· 6 years ago · Apr 22, 2019, 03:30 AM
1
2
3 STAR WARS
4
5 Episode IV
6
7 A NEW HOPE
8
9 From the
10 JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS
11
12 by
13 George Lucas
14
15 Revised Fourth Draft
16 January 15, 1976
17
18 LUCASFILM LTD.
19
20
21
22 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...
23
24 A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title.
25 War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly crawls
26 into infinity.
27
28 It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships,
29 striking from a hidden base, have won their first
30 victory against the evil Galactic Empire.
31
32 During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal
33 secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the
34 Death Star, an armored space station with enough
35 power to destroy an entire planet.
36
37 Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess
38 Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of
39 the stolen plans that can save her people and
40 restore freedom to the galaxy...
41
42 The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
43 eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
44 silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers
45 from the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed
46 by a giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly
47 laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing
48 the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
49
50 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
51
52 An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-
53 D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
54 through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
55 old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His
56 face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar eye.
57 Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot of
58 human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like metallic
59 surface of an Art Deco design.
60
61 Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.
62
63 THREEPIO
64 Did you hear that? They've shut down
65 the main reactor. We'll be destroyed
66 for sure. This is madness!
67
68 Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in
69 the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
70
71 THREEPIO
72 We're doomed!
73
74 The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
75 only another robot could understand.
76
77 THREEPIO
78 There'll be no escape for the Princess
79 this time.
80
81 Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
82 loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
83 are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.
84
85 THREEPIO
86 What's that?
87
88 EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE
89
90 The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
91 Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
92 underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
93
94 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
95
96 The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
97 tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and
98 a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make
99 their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
100
101 In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
102 laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
103 creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
104 behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
105 who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
106 arms and faces.
107
108 An explosion hits near the robots.
109
110 THREEPIO
111 I should have known better than to
112 trust the logic of a half-sized
113 thermocapsulary dehousing assister...
114
115 Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
116 around the two hapless robots.
117
118 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - DAY
119
120 A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon.
121 The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone
122 figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations
123 who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy
124 hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable
125 lad with a prize-winning smile.
126
127 A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
128 large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
129 desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided
130 by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
131 appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
132 A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and
133 he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his
134 utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying
135 the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
136 Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
137 above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the
138 tiny robot to follow him.
139
140 LUKE
141 Hurry up! Come with me! What are you
142 waiting for?! Get in gear!
143
144 The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
145 smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his
146 arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps
147 into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum
148 madly.
149
150 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN HALLWAY
151
152 The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
153 way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
154 Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
155 by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
156 stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
157 Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away
158 from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through
159 the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run
160 in a frenzied panic.
161
162 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
163
164 A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
165 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
166
167 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
168
169 Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
170 nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
171 soldiers can be heard in the distance.
172
173 THREEPIO
174 Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
175
176 A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
177 he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-
178 filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years
179 old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
180 dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
181 something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little
182 robot joins his companion.
183
184 THREEPIO
185 At last! Where have you been?
186
187 Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
188
189 THREEPIO
190 They're heading in this direction.
191 What are we going to do? We'll be
192 sent to the spice mine of Kessel or
193 smashed into who knows what!
194
195 Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
196 subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
197
198 THREEPIO
199 Wait a minute, where are you going?
200
201 Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
202
203 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - CORRIDOR
204
205 The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
206 of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
207 an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
208
209 IMPERIAL OFFICER
210 The Death Star plans are not in the
211 main computer.
212
213 Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
214 in vain.
215
216 VADER
217 Where are those transmissions you
218 intercepted?
219
220 Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
221
222 VADER
223 What have you done with those plans?
224
225 REBEL OFFICER
226 We intercepted no transmissions.
227 Aaah... This is a consular ship.
228 Were on a diplomatic mission.
229
230 VADER
231 If this is a consular ship... were
232 is the Ambassador?
233
234 The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
235 Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
236 gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
237 Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
238 his troops.
239
240 VADER
241 Commander, tear this ship apart until
242 you've found those plans and bring
243 me the Ambassador. I want her alive!
244
245 The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
246
247 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
248
249 The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
250 stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
251 Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her
252 eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds
253 of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the
254 troopers spots her.
255
256 TROOPER
257 There she is! Set for stun!
258
259 Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
260 her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
261 paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
262
263 TROOPER
264 She'll be all right. Inform Lord
265 Vader we have a prisoner.
266
267 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
268
269 Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod.
270 He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
271 begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into
272 the cramped four-man pod.
273
274 THREEPIO
275 Hey, you're not permitted in there.
276 It's restricted. You'll be deactivated
277 for sure..
278
279 Artoo beeps something to him.
280
281 THREEPIO
282 Don't call me a mindless philosopher,
283 you overweight glob of grease! Now
284 come out before somebody sees you.
285
286 Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
287 the mission he is about to perform.
288
289 THREEPIO
290 Secret mission? What plans? What are
291 you talking about? I'm not getting
292 in there!
293
294 Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps
295 and twangs angrily.
296
297 A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
298 through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
299 after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
300 robot jumps into the lifepod.
301
302 THREEPIO
303 I'm going to regret this.
304
305 INT. IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER
306
307 On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
308 robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.
309
310 CHIEF PILOT
311 There goes another one.
312
313 CAPTAIN
314 Hold your fire. There are no life
315 forms. It must have been short-
316 circuited.
317
318 INT. LIFEPOD
319
320 Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
321 Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.
322
323 THREEPIO
324 That's funny, the damage doesn't
325 look as bad from out here.
326
327 Artoo beeps an assuring response.
328
329 THREEPIO
330 Are you sure this things safe?
331
332 EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
333
334 Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
335 buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty
336 empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to
337 get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist
338 at Luke as he flies past.
339
340 WOMAN
341 I've told you kids to slow down!
342
343 INT. POWER STATION - DAY
344
345 Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
346 mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
347 asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
348 office, yelling wildly.
349
350 FIXER
351 Did I hear a young noise blast through
352 here?
353
354 CAMIE
355 It was just wormie on another rampage.
356
357 Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
358 and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
359 playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
360 handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy
361 city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics
362 of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the
363 background.
364
365 LUKE
366 Shape it up you guys!... Biggs?
367
368 Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to great
369 joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
370
371 LUKE
372 I didn't know you were back! When
373 did you get in?
374
375 BIGGS
376 Just now. I wanted to surprise you,
377 hot shot. I thought you'd be here...
378 certainly didn't expect you to be
379 out working.
380 (he laughs)
381
382 LUKE
383 The Academy didn't change you
384 much...but you're back so soon? Hey,
385 what happened, didn't you get your
386 commission?
387
388 Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
389
390 BIGGS
391 Of course I got it. Signed aboard
392 The Rand Ecliptic last week. First
393 mate Biggs Darklighter at your
394 service...
395 (he salutes)
396 ...I just came to say good-bye to
397 all you unfortunate landlocked
398 simpletons.
399
400 Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing friend
401 is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of
402 it.
403
404 LUKE
405 I almost forgot. There's a battle
406 going on! Right here in our system.
407 Come and look!
408
409 DEAK
410 Not again! Forget it.
411
412 EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD - SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION -
413 DAY
414
415 The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie
416 and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes.
417 Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
418
419 LUKE
420 There they are!
421
422 Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain to
423 see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
424 Biggs sees two small silver specks.
425
426 BIGGS
427 That's no battle, hot shot... they're
428 just sitting there! Probably a
429 freighter-tanker refueling.
430
431 LUKE
432 But there was a lot of firing
433 earlier...
434
435 Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
436 building in the process. Luke grabs them.
437
438 LUKE
439 Hey, easy with those...
440
441 CAMIE
442 Don't worry about it, Wormie.
443
444 The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy shrugs
445 his shoulders in resignation.
446
447 FIXER
448 I keep telling you, the Rebellion is
449 a long way from here. I doubt if the
450 Empire would even fight to keep this
451 system. Believe me Luke, this planet
452 is a big hunk of nothing...
453
454 Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
455 group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
456 Luke's ineptitude.
457
458 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - HALLWAY
459
460 Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
461 of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
462 brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
463 marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
464 emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
465 at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.
466
467 LEIA
468 Lord Vader, I should have known.
469 Only you could be so bold. The
470 Imperial Senate will not sit for
471 this, when they hear you've attacked
472 a diplomatic...
473
474 VADER
475 Don't play games with me, Your
476 Highness. You weren't on any mercy
477 mission this time. You passed directly
478 through a restricted system. Several
479 transmissions were beamed to this
480 ship by Rebel spies. I want to know
481 what happened to the plans they sent
482 you.
483
484 LEIA
485 I don't know what you're talking
486 about. I'm a member of the Imperial
487 Senate on a diplomatic mission to
488 Alderaan...
489
490 VADER
491 You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...
492 and a traitor. Take her away!
493
494 Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering
495 hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander
496 turns to Vader.
497
498 COMMANDER
499 Holding her is dangerous. If word of
500 this gets out, it could generate
501 sympathy for the Rebellion in the
502 senate.
503
504 VADER
505 I have traced the Rebel spies to
506 her. Now she is my only link to find
507 their secret base!
508
509 COMMANDER
510 She'll die before she tells you
511 anything.
512
513 VADER
514 Leave that to me. Send a distress
515 signal and then inform the senate
516 that all aboard were killed!
517
518 Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander.
519 They stop and snap to attention.
520
521 SECOND OFFICER
522 Lord Vader, the battle station plans
523 are not aboard this ship! And no
524 transmissions were made. An escape
525 pod was jettisoned during the
526 fighting, but no life forms were
527 aboard.
528
529 Vader turns to the Commander.
530
531 VADER
532 She must have hidden the plans in
533 the escape pod. Send a detachment
534 down to retrieve them. See to it
535 personally, Commander. There'll be
536 no one to stop us this time.
537
538 COMMANDER
539 Yes, sir.
540
541 EXT. SPACE
542
543 The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
544 planet Tatooine.
545
546 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT
547
548 Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
549 meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
550 kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
551 work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in
552 the distance rests half buried in the sand.
553
554 THREEPIO
555 How did I get into this mess? I really
556 don't know how. We seem to be made
557 to suffer. It's our lot in life.
558
559 Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
560
561 THREEPIO
562 I've got to rest before I fall apart.
563 My joints are almost frozen.
564
565 Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
566
567 THREEPIO
568 What a desolate place this is.
569
570 Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts
571 off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
572 stops and yells at him.
573
574 THREEPIO
575 Where are you going?
576
577 A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
578 robot.
