1 Star Wars: A New Hope script
8 From the JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS
17 ----------------------
20 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...
23 A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main
24 title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup
25 slowly crawls into infinity.
28 It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a
29 hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic
31 During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the
32 Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an armored space station
33 with enough power to destroy an entire planet.
34 Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home
35 aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her
36 people and restore freedom to the galaxy...
39 The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
40 eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
41 silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers from
42 the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed by a
43 giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly laserbolts
44 streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing the main solar
45 fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
47 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- MAIN PASSAGEWAY.
49 An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
50 and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way through the
51 shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are old and battered.
52 Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His face is a mass of
53 computer lights surrounding a radar eye. Threepio, on the
54 other hand, is a tall, slender robot of human proportions. He
55 has a gleaming bronze-like metallic surface of an Art Deco
57 Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their
60 THREEPIO: Did you hear that? They've shut down the main reactor. We'll
61 be destroyed for sure. This is madness!
63 Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions
64 in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
66 THREEPIO: We're doomed!
68 The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
69 only another robot could understand.
71 THREEPIO: There'll be no escape for the Princess this time.
73 Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
74 loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
75 are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.
77 THREEPIO: What's that?
79 EXTERIOR: SPACECRAFT IN SPACE.
81 The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
82 Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
83 underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
85 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.
87 The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
88 tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and a
89 score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make their
90 way into the smoke-filled corridor.
91 In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
92 laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
93 creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
94 behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
95 who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
97 An explosion hits near the robots.
99 THREEPIO: I should have known better than to trust the logic of a
100 half-sized thermocapsulary dehousing assister...
102 Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
103 around the two hapless robots.
105 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- DAY.
107 A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The
108 tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure,
109 Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks
110 much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and
111 baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with
112 a prize-winning smile.
113 A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
114 large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
115 desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by
116 a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
117 appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
118 A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he
119 instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility
120 belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the
121 heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
122 Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
123 above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny
126 LUKE: Hurry up! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!
128 The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
129 smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms
130 up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his
131 Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.
133 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- MAIN HALLWAY.
135 The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
136 way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
137 Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
138 by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
139 stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
140 Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away from
141 the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through the
142 Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a
145 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.
147 A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
148 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
150 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.
152 Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
153 nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
154 soldiers can be heard in the distance.
156 THREEPIO: Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
158 A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
159 he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a
160 smoke-filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen
161 years old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
162 dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
163 something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little
164 robot joins his companion.
166 THREEPIO: At last! Where have you been?
168 Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
170 THREEPIO: They're heading in this direction. What are we going to do?
171 We'll be sent to the spice mine of Kessel or smashed into who knows
174 Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
175 subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
177 THREEPIO: Wait a minute, where are you going?
179 Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
181 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- CORRIDOR
183 The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
184 of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
185 an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
187 IMPERIAL OFFICER: The Death Star plans are not in the main computer.
189 Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
192 VADER: Where are those transmissions you intercepted?
194 Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
196 VADER: What have you done with those plans?
198 REBEL OFFICER: We intercepted no transmissions. Aaah....This is a
199 consular ship. Were on a diplomatic mission.
201 VADER: If this is a consular ship...were is the Ambassador?
203 The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
204 Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
205 gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
206 Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
209 VADER: Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans
210 and bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive!
212 The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
214 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- SUBHALLWAY.
216 The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
217 stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
218 Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her eyes
219 slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the
220 approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the troopers
223 TROOPER: There she is! Set for stun!
225 Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
226 her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
227 paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
229 TROOPER: She'll be all right. Inform Lord Vader we have a prisoner.
231 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- SUBHALLWAY.
233 Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He
234 snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
235 begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into the
236 cramped four-man pod.
238 THREEPIO: Hey, you're not permitted in there. It's restricted. You'll
239 be deactivated for sure..
241 Artoo beeps something to him.
243 THREEPIO: Don't call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight glob of
244 grease! Now come out before somebody sees you.
246 Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
247 the mission he is about to perform.
249 THREEPIO: Secret mission? What plans? What are you talking about? I'm
250 not getting in there!
252 Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps
255 A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
256 through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
257 after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
258 robot jumps into the lifepod.
260 THREEPIO: I'm going to regret this.
262 INTERIOR: IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER.
264 On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
265 robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.
267 CHIEF PILOT: There goes another one.
269 CAPTAIN: Hold your fire. There are no life forms. It must have been
274 Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
275 Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.
277 THREEPIO: That's funny, the damage doesn't look as bad from out here.
279 Artoo beeps an assuring response.
281 THREEPIO: Are you sure this things safe?
283 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
285 Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
286 buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty
287 street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of
288 the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as
291 WOMAN: I've told you kids to slow down!
293 INTERIOR: POWER STATION -- DAY.
295 Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
296 mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
297 asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
298 office, yelling wildly.
300 FIXER: Did I hear a young noise blast through here?
302 CAMIE: It was just wormie on another rampage.
304 Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
305 and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
306 playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
307 handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city
308 attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the
309 farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.
311 LUKE: Shape it up you guys!.... Biggs?
313 Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
314 great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
316 LUKE: I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?
318 BIGGS: Just now. I wanted to surprise you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
319 here...certainly didn't expect you to be out working. (he laughs.)
321 LUKE: The Academy didn't change you much...but you're back so soon?
322 Hey, what happened, didn't you get your commission?
324 Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
326 BIGGS: Of course I got it. Signed aboard The Rand Ecliptic last week.
327 First mate Biggs Darklighter at your service...(he salutes)...I just
328 came to say good-bye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons.
330 Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
331 friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out
334 LUKE: I almost forgot. There's a battle going on! Right here in our
335 system. Come and look!
337 DEAK: Not again! Forget it.
339 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD -- SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
341 The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and
342 The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke
343 has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
345 LUKE: There they are!
347 Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain
348 to see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
349 Biggs sees two small silver specks.
351 BIGGS: That's no battle, hot shot...they're just sitting there!
352 Probably a freighter-tanker refueling.
354 LUKE: But there was a lot of firing earlier...
356 Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
357 building in the process. Luke grabs them.
359 LUKE: Hey, easy with those...
361 CAMIE: Don't worry about it, Wormie.
363 The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
364 shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
366 FIXER: I keep telling you, the Rebellion is a long way from here. I
367 doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me
368 Luke, this planet is a big hunk of nothing...
370 Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
371 group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
374 INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- HALLWAY
376 Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
377 of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
378 brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
379 marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
380 emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
381 at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.
383 LEIA: Lord Vader, I should have known. Only you could be so bold. The
384 Imperial Senate will not sit for this, when they hear you've attacked
387 VADER: Don't play games with me, Your Highness. You weren't on any
388 mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted
389 system. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
390 I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.
392 LEIA: I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the
393 Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan...
395 VADER: You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...and a traitor. Take her
398 Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the
399 smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial
400 Commander turns to Vader.
402 COMMANDER: Holding her is dangerous. If word of this gets out, it
403 could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the senate.
405 VADER: I have traced the Rebel spies to her. Now she is my only link
406 to find their secret base!
408 COMMANDER: She'll die before she tells you anything.
410 VADER: Leave that to me. Send a distress signal and then inform the
411 senate that all aboard were killed!
413 Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the
414 Commander. They stop and snap to attention.
416 SECOND OFFICER: Lord Vader, the battle station plans are not aboard
417 this ship! And no transmissions were made. An escape pod was
418 jettisoned during the fighting, but no life forms were aboard.
420 Vader turns to the Commander.
422 VADER: She must have hidden the plans in the escape pod. Send a
423 detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally, Commander.
424 There'll be no one to stop us this time.
430 The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
433 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT.
435 Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
436 meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
437 kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
438 work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the
439 distance rests half buried in the sand.
441 THREEPIO: How did I get into this mess? I really don't know how. We
442 seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life.
444 Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
446 THREEPIO: I've got to rest before I fall apart. My joints are almost
449 Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
451 THREEPIO: What a desolate place this is.
453 Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and
454 starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
455 stops and yells at him.
457 THREEPIO: Where are you going?
459 A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
462 THREEPIO: Well, I'm not going that way. It's much too rocky. This way
465 Artoo counters with a long whistle.
467 THREEPIO: What makes you think there are settlements over there?
469 Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
471 THREEPIO: Don't get technical with me.
473 Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
475 THREEPIO: What mission? What are you talking about? I've had just
476 about enough of you! Go that way! You'll be malfunctioning within a
477 day, you nearsighted scrap pile!
479 Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in
480 the direction of the vast dune sea.
482 THREEPIO: And don't let me catch you following me begging for help,
483 because you won't get it.
485 Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
486 off in the direction of the towering mesas.
488 THREEPIO: No more adventures. I'm not going that way.
490 Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the
493 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DUNE SEA.
495 Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune;
496 only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
497 miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock
500 THREEPIO: That malfunctioning little twerp. This is all his fault! He
501 tricked me into going this way, but he'll do no better.
503 In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the
504 sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint
505 of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
508 THREEPIO: Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm saved!
510 The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
511 approaching transport.
513 THREEPIO: Over here! Help! Please, help!
515 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
517 Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and
518 the others can be heard working inside.
520 LUKE: (Very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the
521 afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
522 I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
523 pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest
524 of the season. You should have been there...it was fantastic.
526 BIGGS: You ought to take it easy Luke. You may be the hottest
527 bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little Skyhoppers are
528 dangerous. Keep it up, and one day, whammo, you're going to be nothing
529 more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.
531 LUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant
532 starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft
535 BIGGS: I've missed you kid.
537 LUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Biggs. It's
540 Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
542 BIGGS: Luke, I didn't come back just to say good-bye...I shouldn't
543 tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust...and if I don't
544 come back, I want somebody to know.
546 Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
548 LUKE: What are you talking about?
550 BIGGS: I made some friends at the Academy. (he whispers)...when our
551 frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship
552 and join the Alliance...
554 Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
556 LUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?
558 BIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor
561 LUKE: I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You
562 can barely hear me...
564 Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
566 BIGGS: My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make
569 LUKE: Your crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.
571 BIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what
572 I can on my own...It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not
573 going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion
574 is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe
577 LUKE: And I'm stuck here...
579 BIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get
580 your chance to get off this rock.
582 LUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot
583 of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left...they've even raided
584 the outskirts of Anchorhead.
586 BIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople with one
589 LUKE: I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place
590 pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.
592 BIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems
593 to be important or what really is important. What good is all your
594 uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire?...You know they're
595 starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems...it won't be
596 long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater
599 LUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't
600 bother with this rock.
602 BIGGS: Things always change.
604 LUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long?
606 BIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning...
608 LUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.
610 BIGGS: Maybe someday...I'll keep a lookout.
612 LUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows.
613 I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet that's for sure...Take
614 care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.
616 BIGGS: So long, Luke.
618 Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
621 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SUNSET.
623 The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
624 foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
625 fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
626 canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he goes.
627 He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for a
628 moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
629 In the distance, a pepple tumbles down the steep canyon
630 wall and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
631 further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a pair
632 of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the narrow
634 The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
635 suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
636 of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages one
637 short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his back.
638 His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then off
639 again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller than
640 Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
641 cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
642 their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
643 seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the
644 heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down the
647 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SANDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.
649 The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge
650 tank-like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
651 small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a large
652 tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot is sucked
653 into the giant machine.
654 The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
655 and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
657 INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER -- HOLD AREA.
659 It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
660 switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
661 around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
662 metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
663 maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
664 and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
667 INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER -- PRISON AREA.
669 Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
670 middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
671 shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
672 while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
675 THREEPIO: Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!
677 A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
679 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SANDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.
681 The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
682 twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
685 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT -- DAY.
687 Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
688 buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine. A
689 trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
691 FIRST TROOPER: Someone was in the pod. The tracks go off in this
694 A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
695 and gives it to the first trooper.
697 SECOND TROOPER: Look, sir -- droids.
699 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DUNES.
701 The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
703 INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER.
705 Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
706 prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
708 THREEPIO: Wake up! Wake up!
710 Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
711 creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
712 Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
713 pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
714 chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding white
715 light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the odd
716 assortment of robots.
718 THREEPIO: We're doomed.
720 A Jawa starts moving toward them.
722 THREEPIO: Do you think they'll melt us down?
724 Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
726 THREEPIO: Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this never end?
728 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT -- LARS HOMESTEAD -- AFTERNOON.
730 The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
731 battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
732 the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
733 homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
734 surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
736 The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots,
737 straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented
738 metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly,
739 attracting small insects to the dark areas when their mouths
740 and nostrils should be.
741 Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen
742 Lars, a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes
743 are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
744 inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
745 shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
746 Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
747 pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
748 A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
749 homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
750 standing in the main courtyard.
752 BERU: Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a translator to be sure it
755 LUKE: It looks like we don't have much of a choice but I'll remind
758 Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
759 for sale with the Jawa leader.
761 OWEN: I have no need for a protocol droid.
763 THREEPIO: (quickly) Sir -- not in an environment such as this --
764 that's why I've also been programmed for over thirty secondary
767 OWEN: What I really need is a droid that understands the binary
768 language of moisture vaporators.
770 THREEPIO: Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was programming binary load
771 lifter...very similar to your vaporators. You could say...
773 OWEN: Do you speak Bocce?
775 THREEPIO: Of course I can, sir. It's like a second language for
776 me...I'm as fluent in Bocce...
778 OWEN: All right shut up! (turning to Jawa) I'll take this one.
780 THREEPIO: Shutting up, sir.
782 OWEN: Luke, take these two over to the garage, will you? I want you to
783 have both of them cleaned up before dinner.
785 LUKE: But I was going into Toshi Station to pick up some power
788 OWEN: You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done.
789 Now come on, get to it!
791 LUKE: All right, come on! And the red one, come on. Well, come on,
794 As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots
795 back into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little
796 beep and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is
797 restrained by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.
799 Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
800 robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the head
801 of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.
807 LUKE: This R2 unit has a bad motivator. Look!
809 OWEN: (to the head Jawa) Hey, what're you trying to push on us?
811 The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has
812 sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to
813 attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio
814 taps Luke on the shoulder.
816 THREEPIO: (pointing to Artoo) Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is in
817 prime condition. A real bargain.
823 LUKE: What about that one?
825 OWEN: (to Jawa) What about that blue one? We'll take that one.
827 With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the
828 damaged astro-droid for Artoo.
830 LUKE: Yeah, take it away.
832 THREEPIO: Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very pleased with that one,
833 sir. He really is in first-class condition. I've worked with him
834 before. Here he comes.
836 Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
837 trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.
839 LUKE: Okay, let's go.
841 THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Now, don't you forget this! Why I should stick my
842 neck out for you is quite beyond my capacity!
844 INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- GARAGE AREA -- LATE AFTERNOON.
846 The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
847 atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
848 himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
849 battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
850 with a cord to his face.
