads
for the cockpit.
153 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS – COCKPIT 153
Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit,
settling into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in
large rotating turrets on either side of the ship.
154 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – SOLO’S GUNPORT 154
Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of
his laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.
HAN
(to Luke)
You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!
103.
155 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS – COCKPIT 155
Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking
TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls
as the ship bounces slightly.
156 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – SOLO’S GUNPORT – COCKPIT 156
Computer graphic readouts form on Solo’s target screen, as
Han reaches for controls.
157 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORT – COCKPIT 157
Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser
cannon’s control button.
158 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT. 158
Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.
LEIA
(into intercom)
Here they come!
159 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT – POV (POINT OF VIEW) -159
SPACE
The Imperial TIE fighters move
towards the Millennium Falcon, one
each veering off to the left and
right of the pirateship.
160 INT. TIE FIGHTER – COCKPIT 160
The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts
his maneuvering joy stick.
161 EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – IN SPACE 161
The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as
it passes.
162 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – HOLD AREA 162
Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo.
The pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in
the room and then comes back on.
163 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT – GUNPORTS 163
A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and
fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as
the fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor
hit, and bounces slightly.
104.
164 EXT. SPACE 164
Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.
165 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS 165
Luke fires at an unseen fighter.
LUKE
They’re coming in too fast!
166 EXT. SPACE – MILLENNIUM FALCON/TIE FIGHTERS 166
Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the
background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.
167 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – CHEWBACCA 167
The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the
cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.
168 EXT. TIE FIGHTER – SPACE 168
Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the
frame, firing on the pirate starship.
169 EXT. SPACE – TIE FIGHTERS 169
The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the
pirateship.
170 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – MAIN PASSAGEWAY 170
A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The
ship lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a
cabinet fill of small computer chips.
THREEPIO
Oooh!
171 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT – GUNPORTS 171
Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates
the ship’s controls.
LEIA
We’ve lost lateral controls.
HAN
Don’t worry, she’ll hold together.
An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship’s control panel,
causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.
105.
HAN (CONT’D)
(to ship)
You hear me, baby? Hold together!
Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control
panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire
retardant beeping all the while.
172 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORT 172
Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter
with his laser cannon.
173 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORT 173
Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.
174 EXT. SPACE 174
A TIE fighter streaks in front of the starship.
175 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 175
Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.
176 EXT. SPACE 176
A TIE fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms
overhead.
177 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS 177
Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view,
firing laserbeams from his cannon.
178 EXT. TIE FIGHTER 178
A TIE fighter dives past the pirateship.
179 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS 179
Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a
fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He
connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han
laughs victoriously.
180 EXT. SPACE 180
Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon,
unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.
106.
181 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS 181
Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke,
smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular
direct hit.
LUKE
Got him! I got him!
Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke gleefully
returns.
HAN
Great kid! Don’t get cocky.
Han turns back to his laser cannon.
182 EXT. SPACE 182
Two more TIE fighters cross in front of the pirateship.
183 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 183
While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns,
looking over her shoulder out the ports.
LEIA
There are still two more of them
out there!
184 EXT. SPACE 184
A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing
laserblasts at it.
185 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS 185
Luke and Han look into their respective projected target
screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo’s port, and Han
swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his
laser cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke’s port, and he
reacts in a like manner, the glow of his target screen
lighting his face.
186 EXT. SPACE 186
The TIE fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing
destructive blasts at it.
187 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORTS 187
Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter,
and it bursts into a spectacular explosion.
107.
Luke’s projected screen gives a readout of the hit. The
pirateship bounces slightly as it is struck by the enemy
fire.
188 EXT. SPACE – TIE FIGHTER 188
The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in,
firing upon the Falcon.
189 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – GUNPORT 189
Solo swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc
of the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the
pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo’s laser cannon
hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower
of burning fragments.
LUKE
(laughing)
That’s it! We did it!
The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory hug.
LEIA
We did it!
190 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – PASSAGEWAY 190
Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled
in the smoking, sparking wires.
THREEPIO
Help! I think I’m melting!
(to Artoo)
This is all your fault.
Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in response.
191 EXT. SPACE – MILLENNIUM FALCON 191
The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically
through space.
192 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 192
Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is
watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.
TARKIN
Are they away?
VADER
They have just made the jump into
hyperspace.
108.
TARKIN
You’re sure the homing beacon is
secure aboard their ship? I’m
taking an awful risk, Vader. This
had better work.
193 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 193
Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of
the ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the
damage. Leia is seated near Han.
HAN
Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You
know, sometimes I even amaze
myself.
LEIA
That doesn’t sound too hard.
Besides, they let us go. It’s the
only explanation for the ease of
our escape.
HAN
Easy… you call that easy?
LEIA
Their tracking us!
HAN
Not this ship, sister.
Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.
LEIA
At least the information in Artoo
is still intact.
HAN
What’s so important? What’s he
carrying?
LEIA
The technical readouts of that
battle station. I only hope that
when the data is analyzed, a
weakness can be found. It’s not
over yet!