579
580 THREEPIO
581 Well, I'm not going that way. It's
582 much too rocky. This way is much
583 easier.
584
585 Artoo counters with a long whistle.
586
587 THREEPIO
588 What makes you think there are
589 settlements over there?
590
591 Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
592
593 THREEPIO
594 Don't get technical with me.
595
596 Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
597
598 THREEPIO
599 What mission? What are you talking
600 about? I've had just about enough of
601 you! Go that way! You'll be
602 malfunctioning within a day, you
603 nearsighted scrap pile!
604
605 Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the
606 direction of the vast dune sea.
607
608 THREEPIO
609 And don't let me catch you following
610 me begging for help, because you
611 won't get it.
612
613 Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
614 off in the direction of the towering mesas.
615
616 THREEPIO
617 No more adventures. I'm not going
618 that way.
619
620 Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant
621 mountains.
622
623 EXT. TATOOINE - DUNE SEA
624
625 Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a
626 dune; only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
627 miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant
628 rock mesas.
629
630 THREEPIO
631 That malfunctioning little twerp.
632 This is all his fault! He tricked me
633 into going this way, but he'll do no
634 better.
635
636 In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand
637 from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of
638 reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
639 towards him.
640
641 THREEPIO
642 Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm
643 saved!
644
645 The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
646 approaching transport.
647
648 THREEPIO
649 Over here! Help! Please, help!
650
651 EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
652
653 Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer
654 and the others can be heard working inside.
655
656 LUKE
657 (Very animated)
658 ...so I cut off my power, shut down
659 the afterburners and came in low on
660 Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
661 I was going to fry my instruments.
662 As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
663 pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty
664 upset. He grounded me for the rest
665 of the season. You should have been
666 there... it was fantastic.
667
668 BIGGS
669 You ought to take it easy Luke. You
670 may be the hottest bushpilot this
671 side of Mos Eisley, but those little
672 Skyhoppers are dangerous. Keep it
673 up, and one day, whammo, you're going
674 to be nothing more than a dark spot
675 on the down side of a canyon wall.
676
677 LUKE
678 Look who's talking. Now that you've
679 been around those giant starships
680 you're beginning to sound like my
681 uncle. You've gotten soft in the
682 city...
683
684 BIGGS
685 I've missed you kid.
686
687 LUKE
688 Well, things haven't been the same
689 since you left, Biggs. It's been
690 so... quiet.
691
692 Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
693
694 BIGGS
695 Luke, I didn't come back just to say
696 good-bye... I shouldn't tell you
697 this, but you're the only one I can
698 trust... and if I don't come back, I
699 want somebody to know.
700
701 Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
702
703 LUKE
704 What are you talking about?
705
706 BIGGS
707 I made some friends at the Academy.
708 (he whispers)
709 ...when our frigate goes to one of
710 the central systems, we're going to
711 jump ship and join the Alliance...
712
713 Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
714
715 LUKE
716 Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding!
717 How?
718
719 BIGGS
720 Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth
721 bigger than a meteor crater!
722
723 LUKE
724 I'm sorry. I'm quiet.
725 (he whispers)
726 Listen how quiet I am. You can barely
727 hear me...
728
729 Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
730
731 BIGGS
732 My friend has a friend on Bestine
733 who might help us make contact.
734
735 LUKE
736 You're crazy! You could wander around
737 forever trying to find them.
738
739 BIGGS
740 I know it's a long shot, but if I
741 don't find them I'll do what I can
742 on my own... It's what we always
743 talked about. Luke, I'm not going to
744 wait for the Empire to draft me into
745 service. The Rebellion is spreading
746 and I want to be on the right side --
747 the side I believe in.
748
749 LUKE
750 And I'm stuck here...
751
752 BIGGS
753 I thought you were going to the
754 Academy next term. You'll get your
755 chance to get off this rock.
756
757 LUKE
758 Not likely! I had to cancel my
759 application. There has been a lot of
760 unrest among the Sandpeople since
761 you left... they've even raided the
762 outskirts of Anchorhead.
763
764 BIGGS
765 Your uncle could hold off a whole
766 colony of Sandpeople with one blaster.
767
768 LUKE
769 I know, but he's got enough vaporators
770 going to make the place pay off. He
771 needs me for just one more season. I
772 can't leave him now.
773
774 BIGGS
775 I feel for you, Luke, you're going
776 to have to learn what seems to be
777 important or what really is important.
778 What good is all your uncle's work
779 if it's taken over by the Empire?...
780 You know they're starting to
781 nationalize commerce in the central
782 systems... it won't be long before
783 your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving
784 for the greater glory of the Empire.
785
786 LUKE
787 It couldn't happen here. You said it
788 yourself. The Empire won't bother
789 with this rock.
790
791 BIGGS
792 Things always change.
793
794 LUKE
795 I wish I was going... Are you going
796 to be around long?
797
798 BIGGS
799 No, I'm leaving in the morning...
800
801 LUKE
802 Then I guess I won't see you.
803
804 BIGGS
805 Maybe someday... I'll keep a lookout.
806
807 LUKE
808 Well, I'll be at the Academy next
809 season... after that who knows. I
810 won't be drafted into the Imperial
811 Starfleet that's for sure... Take
812 care of yourself, you'll always be
813 the best friend I've got.
814
815 BIGGS
816 So long, Luke.
817
818 Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
819 power station.
820
821 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET
822
823 The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
824 foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
825 fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
826 canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he
827 goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for
828 a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
829
830 In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall
831 and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
832 further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a
833 pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the
834 narrow path.
835
836 The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
837 suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
838 of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages
839 one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his
840 back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then
841 off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller
842 than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
843 cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
844 their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
845 seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave
846 the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down
847 the trail.
848
849 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
850
851 The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-
852 like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
853 small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a
854 large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot
855 is sucked into the giant machine.
856
857 The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
858 and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
859
860 INT. SANDCRAWLER - HOLD AREA
861
862 It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
863 switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
864 around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
865 metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
866 maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
867 and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
868 of the chamber.
869
870 INT. SANDCRAWLER - PRISON AREA
871
872 Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
873 middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
874 shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
875 while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
876 out from the gloom.
877
878 THREEPIO
879 Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!
880
881 A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
882
883 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
884
885 The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
886 twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
887 ridge.
888
889 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY
890
891 Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
892 buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine.
893 A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
894
895 FIRST TROOPER
896 Someone was in the pod. The tracks
897 go off in this direction.
898
899 A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
900 and gives it to the first trooper.
901
902 SECOND TROOPER
903 Look, sir -- droids.
904
905 EXT. TATOOINE - DUNES
906
907 The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
908
909 INT. SANDCRAWLER
910
911 Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
912 prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
913
914 THREEPIO
915 Wake up! Wake up!
916
917 Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
918 creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
919 Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
920 pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
921 chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding
922 white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the
923 odd assortment of robots.
924
925 THREEPIO
926 We're doomed.
927
928 A Jawa starts moving toward them.
929
930 THREEPIO
931 Do you think they'll melt us down?
932
933 Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
934
935 THREEPIO
936 Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this
937 never end?
938
939 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - LARS HOMESTEAD - AFTERNOON
940
941 The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
942 battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
943 the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
944 homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
945 surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
946 adobe block house.
947
948 The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots, straightening
949 them up or brushing some dust from a dented metallic elbow.
950 The shrouded little creatures smell horribly, attracting
951 small insects to the dark areas when their mouths and nostrils
952 should be.
953
954 Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen Lars,
955 a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are
956 sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
957 inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
958 shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
959 Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
960 pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
961
962 A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
963 homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
964 standing in the main courtyard.
965
966 BERU
967 Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a
968 translator to be sure it speaks Bocce.
969
970 LUKE
971 It looks like we don't have much of
972 a choice but I'll remind him.
973
974 Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
975 for sale with the Jawa leader.
976
977 OWEN
978 I have no need for a protocol droid.
979
980 THREEPIO
981 (quickly)
982 Sir -- not in an environment such as
983 this -- that's why I've also been
984 programmed for over thirty secondary
985 functions that...
986
987 OWEN
988 What I really need is a droid that
989 understands the binary language of
990 moisture vaporators.
991
992 THREEPIO
993 Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was
994 programming binary load lifter...
995 very similar to your vaporators. You
996 could say...
997
998 OWEN
999 Do you speak Bocce?
1000
1001 THREEPIO
1002 Of course I can, sir. It's like a
1003 second language for me... I'm as
1004 fluent in Bocce...
1005
1006 OWEN
1007 All right shut up!
1008 (turning to Jawa)
1009 I'll take this one.
1010
1011 THREEPIO
1012 Shutting up, sir.
1013
1014 OWEN
1015 Luke, take these two over to the
1016 garage, will you? I want you to have
1017 both of them cleaned up before dinner.
1018
1019 LUKE
1020 But I was going into Toshi Station
1021 to pick up some power converters...
1022
1023 OWEN
1024 You can waste time with your friends
1025 when your chores are done. Now come
1026 on, get to it!
1027
1028 LUKE
1029 All right, come on! And the red one,
1030 come on. Well, come on, Red, let's
1031 go.
1032
1033 As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back
1034 into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep
1035 and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is restrained
1036 by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.
1037
1038 Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
1039 robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the
1040 head of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.
1041
1042 LUKE
1043 Uncle Owen...
1044
1045 OWEN
1046 Yeah?
1047
1048 LUKE
1049 This R2 unit has a bad motivator.
1050 Look!
1051
1052 OWEN
1053 (to the head Jawa)
1054 Hey, what're you trying to push on
1055 us?
1056
1057 The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has sneaked
1058 out of line and is moving up and down trying to attract
1059 attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio taps
1060 Luke on the shoulder.
1061
1062 THREEPIO
1063 (pointing to Artoo)
1064 Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is
1065 in prime condition. A real bargain.
1066
1067 LUKE
1068 Uncle Owen...
1069
1070 OWEN
1071 Yeah?
1072
1073 LUKE
1074 What about that one?
1075
1076 OWEN
1077 (to Jawa)
1078 What about that blue one? We'll take
1079 that one.
1080
1081 With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the damaged
1082 astro-droid for Artoo.
1083
1084 LUKE
1085 Yeah, take it away.
1086
1087 THREEPIO
1088 Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very
1089 pleased with that one, sir. He really
1090 is in first-class condition. I've
1091 worked with him before. Here he comes.
1092
1093 Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
1094 trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.
1095
1096 LUKE
1097 Okay, let's go.
1098
1099 THREEPIO
1100 (to Artoo)
1101 Now, don't you forget this! Why I
1102 should stick my neck out for you is
1103 quite beyond my capacity!