852 THREEPIO: Thank the maker! This oil bath is going to feel so good.
853 I've got such a bad case of dust contamination, I can barely move!
855 Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in
856 thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small
857 two-man Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the
858 garage. Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and
859 he slams a wrench across the workbench.
861 LUKE: It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is right. I'm never gonna get out
864 THREEPIO: Is there anything I might do to help?
866 Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger
867 drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.
869 LUKE: Well, not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest, or
870 teleport me off this rock!
872 THREEPIO: I don't think so, sir. I'm only a droid and not very
873 knowledgeable about such things. Not on this planet, anyways. As a
874 matter of fact, I'm not even sure which planet I'm on.
876 LUKE: Well, if there's a bright center to the universe, you're on the
877 planet that it's farthest from.
879 THREEPIO: I see, sir.
881 LUKE: Uh, you can call me Luke.
883 THREEPIO: I see, sir Luke.
885 LUKE: (laughing) Just Luke.
887 THREEPIO: And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations, and this is
888 my counterpart, Artoo-Detoo.
892 Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
893 scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
894 pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping oil
895 from his bronze body.
897 LUKE: You got a lot of carbon scoring here. It looks like you boys
898 have seen a lot of action.
900 THREEPIO: With all we've been through, sometimes I'm amazed we're in
901 as good condition as we are, what with the Rebellion and all.
903 LUKE: You know of the Rebellion against the Empire?
905 THREEPIO: That's how we came to be in your service, if you take my
908 LUKE: Have you been in many battles?
910 THREEPIO: Several, I think. Actually, there's not much to tell. I'm
911 not much more than an interpreter, and not very good at telling
912 stories. Well, not at making them interesting, anyways.
914 Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
915 neck joint. He uses a larger pick.
917 LUKE: Well, my little friend, you've got something jammed in here real
918 good. Were you on a cruiser or...
920 The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke
921 tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch
922 three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator,
923 being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a
924 rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit
925 garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.
927 LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.
931 Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for
932 Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence
933 fragment over and over.
935 THREEPIO: What is what?!? He asked you a question...(pointing to Leia)
938 Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
939 the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
940 for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
941 sentence fragment over and over.
943 LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan
944 Kenobi. You're my only hope.
946 THREEPIO: Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely a malfunction. Old
947 data. Pay it no mind.
949 Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.
951 LUKE: Who is she? She's beautiful.
953 THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
955 LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...
957 THREEPIO: I think she was a passenger on our last voyage. A person of
958 some importance, sir -- I believe. Our captain was attached to...
960 LUKE: Is there more to this recording?
962 Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
963 squeaks and a whistle.
965 THREEPIO: Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going to get us in trouble.
966 It's all right, you can trust him. He's our new master.
968 Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.
970 THREEPIO: He says he's the property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of
971 these parts. And it's a private message for him. Quite frankly, sir I
972 don't know what he's talking about. Our last master was Captain
973 Antilles, but with what we've been through, this little R2 unit has
974 become a bit eccentric.
976 LUKE: Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means old Ben Kenobi?
978 THREEPIO: I beg your pardon, sir, but do you know what he's talking
981 LUKE: Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-Wan, but old Ben lives out
982 beyond the dune sea. He's kind of a strange old hermit.
984 Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
987 LUKE: I wonder who she is. It sounds like she's in trouble. I'd better
988 play back the whole thing.
990 Artoo beeps something to Threepio.
992 THREEPIO: He says the restraining bolt has short circuited his
993 recording system. He suggests that if you remove the bolt, he might be
994 able to play back the entire recording.
996 Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and
997 hasn't really heard what Threepio has been saying.
999 LUKE: H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you're too small to run away on me
1000 if I take this off! Okay.
1002 Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
1007 The princess immediately disappears...
1009 LUKE: Well, wait a minute. Where'd she go? Bring her back! Play back
1012 Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
1015 THREEPIO: What message? The one you're carrying inside your rusty
1018 A women's voice calls out from another room.
1020 AUNT BERU: Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!
1022 Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
1025 LUKE: All right, I'll be right there, Aunt Beru.
1027 THREEPIO: I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to have picked up a slight
1030 Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and
1031 hurries out of the room.
1033 LUKE: Well, see what you can do with him. I'll be right back.
1035 THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Just you reconsider playing that message for him.
1037 Artoo beeps in response.
1039 THREEPIO: No, I don't think he likes you at all.
1043 THREEPIO: No, I don't like you either.
1045 INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- DINING AREA.
1047 Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
1048 with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-used
1049 kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls of
1050 food and starts for the dining area.
1051 Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
1052 steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
1055 LUKE: You know, I think that R2 unit we bought might have been stolen.
1057 OWEN: What makes you think that?
1059 LUKE: Well, I stumbled across a recording while I was cleaning him. He
1060 says he belongs to someone called Obi-Wan Kenobi.
1062 Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
1063 manages to control himself.
1065 LUKE: I thought he might have meant old Ben. Do you know what he's
1066 talking about? Well, I wonder if he's related to Ben.
1068 Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.
1070 OWEN: That old man's just a crazy old wizard. Tomorrow I want you to
1071 take that R2 unit into Anchorhead and have its memory flushed. That'll
1072 be the end of it. It belongs to us now.
1074 LUKE: But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking for him?
1076 OWEN: He won't, I don't think he exists any more. He died about the
1077 same time as your father.
1079 LUKE: He knew my father?
1081 OWEN: I told you to forget it. Your only concern is to prepare the new
1082 droids for tomorrow. In the morning I want them on the south ridge
1083 working out those condensers.
1085 LUKE: Yes, sir. I think those new droids are going to work out fine.
1086 In fact, I, uh, was also thinking about our agreement about my staying
1087 on another season. And if these new droids do work out, I want to
1088 transmit my application to the Academy this year.
1090 Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
1093 OWEN: You mean the next semester before harvest?
1095 LUKE: Sure, there're more than enough droids.
1097 OWEN: Harvest is when I need you the most. Only one more season. This
1098 year we'll make enough on the harvest so I'll be able to hire some
1099 more hands. And then you can go to the Academy next year.
1101 Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his
1104 OWEN: You must understand I need you here, Luke.
1106 LUKE: But it's a whole 'nother year.
1108 OWEN: Look, it's only one more season.
1110 Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.
1112 LUKE: Yeah, that's what you said last year when Biggs and Tank left.
1114 AUNT BERU: Where are you going?
1116 LUKE: It looks like I'm going nowhere. I have to finish cleaning those
1119 Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
1120 mechanically finishes his dinner.
1122 AUNT BERU: Owen, he can't stay here forever. Most of his friends have
1123 gone. It means so much to him.
1125 OWEN: I'll make it up to him next year. I promise.
1127 AUNT BERU: Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He has too much of his
1130 OWEN: That's what I'm afraid of.
1132 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- LARS HOMESTEAD.
1134 The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
1135 distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
1136 moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
1139 INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- GARAGE.
1141 Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
1142 sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
1143 similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
1144 box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
1145 short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.
1147 LUKE: What are you doing hiding there?
1149 Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
1152 THREEPIO: It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't deactivate me. I told
1153 him not to go, but he's faulty, malfunctioning; kept babbling on about
1158 Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
1160 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- LARS HOMESTEAD.
1162 Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead and
1163 searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-
1164 robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the salt
1165 flat as Luke scans the landscape with his electrobinoculars.
1167 THREEPIO: That R2 unit has always been a problem. These astro-droids
1168 are getting quite out of hand. Even I can't understand their logic at
1171 LUKE: How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere in sight. Blast it!
1173 THREEPIO: Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go after him?
1175 LUKE: It's too dangerous with all the Sandpeople around. We'll have to
1178 Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.
1180 OWEN: Luke, I'm shutting the power down for the night.
1182 LUKE: All right, I'll be there in a few minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.
1184 He takes one final look across the dim horizon.
1186 LUKE: You know that little droid is going to cause me a lot of
1189 THREEPIO: Oh, he excels at that, sir.
1191 INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- PLAZA.
1193 Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
1194 the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
1195 Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.
1197 OWEN: Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be loafing now!
1199 INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- KITCHEN.
1201 The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru prepares
1202 the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.
1204 OWEN: Have you seen Luke this morning?
1206 AUNT BERU: He said he had some things to do before he started today,
1209 OWEN: Uh? Did he take those two new droids with him?
1211 AUNT BERU: I think so.
1213 OWEN: Well, he'd better have those units in the south range repaired
1214 be midday or there'll be hell to pay!
1216 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- LUKE'S SPEEDER -- DAY.
1218 The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
1219 pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
1222 INTERIOR/EXTERIOR: LUKE'S SPEEDER -- DESERT WASTELAND -- TRAVELING -- DAY.
1224 Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something
1225 in the motor compartment.
1227 LUKE: (yelling) How's that.
1229 Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
1230 wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.
1232 LUKE: Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this direction somewhere, but I
1233 don't see how that R2 unit could have come this far. We must have
1234 missed him. Uncle Owen isn't going to take this very well.
1236 THREEPIO: Sir, would it help if you told him it was my fault.
1238 LUKE: (brightening) Sure. He needs you. He'd probably only deactivate
1239 you for a day or so...
1241 THREEPIO: Deactivate! Well, on the other hand if you hadn't removed
1242 his restraining bolt...
1244 LUKE: Wait, there's something dead ahead on the scanner. It looks like
1245 our droid...hit the accelerator.
1247 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK MESA -- DUNE SEA -- COASTLINE -- DAY.
1249 From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
1250 gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
1251 two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
1252 cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
1253 marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
1254 and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs the
1255 gun before it can be fired.
1256 The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes
1257 called, speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into
1258 an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in
1259 the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.
1261 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK MESA -- CANYON.
1263 The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
1264 to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large as
1265 elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns, and
1266 long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders mount
1267 saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs and ride
1268 off down the rugged bluff.
1270 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- FLOOR.
1272 The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke,
1273 with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands
1274 before little Artoo.
1276 LUKE: Hey, whoa, just where do you think you're going?
1278 The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
1279 menacingly behind the little runaway.
1281 THREEPIO: Master Luke here is your rightful owner. We'll have no more
1282 of this Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish...and don't talk to me about your
1283 mission, either. You're fortunate he doesn't blast you into a million
1286 LUKE: Well, come on. It's getting late. I only hope we can get back
1287 before Uncle Owen really blows up.
1289 THREEPIO: If you don't mind my saying so, sir, I think you should
1290 deactivate the little fugitive until you've gotten him back to your
1293 LUKE: No, he's not going to try anything.
1295 Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of
1296 frantic whistles and screams.
1298 LUKE: What's wrong with him now?
1300 THREEPIO: Oh my...sir, he says there are several creatures approaching
1303 Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.
1305 LUKE: Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on, let's have a look. Come on.
1307 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- RIDGE -- DAY.
1309 Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
1310 scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the two
1311 riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young
1314 LUKE: There are two Banthas down there but I don't see any...wait a
1315 second, they're Sandpeople all right. I can see one of them now.
1317 Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
1318 electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
1319 his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large,
1320 gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled
1321 and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be
1322 heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles down
1323 the side of the mountain.
1324 The towering creature brings down his curved,
1325 double-pointed gaderffii -- the dreaded axe blade that has
1326 struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. But Luke
1327 manages to block the blow with his laser rifle, which is
1328 smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambles backward
1329 until he is forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister
1330 Raider stands over him with his weapon raised and lets out a
1331 horrible shrieking laugh.
1333 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- FLOOR -- DAY.
1335 Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in the
1336 rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the inert
1337 Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the speeder.
1338 The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts and
1339 supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
1340 everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan is
1341 heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sandpeople
1343 Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
1344 swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
1345 closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
1346 leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
1347 weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
1348 eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
1349 as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
1350 slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.
1352 BEN: Hello there! Come here my little friend. Don't be afraid.
1354 Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a
1355 heap and begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben
1356 puts his hand on Luke's forehead and he begins to
1359 BEN: Don't worry, he'll be all right.
1361 LUKE: What happened?
1363 BEN: Rest easy, son, you've had a busy day. You're fortunate you're
1366 LUKE: Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to see you!
1368 BEN: The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly. Tell me young
1369 Luke, what brings you out this far?
1371 LUKE: Oh, this little droid! I think he's searching for his former
1372 master...I've never seen such devotion in a droid before...there
1373 seems to be no stopping him. He claims to be the property of an Obi-
1374 Wan Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he's talking
1377 Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.
1379 BEN: Obi-Wan Kenobi...Obi-Wan? Now thats a name I haven't heard in a
1380 long time...a long time.
1382 LUKE: I think my uncle knew him. He said he was dead.
1384 BEN: Oh, he's not dead, not...not yet.
1388 BEN: Well of course, of course I know him. He's me! I haven't gone by
1389 the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born.
1391 LUKE: Then the droid does belong to you.
1393 BEN: Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid. Very interesting...
1395 He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.
1397 BEN: I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled
1398 but they will soon be back and in greater numbers.
1400 Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
1401 beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.
1405 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- SAND PIT -- ROCK MESA -- DAY.
1407 Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins
1408 to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and Ben
1409 stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half
1410 buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.
1411 Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and
1412 then flips a hidden switch on his back several times until
1413 finally the mechanical man's systems turn on.
1415 THREEPIO: Where am I? I must have taken a bad step...
1417 LUKE: Can you stand? We've got to get out of here before the
1420 THREEPIO: I don't think I can make it. You go on, Master Luke. There's
1421 no sense in you risking yourself on my account. I'm done for.
1423 Artoo makes a beeping sound.
1425 LUKE: No, you're not. What kind of talk is that?
1427 Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
1428 Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
1429 suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
1432 BEN: Quickly, son...they're on the move.
1434 INTERIOR: KENOBI'S DWELLING.
1436 The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
1437 still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
1438 security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as
1439 old Ben sits thinking.
1441 LUKE: No, my father didn't fight in the wars. He was a navigator on a
1444 BEN: That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your
1445 father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten
1448 LUKE: You fought in the Clone Wars?
1450 BEN: Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father.
1452 LUKE: I wish I'd known him.
1454 BEN: He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior.
1455 I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself. And he was a
1456 good friend. Which reminds me...
1458 Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around.
1459 As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
1460 restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
1461 Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
1462 table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
1463 with several electronic gadgets attached to it.
1465 BEN: I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have
1466 this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He
1467 feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic
1468 crusade like your father did.
1470 THREEPIO: Sir, if you'll not be needing me, I'll close down for
1473 LUKE: Sure, go ahead.
1475 Ben hands Luke the saber.
1479 BEN: Your fathers lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not
1480 as clumsy or as random as a blaster.
1482 Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
1483 about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the
1486 BEN: An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. For over a thousand
1487 generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice
1488 in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.
1490 Luke hasn't really been listening.
1492 LUKE: How did my father die?
1494 BEN: A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he
1495 turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi
1496 Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all
1497 but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.
1501 BEN: Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy
1502 field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us.