HAN
It is for me, sister! Look, I ain’t
in this for your revolution, and
I’m not in it for you, Princess.
(MORE)
109.
I expect to be well paid. I’m in it
for the money!
LEIA
You needn’t worry about your
reward. If money is all that you
love, then that’s what you’ll
receive!
She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,
passes Luke coming in.
LEIA (CONT’D)
Your friend is quite a mercenary. I
wonder if he really cares about
anything… or anyone.
LUKE
I care!
Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and Han
stare out at the vast blackness of space.
LUKE (CONT’D)
So… what do you think of her,
Han?
HAN
I’m trying not to, kid!
LUKE
(under his breath)
Good…
HAN
Still, she’s got a lot of spirit. I
don’t know, what do you think? Do
you think a princess and a guy like
me…
LUKE
No!
Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at
young Luke’s jealousy.
194 EXT. SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN 194
The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet
Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.
195 EXT. FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN 195
The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.
HAN (CONT’D)
110.
196 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST 196
An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the
countryside. He sets the gun down and looks toward the
temple, barely visible in the foliage.
197 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – JUNGLE TEMPLE 197
Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple
lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the
fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the
others are greeted by the Rebel troops.
Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an
armored military speeder.
198 INT. MASSASSI – MAIN HANGAR DECK 198
The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set
up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the
commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and
gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.
WILLARD
(holding Leia)
You’re safe! We had feared the
worst.
Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.
WILLARD (CONT’D)
When we heard about Alderaan, we
were afraid that you were… lost
along with your father.
LEIA
We don’t have time for our sorrows,
Commander. The battle station has
surely tracked us here.
(looking pointedly to
Han)
It’s the only explanation for the
ease of our escape. You must use
the information in this R2 unit to
plan the attack. It is our only
hope.
199 EXT. SPACE 199
The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red
planet Yavin.
111.
200 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 200
Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their
discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to
answer the call.
TARKIN
Yes.
201 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE 201
We are approaching the planet Yavin. The Rebel base is on a
moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the planet.
202 EXT. YAVIN – JUNGLE 202
A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin
landscape, surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the
jungle of twisted green.
203 INT. MASSASSI – WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA 203
Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia
and several other senators are to one side of the giant
readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,
navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is
listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and
Chewbacca are standing near the back.
DODONNA
The battle station is heavily
shielded and carries a firepower
greater than half the star fleet.
It’s defenses are designed around a
direct large- scale assault. A
small one-man fighter should be
able to penetrate the outer
defense.
Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties,
stands and addresses Dodonna.
GOLD LEADER
Pardon me for asking, sir, but what
good are snub fighters going to be
against that?
DODONNA
Well, the Empire doesn’t consider a
small one-man fighter to be any
threat, or they’d have a tighter
defense.
(MORE)
112.
An analysis of the plans provided
by Princess Leia has demonstrated a
weakness in the battle station.
Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping
sounds, and turns his head from right to left.
DODONNA (CONT’D)
The approach will not be easy. You
are required to maneuver straight
down this trench and skim the
surface to this point. The target
area is only two meters wide. It’s
a small thermal exhaust port, right
below the main port. The shaft
leads directly to the reactor
system. A precise hit will start a
chain reaction which should destroy
the station.
A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.
DODONNA (CONT’D)
Only a precise hit will set up a
chain reaction. The shaft is rayshielded, so you’ll have to use
proton torpedoes.
Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot
about sixteen years old.
WEDGE
That’s impossible, even for a
computer.
LUKE
It’s not impossible. I used to
bull’s- eye womp rats in my Tsixteen back home. They’re not much
bigger than two meters.
DODONNA
Man your ships! And may the Force
be with you!
The group rises and begins to leave.
204 EXT. SPACE 204
The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the
tiny green moon.
DODONNA (CONT’D)
113.
205 INT. DEATH STAR 205
Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with
interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one
another on the screen showing it’s position in relation to
Yavin and the forth moon.
206 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE 206
Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity. The moon with the
Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.
VADER
This will be a day long remembered.
It has seen the end of Kenobi and
it will soon see the end of the
Rebellion.
207 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – MAIN HANGAR DECK 207
Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship
hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming
spacefighters. Flight crews rush around loading last-minute
armaments and unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated
from this activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading
small boxes onto an armored speeder.
MAN’S VOICE
(over loudspeaker)
All flight trooper, man your
stations. All flight troops, man
your stations.
Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter
pilots’ preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of
his friend’s departure.
LUKE
So… you got your reward and
you’re just leaving then?
HAN
That’s right, yeah! I got some old
debts I’ve got to pay off with this
stuff. Even if I didn’t, you don’t
think I’d be fool enough to stick
around here, do you? Why don’t you
come with us? You’re pretty good in
a fight. I could use you.
LUKE
(getting angry)
Come on! Why don’t you take a look
around?
(MORE)
114.
You know what’s about to happen,
what they’re up against. They could
use a good pilot like you. You’re
turning your back on them.