1104
1105 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - LATE AFTERNOON
1106
1107 The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
1108 atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
1109 himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
1110 battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
1111 with a cord to his face.
1112
1113 THREEPIO
1114 Thank the maker! This oil bath is
1115 going to feel so good. I've got such
1116 a bad case of dust contamination, I
1117 can barely move!
1118
1119 Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in thought
1120 as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small two-man
1121 Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the garage.
1122 Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and he
1123 slams a wrench across the workbench.
1124
1125 LUKE
1126 It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is
1127 right. I'm never gonna get out of
1128 here!
1129
1130 THREEPIO
1131 Is there anything I might do to help?
1132
1133 Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger drains
1134 and a tiny smile creeps across his face.
1135
1136 LUKE
1137 Well, not unless you can alter time,
1138 speed up the harvest, or teleport me
1139 off this rock!
1140
1141 THREEPIO
1142 I don't think so, sir. I'm only a
1143 droid and not very knowledgeable
1144 about such things. Not on this planet,
1145 anyways. As a matter of fact, I'm
1146 not even sure which planet I'm on.
1147
1148 LUKE
1149 Well, if there's a bright center to
1150 the universe, you're on the planet
1151 that it's farthest from.
1152
1153 THREEPIO
1154 I see, sir.
1155
1156 LUKE
1157 Uh, you can call me Luke.
1158
1159 THREEPIO
1160 I see, sir Luke.
1161
1162 LUKE
1163 (laughing)
1164 Just Luke.
1165
1166 THREEPIO
1167 And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg
1168 relations, and this is my counterpart,
1169 Artoo-Detoo.
1170
1171 LUKE
1172 Hello.
1173
1174 Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
1175 scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
1176 pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping
1177 oil from his bronze body.
1178
1179 LUKE
1180 You got a lot of carbon scoring here.
1181 It looks like you boys have seen a
1182 lot of action.
1183
1184 THREEPIO
1185 With all we've been through, sometimes
1186 I'm amazed we're in as good condition
1187 as we are, what with the Rebellion
1188 and all.
1189
1190 LUKE
1191 You know of the Rebellion against
1192 the Empire?
1193
1194 THREEPIO
1195 That's how we came to be in your
1196 service, if you take my meaning,
1197 sir.
1198
1199 LUKE
1200 Have you been in many battles?
1201
1202 THREEPIO
1203 Several, I think. Actually, there's
1204 not much to tell. I'm not much more
1205 than an interpreter, and not very
1206 good at telling stories. Well, not
1207 at making them interesting, anyways.
1208
1209 Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
1210 neck joint. He uses a larger pick.
1211
1212 LUKE
1213 Well, my little friend, you've got
1214 something jammed in here real good.
1215 Were you on a cruiser or...
1216
1217 The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling
1218 head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch three-
1219 dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator, being
1220 projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a
1221 rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly
1222 lit garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.
1223
1224 LEIA
1225 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my
1226 only hope.
1227
1228 LUKE
1229 What's this?
1230
1231 Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio
1232 to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment
1233 over and over.
1234
1235 THREEPIO
1236 What is what?!? He asked you a
1237 question...
1238 (pointing to Leia)
1239 What is that?
1240
1241 Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
1242 the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
1243 for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
1244 sentence fragment over and over.
1245
1246 LEIA
1247 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my
1248 only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
1249 You're my only hope.
1250
1251 THREEPIO
1252 Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely
1253 a malfunction. Old data. Pay it no
1254 mind.
1255
1256 Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.
1257
1258 LUKE
1259 Who is she? She's beautiful.
1260
1261 THREEPIO
1262 I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
1263
1264 LEIA
1265 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...
1266
1267 THREEPIO
1268 I think she was a passenger on our
1269 last voyage. A person of some
1270 importance, sir -- I believe. Our
1271 captain was attached to...
1272
1273 LUKE
1274 Is there more to this recording?
1275
1276 Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
1277 squeaks and a whistle.
1278
1279 THREEPIO
1280 Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going
1281 to get us in trouble. It's all right,
1282 you can trust him. He's our new
1283 master.
1284
1285 Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.
1286
1287 THREEPIO
1288 He says he's the property of Obi-Wan
1289 Kenobi, a resident of these parts.
1290 And it's a private message for him.
1291 Quite frankly, sir I don't know what
1292 he's talking about. Our last master
1293 was Captain Antilles, but with what
1294 we've been through, this little R2
1295 unit has become a bit eccentric.
1296
1297 LUKE
1298 Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means
1299 old Ben Kenobi?
1300
1301 THREEPIO
1302 I beg your pardon, sir, but do you
1303 know what he's talking about?
1304
1305 LUKE
1306 Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-
1307 Wan, but old Ben lives out beyond
1308 the dune sea. He's kind of a strange
1309 old hermit.
1310
1311 Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
1312 moments.
1313
1314 LUKE
1315 I wonder who she is. It sounds like
1316 she's in trouble. I'd better play
1317 back the whole thing.
1318
1319 Artoo beeps something to Threepio.
1320
1321 THREEPIO
1322 He says the restraining bolt has
1323 short circuited his recording system.
1324 He suggests that if you remove the
1325 bolt, he might be able to play back
1326 the entire recording.
1327
1328 Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and hasn't
1329 really heard what Threepio has been saying.
1330
1331 LUKE
1332 H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you're
1333 too small to run away on me if I
1334 take this off! Okay.
1335
1336 Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
1337 Artoo's side.
1338
1339 LUKE
1340 There you go.
1341
1342 The princess immediately disappears...
1343
1344 LUKE
1345 Well, wait a minute. Where'd she go?
1346 Bring her back! Play back the entire
1347 message.
1348
1349 Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
1350 embarrassment.
1351
1352 THREEPIO
1353 What message? The one you're carrying
1354 inside your rusty innards!
1355
1356 A women's voice calls out from another room.
1357
1358 AUNT BERU
1359 Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!
1360
1361 Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
1362 robot.
1363
1364 LUKE
1365 All right, I'll be right there, Aunt
1366 Beru.
1367
1368 THREEPIO
1369 I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to
1370 have picked up a slight flutter.
1371
1372 Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and
1373 hurries out of the room.
1374
1375 LUKE
1376 Well, see what you can do with him.
1377 I'll be right back.
1378
1379 THREEPIO
1380 (to Artoo)
1381 Just you reconsider playing that
1382 message for him.
1383
1384 Artoo beeps in response.
1385
1386 THREEPIO
1387 No, I don't think he likes you at
1388 all.
1389
1390 Artoo beeps.
1391
1392 THREEPIO
1393 No, I don't like you either.
1394
1395 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - DINING AREA
1396
1397 Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
1398 with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-
1399 used kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls
1400 of food and starts for the dining area.
1401
1402 Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
1403 steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
1404 grain.
1405
1406 LUKE
1407 You know, I think that R2 unit we
1408 bought might have been stolen.
1409
1410 OWEN
1411 What makes you think that?
1412
1413 LUKE
1414 Well, I stumbled across a recording
1415 while I was cleaning him. He says he
1416 belongs to someone called Obi-Wan
1417 Kenobi.
1418
1419 Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
1420 manages to control himself.
1421
1422 LUKE
1423 I thought he might have meant old
1424 Ben. Do you know what he's talking
1425 about? Well, I wonder if he's related
1426 to Ben.
1427
1428 Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.
1429
1430 OWEN
1431 That old man's just a crazy old
1432 wizard. Tomorrow I want you to take
1433 that R2 unit into Anchorhead and
1434 have its memory flushed. That'll be
1435 the end of it. It belongs to us now.
1436
1437 LUKE
1438 But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking
1439 for him?
1440
1441 OWEN
1442 He won't, I don't think he exists
1443 any more. He died about the same
1444 time as your father.
1445
1446 LUKE
1447 He knew my father?
1448
1449 OWEN
1450 I told you to forget it. Your only
1451 concern is to prepare the new droids
1452 for tomorrow. In the morning I want
1453 them on the south ridge working out
1454 those condensers.
1455
1456 LUKE
1457 Yes, sir. I think those new droids
1458 are going to work out fine. In fact,
1459 I, uh, was also thinking about our
1460 agreement about my staying on another
1461 season. And if these new droids do
1462 work out, I want to transmit my
1463 application to the Academy this year.
1464
1465 Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
1466 it.
1467
1468 OWEN
1469 You mean the next semester before
1470 harvest?
1471
1472 LUKE
1473 Sure, there're more than enough
1474 droids.
1475
1476 OWEN
1477 Harvest is when I need you the most.
1478 Only one more season. This year we'll
1479 make enough on the harvest so I'll
1480 be able to hire some more hands. And
1481 then you can go to the Academy next
1482 year.
1483
1484 Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his uncle.
1485
1486 OWEN
1487 You must understand I need you here,
1488 Luke.
1489
1490 LUKE
1491 But it's a whole 'nother year.
1492
1493 OWEN
1494 Look, it's only one more season.
1495
1496 Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.
1497
1498 LUKE
1499 Yeah, that's what you said last year
1500 when Biggs and Tank left.
1501
1502 AUNT BERU
1503 Where are you going?
1504
1505 LUKE
1506 It looks like I'm going nowhere. I
1507 have to finish cleaning those droids.
1508
1509 Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
1510 mechanically finishes his dinner.
1511
1512 AUNT BERU
1513 Owen, he can't stay here forever.
1514 Most of his friends have gone. It
1515 means so much to him.
1516
1517 OWEN
1518 I'll make it up to him next year. I
1519 promise.
1520
1521 AUNT BERU
1522 Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He
1523 has too much of his father in him.
1524
1525 OWEN
1526 That's what I'm afraid of.
1527
1528 EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
1529
1530 The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
1531 distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
1532 moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
1533 homestead.
1534
1535 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE
1536
1537 Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
1538 sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
1539 similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
1540 box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
1541 short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.
1542
1543 LUKE
1544 What are you doing hiding there?
1545
1546 Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
1547 sight.
1548
1549 THREEPIO
1550 It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't
1551 deactivate me. I told him not to go,
1552 but he's faulty, malfunctioning;
1553 kept babbling on about his mission.
1554
1555 LUKE
1556 Oh, no!
1557
1558 Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
1559
1560 EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
1561
1562 Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead
1563 and searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-
1564 robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the
1565 salt flat as Luke scans the landscape with his
1566 electrobinoculars.
1567
1568 THREEPIO
1569 That R2 unit has always been a
1570 problem. These astro-droids are
1571 getting quite out of hand. Even I
1572 can't understand their logic at times.