1503 It binds the galaxy together.
1505 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
1507 BEN: Now, let's see if we can't figure out what you are, my little
1508 friend. And where you come from.
1510 LUKE: I saw part of the message he was...
1512 Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
1513 young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.
1515 BEN: I seem to have found it.
1517 Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers
1520 LEIA: General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone
1521 Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire.
1522 I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in
1523 person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission
1524 to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital
1525 to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2
1526 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid
1527 safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour.
1528 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.
1530 There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
1531 Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
1532 on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.
1534 BEN: You must learn the ways of the Force if you're to come with me to
1537 LUKE: (laughing) Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan. I've got to go
1538 home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is.
1540 BEN: I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old
1541 for this sort of thing.
1543 LUKE: I can't get involved! I've got work to do! It's not that I like
1544 the Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing I can do about it right
1545 now. It's such a long way from here.
1547 BEN: That's your uncle talking.
1549 LUKE: (sighing) Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever going to explain
1552 BEN: Learn about the Force, Luke.
1554 LUKE: Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a
1555 transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going.
1557 BEN: You must do what you feel is right, of course.
1561 An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
1562 battle station: the Death Star!
1564 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
1566 Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
1567 conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
1568 the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, is
1571 TAGGE: Until this battle station is fully operational we are
1572 vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped. They're more
1573 dangerous than you realize.
1575 The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.
1577 MOTTI: Dangerous to your starfleet, Commander, not to this battle
1580 TAGGE: The Rebellion will continue to gain a support in the Imperial
1581 Senate as long as....
1583 Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut
1584 short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
1585 outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
1586 The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and bow
1587 before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his place
1588 at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind him.
1590 TARKIN: The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us.
1591 I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council
1592 permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept
1595 TAGGE: That's impossible! How will the Emperor maintain control
1596 without the bureaucracy?
1598 TARKIN: The regional governors now have direct control over
1599 territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this
1602 TAGGE: And what of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a
1603 complete technical readout of this station, it is possible, however
1604 unlikely, that they might find a weakness and exploit it.
1606 VADER: The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.
1608 MOTTI: Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a
1609 useless gesture, no matter what technical data they've obtained. This
1610 station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use
1613 VADER: Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've
1614 constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to
1615 the power of the Force.
1617 MOTTI: Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader.
1618 Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure
1619 up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the
1620 Rebel's hidden fort...
1622 Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's
1625 VADER: I find your lack of faith disturbing.
1627 TARKIN: Enough of this! Vader, release him!
1631 TARKIN: This bickering is pointless. Lord Vader will provide us with
1632 the location of the Rebel fortress by the time this station is
1633 operational. We will then crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.
1635 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
1637 The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
1638 Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
1639 and scattered bodies.
1641 LUKE: It looks like Sandpeople did this, all right. Look, here are
1642 Gaffi sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...I never heard of them hitting
1643 anything this big before.
1645 Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.
1647 BEN: They didn't. But we are meant to think they did. These tracks are
1648 side by side. Sandpeople always ride single file to hide there numbers.
1650 LUKE: These are the same Jawas that sold us Artoo and Threepio.
1652 BEN: And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople. Only
1653 Imperial stormtroopers are so precise.
1655 LUKE: Why would Imperial troops want to slaughter Jawas?
1657 Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
1658 inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.
1660 LUKE: If they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they
1661 sold them to. And that would lead them home!
1663 Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
1664 the speeder and jumps it.
1666 BEN: Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.
1668 Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with
1669 the burning Sandcrawler.
1671 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
1673 Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
1675 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- LARS HOMESTEAD.
1677 The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps out
1678 and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home. Debris
1679 is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great battle has
1682 LUKE: Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!
1684 Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and
1685 uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is
1686 stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
1687 resolve comes over him.
1691 Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
1693 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DETENTION CORRIDOR.
1695 Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
1696 several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is
1697 filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
1698 giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.
1700 VADER: And, now Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your
1703 The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
1704 approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
1705 arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut
1706 and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled
1707 screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.
1709 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
1711 There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
1712 the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the dead.
1713 Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to him.
1715 BEN: There's nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there.
1716 You'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of
1719 LUKE: I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me
1720 now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my
1723 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
1725 The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
1726 zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
1727 overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
1728 array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
1729 harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
1730 his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
1733 BEN: Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of
1734 scum and villainy. We must be cautious.
1736 Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
1739 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
1741 The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several
1742 combat-hardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A
1743 Trooper questions Luke.
1745 TROOPER: How long have you had these droids?
1747 LUKE: About three or four seasons.
1749 BEN: They're for sale if you want them.
1751 TROOPER: Let me see your identification.
1753 Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID
1754 while Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.
1756 BEN: You don't need to see his identification.
1758 TROOPER: We don't need to see his identification.
1760 BEN: These are not the droids your looking for.
1762 TROOPER: These are not the droids we're looking for.
1764 BEN: He can go about his business.
1766 TROOPER: You can go about your business.
1768 BEN: (to Luke) Move along.
1770 TROOPER: Move along. Move along.
1772 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
1774 The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina
1775 on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of
1776 transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are
1777 parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle
1780 THREEPIO: I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting creatures.
1782 As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
1785 LUKE: Go on, go on. I can't understand how we got by those troopers. I
1786 thought we were dead.
1788 BEN: The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded. You
1789 will find it a powerful ally.
1791 LUKE: Do you really think we're going to find a pilot here that'll
1792 take us to Alderaan?
1794 BEN: Well, most of the best freighter pilots can be found here. Only
1795 watch your step. This place can be a little rough.
1797 LUKE: I'm ready for anything.
1799 THREEPIO: Come along, Artoo.
1801 INTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- CANTINA.
1803 The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
1804 Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy den
1805 is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien
1806 creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At first the
1807 sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy, furry,
1808 scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over drinks. Ben
1809 moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group of repulsive
1810 but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender stops Luke and
1813 BARTENDER: We don't serve their kind here!
1815 Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
1816 outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's
1821 BARTENDER: Your droids. They'll have to wait outside. We don't want
1824 Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
1825 Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures
1826 along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.
1827 Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.
1829 LUKE: Listen, why don't you wait out by the speeder. We don't want any
1832 THREEPIO: I heartily agree with you sir.
1834 Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
1835 creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.
1836 Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall-
1837 savage-looking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey
1838 with fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a
1839 fur-covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
1840 Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
1841 and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
1843 Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
1844 during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
1845 out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
1846 disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between
1847 Ben and the giant Wookiee.
1848 Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
1849 his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
1851 A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.
1853 CREATURE: Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?
1855 The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
1856 the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
1857 Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
1858 belligerent monstrosity.
1860 HUMAN: He doesn't like you.
1864 HUMAN: I don't like you either
1866 The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
1867 unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
1870 HUMAN: (continued) Don't insult us. You just watch yourself. We're
1871 wanted men. I have the death sentence in twelve systems.
1873 LUKE: I'll be careful than.
1875 HUMAN: You'll be dead.
1877 The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
1878 moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His
1879 three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind
1882 BEN: This little one isn't worth the effort. Come let me buy you
1885 A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the
1886 young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through
1887 tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking
1888 liquid. With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a
1889 wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old
1890 Ben. The bartender panics.
1892 BARTENDER: No blasters! No blaster!
1894 With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to
1895 life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is
1896 cut in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
1897 cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off
1898 his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke,
1899 shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities, attempts
1900 to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds.
1901 The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a
1902 respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his
1903 bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben points
1906 BEN: This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate on a ship that might suit our
1909 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
1911 Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on an
1912 electronic conversation with another little red astro-droid. A
1913 creature comes out of the cantina and approaches two
1914 stormtroopers in the street.
1916 THREEPIO: I don't like the look of this.
1918 INTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- CANTINA.
1920 Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
1921 instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
1922 follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
1923 sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years
1924 old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental, and
1927 HAN: Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
1928 me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system.
1930 BEN: Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.
1932 HAN: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?
1936 HAN: It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve
1939 Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
1940 obvious misinformation.
1942 HAN: (continued) I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local
1943 bulk-cruisers, mind you. I'm talking about the big Corellian ships
1944 now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?
1946 BEN: Only passengers. Myself, the boy, two droids, and no questions
1949 HAN: What is it? Some kind of local trouble?
1951 BEN: Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements.
1953 HAN: Well, that's the trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you
1954 something extra. Ten thousand in advance.
1956 LUKE: Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that!
1958 HAN: But who's going to fly it, kid! You?
1960 LUKE: You bet I could. I'm not such a bad pilot myself! We don't have
1961 to sit here and listen...
1963 BEN: We haven't that much with us. But we could pay you two thousand
1964 now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan.
1966 HAN: Seventeen, huh!
1968 Han ponders this for a few moments.
1970 HAN: Okay. You guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave as soon as you're
1971 ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.
1975 HAN: Looks like somebody's beginning to take an interest in your
1978 Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
1979 looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
1980 questions. The bartender points to the booth.
1982 TROOPER: All right, we'll check it out.
1984 The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
1985 are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.
1987 HAN: Seventeen thousand! Those guys must really be desperate. This
1988 could really save my neck. Get back to the ship and get her ready.
1990 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
1992 BEN: You'll have to sell your speeder.
1994 LUKE: That's okay. I'm never coming back to this planet again.
1996 INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY -- CANTINA.
1998 As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
1999 with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature
2000 speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.
2002 GREEDO: Going somewhere, Solo?
2004 HAN: Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I was just going to see your
2005 boss. Tell Jabba that I've got his money.
2007 Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding
2010 GREEDO: It's too late. You should have paid him when you had the
2011 chance. Jabba's put a price on your head, so large that every bounty
2012 hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you. I'm lucky I found you
2015 HAN: Yeah, but this time I got the money.
2017 GREEDO: If you give it to me, I might forget I found you.
2019 HAN: I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...
2021 GREEDO: Jabba's through with you. He has no time for smugglers who
2022 drop their shipments at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser.
2024 HAN: Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you think I had a choice?
2026 Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.
2028 GREEDO: You can tell that to Jabba. He may only take your ship.
2030 HAN: Over my dead body.
2032 GREEDO: That's the idea. I've been looking forward to killing you for
2035 HAN: Yes, I'll bet you have.
2037 Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
2038 light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as the
2039 other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up and
2040 starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some coins
2043 HAN: Sorry about the mess.
2047 Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
2049 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
2051 VADER: Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be
2052 some time before we can extract any information from her.
2054 An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
2056 IMPERIAL OFFICER: The final check-out is complete. All systems are
2057 operational. What course shall we set?
2059 TARKIN: Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of
2062 VADER: What do you mean?
2064 TARKIN: I think it is time we demonstrate the full power of this
2065 station. (to soldier) Set your course for Princess Leia's home planet
2068 TROOPER: With pleasure.
2070 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
2072 Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
2073 narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking
2074 exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
2075 robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
2076 hiding from the hot winds.
2078 THREEPIO: Lock the door, Artoo.
2080 One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
2081 on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
2082 Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.
2084 TROOPER: All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move
2085 on to the next door.
2087 The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
2089 THREEPIO: I would much rather have gone with Master Luke than stay
2090 here with you. I don't know what all the trouble is about, but I'm
2091 sure it must be your fault.
2093 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
2095 THREEPIO: You watch your language!
2097 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET -- ALLEYWAY -- USED SPEEDER LOT.
2099 Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
2100 talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
2101 dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
2102 by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.
2104 LUKE: He says it's the best he can do. Since the XP-38 came out,
2105 they're just not in demand.
2107 BEN: It will be enough.
2109 Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
2110 alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
2111 creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
2112 faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
2113 moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they
2114 disappear down another alley.
2116 BEN: If the ship's as fast as he's boasting, we ought to do well.
2118 INTERIOR: DOCKING BAY 94 -- DAY.
2120 Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
2121 creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the
2122 grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim
2123 testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat,
2124 slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge
2127 JABBA: Come on out, Solo!
2129 A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
2130 they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
2131 Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
2133 HAN: I've been waiting for you, Jabba.
2135 JABBA: I expected you would be.
2137 HAN: I'm not the type to run.
2139 JABBA: (fatherly-smooth) Han, my boy, there are times when you
2140 disappoint me...why haven't you paid me? And why did you have to fry
2141 poor Greedo like that...after all we've been through together.
2143 HAN: You sent Greedo to blast me.
2145 JABBA: (mock surprise) Han, why you're the best smuggler in the
2146 business. You're too valuable to fry. He was only relaying my concern
2147 at your delays. He wasn't going to blast you.
2149 HAN: I think he thought he was. Next time don't send one of those
2150 twerps. If you've got something to say to me, come see me yourself.
2152 JABBA: Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to dump that shipment of
2153 spice...you understand I just can't make an exception. Where would I
2154 be if every pilot who smuggled for me dumped their shipment at the
2155 first sign of an Imperial starship? It's not good business.
2157 HAN: You know, even I get boarded sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice,
2158 but I've got a charter now and I can pay you back, plus a little
2159 extra. I just need some more time.
2161 JABBA: (to his men) Put your blasters away. Han, my boy, I'm only
2162 doing this because you're the best and I need you. So, for an extra,
2163 say twenty percent I'll give you a little more time...but this is it.
2164 If you disappoint me again, I'll put a price on your head so large you
2165 won't be able to go near a civilized system for the rest of your short
2168 HAN: Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my pleasure.
2170 EXTERIOR: DOCKING PORT ENTRY -- ALLEYWAY.
2172 Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94.
2173 Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
2174 Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The
2175 darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot.
2176 He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
2179 INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94
2181 Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking
2182 Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large,
2183 round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only
2184 loosely be called a starship.
2186 LUKE: What a piece of junk.
2188 The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
2190 HAN: She'll make point five beyond the speed of light. She may not
2191 look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some
2192 special modifications myself.
2194 Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
2195 all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to
2198 HAN: We're a little rushed, so if you'll hurry aboard we'll get out of
2201 The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
2204 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON.
2206 Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
2207 engines of the starship.
2209 INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94.
2211 Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
2212 Falcon passing Solo.
2214 THREEPIO: Hello, sir.
2216 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
2218 Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
2223 The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
2226 TROOPER: All right, men. Load your weapons!
2228 INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94.
2230 The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
2231 docking bay entrance.
2233 TROOPER: Stop that ship!
2235 Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers
2236 rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at
2237 Han as he ducks into the spaceship.
2241 Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
2242 which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
2243 pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
2244 slams the overhead entry shut.
2246 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON.
2248 HAN: Chewie, get us out of here!
2250 The group straps in for take off.
2252 THREEPIO: Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I hate space travel.
2254 EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREETS.
2256 The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
2257 alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above the
2258 dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the morning
2261 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2263 Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
2264 chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
2266 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.
2268 The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
2270 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2272 Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
2273 Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway, makes
2274 a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
2276 HAN: It looks like an Imperial cruiser. Our passengers must be hotter
2277 than I thought. Try and hold them off. Angle the deflector shield
2278 while I make the calculations for the jump to light speed.