HAN
What good’s a reward if you ain’t
around to use it? Besides,
attacking that battle station ain’t
my idea of courage. It’s more like
suicide.
LUKE
All right. Well, take care of
yourself, Han. I guess that’s what
you’re best at, isn’t it?
Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.
HAN
Hey, Luke… may the Force be with
you!
Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in
a small wave and then goes off.
Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,
HAN (CONT’D)
What’re you lookin’ at? I know what
I’m doing.
208 INT. MAIN HANGAR DECK – LUKE’S SHIP 208
Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.
LEIA
What’s wrong?
LUKE
Oh, it’s Han! I don’t know, I
really thought he’d change his
mind.
LEIA
He’s got to follow his own path. No
one can choose it for him.
LUKE
I only wish Ben were here.
Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
his arm.
LUKE (CONT’D)
115.
BIGGS
Luke! I don’t believe it! How’d you
get here… are you going out with
us?!
LUKE
Biggs! Of course, I’ll be up there
with you! Listen, have I got some
stories to tell…
Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
leader.
RED LEADER
Are you… Luke Skywalker? Have you
been checked out on the Incom Tsixty- five?
BIGGS
Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in
the outer rim territories.
Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of
his fighter.
RED LEADER
I met your father once when I was
just a boy, he was a great pilot.
You’ll do all right. If you’ve got
half of your father’s skill, you’ll
do better than all right.
LUKE
Thank you, sir. I’ll try.
Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
BIGGS
I’ve got to get aboard. Listen,
you’ll tell me your stories when we
come back. All right?
LUKE
I told you I’d make it someday,
Biggs.
BIGGS
(going off)
You did, all right. It’s going to
be like old times, Luke. We’re a
couple of shooting stars that’ll
never be stopped!
116.
Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for
his ship.
As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek, deadly
spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft,
points to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket
on the back of the fighter.
CHIEF
This R2 unit of your seems a bit
beat up. Do you want a new one?
LUKE
Not on your life! That little droid
and I have been through a lot
together.
(to Artoo)
You okay, Artoo?
The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of
the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps
that he is fine.
Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an
his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive
hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner
into Luke’s X-wing. It’s an emotional-filled moment as Artoo
beeps good-bye.
CHIEF
Okay, easy she goes!
THREEPIO
Hang on tight,Artoo, you’ve got to
come back.
Artoo beeps in agreement.
THREEPIO (CONT’D)
You wouldn’t want my life to get
boring, would you?
Artoo whistles his reply.
All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.
The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the
pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The
hum of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted
voice of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses
are disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit
shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A
signalman, holding red guiding lights, directs the ships.
Luke, a trace of a smile gracing his lips, peers about
through his goggles.
117.
BEN’S VOICE
Luke, the Force will be with you.
Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.
209 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – JUNGLE 209
All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard
standing on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense
jungle. The muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally
permeate this eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the
thundering din of ion rockets as four silver starships
catapult from the foliage in a tight formation and
disappears into the morning cloud cover.
210 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 210
The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly
before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its
four moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves
ever closer to the system. A series of green dots appear
around the fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills
the war room.
MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
Stand-by alert. Death Star
approaching. Estimated time to
firing range, fifteen minutes.
211 EXT. SPACE 211
The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow
surface of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters
flying in formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.
212 EXT. SPACE – ANOTHER ANGLE 212
Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow
around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in
formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly
pull away.
213 INT. RED LEADER STARSHIP – COCKPIT 213
Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,
looking to each side at his wing men.
RED LEADER
All wings report in.
214 INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT 214
One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.
118.
RED TEN
Red Ten standing by.
215 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 215
Biggs checks his fighter’s controls, alert and ready for
combat.
RED SEVEN
(over Biggs’ headset)
Red Seven standing by.
BIGGS
Red Three standing by.
216 INT. PORKINS’ COCKPIT 216
PORKINS
Red Six standing by.
RED NINE
(over headset)
Red Nine standing by.
217 INT. WEDGE’S FIGHTER – COCKPIT 217
WEDGE
Red Two standing by.
218 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 218
RED ELEVEN
(over headset)
Red Eleven standing by.
LUKE
Red Five standing by.
219 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 219
Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his
head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.
220 INT. RED LEADER’S FIGHTER – COCKPIT 220
RED LEADER
Lock S-foils in attack position.
221 EXT. SPACE 221
The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the
Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the “X”
position.
119.
222 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 222
READ LEADER
(over headset)
We’re passing through their
magnetic field.
223 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 223
RED LEADER
Hold tight!
224 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 224
Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the
approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted
slightly.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Switch your deflectors on.
225 INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT 225
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Double front!
226 EXT. SPACE 226
The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The
Death Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in
size as the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the
metallic surface begin to become visible. A large dish
antenna is built into the surface on one side.
227 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 227
Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome
spectacle.
WEDGE
Look at the size of that thing!
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Cut the chatter, Red Two.
228 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 228
RED LEADER
Accelerate to attack speed. This is
it, boys!
120.