1573
1574 LUKE
1575 How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere
1576 in sight. Blast it!
1577
1578 THREEPIO
1579 Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go
1580 after him?
1581
1582 LUKE
1583 It's too dangerous with all the
1584 Sandpeople around. We'll have to
1585 wait until morning.
1586
1587 Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.
1588
1589 OWEN
1590 Luke, I'm shutting the power down
1591 for the night.
1592
1593 LUKE
1594 All right, I'll be there in a few
1595 minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.
1596
1597 He takes one final look across the dim horizon.
1598
1599 LUKE
1600 You know that little droid is going
1601 to cause me a lot of trouble.
1602
1603 THREEPIO
1604 Oh, he excels at that, sir.
1605
1606 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - PLAZA
1607
1608 Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
1609 the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
1610 Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.
1611
1612 OWEN
1613 Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be
1614 loafing now!
1615
1616 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - KITCHEN
1617
1618 The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru
1619 prepares the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.
1620
1621 OWEN
1622 Have you seen Luke this morning?
1623
1624 AUNT BERU
1625 He said he had some things to do
1626 before he started today, so he left
1627 early.
1628
1629 OWEN
1630 Uh? Did he take those two new droids
1631 with him?
1632
1633 AUNT BERU
1634 I think so.
1635
1636 OWEN
1637 Well, he'd better have those units
1638 in the south range repaired be midday
1639 or there'll be hell to pay!
1640
1641 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - LUKE'S SPEEDER - DAY
1642
1643 The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
1644 pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
1645 wasteland.
1646
1647 INT./EXT. LUKE'S SPEEDER - DESERT WASTELAND - TRAVELING -
1648 DAY
1649
1650 Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something
1651 in the motor compartment.
1652
1653 LUKE
1654 (yelling)
1655 How's that.
1656
1657 Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
1658 wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.
1659
1660 LUKE
1661 Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this
1662 direction somewhere, but I don't see
1663 how that R2 unit could have come
1664 this far. We must have missed him.
1665 Uncle Owen isn't going to take this
1666 very well.
1667
1668 THREEPIO
1669 Sir, would it help if you told him
1670 it was my fault.
1671
1672 LUKE
1673 (brightening)
1674 Sure. He needs you. He'd probably
1675 only deactivate you for a day or
1676 so...
1677
1678 THREEPIO
1679 Deactivate! Well, on the other hand
1680 if you hadn't removed his restraining
1681 bolt...
1682
1683 LUKE
1684 Wait, there's something dead ahead
1685 on the scanner. It looks like our
1686 droid... hit the accelerator.
1687
1688 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - DUNE SEA - COASTLINE - DAY
1689
1690 From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
1691 gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
1692 two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
1693 cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
1694 marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
1695 and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs
1696 the gun before it can be fired.
1697
1698 The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes called,
1699 speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into an
1700 animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in
1701 the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.
1702
1703 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - CANYON
1704
1705 The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
1706 to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large
1707 as elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns,
1708 and long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders
1709 mount saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs
1710 and ride off down the rugged bluff.
1711
1712 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR
1713
1714 The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke,
1715 with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands
1716 before little Artoo.
1717
1718 LUKE
1719 Hey, whoa, just where do you think
1720 you're going?
1721
1722 The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
1723 menacingly behind the little runaway.
1724
1725 THREEPIO
1726 Master Luke here is your rightful
1727 owner. We'll have no more of this
1728 Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish... and don't
1729 talk to me about your mission, either.
1730 You're fortunate he doesn't blast
1731 you into a million pieces right here.
1732
1733 LUKE
1734 Well, come on. It's getting late. I
1735 only hope we can get back before
1736 Uncle Owen really blows up.
1737
1738 THREEPIO
1739 If you don't mind my saying so, sir,
1740 I think you should deactivate the
1741 little fugitive until you've gotten
1742 him back to your workshop.
1743
1744 LUKE
1745 No, he's not going to try anything.
1746
1747 Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of frantic
1748 whistles and screams.
1749
1750 LUKE
1751 What's wrong with him now?
1752
1753 THREEPIO
1754 Oh my... sir, he says there are
1755 several creatures approaching from
1756 the southeast.
1757
1758 Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.
1759
1760 LUKE
1761 Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on, let's
1762 have a look. Come on.
1763
1764 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - RIDGE - DAY
1765
1766 Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
1767 scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the
1768 two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young
1769 adventurer.
1770
1771 LUKE
1772 There are two Banthas down there but
1773 I don't see any... wait a second,
1774 they're Sandpeople all right. I can
1775 see one of them now.
1776
1777 Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
1778 electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
1779 his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large,
1780 gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled
1781 and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be
1782 heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles
1783 down the side of the mountain.
1784
1785 The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed
1786 gaderffii -- the dreaded axe blade that has struck terror in
1787 the heart of the local settlers. But Luke manages to block
1788 the blow with his laser rifle, which is smashed to pieces.
1789 The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is forced
1790 to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister Raider stands
1791 over him with his weapon raised and lets out a horrible
1792 shrieking laugh.
1793
1794 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR - DAY
1795
1796 Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in
1797 the rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the
1798 inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the
1799 speeder. The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts
1800 and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
1801 everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan
1802 is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the
1803 Sandpeople fleeing in terror.
1804
1805 Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
1806 swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
1807 closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
1808 leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
1809 weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
1810 eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
1811 as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
1812 slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.
1813
1814 BEN
1815 Hello there! Come here my little
1816 friend. Don't be afraid.
1817
1818 Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a heap and
1819 begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on
1820 Luke's forehead and he begins to come around.
1821
1822 BEN
1823 Don't worry, he'll be all right.
1824
1825 LUKE
1826 What happened?
1827
1828 BEN
1829 Rest easy, son, you've had a busy
1830 day. You're fortunate you're still
1831 in one piece.
1832
1833 LUKE
1834 Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to
1835 see you!
1836
1837 BEN
1838 The Jundland wastes are not to be
1839 traveled lightly. Tell me young Luke,
1840 what brings you out this far?
1841
1842 LUKE
1843 Oh, this little droid! I think he's
1844 searching for his former master...
1845 I've never seen such devotion in a
1846 droid before... there seems to be no
1847 stopping him. He claims to be the
1848 property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he
1849 a relative of yours? Do you know who
1850 he's talking about?
1851
1852 Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.
1853
1854 BEN
1855 Obi-Wan Kenobi... Obi-Wan? Now thats
1856 a name I haven't heard in a long
1857 time... a long time.
1858
1859 LUKE
1860 I think my uncle knew him. He said
1861 he was dead.
1862
1863 BEN
1864 Oh, he's not dead, not... not yet.
1865
1866 LUKE
1867 You know him!
1868
1869 BEN
1870 Well of course, of course I know
1871 him. He's me! I haven't gone by the
1872 name Obi-Wan since oh, before you
1873 were born.
1874
1875 LUKE
1876 Then the droid does belong to you.
1877
1878 BEN
1879 Don't seem to remember ever owning a
1880 droid. Very interesting...
1881
1882 He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.
1883
1884 BEN
1885 I think we better get indoors. The
1886 Sandpeople are easily startled but
1887 they will soon be back and in greater
1888 numbers.
1889
1890 Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
1891 beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.
1892
1893 LUKE
1894 Threepio!
1895
1896 EXT. TATOOINE - SAND PIT - ROCK MESA - DAY
1897
1898 Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins
1899 to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and
1900 Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half
1901 buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.
1902
1903 Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then
1904 flips a hidden switch on his back several times until finally
1905 the mechanical man's systems turn on.
1906
1907 THREEPIO
1908 Where am I? I must have taken a bad
1909 step...
1910
1911 LUKE
1912 Can you stand? We've got to get out
1913 of here before the Sandpeople return.
1914
1915 THREEPIO
1916 I don't think I can make it. You go
1917 on, Master Luke. There's no sense in
1918 you risking yourself on my account.
1919 I'm done for.
1920
1921 Artoo makes a beeping sound.
1922
1923 LUKE
1924 No, you're not. What kind of talk is
1925 that?
1926
1927 Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
1928 Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
1929 suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
1930 air.
1931
1932 BEN
1933 Quickly, son... they're on the move.
1934
1935 INT. KENOBI'S DWELLING
1936
1937 The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
1938 still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
1939 security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as
1940 old Ben sits thinking.
1941
1942 LUKE
1943 No, my father didn't fight in the
1944 wars. He was a navigator on a spice
1945 freighter.
1946
1947 BEN
1948 That's what your uncle told you. He
1949 didn't hold with your father's ideals.
1950 Thought he should have stayed here
1951 and not gotten involved.
1952
1953 LUKE
1954 You fought in the Clone Wars?
1955
1956 BEN
1957 Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the
1958 same as your father.
1959
1960 LUKE
1961 I wish I'd known him.
1962
1963 BEN
1964 He was the best star-pilot in the
1965 galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I
1966 understand you've become quite a
1967 good pilot yourself. And he was a
1968 good friend. Which reminds me...
1969
1970 Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around.
1971 As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
1972 restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
1973 Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
1974 table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
1975 with several electronic gadgets attached to it.
1976
1977 BEN
1978 I have something here for you. Your
1979 father wanted you to have this when
1980 you were old enough, but your uncle
1981 wouldn't allow it. He feared you
1982 might follow old Obi-Wan on some
1983 damned-fool idealistic crusade like
1984 your father did.
1985
1986 THREEPIO
1987 Sir, if you'll not be needing me,
1988 I'll close down for awhile.
1989
1990 LUKE
1991 Sure, go ahead.
1992
1993 Ben hands Luke the saber.
1994
1995 LUKE
1996 What is it?
1997
1998 BEN
1999 Your fathers lightsaber. This is the
2000 weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy
2001 or as random as a blaster.
2002
2003 Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
2004 about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across
2005 the ceiling.
2006
2007 BEN
2008 An elegant weapon for a more civilized
2009 time. For over a thousand generations
2010 the Jedi Knights were the guardians
2011 of peace and justice in the Old
2012 Republic. Before the dark times,
2013 before the Empire.
2014
2015 Luke hasn't really been listening.
2016
2017 LUKE
2018 How did my father die?
2019
2020 BEN
2021 A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who
2022 was a pupil of mine until he turned
2023 to evil, helped the Empire hunt down
2024 and destroy the Jedi Knights. He
2025 betrayed and murdered your father.
2026 Now the Jedi are all but extinct.
2027 Vader was seduced by the dark side
2028 of the Force.