2280 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.
2282 The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
2283 planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
2286 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2288 Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy
2289 spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
2290 cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
2292 HAN: Stay sharp! There are two more coming in; they're going to try to
2295 LUKE: Why don't you outrun them? I thought you said this thing was
2298 HAN: Watch your mouth, kid, or you're going to find yourself floating
2299 home. We'll be safe enough once we make the jump to hyperspace.
2300 Besides, I know a few maneuvers. We'll lose them!
2302 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.
2304 Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
2306 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2308 The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.
2310 HAN: Here's where the fun begins!
2312 BEN: How long before you can make the jump to light speed?
2314 HAN: It'll take a few moments to get the coordinates from the
2317 The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
2319 LUKE: Are you kidding? At the rate they're gaining...
2321 HAN: Traveling through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops, boy!
2322 Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or
2323 bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick,
2326 The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
2327 warning light begins to flash.
2329 LUKE: What's that flashing?
2331 HAN: We're losing our deflector shield. Go strap yourself in, I'm
2332 going to make the jump to light speed.
2334 The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
2335 crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
2336 makes the jump to hyperspace.
2340 The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
2343 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
2345 Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
2347 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
2349 Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
2350 Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
2351 displaying a small green planet.
2353 MOTTI: We've entered the Alderaan system.
2355 Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
2358 LEIA: Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding
2359 Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on
2362 TARKIN: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it
2363 signing the order to terminate your life!
2365 LEIA: I surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility
2368 TARKIN: Princess Leia, before your execution I would like you to be my
2369 guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No
2370 star system will dare oppose the Emperor now.
2372 LEIA: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems
2373 will slip through your fingers.
2375 TARKIN: Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way,
2376 you have determined the choice of the planet that'll be destroyed
2377 first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the
2378 Rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power...
2379 on your home planet of Alderaan.
2381 LEIA: No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't
2384 TARKIN: You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name
2387 Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
2389 TARKIN: I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where
2392 Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
2395 LEIA: (softly) Dantooine.
2397 Leia lowers her head.
2399 LEIA: They're on Dantooine.
2401 TARKIN: There. You see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. (addressing
2402 Motti) Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready.
2406 TARKIN: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an
2407 effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your Rebel
2408 friends soon enough.
2412 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- BLAST CHAMBER.
2414 VADER: Commence primary ignition.
2416 A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
2417 hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
2418 Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another lever
2419 and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A huge beam
2420 of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges
2421 into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green
2422 planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
2424 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA.
2426 Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
2427 robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
2430 LUKE: Are you all right? What's wrong?
2432 BEN: I felt a great disturbance in the Force...as if millions of
2433 voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear
2434 something terrible has happened.
2436 Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
2437 he fixes his gaze on Luke.
2439 BEN: You'd better get on with your exercises.
2441 Han Solo enters the room.
2443 HAN: Well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I
2444 told you I'd outrun 'em.
2446 Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
2448 HAN: Don't everyone thank me at once.
2450 Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
2451 game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along
2454 HAN: Anyway, we should be at Alderaan about oh-two-hundred hours.
2456 Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
2457 covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
2458 table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
2459 seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
2460 covered arms over his head.
2462 THREEPIO: Now be careful, Artoo.
2464 Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
2465 stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to
2466 walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
2467 face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot.
2468 Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and
2469 begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
2471 THREEPIO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you.
2473 HAN: (interrupting) Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
2475 THREEPIO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.
2477 HAN: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket
2478 when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.
2480 THREEPIO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let
2483 Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
2484 frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
2485 head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
2486 Han watches with a bit of smugness.
2488 BEN: Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.
2490 LUKE: You mean it controls your actions?
2492 BEN: Partially. But it also obeys your commands.
2494 Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
2495 "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae,
2496 hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of
2497 the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift
2498 lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't
2499 move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy,
2500 then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red
2501 laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him
2502 to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
2504 HAN: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good
2505 blaster at your side, kid.
2507 LUKE: You don't believe in the Force, do you?
2509 HAN: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've
2510 seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me
2511 believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's
2512 no mystical energy field that controls my destiny.
2516 HAN: It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
2518 BEN: I suggest you try it again, Luke.
2520 Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
2523 BEN: This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct.
2525 LUKE: (laughing) With the blast shield down, I can't even see. How am
2526 I supposed to fight?
2528 BEN: Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.
2530 Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
2531 into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
2532 drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
2533 missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
2534 Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
2535 yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
2537 BEN: Stretch out with your feelings.
2539 Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker
2540 makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect
2541 the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
2544 BEN: You see, you can do it.
2546 HAN: I call it luck.
2548 BEN: In my experience, there's no such thing as luck.
2550 HAN: Look, going good against remotes is one thing. Going good against
2551 the living? That's something else.
2553 Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
2556 HAN: Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan.
2558 Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
2560 LUKE: You know, I did feel something. I could almost see the remote.
2562 BEN: That's good. You have taken your first step into a larger world.
2564 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
2566 Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
2567 evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
2571 OFFICER CASS: Our scout ships have reached Dantooine. They found the
2572 remains of a Rebel base, but they estimate that it has been deserted
2573 for some time. They are now conducting an extensive search of the
2574 surrounding systems.
2576 TARKIN: She lied! She lied to us!
2578 VADER: I told you she would never consciously betray the Rebellion.
2580 TARKIN: Terminate her...immediately!
2582 EXTERIOR: HYPERSPACE.
2584 The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
2585 surreal light show surrounds the ship.
2587 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2589 HAN: Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in the sublight engines.
2591 Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit
2592 window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed,
2593 then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and
2594 violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them,
2595 battering the sides of the ship.
2597 HAN: What the...? Aw, we've come out of hyperspace into a meteor
2598 shower. Some kind of asteroid collision. It's not on any of the
2601 The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
2602 in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
2605 LUKE: What's going on?
2607 HAN: Our position is correct, except...no, Alderaan!
2609 LUKE: What do you mean? Where is it?
2611 HAN: Thats what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. It's been
2616 Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins
2619 BEN: Destroyed...by the Empire!
2621 HAN: The entire starfleet couldn't destroy the whole planet. It'd take
2622 a thousand ships with more fire power than I've...
2624 A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
2625 alarm starts humming.
2627 HAN: There's another ship coming in.
2629 LUKE: Maybe they know what happened.
2631 BEN: It's an Imperial fighter.
2633 Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts
2634 outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A
2635 tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit
2638 LUKE: It followed us!
2640 BEN: No. It's a short range fighter.
2642 HAN: There aren't any bases around here. Where did it come from?
2646 The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
2648 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2650 LUKE: It sure is leaving in a big hurry. If they identify us, we're in
2653 HAN: Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam it's transmissions.
2655 BEN: It'd be as well to let it go. It's too far out of range.
2657 HAN: Not for long...
2661 The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
2662 vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
2664 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2666 The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny fighter.
2667 In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is
2668 obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind
2671 BEN: A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own.
2673 LUKE It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something.
2675 HAN: Well, he ain't going to be around long enough to tell anyone
2680 The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
2681 they race toward camera and disappear over head.
2683 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
2685 The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
2688 LUKE: Look at him. He's headed for that small moon.
2690 HAN: I think I can get him before he gets there...he's almost in
2693 The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a
2694 monstrous spherical battle station.
2696 BEN: That's no moon! It's a space station.
2698 HAN: It's too big to be a space station.
2700 LUKE: I have a very bad feeling about this.
2702 BEN: Yeah, I think your right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the
2705 The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates
2706 away toward the gargantuan battle station.
2708 LUKE: Why are we still moving towards it?
2710 HAN: We're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!
2712 LUKE: But there's gotta be something you can do!
2714 HAN: There's nothin' I can do about it, kid. I'm in full power. I'm
2715 going to have to shut down. But they're not going to get me without a
2718 Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.
2720 BEN: You can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting.
2722 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- DEATH STAR.
2724 As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome
2725 metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station
2726 becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic
2727 sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which
2728 the helpless pirateship is dragged.
2730 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HUGE PORT DOORS.
2732 The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
2733 control room and huge laser turret cannons.
2735 VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM: Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are
2736 opening the magnetic field.
2738 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY 2037.
2740 The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
2741 Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
2742 stand at attention in a central assembly area.
2744 OFFICER: To you stations!
2746 OFFICER: (to another officer) Come with me.
2748 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY.
2750 Stormtroopers run to their posts.
2752 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HANGAR 2037.
2754 A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
2755 readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons
2758 OFFICER: Close all outboard shields! Close all outboard shields!
2760 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
2762 Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.
2766 VOICE: (over intercom) We've captured a freighter entering the remains
2767 of the Alderaan system. It's markings match those of a ship that
2768 blasted its way out of Mos Eisley.
2770 VADER: They must be trying to return the stolen plans to the princess.
2771 She may yet be of some use to us.
2773 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY 2037.
2775 Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
2776 several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
2778 VOICE: (over intercom) Unlock one-five-seven and nine. Release
2781 OFFICER: (to Vader) There's no one on board, sir. According to the
2782 log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff. It must be a decoy,
2783 sir. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned.
2785 VADER: Did you find any droids?
2787 OFFICER: No, sir. If there were any on board, they must also have
2790 VADER: Send a scanning crew on board. I want every part of this ship
2795 VADER: I sense something...a presence I haven't felt since...
2797 Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
2799 OFFICER: Get me a scanning crew in here on the double. I want every
2800 part of this ship checked!
2802 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HALLWAY.
2804 A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In a
2805 few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
2806 officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly
2807 pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his head
2808 out of a third locker.
2810 LUKE: Boy, it's lucky you had these compartments.
2812 HAN: I use them for smuggling. I never thought I'd be smuggling myself
2813 in them. This is ridiculous. Even if I could take off, I'd never get
2814 past the tractor beam.
2816 BEN: Leave that to me!
2818 HAN: Damn fool. I knew that you were going to say that!
2820 BEN: Who's the more foolish...the fool or the fool who follows him?
2822 Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca
2825 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY.
2827 The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the two
2828 stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
2830 TROOPER: The ship's all yours. If the scanners pick up anything,
2831 report it immediately. All right, let's go.
2833 The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
2834 is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
2836 HAN'S VOICE: Hey down there, could you give us a hand with this?
2838 The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of
2841 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- FORWARD BAY -- COMMAND OFFICE.
2843 In a very small command office near the entrance to the
2844 pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices
2845 the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
2847 GANTRY OFFICER: TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you at your post?
2848 TX-four-one-two, do you copy?
2850 A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
2851 waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
2852 his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his head
2853 in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an annoyed
2856 GANTRY OFFICER: Take over. We've got a bad transmitter. I'll see what
2859 As the officer approaches the door, it slides open
2860 revealing the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a
2861 momentary state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone-
2862 chilling howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one
2863 blow. The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is
2864 blasted by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and
2865 the robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also
2866 dressed as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.
2868 LUKE: You know, between his howling and your blasting everything in
2869 sight, it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here.
2871 HAN: Bring them on! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking
2874 THREEPIO: We found the computer outlet, sir.
2876 Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of
2877 the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it
2878 carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel.
2879 Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
2881 BEN: Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial
2884 Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
2885 vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information
2886 to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.
2888 THREEPIO: He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor
2889 beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise
2890 location appear on the monitor.
2892 The computer monitor flashes readouts.
2894 THREEPIO: The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven
2895 locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to
2898 Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.
2900 BEN: I don't think you boys can help. I must go alone.
2902 HAN: Whatever you say. I've done more that I bargained for on this
2905 LUKE I want to go with you.
2907 BEN: Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids.
2911 BEN: They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer
2912 the same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny lies along a different path
2913 than mine. The Force will be with you...always!
2915 Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
2916 out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
2917 hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head in
2920 HAN: Boy you said it, Chewie.
2924 HAN: Where did you dig up that old fossil?
2926 LUKE: Ben is a great man.
2928 HAN: Yeah, great at getting us into trouble.
2930 LUKE: I didn't hear you give any ideas...
2932 HAN: Well, anything would be better than just hanging around waiting
2933 for him to pick us up...
2935 LUKE: Who do you think...
2937 Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
2938 Luke goes over to him.
2942 THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir. He says "I found her",
2943 and keeps repeating, "She's here."
2945 LUKE: Well, who...who has he found?
2947 Artoo whistles a frantic reply.
2949 THREEPIO: Princess Leia.
2951 LUKE: The princess? She's here?
2953 HAN: Princess? What's going on?
2955 THREEPIO: Level five. Detention block A A-twenty-three. I'm afraid
2956 she's scheduled to be terminated.
2958 LUKE: Oh, no! We've got to do something.
2960 HAN: What are you talking about?
2962 LUKE: The droid belongs to her. She's the one in the message.. We've
2965 HAN: Now, look, don't get any funny ideas. The old man wants us to
2968 LUKE: But he didn't know she was here. Look, will you just find a way
2969 back into the detention block?
2971 HAN: I'm not going anywhere.
2973 LUKE: They're going to execute her. Look, a few minutes ago you said
2974 you didn't want to just wait here to be captured. Now all you want to
2977 HAN: Marching into the detention area is not what I had in mind.
2979 LUKE: But they're going to kill her!
2981 HAN: Better her than me...
2989 LUKE: Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you were to rescue her, the
2994 LUKE: Well more wealth that you can imagine.
2996 HAN: I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit!
2998 LUKE: You'll get it!
3004 HAN: All right, kid. But you'd better be right about this.
3006 Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
3010 HAN: What's your plan?
3012 LUKE: Uh...Threepio, hand me those binders there will you?
3014 Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
3016 LUKE: Okay. Now, I'm going to put these on you.
3018 Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
3020 LUKE: Okay. Han, you put these on.
3022 Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
3024 HAN: Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know what he has in mind.
3026 The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face
3027 as Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
3029 THREEPIO: Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for asking...but, ah...what
3030 should Artoo and I do if we're discovered here?
3032 LUKE: Lock the door!
3034 HAN: And hope they don't have blasters.
3036 THREEPIO: That isn't very reassuring.
3038 Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
3039 start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.
3041 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DETENTION AREA -- ELEVATOR TUBE.
3043 Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits
3044 as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops,
3045 bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio
3046 completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious
3048 Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.
3050 LUKE: I can't see a thing in this helmet.
3052 A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away by
3053 Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and the
3054 elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.
3056 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN HALLWAY.
3058 Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main
3059 passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot
3060 similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end of
3061 the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then
3062 disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting
3063 that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion. No
3064 one in the hallway seems to notice him.
3066 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- INTERIOR ELEVATOR -- DETENTION SECURITY AREA.
3068 Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door
3069 slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards
3070 enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates
3071 are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.