229 EXT. SPACE 229
As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome
size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half
of the deadly space station is in shadow and this area
sparkles with thousands of small lights running in thin
lines and occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat
like a city at night as seen from a weather satellite.
230 INT. GOLD LEADER’S COCKPIT 230
GOLD LEADER
Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
I copy, Gold Leader.
GOLD LEADER
We’re starting for the target shaft
now.
231 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 231
Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star
looming in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and
forth in the background. He moves his computer targeting
device into position.
RED LEADER
We’re in position. I’m going to cut
across the axis and try and draw
their fire.
232 EXT. SPACE 232
Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive
towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow
across the dark grey expanse of the huge station.
233 INT. DEATH STAR 233
Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbopowered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate
the huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting
devices.
234 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 234
Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel Xwing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death
Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and
fires.
121.
235 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 235
Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.
Threepio is at her side.
WEDGE
(over war room speaker
system)
Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
I see it. Stay low.
236 EXT. SPACE 236
An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.
237 INT. DEATH STAR 237
Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute
armaments and unlocking power cables.
238 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 238
Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.
239 EXT. SPACE 239
X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.
240 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 240
Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the
monstrous fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the
cockpit window.
LUKE
This is Red Five; I’m going in!
241 EXT. SPACE 241
Luke’s X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak
from Luke’s weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on
the dim surface.
242 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 242
Terror crosses Luke’s face as he realizes he won’t be able
to pull out in time to avoid the fireball.
BIGGS
(over headset)
Luke, pull up!
122.
243 EXT. SURFACE OF DEATH STAR 243
Luke’s ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading
edges of his wings slightly scorched.
244 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 244
BIGGS
Are you all right?
245 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 245
Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief.
Flak bursts outside the cockpit window.
LUKE
I got a little cooked, but I’m
okay.
246 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 246
Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star’s surface
with laserbolts.
247 INT. DEATH STAR 247
Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in
all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.
Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and
foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes
up to him.
ASTRO-OFFICER
We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord
Vader. But they’re so small they’re
evading our turbo-lasers!
VADER
We’ll have to destroy them ship to
ship. Get the crews to their
fighters.
248 INT. DEATH STAR 248
Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up
their turbine generators to create sufficient power. The
crew rushes about preparing for another blast. Even the
troopers head gear is not adequate to protect them from the
overwhelming noise of the monstrous weapon. One troopers
bangs his helmet with his hand in an attempt to stop the
ringing.
123.
249 INT. READ LEADER’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 249
Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.
RED LEADER
Luke, let me know when you’re going
in.
250 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 250
The Red Leader’s X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose
down and starts his attack dive.
LUKE
I’m on my way in now…
RED LEADER
Watch yourself! There’s a lot of
fire coming from the right side of
that deflection tower.
LUKE
I’m on it.
251 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 251
Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the
horizon and down onto the dim grey surface.
252 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING TRAVELING 252
A shot hurls from Luke’s guns. Laserbolts streak toward the
onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar
emplacements erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a
protruding tower on the surface.
253 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 253
The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window
as a big smile sweeps across Luke’s face at the success of
his run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.
254 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 254
The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he
maneuvers his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels
away from the surface towards the heavens.
255 INT. DEATH STAR 255
The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout
the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke
and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of
explosions.
124.
256 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT – TRAVELING 256
Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and
gun towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A
dense barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.
257 INT. DEATH STAR 257
Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small
auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.
258 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 258
Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces
nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides
technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls.
Dodonna watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers
working over a screen speaks into his headset.
CONTROL OFFICER
Squad leaders, we’ve picked up a
new group of signals. Enemy
fighters coming your way.
259 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 259
Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching
Imperial fighters.
LUKE
My scope’s negative. I don’t see
anything.
260 INT. RED LEADER’S X-WING – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 260
The Death Star’s surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches
the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.
RED LEADER
Keep up your visual scanning. With
all this jamming, they’ll be on top
of you before your scope can pick
them up.
261 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 261
Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star
horizon, four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel
fighters. Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of
frame. Pan with the remaining two TIE ships.
125.
262 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT – TRAVELING 262
Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The
horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,
hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.
263 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 263
RED LEADER
Biggs! You’ve picked one up…
watch it!
BIGGS
I can’t see it! Where is he?!
264 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 264
Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed
by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several
laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.
265 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT – TRAVELING 265
Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying
to avoid him.
BIGGS
He’s on me tight, I can’t shake
him… I can’t shake him.
266 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 266
Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward
the Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE
fighter, who sticks close to his tail.
267 INT. X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 267
Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to
normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.
LUKE
Hang on, Biggs, I’m coming in.
268 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 268
Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now
followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of
sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.
126.
269 EXT. SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 269
In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the
Death Star’s surface, closely followed by Luke in the
background.
270 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 270
There is a shot from Luke’s X-wing of the TIE ship exploding
in a mass of flames.
LUKE
Got him!
271 INT. DEATH STAR 271
Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,
flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.
VADER
Several fighters have broken off
from the main group. Come with me!
272 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 272
A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other
officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round
readout screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication
on the room’s loudspeaker.