2029
2030 LUKE
2031 The Force?
2032
2033 BEN
2034 Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi
2035 his power. It's an energy field
2036 created by all living things. It
2037 surrounds us and penetrates us. It
2038 binds the galaxy together.
2039
2040 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
2041
2042 BEN
2043 Now, let's see if we can't figure
2044 out what you are, my little friend.
2045 And where you come from.
2046
2047 LUKE
2048 I saw part of the message he was...
2049
2050 Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
2051 young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.
2052
2053 BEN
2054 I seem to have found it.
2055
2056 Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before
2057 his eyes.
2058
2059 LEIA
2060 General Kenobi, years ago you served
2061 my father in the Clone Wars. Now he
2062 begs you to help him in his struggle
2063 against the Empire. I regret that I
2064 am unable to present my father's
2065 request to you in person, but my
2066 ship has fallen under attack and I'm
2067 afraid my mission to bring you to
2068 Alderaan has failed. I have placed
2069 information vital to the survival of
2070 the Rebellion into the memory systems
2071 of this R2 unit. My father will know
2072 how to retrieve it. You must see
2073 this droid safely delivered to him
2074 on Alderaan. This is our most
2075 desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan
2076 Kenobi, you're my only hope.
2077
2078 There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
2079 Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
2080 on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.
2081
2082 BEN
2083 You must learn the ways of the Force
2084 if you're to come with me to Alderaan.
2085
2086 LUKE
2087 (laughing)
2088 Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan.
2089 I've got to go home. It's late, I'm
2090 in for it as it is.
2091
2092 BEN
2093 I need your help, Luke. She needs
2094 your help. I'm getting too old for
2095 this sort of thing.
2096
2097 LUKE
2098 I can't get involved! I've got work
2099 to do! It's not that I like the
2100 Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing
2101 I can do about it right now. It's
2102 such a long way from here.
2103
2104 BEN
2105 That's your uncle talking.
2106
2107 LUKE
2108 (sighing)
2109 Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever
2110 going to explain this?
2111
2112 BEN
2113 Learn about the Force, Luke.
2114
2115 LUKE
2116 Look, I can take you as far as
2117 Anchorhead. You can get a transport
2118 there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're
2119 going.
2120
2121 BEN
2122 You must do what you feel is right,
2123 of course.
2124
2125 EXT. SPACE.
2126
2127 An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
2128 battle station: the Death Star!
2129
2130 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
2131
2132 Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
2133 conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
2134 the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general,
2135 is speaking.
2136
2137 TAGGE
2138 Until this battle station is fully
2139 operational we are vulnerable. The
2140 Rebel Alliance is too well equipped.
2141 They're more dangerous than you
2142 realize.
2143
2144 The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.
2145
2146 MOTTI
2147 Dangerous to your starfleet,
2148 Commander, not to this battle station!
2149
2150 TAGGE
2151 The Rebellion will continue to gain
2152 a support in the Imperial Senate as
2153 long as....
2154
2155 Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut
2156 short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
2157 outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
2158 The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and
2159 bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his
2160 place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind
2161 him.
2162
2163 TARKIN
2164 The Imperial Senate will no longer
2165 be of any concern to us. I've just
2166 received word that the Emperor has
2167 dissolved the council permanently.
2168 The last remnants of the Old Republic
2169 have been swept away.
2170
2171 TAGGE
2172 That's impossible! How will the
2173 Emperor maintain control without the
2174 bureaucracy?
2175
2176 TARKIN
2177 The regional governors now have direct
2178 control over territories. Fear will
2179 keep the local systems in line. Fear
2180 of this battle station.
2181
2182 TAGGE
2183 And what of the Rebellion? If the
2184 Rebels have obtained a complete
2185 technical readout of this station,
2186 it is possible, however unlikely,
2187 that they might find a weakness and
2188 exploit it.
2189
2190 VADER
2191 The plans you refer to will soon be
2192 back in our hands.
2193
2194 MOTTI
2195 Any attack made by the Rebels against
2196 this station would be a useless
2197 gesture, no matter what technical
2198 data they've obtained. This station
2199 is now the ultimate power in the
2200 universe. I suggest we use it!
2201
2202 VADER
2203 Don't be too proud of this
2204 technological terror you've
2205 constructed. The ability to destroy
2206 a planet is insignificant next to
2207 the power of the Force.
2208
2209 MOTTI
2210 Don't try to frighten us with your
2211 sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your
2212 sad devotion to that ancient religion
2213 has not helped you conjure up the
2214 stolen data tapes, or given you
2215 clairvoyance enough to find the
2216 Rebel's hidden fort...
2217
2218 Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's
2219 spell.
2220
2221 VADER
2222 I find your lack of faith disturbing.
2223
2224 TARKIN
2225 Enough of this! Vader, release him!
2226
2227 VADER
2228 As you wish.
2229
2230 TARKIN
2231 This bickering is pointless. Lord
2232 Vader will provide us with the
2233 location of the Rebel fortress by
2234 the time this station is operational.
2235 We will then crush the Rebellion
2236 with one swift stroke.
2237
2238 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2239
2240 The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
2241 Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
2242 and scattered bodies.
2243
2244 LUKE
2245 It looks like Sandpeople did this,
2246 all right. Look, here are Gaffi
2247 sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...
2248 I never heard of them hitting anything
2249 this big before.
2250
2251 Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.
2252
2253 BEN
2254 They didn't. But we are meant to
2255 think they did. These tracks are
2256 side by side. Sandpeople always ride
2257 single file to hide there numbers.
2258
2259 LUKE
2260 These are the same Jawas that sold
2261 us Artoo and Threepio.
2262
2263 BEN
2264 And these blast points, too accurate
2265 for Sandpeople. Only Imperial
2266 stormtroopers are so precise.
2267
2268 LUKE
2269 Why would Imperial troops want to
2270 slaughter Jawas?
2271
2272 Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
2273 inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.
2274
2275 LUKE
2276 If they traced the robots here, they
2277 may have learned who they sold them
2278 to. And that would lead them home!
2279
2280 Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
2281 the speeder and jumps it.
2282
2283 BEN
2284 Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.
2285
2286 Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with the
2287 burning Sandcrawler.
2288
2289 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2290
2291 Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
2292
2293 EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
2294
2295 The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps
2296 out and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home.
2297 Debris is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great
2298 battle has taken place.
2299
2300 LUKE
2301 Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!
2302
2303 Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle.
2304 Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is
2305 stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
2306 resolve comes over him.
2307
2308 EXT. SPACE
2309
2310 Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
2311
2312 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR
2313
2314 Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
2315 several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is
2316 filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
2317 giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.
2318
2319 VADER
2320 And, now Your Highness, we will
2321 discuss the location of your hidden
2322 Rebel base.
2323
2324 The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
2325 approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
2326 arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut
2327 and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled
2328 screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.
2329
2330 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2331
2332 There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
2333 the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the
2334 dead. Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to
2335 him.
2336
2337 BEN
2338 There's nothing you could have done,
2339 Luke, had you been there. You'd have
2340 been killed, too, and the droids
2341 would be in the hands of the Empire.
2342
2343 LUKE
2344 I want to come with you to Alderaan.
2345 There's nothing here for me now. I
2346 want to learn the ways of the Force
2347 and become a Jedi like my father.
2348
2349 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2350
2351 The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
2352 zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
2353 overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
2354 array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
2355 harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
2356 his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
2357 Ben is standing.
2358
2359 BEN
2360 Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never
2361 find a more wretched hive of scum
2362 and villainy. We must be cautious.
2363
2364 Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
2365 smile.
2366
2367 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2368
2369 The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several combat-
2370 hardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A Trooper
2371 questions Luke.
2372
2373 TROOPER
2374 How long have you had these droids?
2375
2376 LUKE
2377 About three or four seasons.
2378
2379 BEN
2380 They're for sale if you want them.
2381
2382 TROOPER
2383 Let me see your identification.
2384
2385 Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID while
2386 Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.
2387
2388 BEN
2389 You don't need to see his
2390 identification.
2391
2392 TROOPER
2393 We don't need to see his
2394 identification.
2395
2396 BEN
2397 These are not the droids your looking
2398 for.
2399
2400 TROOPER
2401 These are not the droids we're looking
2402 for.
2403
2404 BEN
2405 He can go about his business.
2406
2407 TROOPER
2408 You can go about your business.
2409
2410 BEN
2411 (to Luke)
2412 Move along.
2413
2414 TROOPER
2415 Move along. Move along.
2416
2417 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2418
2419 The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina
2420 on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of
2421 transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are
2422 parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle
2423 the speeder.
2424
2425 THREEPIO
2426 I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting
2427 creatures.
2428
2429 As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
2430 away.
2431
2432 LUKE
2433 Go on, go on. I can't understand how
2434 we got by those troopers. I thought
2435 we were dead.
2436
2437 BEN
2438 The Force can have a strong influence
2439 on the weak-minded. You will find it
2440 a powerful ally.
2441
2442 LUKE
2443 Do you really think we're going to
2444 find a pilot here that'll take us to
2445 Alderaan?
2446
2447 BEN
2448 Well, most of the best freighter
2449 pilots can be found here. Only watch
2450 your step. This place can be a little
2451 rough.
2452
2453 LUKE
2454 I'm ready for anything.
2455
2456 THREEPIO
2457 Come along, Artoo.
2458
2459 INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
2460
2461 The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
2462 Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy
2463 den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic
2464 alien creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At
2465 first the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy,
2466 furry, scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over
2467 drinks. Ben moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group
2468 of repulsive but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender
2469 stops Luke and the robots.
2470
2471 BARTENDER
2472 We don't serve their kind here!
2473
2474 Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
2475 outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's
2476 drift.
2477
2478 LUKE
2479 What?
2480
2481 BARTENDER
2482 Your droids. They'll have to wait
2483 outside. We don't want them here.
2484
2485 Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
2486 Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures
2487 along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.
2488
2489 Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.
2490
2491 LUKE
2492 Listen, why don't you wait out by
2493 the speeder. We don't want any
2494 trouble.
2495
2496 THREEPIO
2497 I heartily agree with you sir.
2498
2499 Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
2500 creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.
2501
2502 Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall savage-
2503 looking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey with
2504 fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a fur-
2505 covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
2506 Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
2507 and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
2508 sight to behold.
2509
2510 Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
2511 during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
2512 out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
2513 disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between
2514 Ben and the giant Wookiee.
2515
2516 Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
2517 his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
2518 or whatever.
2519
2520 A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.
2521
2522 CREATURE
2523 Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?