3073 HAN: This is not going to work.
3075 LUKE: Why didn't you say so before?
3077 HAN: I did say so before!
3079 INTERIOR: DETENTION AREA.
3081 Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
3084 OFFICER: Where are you taking this...thing?
3086 Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to
3089 LUKE: Prisoner transfer from Block one-one-three-eight.
3091 OFFICER: I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear it.
3093 The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in
3094 the information. There are only three other troopers in the
3095 area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the
3096 alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of
3097 Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
3098 Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with
3099 one of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.
3101 HAN: Look out! He's loose!
3103 LUKE: He's going to pull us all apart.
3107 The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and
3108 Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are
3109 blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of
3110 laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser
3111 gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the
3112 last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is
3113 about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink
3114 system, which is screeching questions about what is going on.
3115 He quickly checks the computer readout.
3117 HAN: We've got to find out which cell this princess of yours is in.
3118 Here it is...cell twenty-one-eight-seven. You go get her. I'll hold
3121 Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into the
3124 HAN: (sounding official) Everything is under control. Situation
3127 INTERCOM VOICE: What happened?
3129 HAN: (getting nervous) Uh...had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh,
3130 everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here,
3131 now, thank you. How are you?
3133 INTERCOM VOICE: We're sending a squad up.
3135 HAN: Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor leak here now. Give us a few
3136 minutes to lock it down. Large leak...very dangerous.
3138 INTERCOM VOICE: Who is this? What's your operating number?
3140 Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
3142 HAN: Boring conversation anyway. (yelling down the hall) Luke! We're
3143 going to have company!
3145 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CELL ROW.
3147 Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door
3148 away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees the
3149 dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping and is
3150 now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on her face.
3151 Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands staring at
3152 her with his mouth hanging open.
3154 LEIA: (finally) Aren't you a little short to be a stormtrooper?
3156 Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.
3158 LUKE: What? Oh...the uniform. I'm Luke Skywalker. I'm here to rescue
3163 LUKE: I'm here to rescue you. I've got your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
3166 LEIA: Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?
3170 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
3172 Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the far
3173 end of the conference table.
3175 VADER: He is here...
3177 TARKIN: Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think so?
3179 VADER: A tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the
3180 presence of my old master.
3182 TARKIN: Surely he must be dead by now.
3184 VADER: Don't underestimate the power of the Force.
3186 TARKIN: The Jedi are extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe.
3187 You, my friend, are all that's left of their religion.
3189 There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
3193 INTERCOM VOICE: Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency alert in
3194 detention block A A-twenty-three.
3196 TARKIN: The princess! Put all sections on alert!
3198 VADER: Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with him.
3200 TARKIN: If you're right, he must not be allowed to escape.
3202 VADER: Escape is not his plan. I must face him alone.
3204 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DETENTION AREA -- HALLWAY.
3206 An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
3211 Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
3213 HAN: Get behind me! Get behind me!
3215 A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door
3216 through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
3217 Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke
3218 and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting up
3219 with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
3221 HAN: Can't get out that way.
3223 LEIA: Looks like you managed to cut off our only escape route.
3225 HAN: (sarcastically) Maybe you'd like it back in your cell, Your
3228 Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as
3229 they continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
3230 way down the corridor.
3232 LUKE: See-Threepio! See-Threepio!
3234 THREEPIO: (over comlink) Yes sir?
3236 LUKE: We've been cut off! Are there any other ways out of the cell
3237 bay?...What was that? I didn't copy!
3239 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN BAY GANTRY -- CONTROL TOWER.
3241 Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
3242 whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
3245 THREEPIO: I said, all systems have been alerted to your presence, sir.
3246 The main entrance seems to be the only way in or out; all other
3247 information on your level is restricted.
3249 Someone begins banging on the door.
3251 TROOPER VOICE: Open up in there!
3255 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DETENTION CORRIDOR.
3257 Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as
3258 they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca
3259 are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far
3260 and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke
3261 fills the narrow cell corridor.
3263 LUKE: There isn't any other way out.
3265 HAN: I can't hold them off forever! Now what?
3267 LEIA: This is some rescue. When you came in here, didn't you have a
3268 plan for getting out?
3270 HAN: (pointing to Luke) He's the brains, sweetheart.
3272 Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
3274 LUKE: Well, I didn't...
3276 The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in
3277 the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
3279 HAN: What the hell are you doing?
3281 LEIA: Somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, wise
3284 She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
3285 look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
3288 HAN: Get in there you big furry oaf! I don't care what you smell! Get
3289 in there and don't worry about it.
3291 Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
3292 tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their
3293 way toward the opening.
3295 HAN: Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to
3296 like her. Get in there!
3298 Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han
3299 fires off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover,
3300 then slides into the chute himself and is gone.
3302 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3304 Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck.
3305 Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He finds
3306 a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't budge.
3308 HAN: (sarcastically) Oh! The garbage chute was a really wonderful
3309 idea. What an incredible smell you've discovered! Let's get out of
3310 here! Get away from there...
3314 Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The
3315 laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room.
3316 Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes
3317 almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a
3318 rather grim look on her face.
3320 LUKE: Will you forget it? I already tried it. It's magnetically
3323 LEIA: Put that thing away! You're going to get us all killed.
3325 HAN: Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I had everything under control
3326 until you led us down here. You know, it's not going to take them long
3327 to figure out what happened to us.
3329 LEIA: It could be worst...
3331 A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the
3332 murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins
3333 to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols
3334 drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.
3338 LUKE: There's something alive in here!
3340 HAN: That's your imagination.
3342 LUKE: Something just moves past my leg! Look! Did you see that?
3348 Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.
3350 HAN: Luke! Luke! Luke!
3352 Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air
3353 and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around
3358 Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
3360 LEIA: Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.
3362 LUKE: Blast it, will you! My gun's jammed.
3366 LUKE: Anywhere! Oh!!
3368 Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
3369 muck by the slimy tentacle.
3373 Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
3374 move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet.
3375 Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca howls
3376 in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke suddenly
3377 bobs to the surface.
3381 Luke seems to be released by the thing.
3383 LEIA: What happened?
3385 LUKE: I don't know, it just let go of me and disappeared...
3387 HAN: I've got a very bad feeling about this.
3389 Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble
3390 and edge toward the Rebels.
3392 LUKE: The walls are moving!
3394 LEIA: Don't just stand there. Try to brace it with something.
3396 They place poles and long metal beams between the closing
3397 walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant
3398 trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.
3400 LUKE: Wait a minute!
3402 Luke pulls out his comlink.
3404 LUKE: Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio! Where could he be?
3406 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN GANTRY -- COMMAND OFFICE.
3408 A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for
3409 See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which is
3410 sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and Threepio
3411 are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great explosion and
3412 the door of the control tower flies across the floor. Four
3413 armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.
3415 FIRST TROOPER: Take over! (pointing to the dead officer) See to him!
3418 A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door
3419 slides open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo
3420 follows his bronze companion out into the office.
3422 THREEPIO: They're madmen! They're heading for the prison level. If you
3423 hurry, you might catch them.
3425 FIRST OFFICER: (to his troops) Follow me! You stand guard.
3427 The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
3428 watch over the command office.
3430 THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Come on!
3432 The guard aims a blaster at them.
3434 THREEPIO: Oh! All this excitement has overrun the circuits of my
3435 counterpart here. If you don't mind, I'd like to take him down to
3440 The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow,
3441 hurries out the door.
3443 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3445 As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller.
3446 Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his giant paws.
3447 Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is snapping and
3448 popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.
3450 LUKE: Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!
3452 Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a
3453 pole. Leia begins to sink into the trash.
3455 HAN: Get to the top!
3459 LUKE: Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio, will you come in?
3461 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
3463 THREEPIO: They aren't here! Something must have happened to them. See
3464 if they've been captured.
3466 Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
3467 socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from the
3472 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3474 The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against
3475 the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each
3476 other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds it
3477 tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels the
3478 first crushing pressure against her body.
3480 HAN: One thing's for sure. We're all going to be a lot thinner! (to
3481 Leia) Get on top of it!
3485 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
3487 THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Thank goodness, they haven't found them! Where
3490 Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.
3492 THREEPIO: Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I turned it off!
3494 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3496 Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his head
3497 above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz and he
3498 rips it off his belt.
3500 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
3502 Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard,
3505 THREEPIO: Are you there, sir?
3507 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3511 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
3513 THREEPIO: We've had some problems...
3515 LUKE: (over comlink) Will you shut up and listen to me? Shut down all
3516 garbage mashers on the detention level, will you? Do you copy?
3518 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3520 LUKE: Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level.
3522 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
3524 LUKE: (over comlink) Shut down all the garbage mashers on the
3527 THREEPIO: (to Artoo) No. Shut them all down! Hurry!
3529 Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
3530 screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.
3532 THREEPIO: Listen to them! They're dying, Artoo! Curse my metal body! I
3533 wasn't fast enough. It's all my fault! My poor master!
3535 LUKE: (over comlink) Threepio, we're all right!
3537 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.
3539 The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief. The
3540 walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace in the
3543 LUKE: We're all right. You did great.
3545 Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
3548 LUKE: Hey...hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on unit number...
3551 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
3553 HAN: (over comlink) Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.
3555 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- TRACTOR BEAM -- POWER GENERATOR TRENCH.
3557 Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
3558 tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep. The
3559 clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard. The old
3560 Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading to a
3561 control panel that connects two large cables. He carefully
3562 makes several adjustments in the computer terminal, and
3563 several lights on the board go from red to blue.
3565 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- UNUSED HALLWAY.
3567 The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway.
3568 Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster
3571 HAN: If we can just avoid any more female advice, we ought to be able
3574 Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
3577 LUKE: Well, let's get moving!
3579 Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the
3580 garbage room, as he runs away and then stops howling.
3582 HAN: (to Chewie) Where are you going?
3584 The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy
3585 tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a
3586 victim. Han aims his pistol.
3588 LEIA: No, wait. They'll hear!
3590 Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes
3591 relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply
3592 shakes his head in disgust.
3594 HAN: (to Chewie) Come here, you big coward!
3596 Chewie shakes his head "no."
3598 HAN: Chewie! Come here!
3600 LEIA: Listen. I don't know who you are, or where you came from, but
3601 from now on, you do as I tell you. Okay?
3603 Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.
3605 HAN: Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight! I take
3606 orders from one person! Me!
3608 LEIA: It's a wonder you're still alive. (looking at Chewie) Will
3609 somebody get this big walking carpet out of my way?
3611 Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.
3613 HAN: No reward is worth this.
3615 They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.
3617 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- POWER TRENCH.
3619 Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of
3620 stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly slips
3621 into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few feet of
3624 OFFICER: Secure this area until the alert is canceled.
3626 FIRST TROOPER: Give me regular reports.
3628 All but two of the stormtroopers leave.
3630 FIRST TROOPER: Do you know what's going on?
3632 SECOND TROOPER: Maybe it's another drill.
3634 Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the
3635 stormtroopers as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures
3636 with his hand toward them, as the troops think they hear
3637 something in the other hallway. With the help of the Force,
3638 Ben deftly slips past the troopers and into the main hallway.
3640 SECOND TROOPER: What was that?
3642 FIRST TROOPER: Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.
3644 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY.
3646 Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
3647 stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers
3648 are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.
3650 HAN: (looking at his ship) There she is.
3652 LUKE: See-Threepio, do you copy?
3654 THREEPIO: (voice) For the moment. Uh, we're in the main hangar across
3657 LUKE: We're right above you. Stand by.
3659 Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
3660 the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
3661 points out the window to the ship.
3663 LEIA: You came in that thing? You're braver that I thought.
3667 Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
3668 hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
3669 Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
3670 taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.
3672 FIRST TROOPER: It's them! Blast them!
3674 Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and
3675 charges the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
3676 stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
3677 the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.
3679 HAN: (to Luke and Leia) Get back to the ship!
3681 LUKE: Where are you going? Come back!
3683 Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.
3685 LEIA: He certainly has courage.
3687 LUKE: What good will it do us if he gets himself killed? Come on!
3689 Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for
3690 muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke and
3691 Leia start off toward the starship hangar.
3693 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- SUBHALLWAY.
3695 Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is
3696 yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a
3697 dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few
3698 feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops
3699 begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are
3700 moving into an attack position in front of the lone
3701 starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops
3702 begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.
3704 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- SUBHALLWAY.
3706 Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt to
3707 save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of laser
3708 guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate
3709 extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of
3710 furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running the
3713 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- SUBHALLWAY.
3715 Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down a
3716 narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They
3717 quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an
3720 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CENTRAL CORE SHAFT.
3722 Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge that
3723 spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity. The
3724 bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft, and Luke
3725 almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance off the end
3726 of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of his arm and
3729 LUKE: (gasping) I think we took a wrong turn.
3731 Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby
3732 reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at the
3733 advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch that
3734 pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving them
3735 precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang.
3736 Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.
3738 LEIA: There's no lock!
3740 Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.
3742 LUKE: That oughta hold it for a while.
3744 LEIA: Quick, we've got to get across. Find the control that extends
3747 LUKE: Oh, I think I just blasted it.
3749 Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
3750 stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
3751 ominous drilling and pounding sounds.
3753 LEIA: They're coming through!
3755 Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when
3756 laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol
3757 at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across
3758 the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troops
3759 appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit, and
3761 Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by
3762 Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move
3763 back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.
3765 LUKE: Here, hold this.
3767 Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility
3768 belt. It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a
3769 bridge overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with
3770 the rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper
3771 appears and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.
3772 Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet of
3775 LEIA: Here they come!
3777 Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
3778 he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the gorge
3779 and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He tugs on
3780 the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the princess in
3781 his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him quickly on the
3782 lips. Luke is very surprised.
3786 Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss
3787 to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as
3788 Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the
3789 stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at
3790 the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into
3791 the tiny subhallway.
3793 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- NARROW PASSAGEWAY.
3795 Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several
3796 stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks to
3797 make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the
3798 opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of the
3799 hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
3801 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY.
3803 Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the
3804 pirateship entry ramp.
3806 THREEPIO: Where could they be?
3808 Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome
3809 left and right, beeping a response.
3811 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CORRIDOR -- BLAST SHIELDS DOOR.
3813 Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
3814 troopers hot on their trail.
3816 TROOPER: Close the blast doors!
3818 At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
3819 front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
3820 race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage
3821 to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops
3822 before the doors slam shut.
3824 TROOPER: Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!
3826 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY.
3828 Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
3829 where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar,
3830 Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not ten
3831 feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his and
3832 steps slowly forward.
3834 VADER: I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The
3835 circle is now complete.
3837 Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical
3838 offensive position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive
3841 VADER: When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.
3843 BEN: Only a master of evil, Darth.
3845 The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few
3846 moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right
3847 moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain,
3848 as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He
3849 shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his eyes.
3850 Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked
3851 by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke
3852 by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's
3853 blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark
3854 Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar. The
3855 two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments with
3856 laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing sound.
3858 VADER: Your powers are weak, old man.
3860 BEN: You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more
3861 powerful than you can possibly imagine.
3863 Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.