BIGGS
(over speaker)
Pull in! Luke… pull in!
WEDGE
(over speaker)
Watch your back, Luke!
273 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 273
WEDGE
(over headset)
Watch your back! Fighter’s above
you, coming in!
274 EXT. SPACE 274
Luke’s ship soars away from the Death Star’s surface as he
spots the tailing TIE fighter.
275 INT. TIE FIGHTER’S COCKPIT 275
The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke’s X-wing.
127.
276 EXT. SPACE 276
The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke’s ship.
Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.
277 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 277
Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.
LUKE
I’m hit, but not bad.
278 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 278
Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.
LUKE’S VOICE
Artoo, see what you can do with it.
Hang on back there.
Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his
head turns.
279 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 279
Luke nervously works his controls.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Red Six…
280 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 280
In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and
worries about Luke.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Can you see Red Five?
RED TEN
(over speaker)
There’s a heavy fire zone on this
side. Red Five, where are you?
281 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 281
Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from
the Death Star surface.
LUKE
I can’t shake him!
128.
282 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 282
Luke’s ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star,
an Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.
283 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 283
The Death Star whips below Wedge.
WEDGE
I’m on him, Luke!
284 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 284
WEDGE
(over headset)
Hold on!
285 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 285
Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE
fighter.
286 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 286
Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.
287 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 287
Luke reacts frantically.
LUKE
Blast it! Wedge where are you?
288 INT. TIE FIGHTER – COCKPIT 288
The fighter pilot watches Wedge’s X-wing approach. Another Xwing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on
the Imperial fighter.
289 EXT. SPACE 289
The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white
light. Luke’s ship can be seen far in the distance.
290 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 290
Luke looks about in relief.
LUKE
Thanks, Wedge.
129.
291 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 291
Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are
listening to the Rebel Fighter’s radio transmissions over
the war room intercom.
BIGGS
(over speaker)
Good shooting, Wedge!
GOLD LEADER
(over speaker)
Red Leader…
292 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 292
Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at
the Death Star surface pole.
GOLD LEADER
This is Gold Leader. We’re starting
out attack run.
293 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 293
Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the
stars toward the Death Star surface.
294 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 294
Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as
technicians move about attending to their duties.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
I copy, Gold Leader. Move into
position.
295 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 295
Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward
the Death Star surface.
296 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 296
Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
whip past in the window above his head.
VADER
Stay in attack formation!
297 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 297
Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.
130.
GOLD LEADER
(over speaker)
The exhaust post is…
298 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 298
GOLD LEADER
…marked and locked in!
299 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 299
Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the
surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep
trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as
laserfire is returned by the Death Star.
300 INT. GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING – COCKPIT – TRAVELING 300
Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very
battered helmet that looks like it’s been through many
battles. He looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His
fighter is buffeted by Imperial flak.
301 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 301
Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the
exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing
numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to
bounce about.
GOLD LEADER
Switch power to front deflector
screens.
302 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 302
Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
as laserbolts streak past on all sides.
303 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE – GUN EMPLACEMENTS 303
An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel
fighters.
304 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 304
GOLD LEADER
How many guns do you think, Gold
Five.
131.
305 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 305
GOLD FIVE
(over speaker)
I’d say about twenty guns. Some on
the surface, some on the towers.
Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected
target screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red
target near the center blinks on and off.
MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
(over speaker)
Death Star will be in range in five
minutes.
306 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 306
The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom
overhead through a hail of laserfire.
307 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 307
Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in
front of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel
craft.
GOLD LEADER
Switching to targeting computer.
308 INT. GOLD TWO’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 308
Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke’s age, pulls down his
targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under
intense laser barrage.
GOLD TWO
Computer’s locked. Getting a
signal.
As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly
all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the
trench as the surface whips past in a blur.
GOLD TWO (CONT’D)
The guns… they’ve stopped!
309 EXT. GOLD FIVE’S COCKPIT 309
Gold Five looks behind him.
GOLD FIVE
Stabilize your read deflectors.
Watch for enemy fighters.
132.
310 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 310
GOLD LEADER
They’ve coming in! Three marks at
two ten.
311 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 311
Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked
by two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically
toward the Death Star surface.
312 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 312
Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
zoom by.
VADER
I’ll take them myself! Cover me!
WINGMAN’S VOICE
(over speaker)
Yes, sir.
313 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 313
Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death
Star.
314 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 314
Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader’s
hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.
315 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 315
The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls
forward.
316 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 316
As Gold Two’s ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.
317 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 317
Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.
318 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH 318
The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
formation.
133.
319 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 319
Gold Leader panics.
GOLD LEADER
(into mike)
I can’t maneuver!
320 INT. GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 320
Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.
GOLD FIVE
Stay on target.
321 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 321
The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he
adjusts his targeting device.
GOLD LEADER
We’re too close.
322 INT. GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 322
The older pilot remains calm.
GOLD FIVE
Stay on target!
323 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 323
Now he’s really panicked.
GOLD LEADER
Loosen up!
324 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 324
Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
fire button.