2524
2525 The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
2526 the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
2527 Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
2528 belligerent monstrosity.
2529
2530 HUMAN
2531 He doesn't like you.
2532
2533 LUKE
2534 I'm sorry.
2535
2536 HUMAN
2537 I don't like you either.
2538
2539 The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
2540 unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
2541 adventurer.
2542
2543 HUMAN
2544 Don't insult us. You just watch
2545 yourself. We're wanted men. I have
2546 the death sentence in twelve systems.
2547
2548 LUKE
2549 I'll be careful than.
2550
2551 HUMAN
2552 You'll be dead.
2553
2554 The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
2555 moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His
2556 three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind
2557 Luke.
2558
2559 BEN
2560 This little one isn't worth the
2561 effort. Come let me buy you
2562 something...
2563
2564 A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young
2565 would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables
2566 and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid.
2567 With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked
2568 chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old Ben.
2569 The bartender panics.
2570
2571 BARTENDER
2572 No blasters! No blaster!
2573
2574 With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to life
2575 and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut
2576 in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
2577 cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns
2578 off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt.
2579 Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities,
2580 attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter
2581 of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is
2582 given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing
2583 his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben
2584 points the the Wookiee.
2585
2586 BEN
2587 This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate
2588 on a ship that might suit our needs.
2589
2590 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2591
2592 Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on
2593 an electronic conversation with another little red astro-
2594 droid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches
2595 two stormtroopers in the street.
2596
2597 THREEPIO
2598 I don't like the look of this.
2599
2600 INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
2601
2602 Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
2603 instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
2604 follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
2605 sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years
2606 old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental,
2607 and cocksure.
2608
2609 HAN
2610 Han Solo. I'm captain of the
2611 Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
2612 me you're looking for passage to the
2613 Alderaan system.
2614
2615 BEN
2616 Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.
2617
2618 HAN
2619 Fast ship? You've never heard of the
2620 Millennium Falcon?
2621
2622 BEN
2623 Should I have?
2624
2625 HAN
2626 It's the ship that made the Kessel
2627 run in less than twelve parsecs!
2628
2629 Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
2630 obvious misinformation.
2631
2632 HAN
2633 I've outrun Imperial starships, not
2634 the local bulk-cruisers, mind you.
2635 I'm talking about the big Corellian
2636 ships now. She's fast enough for
2637 you, old man. What's the cargo?
2638
2639 BEN
2640 Only passengers. Myself, the boy,
2641 two droids, and no questions asked.
2642
2643 HAN
2644 What is it? Some kind of local
2645 trouble?
2646
2647 BEN
2648 Let's just say we'd like to avoid
2649 any Imperial entanglements.
2650
2651 HAN
2652 Well, that's the trick, isn't it?
2653 And it's going to cost you something
2654 extra. Ten thousand in advance.
2655
2656 LUKE
2657 Ten thousand? We could almost buy
2658 our own ship for that!
2659
2660 HAN
2661 But who's going to fly it, kid! You?
2662
2663 LUKE
2664 You bet I could. I'm not such a bad
2665 pilot myself! We don't have to sit
2666 here and listen...
2667
2668 BEN
2669 We haven't that much with us. But we
2670 could pay you two thousand now, plus
2671 fifteen when we reach Alderaan.
2672
2673 HAN
2674 Seventeen, huh!
2675
2676 Han ponders this for a few moments.
2677
2678 HAN
2679 Okay. You guys got yourself a ship.
2680 We'll leave as soon as you're ready.
2681 Docking bay Ninety-four.
2682
2683 BEN
2684 Ninety-four.
2685
2686 HAN
2687 Looks like somebody's beginning to
2688 take an interest in your handiwork.
2689
2690 Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
2691 looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
2692 questions. The bartender points to the booth.
2693
2694 TROOPER
2695 All right, we'll check it out.
2696
2697 The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
2698 are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.
2699
2700 HAN
2701 Seventeen thousand! Those guys must
2702 really be desperate. This could really
2703 save my neck. Get back to the ship
2704 and get her ready.
2705
2706 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2707
2708 BEN
2709 You'll have to sell your speeder.
2710
2711 LUKE
2712 That's okay. I'm never coming back
2713 to this planet again.
2714
2715 INT. MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
2716
2717 As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
2718 with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature
2719 speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.
2720
2721 GREEDO
2722 Going somewhere, Solo?
2723
2724 HAN
2725 Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I
2726 was just going to see your boss.
2727 Tell Jabba that I've got his money.
2728
2729 Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding the
2730 gun on him.
2731
2732 GREEDO
2733 It's too late. You should have paid
2734 him when you had the chance. Jabba's
2735 put a price on your head, so large
2736 that every bounty hunter in the galaxy
2737 will be looking for you. I'm lucky I
2738 found you first.
2739
2740 HAN
2741 Yeah, but this time I got the money.
2742
2743 GREEDO
2744 If you give it to me, I might forget
2745 I found you.
2746
2747 HAN
2748 I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...
2749
2750 GREEDO
2751 Jabba's through with you. He has no
2752 time for smugglers who drop their
2753 shipments at the first sign of an
2754 Imperial cruiser.
2755
2756 HAN
2757 Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you
2758 think I had a choice?
2759
2760 Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.
2761
2762 GREEDO
2763 You can tell that to Jabba. He may
2764 only take your ship.
2765
2766 HAN
2767 Over my dead body.
2768
2769 GREEDO
2770 That's the idea. I've been looking
2771 forward to killing you for a long
2772 time.
2773
2774 HAN
2775 Yes, I'll bet you have.
2776
2777 Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
2778 light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as
2779 the other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up
2780 and starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some
2781 coins as he leaves.
2782
2783 HAN
2784 Sorry about the mess.
2785
2786 EXT. SPACE
2787
2788 Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
2789
2790 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
2791
2792 VADER
2793 Her resistance to the mind probe is
2794 considerable. It will be some time
2795 before we can extract any information
2796 from her.
2797
2798 An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
2799
2800 IMPERIAL OFFICER
2801 The final check-out is complete. All
2802 systems are operational. What course
2803 shall we set?
2804
2805 TARKIN
2806 Perhaps she would respond to an
2807 alternative form of persuasion.
2808
2809 VADER
2810 What do you mean?
2811
2812 TARKIN
2813 I think it is time we demonstrate
2814 the full power of this station.
2815 (to soldier)
2816 Set your course for Princess Leia's
2817 home planet of Alderaan.
2818
2819 TROOPER
2820 With pleasure.
2821
2822 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2823
2824 Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
2825 narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking
2826 exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
2827 robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
2828 hiding from the hot winds.
2829
2830 THREEPIO
2831 Lock the door, Artoo.
2832
2833 One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
2834 on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
2835 Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.
2836
2837 TROOPER
2838 All right, check that side of the
2839 street. It's secure. Move on to the
2840 next door.
2841
2842 The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
2843
2844 THREEPIO
2845 I would much rather have gone with
2846 Master Luke than stay here with you.
2847 I don't know what all the trouble is
2848 about, but I'm sure it must be your
2849 fault.
2850
2851 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
2852
2853 THREEPIO
2854 You watch your language!
2855
2856 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - ALLEYWAY - USED
2857 SPEEDER LOT
2858
2859 Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
2860 talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
2861 dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
2862 by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.
2863
2864 LUKE
2865 He says it's the best he can do.
2866 Since the XP-38 came out, they're
2867 just not in demand.
2868
2869 BEN
2870 It will be enough.
2871
2872 Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
2873 alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
2874 creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
2875 faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
2876 moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as
2877 they disappear down another alley.
2878
2879 BEN
2880 If the ship's as fast as he's
2881 boasting, we ought to do well.
2882
2883 INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY
2884
2885 Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
2886 creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is
2887 the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is
2888 a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is
2889 a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and
2890 a huge ugly mouth.
2891
2892 JABBA
2893 Come on out, Solo!
2894
2895 A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
2896 they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
2897 Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
2898
2899 HAN
2900 I've been waiting for you, Jabba.
2901
2902 JABBA
2903 I expected you would be.
2904
2905 HAN
2906 I'm not the type to run.
2907
2908 JABBA
2909 (fatherly-smooth)
2910 Han, my boy, there are times when
2911 you disappoint me... why haven't you
2912 paid me? And why did you have to fry
2913 poor Greedo like that... after all
2914 we've been through together.
2915
2916 HAN
2917 You sent Greedo to blast me.
2918
2919 JABBA
2920 (mock surprise)
2921 Han, why you're the best smuggler in
2922 the business. You're too valuable to
2923 fry. He was only relaying my concern
2924 at your delays. He wasn't going to
2925 blast you.
2926
2927 HAN
2928 I think he thought he was. Next time
2929 don't send one of those twerps. If
2930 you've got something to say to me,
2931 come see me yourself.
2932
2933 JABBA
2934 Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to
2935 dump that shipment of spice... you
2936 understand I just can't make an
2937 exception. Where would I be if every
2938 pilot who smuggled for me dumped
2939 their shipment at the first sign of
2940 an Imperial starship? It's not good
2941 business.
2942
2943 HAN
2944 You know, even I get boarded
2945 sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice,
2946 but I've got a charter now and I can
2947 pay you back, plus a little extra. I
2948 just need some more time.
2949
2950 JABBA
2951 (to his men)
2952 Put your blasters away. Han, my boy,
2953 I'm only doing this because you're
2954 the best and I need you. So, for an
2955 extra, say twenty percent I'll give
2956 you a little more time... but this
2957 is it. If you disappoint me again,
2958 I'll put a price on your head so
2959 large you won't be able to go near a
2960 civilized system for the rest of
2961 your short life.
2962
2963 HAN
2964 Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my
2965 pleasure.
2966
2967 EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY
2968
2969 Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay
2970 94. Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
2971 Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry.
2972 The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder
2973 lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
2974 transmitter.
2975
2976 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94
2977
2978 Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is
2979 Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a
2980 large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that
2981 could only loosely be called a starship.
2982
2983 LUKE
2984 What a piece of junk.
2985
2986 The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
2987
2988 HAN
2989 She'll make point five beyond the
2990 speed of light. She may not look
2991 like much, but she's got it where it
2992 counts, kid. I've added some special
2993 modifications myself.
2994
2995 Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
2996 all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others
2997 to follow.
2998
2999 HAN
3000 We're a little rushed, so if you'll
3001 hurry aboard we'll get out of here.
3002
3003 The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
3004 Solo.
3005
3006 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
3007
3008 Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
3009 engines of the starship.