3865 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY.
3867 Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back
3868 against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the
3869 Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.
3871 HAN: Didn't we just leave this party?
3873 Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join
3878 LEIA: We ran into some old friends.
3880 LUKE: Is the ship all right?
3882 HAN: Seems okay, if we can get to it. Just hope the old man got the
3883 tractor beam out of commission.
3885 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY.
3887 Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they hit
3888 their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact.
3889 Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord of
3890 The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his
3891 group's vantage point.
3895 Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
3896 emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking bay.
3898 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY.
3900 Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's
3901 Imperial docking bay.
3903 THREEPIO: Come on, Artoo, we're going!
3905 Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who
3906 were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards Ben
3907 and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
3909 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY.
3911 Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The
3912 troops rush toward the battling knights.
3914 HAN: Now's our chance! Go!
3916 They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops
3917 charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader
3918 takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings his
3919 mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to deflect
3920 the blow and swiftly turns around.
3921 The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts
3922 his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene
3924 Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's
3925 cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.
3926 Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the empty
3927 cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers and the
3928 robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two and starts
3929 for him. Aghast, he yells out.
3933 The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
3934 The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium
3935 Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns their
3936 fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and advances
3937 toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.
3939 HAN: (to Luke) Come on!
3941 LEIA: Come on! Luke, its too late!
3943 HAN: Blast the door! Kid!
3945 Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it
3946 explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge
3947 forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close
3948 behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out of the
3949 docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his
3950 onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops,
3951 as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He
3952 fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles to the floor.
3954 BEN'S VOICE: Run, Luke! Run!
3956 Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He
3957 turns toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
3958 troopers and races into the ship.
3960 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
3962 Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move. The
3963 dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the ship
3964 as Chewie adjusts his controls.
3966 HAN: I hope the old man got that tractor beam out if commission, or
3967 this is going to be a real short trip. Okay, hit it!
3969 Chewbacca growls in agreement.
3971 EXTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON.
3973 The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking
3974 bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness
3977 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA.
3979 Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off
3980 blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around him
3981 protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She sits
3984 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
3986 Solo spots approaching enemy ships.
3988 HAN: (to Chewie) We're coming up on the sentry ships. Hold 'em off!
3989 Angle the deflector shields while I charge up the main guns!
3991 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA.
3993 Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth, as
3994 the princess smiles comfortingly at him.
3996 LUKE: I can't believe he's gone.
3998 Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.
4000 LEIA: There wasn't anything you could have done.
4002 Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with
4005 HAN: (to Luke) Come on, buddy, we're not out of this yet!
4007 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS -- COCKPIT.
4009 Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.
4011 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HOLD AREA.
4013 Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads
4016 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS -- COCKPIT.
4018 Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit, settling
4019 into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in large
4020 rotating turrets on either side of the ship.
4022 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- SOLO'S GUNPORT.
4024 Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of his
4025 laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.
4027 HAN: (to Luke) You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!
4030 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS -- COCKPIT.
4032 Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking
4033 TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls as
4034 the ship bounces slightly.
4036 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- SOLO'S GUNPORT -- COCKPIT.
4038 Computer graphic readouts form on Solo's target screen, as Han
4039 reaches for controls.
4041 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORT -- COCKPIT.
4043 Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser
4044 cannon's control button.
4046 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
4048 Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.
4050 LEIA: (into intercom) Here they come!
4052 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT -- POV (POINT OF VIEW) -- SPACE.
4054 The Imperial TIE fighters move towards the Millennium Falcon,
4055 one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.
4057 INTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4059 The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts
4060 his maneuvering joy stick.
4062 EXTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- IN SPACE.
4064 The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as
4067 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HOLD AREA.
4069 Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo. The
4070 pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in the
4071 room and then comes back on.
4073 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT -- GUNPORTS.
4075 A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and
4076 fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as the
4077 fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor hit,
4078 and bounces slightly.
4082 Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.
4084 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS.
4086 Luke fires at an unseen fighter.
4088 LUKE: They're coming in too fast!
4090 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON/TIE FIGHTERS.
4092 Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the
4093 background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.
4095 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CHEWBACCA.
4097 The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the
4098 cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.
4100 EXTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER -- SPACE.
4102 Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the frame,
4103 firing on the pirate starship.
4105 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- TIE FIGHTERS.
4107 The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the
4110 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- MAIN PASSAGEWAY.
4112 A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The ship
4113 lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a cabinet fill
4114 of small computer chips.
4118 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT -- GUNPORTS.
4120 Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates the
4123 LEIA: We've lost lateral controls.
4125 HAN: Don't worry, she'll hold together.
4127 An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship's control panel,
4128 causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.
4130 HAN: (to ship) You hear me, baby? Hold together!
4132 Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control
4133 panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant
4134 beeping all the while.
4136 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORT.
4138 Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter with
4141 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORT.
4143 Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.
4147 A TIE fighter streaks in front of the starship.
4149 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
4151 Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.
4155 A TIE fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms
4158 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS.
4160 Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view, firing
4161 laserbeams from his cannon.
4163 EXTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER.
4165 A TIE fighter dives past the pirateship.
4167 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS.
4169 Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a
4170 fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He
4171 connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han laughs
4176 Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon,
4177 unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.
4179 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS.
4181 Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke,
4182 smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular
4185 LUKE: Got him! I got him!
4187 Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke
4190 HAN: Great kid! Don't get cocky.
4192 Han turns back to his laser cannon.
4196 Two more TIE fighters cross in front of the pirateship.
4198 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
4200 While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns, looking
4201 over her shoulder out the ports.
4203 LEIA: There are still two more of them out there!
4207 A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts
4210 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS.
4212 Luke and Han look into their respective projected target
4213 screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo's port, and Han
4214 swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser
4215 cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke's port, and he reacts in
4216 a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his
4221 The TIE fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing
4222 destructive blasts at it.
4224 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORTS.
4226 Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter, and
4227 it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Luke's projected
4228 screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces
4229 slightly as it is struck by the enemy fire.
4231 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- TIE FIGHTER.
4233 The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in,
4234 firing upon the Falcon.
4236 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GUNPORT.
4238 Solo swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc of
4239 the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the
4240 pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo's laser cannon
4241 hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower of
4244 LUKE: (laughing) That's it! We did it!
4246 The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory
4251 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- PASSAGEWAY.
4253 Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled in
4254 the smoking, sparking wires.
4256 THREEPIO: Help! I think I'm melting! (to Artoo) This is all your
4259 Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in
4262 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON.
4264 The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically
4267 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
4269 Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is
4270 watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.
4272 TARKIN: Are they away?
4274 VADER: They have just made the jump into hyperspace.
4276 TARKIN: You're sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I'm
4277 taking an awful risk, Vader. This had better work.
4279 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
4281 Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of the
4282 ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the damage.
4283 Leia is seated near Han.
4285 HAN: Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You know, sometimes I even amaze
4288 LEIA: That doesn't sound too hard. Besides, they let us go. It's the
4289 only explanation for the ease of our escape.
4291 HAN: Easy...you call that easy?
4293 LEIA: Their tracking us!
4295 HAN: Not this ship, sister.
4297 Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.
4299 LEIA: At least the information in Artoo is still intact.
4301 HAN: What's so important? What's he carrying?
4303 LEIA: The technical readouts of that battle station. I only hope that
4304 when the data is analyzed, a weakness can be found. It's not over yet!
4306 HAN: It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't in this for your revolution,
4307 and I'm not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in
4310 LEIA: You needn't worry about your reward. If money is all that you
4311 love, then that's what you'll receive!
4313 She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,
4314 passes Luke coming in.
4316 LEIA: Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares
4317 about anything...or anyone.
4321 Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and
4322 Han stare out at the vast blackness of space.
4324 LUKE: So...what do you think of her, Han?
4326 HAN: I'm trying not to, kid!
4328 LUKE: (under his breath) Good...
4330 HAN: Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I don't know, what do you
4331 think? Do you think a princess and a guy like me...
4335 Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at
4336 young Luke's jealousy.
4338 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN.
4340 The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet
4341 Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.
4343 EXTERIOR: FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN.
4345 The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.
4347 EXTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST.
4349 An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside.
4350 He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely
4351 visible in the foliage.
4353 EXTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- JUNGLE TEMPLE.
4355 Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple
4356 lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the
4357 fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the
4358 others are greeted by the Rebel troops.
4359 Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an
4360 armored military speeder.
4362 INTERIOR: MASSASSI -- MAIN HANGAR DECK.
4364 The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set up
4365 in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the
4366 commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and
4367 gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.
4369 WILLARD: (holding Leia) You're safe! We had feared the worst.
4371 Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.
4373 WILLARD: When we heard about Alderaan, we were afraid that you were...
4374 lost along with your father.
4376 LEIA: We don't have time for our sorrows, Commander. The battle
4377 station has surely tracked us here (looking pointedly to Han). It's
4378 the only explanation for the ease of our escape. You must use the
4379 information in this R2 unit to plan the attack. It is our only hope.
4383 The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red
4386 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
4388 Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their
4389 discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer
4394 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: We are approaching the planet Yavin. The
4395 Rebel base is on a moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the
4398 EXTERIOR: YAVIN -- JUNGLE.
4400 A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape,
4401 surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of
4404 INTERIOR: MASSASSI -- WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA.
4406 Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia
4407 and several other senators are to one side of the giant
4408 readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,
4409 navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is
4410 listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and
4411 Chewbacca are standing near the back.
4413 DODONNA: The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a
4414 firepower greater than half the star fleet. It's defenses are designed
4415 around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be
4416 able to penetrate the outer defense.
4418 Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties,
4419 stands and addresses Dodonna.
4421 GOLD LEADER: Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub
4422 fighters going to be against that?
4424 DODONNA: Well, the Empire doesn't consider a small one-man fighter to
4425 be any threat, or they'd have a tighter defense. An analysis of the
4426 plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the
4429 Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping
4430 sounds, and turns his head from right to left.
4432 DODONNA: The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver
4433 straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The
4434 target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust
4435 port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the
4436 reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should
4437 destroy the station.
4439 A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.
4441 DODONNA: Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction. The shaft is
4442 ray-shielded, so you'll have to use proton torpedoes.
4444 Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot
4445 about sixteen years old.
4447 WEDGE: That's impossible, even for a computer.
4449 LUKE: It's not impossible. I used to bull's-eye womp rats in my
4450 T-sixteen back home. They're not much bigger than two meters.
4452 DODONNA: Man your ships! And may the Force be with you!
4454 The group rises and begins to leave.
4458 The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the
4461 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4463 Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with
4464 interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another
4465 on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and
4468 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity.
4469 The moon with the Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.
4471 VADER: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of
4472 Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.
4474 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- MAIN HANGAR DECK.
4476 Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship
4477 hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters.
4478 Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and
4479 unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this
4480 activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes onto
4483 MAN'S VOICE: (over loudspeaker) All flight trooper, man your stations.
4484 All flight troops, man your stations.
4486 Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter
4487 pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of
4488 his friend's departure.
4490 LUKE: So...you got your reward and you're just leaving then?
4492 HAN: That's right, yeah! I got some old debts I've got to pay off with
4493 this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to
4494 stick around here, do you? Why don't you come with us? You're pretty
4495 good in a fight. I could use you.
4497 LUKE: (getting angry) Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You
4498 know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a
4499 good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them.
4501 HAN: What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides,
4502 attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like
4505 LUKE: All right. Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's
4506 what you're best at, isn't it?
4508 Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.
4510 HAN: Hey, Luke...may the Force be with you!
4512 Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in
4513 a small wave and then goes off.
4514 Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,
4516 HAN: What're you lookin' at? I know what I'm doing.
4518 INTERIOR: MAIN HANGAR DECK -- LUKE'S SHIP.
4520 Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.
4524 LUKE: Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really thought he'd change his
4527 LEIA: He's got to follow his own path. No one can choose it for him.
4529 LUKE: I only wish Ben were here.
4531 Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
4532 heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
4535 BIGGS: Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you get here...are you going
4538 LUKE: Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there with you! Listen, have I got
4539 some stories to tell...
4541 Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
4542 behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
4545 RED LEADER: Are you...Luke Skywalker? Have you been checked out on the
4548 BIGGS: Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in the outer rim territories.
4550 Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of
4553 RED LEADER: I met your father once when I was just a boy, he was a
4554 great pilot. You'll do all right. If you've got half of your father's
4555 skill, you'll do better than all right.
4557 LUKE: Thank you, sir. I'll try.
4559 Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
4561 BIGGS: I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll tell me your stories
4562 when we come back. All right?
4564 LUKE: I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.
4566 BIGGS: (going off) You did, all right. It's going to be like old
4567 times, Luke. We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be
4570 Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for
4572 As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek,
4573 deadly spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft,
4574 points to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on
4575 the back of the fighter.
4577 CHIEF: This R2 unit of your seems a bit beat up. Do you want a new
4580 LUKE: Not on your life! That little droid and I have been through a
4581 lot together. (to Artoo) You okay, Artoo?
4583 The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of
4584 the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps
4586 Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an
4587 his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive
4588 hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner
4589 into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotional-filled moment as Artoo
4592 CHIEF: Okay, easy she goes!
4594 THREEPIO: Hang on tight,Artoo, you've got to come back.
4596 Artoo beeps in agreement.
4598 THREEPIO: You wouldn't want my life to get boring, would you?
4600 Artoo whistles his reply.
4601 All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.
4602 The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the
4603 pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The hum
4604 of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted voice
4605 of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses are
4606 disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit
4607 shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman,
4608 holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace
4609 of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.
4611 BEN'S VOICE: Luke, the Force will be with you.
4613 Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.
4615 EXTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- JUNGLE.
4617 All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing
4618 on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The
4619 muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this
4620 eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion
4621 rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage in
4622 a tight formation and disappears into the morning cloud cover.
4624 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
4626 The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly
4627 before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its four
4628 moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves ever
4629 closer to the system. A series of green dots appear around the
4630 fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills the war room.
4632 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: Stand-by alert. Death Star approaching.
4633 Estimated time to firing range, fifteen minutes.
4637 The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface
4638 of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying in
4639 formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.
4641 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- ANOTHER ANGLE.
4643 Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow
4644 around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in
4645 formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly
4648 INTERIOR: RED LEADER STARSHIP -- COCKPIT.
4650 Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,
4651 looking to each side at his wing men.
4653 RED LEADER: All wings report in.
4655 INTERIOR: ANOTHER COCKPIT.
4657 One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.
4659 RED TEN: Red Ten standing by.
4661 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
4663 Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for
4666 RED SEVEN: (over Biggs' headset) Red Seven standing by.
4668 BIGGS: Red Three standing by.
4670 INTERIOR: PORKINS' COCKPIT.
4672 PORKINS: Red Six standing by.
4674 RED NINE: (over headset) Red Nine standing by.
4676 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4678 WEDGE: Red Two standing by.