325 INT. GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 325
Gold Leader’s ship is hit by Vader’s laser.
326 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 326
Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
all directions.
327 INT. GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 327
Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.
134.
GOLD FIVE
Gold Five to Red Leader…
328 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 328
Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his
cockpit.
GOLD FIVE
(over headset)
Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.
329 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 329
RED LEADER
I copy, Gold Five.
330 INT. GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING – COCKPIT 330
GOLD FIVE
They came from behind…
331 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 331
One of the engines explodes on Gold Five’s Y-wing fighter,
blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the
Death Star’s surface, passing a TIE fighter during his
descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins
toward his death.
332 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 332
Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.
333 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 333
Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death
Star’s control room.
OFFICER
We’ve analyzed their attack, sir,
and there is a danger. Should I
have your ship standing by?
TARKIN
Evacuate? In out moment of triumph?
I think you overestimate their
chances!
Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move
around the green disk at the center of the screen, as
numbers read across the bottom.
135.
VOICE
(over speaker)
Rebel base, three minutes and
closing.
334 INT. READ LEADER’S COCKPIT 334
Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
RED LEADER
Red Group, this is Red Leader.
335 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 335
Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the
computer keys.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Rendezvous at mark six point one.
WEDGE
(over speaker)
This is Red Two. Flying toward you.
BIGGS
(over speaker)
Red Three, standing by.
336 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 336
DODONNA
(over headset)
Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep
half your group out of range for
the next run.
337 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 337
RED LEADER’S VOICE
(over headset)
Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two
and Three. Hold up here and wait
for my signal… to start your run.
Luke nods his head.
338 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 338
The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in
formation high above the Death Star’s surface.
136.
339 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 339
Luke peers out from his cockpit.
340 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 340
Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red
Leader’s X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the
exhaust port.
341 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 341
Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
begins to perspire.
RED LEADER
This is it!
342 EXT. SPACE 342
Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
streak across the black heavens.
343 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE – GUN EMPLACEMENTS 343
A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
Rebel fighters.
344 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH 344
The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.
345 INT. RED TEN’S COCKPIT 345
Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.
RED TEN
We should be able to see it by now.
346 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH 346
From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting
toward them.
347 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 347
RED LEADER
Keep your eyes open for those
fighters!
137.
348 INT. RED TEN’S COCKPIT 348
RED TEN
There’s too much interference!
349 EXT. SPACE – DEATH STAR TRENCH 349
Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star
trench.
RED TEN’S VOICE
Red Five, can you see them from
where you are?
350 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 350
Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.
LUKE
No sign of any… wait!
351 INT. RED TEN’S COCKPIT 351
Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.
LUKE
(over headset)
Coming in point three five.
RED TEN
I see them.
352 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 352
Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a
tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar
fins as they loop toward the Death Star’s surface.
353 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 353
Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes
and makes several adjustments.
RED LEADER
I’m in range.
354 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 354
Red Leader’s X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.
355 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 355
RED LEADER
Target’s coming up!
138.
Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He
then looks into his targeting device.
RED LEADER (CONT’D)
Just hold them off for a few
seconds.
356 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 356
Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
fighters.
VADER
Close up formation.
357 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH 357
The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death
Star surface.
358 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 358
Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross
hairs.
359 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 359
Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
360 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 360
Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red
Twelve. Vader’s laser cannon flashes below the view of the
front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader’s
computer screen.
361 EXT. SPACE 361
Red Twelve’s X-wing fighter is hit by Vader’s laserfire, and
it explodes into flames against the trench.
362 INT. RED TEN’S COCKPIT 362
Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid
Vader’s fighter behind him.
RED TEN: You’d better let her loose.
363 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 363
Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.
RED LEADER
Almost there!
139.
364 INT. RED TEN’S COCKPIT. 364
Red Ten panics.
RED TEN
I can’t hold them!
365 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 365
Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
the Rebel fighters.
366 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 366
Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.
367 INT. RED TEN’S COCKPIT 367
Darth Vader’s well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,
and strikes Red Ten’s ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and
pain.
368 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 368
Red Ten’s ship explodes and bursts into flames.
369 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 369
Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his
computer targeting device, which shows the target lined up
in the cross hairs, and fires.
370 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 370
RED LEADER
It’s away!
371 INT. DEATH STAR 371
An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from
the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the
corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their
balance.
372 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 372
Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.
RED NINE’S VOICE
(over speaker)
It’s a hit!
140.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Negative.
373 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 373
Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny
explosions are visible in the distance.
RED LEADER
Negative! It didn’t go in. It just
impacted on the surface.
374 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR – TIE FIGHTER 374
Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader’s X-wing
passes the Death Star horizon.
375 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 375
Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.
376 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 376
LUKE
(over headset)
Red Leader, we’re right above you.
Turn to point…
377 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 377
Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death
Star surface.
LUKE
…oh-five; we’ll cover for you.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Stay there…
378 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 378
A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.
RED LEADER
…I just lost my starboard engine.
379 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 379
Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader’s X-wing.
141.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Get set to make your attack run.
380 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 380
Vader’s gloved hands make contact with the control sticks,
and he presses their firing buttons.