3010
3011 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94
3012
3013 Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
3014 Falcon passing Solo.
3015
3016 THREEPIO
3017 Hello, sir.
3018
3019 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
3020
3021 Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
3022 creature.
3023
3024 TROOPER
3025 Which way?
3026
3027 The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
3028 bay.
3029
3030 TROOPER
3031 All right, men. Load your weapons!
3032
3033 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94]
3034
3035 The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
3036 docking bay entrance.
3037
3038 TROOPER
3039 Stop that ship!
3040
3041 Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers rushing
3042 into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at Han as
3043 he ducks into the spaceship.
3044
3045 TROOPER
3046 Blast 'em!
3047
3048 Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
3049 which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
3050 pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
3051 slams the overhead entry shut.
3052
3053 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
3054
3055 HAN
3056 Chewie, get us out of here!
3057
3058 The group straps in for take off.
3059
3060 THREEPIO
3061 Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I
3062 hate space travel.
3063
3064 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREETS
3065
3066 The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
3067 alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above
3068 the dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the
3069 morning sky.
3070
3071 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3072
3073 Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
3074 chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
3075
3076 EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
3077
3078 The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
3079
3080 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3081
3082 Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
3083 Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway,
3084 makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
3085
3086 HAN
3087 It looks like an Imperial cruiser.
3088 Our passengers must be hotter than I
3089 thought. Try and hold them off. Angle
3090 the deflector shield while I make
3091 the calculations for the jump to
3092 light speed.
3093
3094 EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
3095
3096 The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
3097 planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
3098 stardestroyers.
3099
3100 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3101
3102 Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy
3103 spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
3104 cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
3105
3106 HAN
3107 Stay sharp! There are two more coming
3108 in; they're going to try to cut us
3109 off.
3110
3111 LUKE
3112 Why don't you outrun them? I thought
3113 you said this thing was fast.
3114
3115 HAN
3116 Watch your mouth, kid, or you're
3117 going to find yourself floating home.
3118 We'll be safe enough once we make
3119 the jump to hyperspace. Besides, I
3120 know a few maneuvers. We'll lose
3121 them!
3122
3123 EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
3124
3125 Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
3126
3127 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3128
3129 The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.
3130
3131 HAN
3132 Here's where the fun begins!
3133
3134 BEN
3135 How long before you can make the
3136 jump to light speed?
3137
3138 HAN
3139 It'll take a few moments to get the
3140 coordinates from the navi-computer.
3141
3142 The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
3143
3144 LUKE
3145 Are you kidding? At the rate they're
3146 gaining...
3147
3148 HAN
3149 Traveling through hyperspace isn't
3150 like dusting crops, boy! Without
3151 precise calculations we could fly
3152 right through a star or bounce too
3153 close to a supernova and that'd end
3154 your trip real quick, wouldn't it?
3155
3156 The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
3157 warning light begins to flash.
3158
3159 LUKE
3160 What's that flashing?
3161
3162 HAN
3163 We're losing our deflector shield.
3164 Go strap yourself in, I'm going to
3165 make the jump to light speed.
3166
3167 The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
3168 crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
3169 makes the jump to hyperspace.
3170
3171 EXT. SPACE
3172
3173 The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
3174 second.
3175
3176 EXT. DEATH STAR
3177
3178 Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
3179
3180 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
3181
3182 Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
3183 Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
3184 displaying a small green planet.
3185
3186 MOTTI
3187 We've entered the Alderaan system.
3188
3189 Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
3190 hands are bound.
3191
3192 LEIA
3193 Governor Tarkin, I should have
3194 expected to find you holding Vader's
3195 leash. I recognized your foul stench
3196 when I was brought on board.
3197
3198 TARKIN
3199 Charming to the last. You don't know
3200 how hard I found it signing the order
3201 to terminate your life!
3202
3203 LEIA
3204 I surprised you had the courage to
3205 take the responsibility yourself!
3206
3207 TARKIN
3208 Princess Leia, before your execution
3209 I would like you to be my guest at a
3210 ceremony that will make this battle
3211 station operational. No star system
3212 will dare oppose the Emperor now.
3213
3214 LEIA
3215 The more you tighten your grip,
3216 Tarkin, the more star systems will
3217 slip through your fingers.
3218
3219 TARKIN
3220 Not after we demonstrate the power
3221 of this station. In a way, you have
3222 determined the choice of the planet
3223 that'll be destroyed first. Since
3224 you are reluctant to provide us with
3225 the location of the Rebel base, I
3226 have chosen to test this station's
3227 destructive power... on your home
3228 planet of Alderaan.
3229
3230 LEIA
3231 No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no
3232 weapons. You can't possibly...
3233
3234 TARKIN
3235 You would prefer another target? A
3236 military target? Then name the system!
3237
3238 Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
3239
3240 TARKIN
3241 I grow tired of asking this. So it'll
3242 be the last time. Where is the Rebel
3243 base?
3244
3245 Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
3246 Alderaan.
3247
3248 LEIA
3249 (softly)
3250 Dantooine.
3251
3252 Leia lowers her head.
3253
3254 LEIA
3255 They're on Dantooine.
3256
3257 TARKIN
3258 There. You see Lord Vader, she can
3259 be reasonable.
3260 (addressing Motti)
3261 Continue with the operation. You may
3262 fire when ready.
3263
3264 LEIA
3265 What?
3266
3267 TARKIN
3268 You're far too trusting. Dantooine
3269 is too remote to make an effective
3270 demonstration. But don't worry. We
3271 will deal with your Rebel friends
3272 soon enough.
3273
3274 LEIA
3275 No!
3276
3277 INT. DEATH STAR - BLAST CHAMBER
3278
3279 VADER
3280 Commence primary ignition.
3281
3282 A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
3283 hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
3284 Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another
3285 lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A
3286 huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area
3287 and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan.
3288 The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
3289
3290 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
3291
3292 Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
3293 robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
3294 seems almost faint.
3295
3296 LUKE
3297 Are you all right? What's wrong?
3298
3299 BEN
3300 I felt a great disturbance in the
3301 Force... as if millions of voices
3302 suddenly cried out in terror and
3303 were suddenly silenced. I fear
3304 something terrible has happened.
3305
3306 Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
3307 he fixes his gaze on Luke.
3308
3309 BEN
3310 You'd better get on with your
3311 exercises.
3312
3313 Han Solo enters the room.
3314
3315 HAN
3316 Well, you can forget your troubles
3317 with those Imperial slugs. I told
3318 you I'd outrun 'em.
3319
3320 Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
3321
3322 HAN
3323 Don't everyone thank me at once.
3324
3325 Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
3326 game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move
3327 along a chess-type board.
3328
3329 HAN
3330 Anyway, we should be at Alderaan
3331 about oh-two-hundred hours.
3332
3333 Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
3334 covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
3335 table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
3336 seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
3337 covered arms over his head.
3338
3339 THREEPIO
3340 Now be careful, Artoo.
3341
3342 Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
3343 stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures
3344 to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
3345 face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot.
3346 Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and
3347 begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
3348
3349 THREEPIO
3350 He made a fair move. Screaming about
3351 it won't help you.
3352
3353 HAN
3354 (interrupting)
3355 Let him have it. It's not wise to
3356 upset a Wookiee.
3357
3358 THREEPIO
3359 But sir, nobody worries about
3360 upsetting a droid.
3361
3362 HAN
3363 That's 'cause droids don't pull
3364 people's arms out of their socket
3365 when they lose. Wookiees are known
3366 to do that.
3367
3368 THREEPIO
3369 I see your point, sir. I suggest a
3370 new strategy, Artoo. Let the Wookiee
3371 win.
3372
3373 Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
3374 frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
3375 head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
3376 Han watches with a bit of smugness.
3377
3378 BEN
3379 Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force
3380 flowing through him.
3381
3382 LUKE
3383 You mean it controls your actions?
3384
3385 BEN
3386 Partially. But it also obeys your
3387 commands.
3388
3389 Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
3390 "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae,
3391 hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of
3392 the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift
3393 lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't
3394 move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy,
3395 then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood
3396 red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing
3397 him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
3398
3399 HAN
3400 Hokey religions and ancient weapons
3401 are no match for a good blaster at
3402 your side, kid.
3403
3404 LUKE
3405 You don't believe in the Force, do
3406 you?
3407
3408 HAN
3409 Kid, I've flown from one side of
3410 this galaxy to the other. I've seen
3411 a lot of strange stuff, but I've
3412 never seen anything to make me believe
3413 there's one all-powerful force
3414 controlling everything. There's no
3415 mystical energy field that controls
3416 my destiny.
3417
3418 Ben smiles quietly.
3419
3420 HAN
3421 It's all a lot of simple tricks and
3422 nonsense.
3423
3424 BEN
3425 I suggest you try it again, Luke.
3426
3427 Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
3428 eyes.
3429
3430 BEN
3431 This time, let go your conscious
3432 self and act on instinct.
3433
3434 LUKE
3435 (laughing)
3436 With the blast shield down, I can't
3437 even see. How am I supposed to fight?
3438
3439 BEN
3440 Your eyes can deceive you. Don't
3441 trust them.
3442
3443 Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
3444 into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
3445 drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
3446 missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
3447 Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
3448 yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
3449
3450 BEN
3451 Stretch out with your feelings.
3452
3453 Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes
3454 a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the
3455 bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
3456 position.
3457
3458 BEN
3459 You see, you can do it.
3460
3461 HAN
3462 I call it luck.
3463
3464 BEN
3465 In my experience, there's no such
3466 thing as luck.
3467
3468 HAN
3469 Look, going good against remotes is
3470 one thing. Going good against the
3471 living? That's something else.
3472
3473 Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
3474 control panel.
3475
3476 HAN
3477 Looks like we're coming up on
3478 Alderaan.
3479
3480 Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
3481
3482 LUKE
3483 You know, I did feel something. I
3484 could almost see the remote.
3485
3486 BEN
3487 That's good. You have taken your
3488 first step into a larger world.
3489
3490 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
3491
3492 Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
3493 evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
3494
3495 TARKIN
3496 Yes.
3497
3498 OFFICER CASS
3499 Our scout ships have reached
3500 Dantooine. They found the remains of
3501 a Rebel base, but they estimate that
3502 it has been deserted for some time.
3503 They are now conducting an extensive
3504 search of the surrounding systems.
3505
3506 TARKIN
3507 She lied! She lied to us!
3508
3509 VADER
3510 I told you she would never consciously
3511 betray the Rebellion.
3512
3513 TARKIN
3514 Terminate her... immediately!
3515
3516 EXT. HYPERSPACE
3517
3518 The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
3519 surreal light show surrounds the ship.