4680 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4682 RED ELEVEN: (over headset) Red Eleven standing by.
4684 LUKE: Red Five standing by.
4686 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
4688 Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his
4689 head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.
4691 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4693 RED LEADER: Lock S-foils in attack position.
4697 The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the
4698 Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the "X"
4701 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT
4703 READ LEADER: (over headset) We're passing through their magnetic
4706 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
4708 RED LEADER: Hold tight!
4710 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4712 Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the
4713 approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted
4716 RED LEADER: (over headset) Switch your deflectors on.
4718 INTERIOR: ANOTHER COCKPIT.
4720 RED LEADER: (over headset) Double front!
4724 The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The Death
4725 Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in size as
4726 the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the metallic
4727 surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna is built
4728 into the surface on one side.
4730 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
4732 Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome
4735 WEDGE: Look at the size of that thing!
4737 RED LEADER: (over headset) Cut the chatter, Red Two.
4739 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
4741 RED LEADER: Accelerate to attack speed. This is it, boys!
4745 As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome
4746 size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half of
4747 the deadly space station is in shadow and this area sparkles
4748 with thousands of small lights running in thin lines and
4749 occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a city
4750 at night as seen from a weather satellite.
4752 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S COCKPIT.
4754 GOLD LEADER: Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.
4756 RED LEADER: (over headset) I copy, Gold Leader.
4758 GOLD LEADER: We're starting for the target shaft now.
4760 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
4762 Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming
4763 in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in the
4764 background. He moves his computer targeting device into
4767 RED LEADER: We're in position. I'm going to cut across the axis and
4768 try and draw their fire.
4772 Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive
4773 towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across
4774 the dark grey expanse of the huge station.
4776 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4778 Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo-
4779 powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate the
4780 huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting
4783 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
4785 Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel
4786 X-wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death
4787 Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and
4790 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
4792 Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.
4793 Threepio is at her side.
4795 WEDGE: (over war room speaker system) Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.
4797 RED LEADER: (over speaker) I see it. Stay low.
4801 An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.
4803 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4805 Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute
4806 armaments and unlocking power cables.
4808 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
4810 Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.
4814 X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.
4816 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4818 Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous
4819 fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit
4822 LUKE: This is Red Five; I'm going in!
4826 Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak
4827 from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on the
4830 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4832 Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able to
4833 pull out in time to avoid the fireball.
4835 BIGGS: (over headset) Luke, pull up!
4837 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF DEATH STAR.
4839 Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges
4840 of his wings slightly scorched.
4842 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
4844 BIGGS: Are you all right?
4846 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
4848 Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief. Flak
4849 bursts outside the cockpit window.
4851 LUKE: I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.
4853 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
4855 Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface
4858 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4860 Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in
4861 all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.
4862 Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and
4863 foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes
4866 ASTRO-OFFICER: We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord Vader. But they're so
4867 small they're evading our turbo-lasers!
4869 VADER: We'll have to destroy them ship to ship. Get the crews to their
4872 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4874 Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their
4875 turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes
4876 about preparing for another blast. Even the troopers head gear
4877 is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming noise of
4878 the monstrous weapon. One troopers bangs his helmet with his
4879 hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.
4881 INTERIOR: READ LEADER'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4883 Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.
4885 RED LEADER: Luke, let me know when you're going in.
4887 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4889 The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose
4890 down and starts his attack dive.
4892 LUKE: I'm on my way in now...
4894 RED LEADER: Watch yourself! There's a lot of fire coming from the
4895 right side of that deflection tower.
4899 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
4901 Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon
4902 and down onto the dim grey surface.
4904 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING TRAVELING.
4906 A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the
4907 onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements
4908 erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on
4911 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4913 The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window as
4914 a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of his
4915 run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.
4917 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
4919 The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers
4920 his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from the
4921 surface towards the heavens.
4923 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4925 The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout
4926 the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke
4927 and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of
4930 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4932 Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and gun
4933 towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A dense
4934 barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.
4936 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
4938 Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small
4939 auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.
4941 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
4943 Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces
4944 nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides
4945 technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna
4946 watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working
4947 over a screen speaks into his headset.
4949 CONTROL OFFICER: Squad leaders, we've picked up a new group of
4950 signals. Enemy fighters coming your way.
4952 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4954 Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching
4957 LUKE: My scope's negative. I don't see anything.
4959 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4961 The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches
4962 the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.
4964 RED LEADER: Keep up your visual scanning. With all this jamming,
4965 they'll be on top of you before your scope can pick them up.
4967 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
4969 Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon,
4970 four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters.
4971 Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan
4972 with the remaining two TIE ships.
4974 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4976 Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The
4977 horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,
4978 hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.
4980 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
4982 RED LEADER: Biggs! You've picked one up...watch it!
4984 BIGGS: I can't see it! Where is he?!
4986 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
4988 Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed
4989 by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several
4990 laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.
4992 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
4994 Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying to
4997 BIGGS: He's on me tight, I can't shake him...I can't shake him.
4999 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5001 Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward the
5002 Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE fighter,
5003 who sticks close to his tail.
5005 INTERIOR: X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
5007 Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to
5008 normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.
5010 LUKE: Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.
5012 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5014 Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now
5015 followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of
5016 sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.
5018 EXTERIOR: SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5020 In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the Death
5021 Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the background.
5023 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
5025 There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding
5026 in a mass of flames.
5030 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
5032 Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,
5033 flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.
5035 VADER: Several fighters have broken off from the main group. Come with
5038 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5040 A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other
5041 officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout
5042 screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the
5045 BIGGS: (over speaker) Pull in! Luke...pull in!
5047 WEDGE: (over speaker) Watch your back, Luke!
5049 INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5051 WEDGE: (over headset) Watch your back! Fighter's above you, coming in!
5055 Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he
5056 spots the tailing TIE fighter.
5058 INTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER'S COCKPIT.
5060 The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.
5064 The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship.
5065 Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.
5067 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5069 Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.
5071 LUKE: I'm hit, but not bad.
5073 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
5075 Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.
5077 LUKE'S VOICE: Artoo, see what you can do with it. Hang on back there.
5079 Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his
5082 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5084 Luke nervously works his controls.
5086 RED LEADER: (over headset) Red Six...
5088 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5090 In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries
5093 RED LEADER: (over speaker) Can you see Red Five?
5095 RED TEN: (over speaker) There's a heavy fire zone on this side. Red
5096 Five, where are you?
5098 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5100 Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from the
5103 LUKE: I can't shake him!
5105 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5107 Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star, an
5108 Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.
5110 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
5112 The Death Star whips below Wedge.
5114 WEDGE: I'm on him, Luke!
5116 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5118 WEDGE: (over headset) Hold on!
5120 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5122 Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE
5125 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
5127 Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.
5129 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5131 Luke reacts frantically.
5133 LUKE: Blast it! Wedge where are you?
5135 INTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5137 The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another
5138 X-wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on
5139 the Imperial fighter.
5143 The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.
5144 Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.
5146 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5148 Luke looks about in relief.
5150 LUKE: Thanks, Wedge.
5152 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5154 Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening
5155 to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room
5158 BIGGS: (over speaker) Good shooting, Wedge!
5160 GOLD LEADER: (over speaker) Red Leader...
5162 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5164 Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at
5165 the Death Star surface pole.
5167 GOLD LEADER: This is Gold Leader. We're starting out attack run.
5169 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5171 Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars
5172 toward the Death Star surface.
5174 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5176 Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as
5177 technicians move about attending to their duties.
5179 RED LEADER: (over speaker) I copy, Gold Leader. Move into position.
5181 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5183 Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward the
5186 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5188 Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars whip
5189 past in the window above his head.
5191 VADER: Stay in attack formation!
5193 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5195 Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.
5197 GOLD LEADER: (over speaker) The exhaust post is...
5199 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5201 GOLD LEADER: ...marked and locked in!
5203 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5205 Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the
5206 surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep
5207 trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as
5208 laserfire is returned by the Death Star.
5210 INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.
5212 Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered
5213 helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He
5214 looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is
5215 buffeted by Imperial flak.
5217 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5219 Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the
5220 exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing
5221 numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to
5224 GOLD LEADER: Switch power to front deflector screens.
5226 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5228 Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
5229 as laserbolts streak past on all sides.
5231 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR SURFACE -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.
5233 An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel
5236 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5238 GOLD LEADER: How many guns do you think, Gold Five.
5240 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5242 GOLD FIVE: (over speaker) I'd say about twenty guns. Some on the
5243 surface, some on the towers.
5245 Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected
5246 target screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red
5247 target near the center blinks on and off.
5249 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: (over speaker) Death Star will be in range in
5252 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5254 The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom
5255 overhead through a hail of laserfire.
5257 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5259 Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in
5260 front of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel
5263 GOLD LEADER: Switching to targeting computer.
5265 INTERIOR: GOLD TWO'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5267 Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his
5268 targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under
5269 intense laser barrage.
5271 GOLD TWO: Computer's locked. Getting a signal.
5273 As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly
5274 all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench
5275 as the surface whips past in a blur.
5277 GOLD TWO: The guns...they've stopped!
5279 EXTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT.
5281 Gold Five looks behind him.
5283 GOLD FIVE: Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch for enemy fighters.
5285 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5287 GOLD LEADER: They've coming in! Three marks at two ten.
5289 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5291 Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked by
5292 two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically
5293 toward the Death Star surface.
5295 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5297 Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars zoom
5300 VADER: I'll take them myself! Cover me!
5302 WINGMAN'S VOICE: (over speaker) Yes, sir.
5304 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5306 Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.
5308 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5310 Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's
5311 hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.
5313 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT
5315 The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.
5317 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5319 As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.
5321 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5323 Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.
5325 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.
5327 The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
5330 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5334 GOLD LEADER: (into mike) I can't maneuver!
5336 INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5338 Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.
5340 GOLD FIVE: Stay on target.
5342 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5344 The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he
5345 adjusts his targeting device.
5347 GOLD LEADER: We're too close.
5349 INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5351 The older pilot remains calm.
5353 GOLD FIVE: Stay on target!
5355 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5357 Now he's really panicked.
5359 GOLD LEADER: Loosen up!
5361 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5363 Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
5366 INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5368 Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.
5370 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5372 Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
5375 INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5377 Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.
5379 GOLD FIVE: Gold Five to Red Leader...
5381 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5383 Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his
5386 GOLD FIVE: (over headset) Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.
5388 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5390 RED LEADER: I copy, Gold Five.
5392 INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
5394 GOLD FIVE: They came from behind....
5396 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5398 One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter,
5399 blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the
5400 Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his
5401 descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins
5404 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5406 Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.
5408 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
5410 Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death
5411 Star's control room.
5413 OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger.
5414 Should I have your ship standing by?
5416 TARKIN: Evacuate? In out moment of triumph? I think you overestimate
5419 Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move
5420 around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers
5421 read across the bottom.
5423 VOICE: (over speaker) Rebel base, three minutes and closing.
5425 INTERIOR: READ LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5427 Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
5429 RED LEADER: Red Group, this is Red Leader.
5431 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5433 Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer
5436 RED LEADER: (over speaker) Rendezvous at mark six point one.
5438 WEDGE: (over speaker) This is Red Two. Flying toward you.
5440 BIGGS: (over speaker) Red Three, standing by.
5442 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT:
5444 DODONNA: (over headset) Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep half your
5445 group out of range for the next run.
5447 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5449 RED LEADER'S VOICE: (over headset) Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two
5450 and Three. Hold up here and wait for my signal...to start your run.
5454 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5456 The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation
5457 high above the Death Star's surface.
5459 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5461 Luke peers out from his cockpit.
5463 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5465 Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red
5466 Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the
5469 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5471 Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
5474 RED LEADER: This is it!
5478 Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
5479 streak across the black heavens.
5481 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR SURFACE -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.
5483 A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
5486 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.
5488 The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.
5490 INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
5492 Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.
5494 RED TEN: We should be able to see it by now.
5496 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.
5498 From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
5499 Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward
5502 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5504 RED LEADER: Keep your eyes open for those fighters!
5506 INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
5508 RED TEN: There's too much interference!
5510 EXTERIOR: SPACE -- DEATH STAR TRENCH.
5512 Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star
5515 RED TEN'S VOICE: Red Five, can you see them from where you are?
5517 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5519 Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.
5521 LUKE: No sign of any...wait!
5523 INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
5525 Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.
5527 LUKE: (over headset) Coming in point three five.
5529 RED TEN: I see them.
5531 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5533 Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a
5534 tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar
5535 fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.
5537 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5539 Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes and
5540 makes several adjustments.
5542 RED LEADER: I'm in range.
5544 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5546 Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.
5548 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5550 RED LEADER: Target's coming up!
5552 Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He
5553 then looks into his targeting device.
5555 RED LEADER: Just hold them off for a few seconds.
5557 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5559 Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
5562 VADER: Close up formation.
5564 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.
5566 The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star
5569 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5571 Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device
5574 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5576 Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
5578 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5580 Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red
5581 Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the
5582 front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader's
5587 Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and
5588 it explodes into flames against the trench.
5590 INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
5592 Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid
5593 Vader's fighter behind him.
5595 RED TEN: You'd better let her loose.
5597 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5599 Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.
5601 RED LEADER: Almost there!
5603 INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
5607 RED TEN: I can't hold them!
5609 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5611 Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
5614 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5616 Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.
5618 INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
5620 Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,
5621 and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and
5624 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5626 Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.
5628 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5630 Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer
5631 targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the cross
5634 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5636 RED LEADER: It's away!
5638 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
5640 An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from
5641 the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the
5642 corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.
5644 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5646 Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.
5648 RED NINE'S VOICE: (over speaker) It's a hit!
5650 RED LEADER: (over speaker) Negative.
5652 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5654 Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny
5655 explosions are visible in the distance.
5657 RED LEADER: Negative! It didn't go in. It just impacted on the
5660 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR -- TIE FIGHTER.
5662 Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes
5663 the Death Star horizon.
5665 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5667 Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.
5669 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5671 LUKE: (over headset) Red Leader, we're right above you. Turn to
5674 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5676 Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death Star
5679 LUKE: ...oh-five; we'll cover for you.
5681 RED LEADER: (over headset) Stay there...
5683 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5685 A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.
5687 RED LEADER: ...I just lost my starboard engine.
5689 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5691 Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.
5693 RED LEADER: (over headset) Get set to make your attack run.
5695 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5697 Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks, and
5698 he presses their firing buttons.
5700 INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
5702 Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.
5704 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5706 Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting with
5707 Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it,
5708 creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is
5711 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5713 Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far
5714 below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his
5717 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
5719 Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.
5721 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, one minute and closing.
5723 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5725 Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen
5726 intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim
5727 after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the
5730 LUKE: (over speaker) Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up. We're going in.
5731 We're going in full throttle.
5733 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
5735 The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.
5737 WEDGE: Right with you, boss.
5739 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5741 The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and
5742 dive toward the Death Star.