381 INT. RED LEADER’S COCKPIT 381
Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.
382 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 382
Laserbolts are flung from Vader’s TIE fighter, connecting
with Red Leader’s Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it,
creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is
destroyed.
383 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 383
Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far
below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his
situation.
384 INT. DEATH STAR 384
Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer
screen.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, one minute and closing.
385 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 385
Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen
intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim
after Red Leader’s death. Princess Leia nervously paces the
room.
LUKE
(over speaker)
Biggs, Wedge, let’s close it up.
We’re going in. We’re going in full
throttle.
386 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 386
The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.
WEDGE
Right with you, boss.
142.
387 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 387
The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and
dive toward the Death Star.
388 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 388
BIGGS
Luke, at that speed will you be
able to pull out in time?
389 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 389
LUKE
It’ll be just like Beggar’s Canyon
back home.
390 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 390
The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of
laserfire. Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.
391 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 391
Luke’s lifelong friend struggles with his controls.
BIGGS
We’ll stay back far enough to cover
you.
392 INT. LUKE’S COCKPIT 392
Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke’s cockpit window.
WEDGE
(over headset)
My scope shows the tower, but I
can’t see the exhaust port! Are you
sure the computer can hit it?
393 EXT. DEATH STAR – GUN EMPLACEMENTS 393
The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots
laserbolts.
394 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 394
Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks
for a moment and then moves his targeting device into
position.
LUKE
Watch yourself! Increase speed full
throttle!
143.
395 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 395
Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE
fighters.
WEDGE
What about the tower?
396 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 396
LUKE
You worry about those fighters!
I’ll worry about the tower!
397 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE 397
Luke’s X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.
398 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 398
Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is
returned, knicking one of his wings close to the engine.
LUKE
(to Artoo)
Artoo… that, that stabilizer’s
broken loose again! See if you
can’t lock it down!
399 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 399
Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by
in the background, making his delicate task seem even more
precarious.
400 EXT. DEATH STAR 400
Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.
401 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 401
Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.
402 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 402
Luke’s targeting device marks off the distance to the
target.
403 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 403
Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.
144.
404 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 404
Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two Xwings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on
Wedge.
405 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 405
Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.
WEDGE
(over speaker)
I’m hit! I can’t stay with you.
LUKE
(over speaker)
Get clear, Wedge.
406 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 406
LUKE
You can’t do any more good back
there!
407 INT. WEDGE’S COCKPIT 407
WEDGE
Sorry!
408 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 408
Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.
409 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 409
Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his
wingmen.
VADER
Let him go! Stay on the leader!
410 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 410
Luke’s X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE
fighters, still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close
behind.
411 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 411
Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.
145.
BIGGS
Hurry, Luke, they’re coming in much
faster this time. I can’t hold
them!
412 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 412
The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke
and Biggs.
413 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 413
Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.
LUKE
Artoo, try and increase the power!
414 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 414
Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping ArtooDetoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning from
side to side.
415 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 415
Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.
416 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 416
Vader adjusts his control stick.
417 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 417
Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.
418 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 418
Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a
moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer
targeter.
BIGGS
(over headset)
Hurry up, Luke!
419 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 419
Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench.
Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.
420 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 420
Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.
146.
BIGGS
Wait!
421 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 421
Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.
422 INT. BIGGS’ COCKPIT 422
Biggs’ cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.
423 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 423
Biggs’ ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters
across the surface.
424 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 424
Leia and the others stare at the computer board.
425 INT. LUKE’S X-WING COCKPIT 425
Luke is stunned by Biggs’ death. His eyes are watering, but
his anger is also growing.
426 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 426
Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with
satisfaction.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, thirty seconds and
closing.
427 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 427
Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.
VADER
I’m on the leader.
428 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR – LUKE’S SHIP 428
Luke’s ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.
429 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 429
Princess Leia returns her general’s worried and doubtful
glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems
nervous.
THREEPIO
Hang on, Artoo!
147.
430 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 430
Luke concentrates on his targeting device.
431 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 431
Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.
432 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 432
Vader’s finger’s curls around the control stick.
433 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 433
Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.
434 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 434
Luke’s ship charges down the trench.
435 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 435
Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting
device’s screen. He looks into the targeting device, then
starts at a voice he hears.
BEN’S VOICE
Use the Force, Luke.
436 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 436
The Death Star trench zooms by.
437 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 437
Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting
device. He has second thoughts.
BEN’S VOICE
Let go, Luke.
A grim determination sweeps across Luke’s face as he closes
his eyes and starts to mumble Ben’s training to himself.
438 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 438
Luke’s fighter streaks through the trench.
439 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 439
VADER
The Force is strong with this one!
148.
440 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 440
Vader follows Luke’s X-wing down the trench.
441 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 441
Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears
Ben’s voice.
BEN’S VOICE
Luke, trust me.
Luke’s hand reaches for the control panel and presses the
button. The targeting device moves away.
442 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 442
Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.
BASE VOICE
(over speaker)
His computer’s off. Luke, you
switched off your targeting
computer. What’s wrong?
LUKE
(over speaker)
Nothing. I’m all right.
443 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 443
Luke’s ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.
444 INT. LUKE’S X-WING – COCKPIT 444
Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.
445 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 445
Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in
anticipation.
446 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 446
The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen,
follow Luke’s X-wing down the trench.
447 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 447
Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed
target. He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks.
Laserfire shoots toward Luke’s X-wing fighter.
149.
448 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 448
A large burst of Vader’s laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms
go limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a highpitched sound.
449 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 449
Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.
450 EXT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER 450
Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to
fly.
LUKE
I’ve lost Artoo!
Artoo’s beeping sounds die out.
451 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 451
Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen,
while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the
Death Star and targets glow brightly.
MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
The Death Star has cleared the
planet. The Death Star has cleared
the planet.
452 INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM 452
Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, in range.
TARKIN
You may fire when ready.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Commence primary ignition.
An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control
panel, as green lighted buttons turn to red.
453 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 453
The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in
pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.
150.
454 INT. LUKE’S COCKPIT 454
Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.
455 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 455
Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected
targeting screen.
456 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 456
Luke’s ship barrels down the trench.
457 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 457
Vader’s targeting computer swings around into position.
Vader takes careful aim on Luke’s X-wing fighter.
VADER
I have you now.
He pushes the fire buttons.
458 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 458
The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader’s center
fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE
ships at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two
remaining ships continue to move in.
459 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 459
Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed
Vader’s wingman.
460 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 460
Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.
VADER
What?
461 INT. DARTH VADER’S WINGMAN – COCKPIT 461
Vader’s wingman searches around him trying to locate the
unknown attacker.
462 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 462
Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.
HAN
(yelling)
Yahoo!
151.
463 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 463
The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters.
It’s a collision course.
464 INT. WINGMAN’S COCKPIT 464
The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the
Dark Lord.
WINGMAN
Look out!
465 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH 465
Vader’s wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate
starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with
Vader’s TIE fighter in the process. Vader’s wingman crashes
into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader’s
damaged ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.
466 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 466
Vader’s ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin,
heading for deep space.
467 INT. DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT 467
Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins
into space.
468 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 468
Solo’s ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.
469 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 469
Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.
HAN
(into mike)
You’re all clear, kid.
470 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – WAR ROOM 470
Leia and the others listen to Solo’s transmission.
HAN
(over speaker)
Now let’s blow this thing and go
home!
152.
471 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 471
Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust
port, then fires his laser torpedoes.
472 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR 472
Luke’s torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply
disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do
find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are
heading for the main reactor.
473 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 473
Luke throws his head back in relief.
474 INT. DEATH STAR 474
An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and
pulls the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.
INTERCOM VOICE
Stand by to fire at Rebel base.
475 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 475
Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin
in the distance.
476 INT. DEATH STAR 476
Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff
Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.
INTERCOM VOICE
Standing by.
The rumble of a distant explosion begins.
477 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR 477
The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like
Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small
flashes appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a
supernova, creating a spectacular heavenly display.
478 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON – COCKPIT 478
HAN
Great shot, kid. That was one in a
million.
153.
479 INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT 479
Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.
BEN’S VOICE
Remember, the Force will be with
you… always.
The ship rocks back and forth.
480 EXT. DARTH VADER’S TIE FIGHTER 480
Vader’s ship spins off into space.
481 EXT. SPACE 481
The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.
482 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – MAIN HANGAR 482
Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a
throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the
ladder as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and
shouting. Princess Leia rushes toward him.
LEIA
Luke! Luke! Luke!
She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance
around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they
embrace one another, slapping each other on the back.
HAN
(laughing)
Hey! Hey!
LUKE
(laughing)
I knew you’d come back! I just knew
it!
HAN
Well, I wasn’t gonna let you get
all the credit and take all the
reward.
Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves
at Luke’s face. Leia moves in between them.
LEIA
(laughing)
Hey, I knew there was more to you
than money.
154.
Luke looks toward the ship.
LUKE
Oh, no!
The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the
fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.
THREEPIO
Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say
something!
(to mechanic)
You can repair him, can’t you?
TECHNICIAN
We’ll get to work on him right
away.
THREEPIO
You must repair him! Sir, if any of
my circuits or gears will help,
I’ll gladly donate them.
LUKE
He’ll be all right.
483 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST – MAIN THRONE ROOM 483
Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main
temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows.
Banners are flying and at the far end stands a vision in
white, the beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others
solemnly march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator
Leia. From one side of the temple marches a shined-up and
fully repaired Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and
stands next to an equally pristine Threepio, who is rather
awestruck by the whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna
and several other dignitaries sit on the left of the
Princess Leia. Leia is dressed in a long white dress and is
staggeringly beautiful. She rises and places a gold
medallion around Han’s neck. He winks at her. She then
repeats the ceremony with Luke, who is moved by the event.
They turn and face the assembled troops, who all bow before
them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo beeps with happiness.
FADE OUT:
484 END CREDITS OVER STARS 484
485 THE END 485