5744 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
5746 BIGGS: Luke, at that speed will you be able to pull out in time?
5748 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5750 LUKE: It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back home.
5752 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5754 The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire.
5755 Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.
5757 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
5759 Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.
5761 BIGGS: We'll stay back far enough to cover you.
5763 INTERIOR: LUKE'S COCKPIT.
5765 Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.
5767 WEDGE: (over headset) My scope shows the tower, but I can't see the
5768 exhaust port! Are you sure the computer can hit it?
5770 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.
5772 The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots
5775 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5777 Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks for
5778 a moment and then moves his targeting device into position.
5780 LUKE: Watch yourself! Increase speed full throttle!
5782 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
5784 Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.
5786 WEDGE: What about the tower?
5788 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5790 LUKE: You worry about those fighters! I'll worry about the tower!
5792 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR SURFACE.
5794 Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.
5796 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5798 Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned,
5799 knicking one of his wings close to the engine.
5801 LUKE: (to Artoo) Artoo...that, that stabilizer's broken loose again!
5802 See if you can't lock it down!
5804 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
5806 Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by
5807 in the background, making his delicate task seem even more
5810 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
5812 Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.
5814 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
5816 Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.
5818 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5820 Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.
5822 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5824 Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.
5826 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5828 Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-wings
5829 flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.
5831 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5833 Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.
5835 WEDGE: (over speaker) I'm hit! I can't stay with you.
5837 LUKE: (over speaker) Get clear, Wedge.
5839 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5841 LUKE: You can't do any more good back there!
5843 INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.
5847 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5849 Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.
5851 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5853 Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.
5855 VADER: Let him go! Stay on the leader!
5857 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5859 Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters,
5860 still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.
5862 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
5864 Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.
5866 BIGGS: Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much faster this time. I can't
5869 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5871 The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke
5874 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
5876 Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.
5878 LUKE: Artoo, try and increase the power!
5880 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
5882 Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping
5883 Artoo-Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning
5886 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5888 Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.
5890 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5892 Vader adjusts his control stick.
5894 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
5896 Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.
5898 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
5900 Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a
5901 moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer
5904 BIGGS: (over headset) Hurry up, Luke!
5906 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
5908 Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench.
5909 Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.
5911 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
5913 Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.
5917 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5919 Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.
5921 INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.
5923 Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.
5925 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5927 Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters
5930 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5932 Leia and the others stare at the computer board.
5934 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING COCKPIT.
5936 Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but
5937 his anger is also growing.
5939 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
5941 Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with
5944 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, thirty seconds and closing.
5946 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5948 Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.
5950 VADER: I'm on the leader.
5952 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR -- LUKE'S SHIP.
5954 Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.
5956 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
5958 Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful
5959 glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems nervous.
5961 THREEPIO: Hang on, Artoo!
5963 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5965 Luke concentrates on his targeting device.
5967 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5969 Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.
5971 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
5973 Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.
5975 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5977 Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.
5979 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5981 Luke's ship charges down the trench.
5983 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5985 Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting
5986 device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then
5987 starts at a voice he hears.
5989 BEN'S VOICE: Use the Force, Luke.
5991 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
5993 The Death Star trench zooms by.
5995 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
5997 Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting
5998 device. He has second thoughts.
6000 BEN'S VOICE: Let go, Luke.
6002 A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes
6003 his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.
6005 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6007 Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.
6009 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
6011 VADER: The Force is strong with this one!
6013 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6015 Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.
6017 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
6019 Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears
6022 BEN'S VOICE: Luke, trust me.
6024 Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the
6025 button. The targeting device moves away.
6027 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
6029 Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.
6031 BASE VOICE: (over speaker) His computer's off. Luke, you switched off
6032 your targeting computer. What's wrong?
6034 LUKE: (over speaker) Nothing. I'm all right.
6036 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6038 Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.
6040 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
6042 Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.
6044 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
6046 Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in
6049 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6051 The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen,
6052 follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.
6054 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
6056 Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target.
6057 He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire
6058 shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.
6060 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
6062 A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms go
6063 limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched
6066 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
6068 Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.
6070 EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.
6072 Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to fly.
6074 LUKE: I've lost Artoo!
6076 Artoo's beeping sounds die out.
6078 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
6080 Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen,
6081 while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the
6082 Death Star and targets glow brightly.
6084 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: The Death Star has cleared the planet. The
6085 Death Star has cleared the planet.
6087 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
6089 Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.
6091 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, in range.
6093 TARKIN: You may fire when ready.
6095 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Commence primary ignition.
6097 An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control
6098 panel, as green lighted buttons turn to red.
6100 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6102 The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in
6103 pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.
6105 INTERIOR: LUKE'S COCKPIT.
6107 Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.
6109 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
6111 Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected
6114 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6116 Luke's ship barrels down the trench.
6118 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
6120 Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader
6121 takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.
6123 VADER: I have you now.
6125 He pushes the fire buttons.
6127 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6129 The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center
6130 fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships
6131 at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining
6132 ships continue to move in.
6134 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
6136 Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's
6139 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
6141 Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.
6145 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S WINGMAN -- COCKPIT.
6147 Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the
6150 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
6152 Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.
6154 HAN: (yelling) Yahoo!
6156 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
6158 The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters.
6159 It's a collision course.
6161 INTERIOR: WINGMAN'S COCKPIT.
6163 The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the
6168 EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.
6170 Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate
6171 starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with
6172 Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes
6173 into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged
6174 ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.
6176 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
6178 Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin,
6179 heading for deep space.
6181 INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
6183 Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins
6186 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6188 Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.
6190 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
6192 Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.
6194 HAN: (into mike) You're all clear, kid.
6196 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
6198 Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.
6200 HAN: (over speaker) Now let's blow this thing and go home!
6202 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
6204 Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust port,
6205 then fires his laser torpedoes.
6207 EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
6209 Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply
6210 disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do
6211 find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are
6212 heading for the main reactor.
6214 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
6216 Luke throws his head back in relief.
6218 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
6220 An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls
6221 the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.
6223 INTERCOM VOICE: Stand by to fire at Rebel base.
6225 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
6227 Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin in
6230 INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
6232 Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff
6233 Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.
6235 INTERCOM VOICE: Standing by.
6237 The rumble of a distant explosion begins.
6239 EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
6241 The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like Death
6242 Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small flashes
6243 appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a supernova,
6244 creating a spectacular heavenly display.
6246 INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
6248 HAN: Great shot, kid. That was one in a million.
6250 INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
6252 Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.
6254 BEN'S VOICE: Remember, the Force will be with you...always.
6256 The ship rocks back and forth.
6258 EXTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S TIE FIGHTER.
6260 Vader's ship spins off into space.
6264 The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.
6266 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- MAIN HANGAR.
6268 Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a
6269 throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder
6270 as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting.
6271 Princess Leia rushes toward him.
6273 LEIA: Luke! Luke! Luke!
6275 She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance
6276 around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace
6277 one another, slapping each other on the back.
6279 HAN: (laughing) Hey! Hey!
6281 LUKE: (laughing) I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!
6283 HAN: Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all the credit and take all the
6286 Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves
6287 at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.
6289 LEIA: (laughing) Hey, I knew there was more to you than money.
6291 Luke looks toward the ship.
6295 The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the
6296 fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.
6298 THREEPIO: Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something! (to mechanic)
6299 You can repair him, can't you?
6301 TECHNICIAN: We'll get to work on him right away.
6303 THREEPIO: You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears
6304 will help, I'll gladly donate them.
6306 LUKE: He'll be all right.
6308 INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- MAIN THRONE ROOM.
6310 Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main
6311 temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners
6312 are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the
6313 beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly
6314 march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From
6315 one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired
6316 Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to an
6317 equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awestruck by the
6318 whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other
6319 dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is
6320 dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful.
6321 She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He
6322 winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who is
6323 moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled troops,
6324 who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo beeps with
6329 END CREDITS OVER STARS
6334 -----------------------
6339 Written and Directed by
6345 MARK HAMILL HARRISON FORD CARRIE FISHER
6349 ANTHONY DANIELS, KENNY BAKER, PETER MAYHEW,
6350 DAVID PROWSE, JACK PURVIS, EDDIE BYRNE
6354 Director of Photography
6355 GILBERT TAYLOR, B.S.C.
6358 Performed by The London Symphony Orchestra; Original Music
6359 Copyright 1977 by Fox Fanfare Music, Inc.
6360 Special Photographic Effects Supervisor
6362 Special Production and Mechanical Effects Supervisor
6365 PAUL HIRSCH, MARCIA LUCAS, RICHARD CHEW
6366 Production Supervisor
6368 Production Illustration
6373 NORMAN REYNOLDS, LESLIE DILLEY
6376 Production Sound Mixer
6379 IRENE LAMB, DIANE CRITTENDEN, VIC RAMOS
6380 Supervising Sound Editor
6382 Special Dialogue and Sound Effects
6385 ROBERT R. RUTLEDGE, GORDON DAVIDSON,
6387 Supervising Music Editor
6390 DON MacDOUGALL, BOB MINKLER, RAY WEST,
6391 ROBERT LITT, MIKE MINKLER, LESTER FRESHOLTZ,
6393 Dolby Sound Consultant
6399 Assistant Film Editors
6400 TODD BOEKELHEIDE, JAY MIRACLE,
6401 COLIN KITCHENS, BONNIE KOEHLER
6403 RONNIE TAYLOR, GEOFF GLOVER
6409 TONY WAYE, GERRY GAVIGAN, TERRY MADDEN
6412 Assistant to Producer
6414 Assistant to Director
6416 Production Assistant
6417 PAT CARR, MIKI HERMAN
6430 Second Unit Photography
6431 CARROLL BALLARD, RICK CLEMENTE,
6432 ROBERT DALVA, TAK FUIJIMOTO
6433 Second Unit Art Direction
6434 LEON ERICKSON, AL LOCATELLI
6435 Second Unit Production Managers
6436 DAVID LESTER, PETER HERALD, PEPI LENZI
6438 RICK BAKER, DOUGLAS BESWICK
6439 Assistant Sound Editors
6440 ROXANNE JONES, KAREN SHARP
6441 Production Controller
6446 STEVE CULLIP, PENNY McCARTHY, KIM FALKINBURG
6447 Advertising/Publicity Supervisor
6455 MINIATURE AND OPTICAL EFFECTS UNIT
6461 DOUGLAS SMITH, KENNETH RALSTON, DAVID ROBMAN
6462 Second Unit Photography
6464 Composite Optical Photography
6465 ROBERT BLALACK (PRAXIS)
6466 Optical Photography Coordinator
6468 Optical Printer Operators
6469 DAVID BERRY, DAVID McCUE, RICHARD PECORELLA,
6470 ELDON RICKMAN, JAMES VAN TREES, JR.
6471 Optical Camera Assistants
6472 CALEB ASCHKYNAZO, JOHN C. MOULDS,
6474 GARY SMITH, BERT TERRERI,
6475 DONNA TRACEY, JIM WELLS, VICKY WITT
6476 Production Supervisor
6480 Planet and Satellite Artist
6482 Effects Illustration and Design
6484 Additional Spacecraft Design
6489 DAVID BEASLEY, JON ERLAND, LORNE PETERSON,
6490 STEVE GAWLEY, PAUL HUSTON, DAVID JONES
6491 Animation and Rotoscope Design
6494 MICHAEL ROSS, PETER KURAN, JONATHAN SEAY,
6495 CHRIS CASADY, LYN GERRY, DIANA WILSON
6496 Stop Motion Animation
6497 JON BERG, PHIL TIPPET
6498 Miniature Explosions
6499 JOE VISKOCIL, GREG AUER
6500 Computer Animation and Graphics Displays
6501 DAN O'BANNON, LARRY CUBA, JOHN WALSH,
6502 JAY TEITZELL, IMAGE WEST
6503 Film Control Coordinator
6506 CINDY ISMAN, CONNIE McCRUM, PAMELA MALOUF
6512 MASAAKI NORIHORO, ELEANOR PORTER
6513 Camera and Mechanical Design
6514 DON TRUMBULL, RICHARD ALEXANDER,
6516 Special Mechanical Equipment
6517 JERRY GREENWOOD, DOUGLAS BARNETT, STUART ZIFF,
6520 BOB SHEPHERD, LON TINNEY
6522 PATRICIA ROSE DUIGNAN, MARK KLINE,
6523 RHONDA PECK, RON NATHAN
6524 Assistant Editor (Opticals)
6526 Additional Optical Effects
6527 VAN DER VEER PHOTO EFFECTS,
6528 RAY MERCER & COMPANY,
6529 MODERN FILM EFFECTS,
6531 DE PATIE-FRELENG ENTERPRISES, INC.
6533 PANAVISION TECHNICOLOR Prints by DELUXE
6534 Making Films Sound Better, DOLBY SYSTEM
6535 Noise Reduction -- High Fidelity
6539 Luke Skywalker MARK HAMILL
6540 Han Solo HARRISON FORD
6541 Princess Leia Organa CARRIE FISHER
6542 Grand Moff Tarkin PETER CUSHING
6543 Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi ALEC GUINNESS
6544 See-Threepio (C-3PO) ANTHONY DANIELS
6545 Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) KENNY BAKER
6546 Chewbacca PETER MAYHEW
6547 Lord Darth Vader DAVID PROWSE
6548 Uncle Owen PHIL BROWN
6549 Aunt Beru SHELAGH FRASER
6550 Chief Jawa JACK PERVIS
6551 General Dodonna ALEX McCRINDLE
6552 General Willard EDDIE BYRNE
6553 Red Leader DREWE HEMLEY
6554 Red Two (Wedge) DENNIS LAWSON
6555 Red Three (Biggs) GARRICK HAGON
6556 Red Four (John "D") JACK KLAFF
6557 Red Six (Porkins) WILLIAM HOOTKINS
6558 Gold Leader ANGUS McINNIS
6559 Gold Two JEREMY SINDEN
6560 Gold Five GRAHAM ASHLEY
6561 General Taggi DON HENDERSON
6562 General Motti RICHARD LE PARMENTIER
6563 Commander One LESLIE SCHOFIELD
6565 Photographed in Tunisia
6566 Tikal National Park, Guatemala
6567 Death Valley National Monument, California
6568 and at EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, England
6569 Music Recorded at Anvil Recording Studios, Denham, England
6570 Post Production Completed at American Zoetrope, San Francisco, California
6571 Rerecording at Samuel Goldwyn Studios, Los Angeles, California
6573 The producers wish to thank the government of Tunisia, the Institute of
6574 Anthropology and History of Guatemala, and the National Park Service,
6575 United States Department of the Interior, for their cooperation.
6577 Copyright 1977 by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
6579 A LUCASFILM LTD. PRODUCTION
6581 Ownership of this motion picture is protected by copyright and other
6582 applicable laws and any unauthorized duplication, distribution, or
6583 exhibition of this motion picture could result in criminal prosecution
6584 as well as civil liability.