3520
3521 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3522
3523 HAN
3524 Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in
3525 the sublight engines.
3526
3527 Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit window
3528 stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed, then
3529 stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and violently
3530 shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them, battering
3531 the sides of the ship.
3532
3533 HAN
3534 What the...? Aw, we've come out of
3535 hyperspace into a meteor shower.
3536 Some kind of asteroid collision.
3537 It's not on any of the charts.
3538
3539 The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
3540 in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
3541 cockpit.
3542
3543 LUKE
3544 What's going on?
3545
3546 HAN
3547 Our position is correct, except...
3548 no, Alderaan!
3549
3550 LUKE
3551 What do you mean? Where is it?
3552
3553 HAN
3554 Thats what I'm trying to tell you,
3555 kid. It ain't there. It's been totally
3556 blown away.
3557
3558 LUKE
3559 What? How?
3560
3561 Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins to
3562 settle down.
3563
3564 BEN
3565 Destroyed... by the Empire!
3566
3567 HAN
3568 The entire starfleet couldn't destroy
3569 the whole planet. It'd take a thousand
3570 ships with more fire power than
3571 I've...
3572
3573 A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
3574 alarm starts humming.
3575
3576 HAN
3577 There's another ship coming in.
3578
3579 LUKE
3580 Maybe they know what happened.
3581
3582 BEN
3583 It's an Imperial fighter.
3584
3585 Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside
3586 the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A tiny, finned
3587 Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.
3588
3589 LUKE
3590 It followed us!
3591
3592 BEN
3593 No. It's a short range fighter.
3594
3595 HAN
3596 There aren't any bases around here.
3597 Where did it come from?
3598
3599 EXT. SPACE
3600
3601 The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
3602
3603 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3604
3605 LUKE
3606 It sure is leaving in a big hurry.
3607 If they identify us, we're in big
3608 trouble.
3609
3610 HAN
3611 Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam
3612 it's transmissions.
3613
3614 BEN
3615 It'd be as well to let it go. It's
3616 too far out of range.
3617
3618 HAN
3619 Not for long...
3620
3621 EXT. SPACE
3622
3623 The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
3624 vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
3625
3626 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3627
3628 The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny
3629 fighter. In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter
3630 until it is obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben
3631 stands behind Chewbacca.
3632
3633 BEN
3634 A fighter that size couldn't get
3635 this deep into space on its own.
3636
3637 LUKE
3638 It must have gotten lost, been part
3639 of a convoy or something.
3640
3641 HAN
3642 Well, he ain't going to be around
3643 long enough to tell anyone about us.
3644
3645 EXT. SPACE
3646
3647 The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
3648 they race toward camera and disappear over head.
3649
3650 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3651
3652 The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
3653 planet.
3654
3655 LUKE
3656 Look at him. He's headed for that
3657 small moon.
3658
3659 HAN
3660 I think I can get him before he gets
3661 there... he's almost in range.
3662
3663 The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a monstrous
3664 spherical battle station.
3665
3666 BEN
3667 That's no moon! It's a space station.
3668
3669 HAN
3670 It's too big to be a space station.
3671
3672 LUKE
3673 I have a very bad feeling about this.
3674
3675 HAN
3676 Yeah, I think your right. Full
3677 reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary
3678 power.
3679
3680 The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away
3681 toward the gargantuan battle station.
3682
3683 LUKE
3684 Why are we still moving towards it?
3685
3686 HAN
3687 We're caught in a tractor beam! It's
3688 pulling us in!
3689
3690 LUKE
3691 But there's gotta be something you
3692 can do!
3693
3694 HAN
3695 There's nothin' I can do about it,
3696 kid. I'm in full power. I'm going to
3697 have to shut down. But they're not
3698 going to get me without a fight!
3699
3700 Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.
3701
3702 BEN
3703 You can't win. But there are
3704 alternatives to fighting.
3705
3706 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - DEATH STAR
3707
3708 As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome
3709 metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station
3710 becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic
3711 sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which
3712 the helpless pirateship is dragged.
3713
3714 EXT. DEATH STAR - HUGE PORT DOORS
3715
3716 The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
3717 control room and huge laser turret cannons.
3718
3719 VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM
3720
3721 Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic
3722 field.
3723
3724 INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037
3725
3726 The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
3727 Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
3728 stand at attention in a central assembly area.
3729
3730 OFFICER
3731 To you stations!
3732 (to another officer)
3733 Come with me.
3734
3735 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
3736
3737 Stormtroopers run to their posts.
3738
3739 INT. DEATH STAR - HANGAR 2037
3740
3741 A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
3742 readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons
3743 ready to fire.
3744
3745 OFFICER
3746 Close all outboard shields! Close
3747 all outboard shields!
3748
3749 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
3750
3751 Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.
3752
3753 TARKIN
3754 Yes.
3755
3756 VOICE
3757 (over intercom)
3758 We've captured a freighter entering
3759 the remains of the Alderaan system.
3760 It's markings match those of a ship
3761 that blasted its way out of Mos
3762 Eisley.
3763
3764 VADER
3765 They must be trying to return the
3766 stolen plans to the princess. She
3767 may yet be of some use to us.
3768
3769 INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037
3770
3771 Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
3772 several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
3773
3774 VOICE
3775 (over intercom)
3776 Unlock one-five-seven and nine.
3777 Release charges.
3778
3779 OFFICER
3780 (to Vader)
3781 There's no one on board, sir.
3782 According to the log, the crew
3783 abandoned ship right after takeoff.
3784 It must be a decoy, sir. Several of
3785 the escape pods have been jettisoned.
3786
3787 VADER
3788 Did you find any droids?
3789
3790 OFFICER
3791 No, sir. If there were any on board,
3792 they must also have jettisoned.
3793
3794 VADER
3795 Send a scanning crew on board. I
3796 want every part of this ship checked.
3797
3798 OFFICER
3799 Yes, sir.
3800
3801 VADER
3802 I sense something... a presence I
3803 haven't felt since...
3804
3805 Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
3806
3807 OFFICER
3808 Get me a scanning crew in here on
3809 the double. I want every part of
3810 this ship checked!
3811
3812 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HALLWAY
3813
3814 A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In
3815 a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
3816 officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly
3817 pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his
3818 head out of a third locker.
3819
3820 LUKE
3821 Boy, it's lucky you had these
3822 compartments.
3823
3824 HAN
3825 I use them for smuggling. I never
3826 thought I'd be smuggling myself in
3827 them. This is ridiculous. Even if I
3828 could take off, I'd never get past
3829 the tractor beam.
3830
3831 BEN
3832 Leave that to me!
3833
3834 HAN
3835 Damn fool. I knew that you were going
3836 to say that!
3837
3838 BEN
3839 Who's the more foolish... the fool
3840 or the fool who follows him?
3841
3842 Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees.
3843
3844 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
3845
3846 The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the
3847 two stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
3848
3849 TROOPER
3850 The ship's all yours. If the scanners
3851 pick up anything, report it
3852 immediately. All right, let's go.
3853
3854 The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
3855 is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
3856
3857 HAN'S VOICE
3858 Hey down there, could you give us a
3859 hand with this?
3860
3861 The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of gunfire
3862 is heard.
3863
3864 INT. DEATH STAR - FORWARD BAY - COMMAND OFFICE
3865
3866 In a very small command office near the entrance to the
3867 pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices
3868 the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
3869
3870 GANTRY OFFICER
3871 TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you at
3872 your post? TX-four-one-two, do you
3873 copy?
3874
3875 A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
3876 waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
3877 his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his
3878 head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an
3879 annoyed look.
3880
3881 GANTRY OFFICER
3882 Take over. We've got a bad
3883 transmitter. I'll see what I can do.
3884
3885 As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing
3886 the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary
3887 state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone- chilling
3888 howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow.
3889 The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted
3890 by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and the
3891 robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also dressed
3892 as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.
3893
3894 LUKE
3895 You know, between his howling and
3896 your blasting everything in sight,
3897 it's a wonder the whole station
3898 doesn't know we're here.
3899
3900 HAN
3901 Bring them on! I prefer a straight
3902 fight to all this sneaking around.
3903
3904 THREEPIO
3905 We found the computer outlet, sir.
3906
3907 Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of
3908 the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it
3909 carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel.
3910 Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
3911
3912 BEN
3913 Plug in. He should be able to
3914 interpret the entire Imperial computer
3915 network.
3916
3917 Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
3918 vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information
3919 to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.
3920
3921 THREEPIO
3922 He says he's found the main computer
3923 to power the tractor beam that's
3924 holding the ship here. He'll try to
3925 make the precise location appear on
3926 the monitor.
3927
3928 The computer monitor flashes readouts.
3929
3930 THREEPIO
3931 The tractor beam is coupled to the
3932 main reactor in seven locations. A
3933 power loss at one of the terminals
3934 will allow the ship to leave.
3935
3936 Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.
3937
3938 BEN
3939 I don't think you boys can help. I
3940 must go alone.
3941
3942 HAN
3943 Whatever you say. I've done more
3944 that I bargained for on this trip
3945 already.
3946
3947 LUKE
3948 I want to go with you.
3949
3950 BEN
3951 Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch
3952 over the droids.
3953
3954 LUKE
3955 But he can...
3956
3957 BEN
3958 They must be delivered safely or
3959 other star systems will suffer the
3960 same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny
3961 lies along a different path than
3962 mine. The Force will be with you...
3963 always!
3964
3965 Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
3966 out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
3967 hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head
3968 in agreement.
3969
3970 HAN
3971 Boy you said it, Chewie.
3972
3973 Han looks at Luke.
3974
3975 HAN
3976 Where did you dig up that old fossil?
3977
3978 LUKE
3979 Ben is a great man.
3980
3981 HAN
3982 Yeah, great at getting us into
3983 trouble.
3984
3985 LUKE
3986 I didn't hear you give any ideas...
3987
3988 HAN
3989 Well, anything would be better than
3990 just hanging around waiting for him
3991 to pick us up...
3992
3993 LUKE
3994 Who do you think...
3995
3996 Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
3997 Luke goes over to him.
3998
3999 LUKE
4000 What is it?
4001
4002 THREEPIO
4003 I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
4004 He says "I found her", and keeps
4005 repeating, "She's here."
4006
4007 LUKE
4008 Well, who... who has he found?
4009
4010 Artoo whistles a frantic reply.
4011
4012 THREEPIO
4013 Princess Leia.
4014
4015 LUKE
4016 The princess? She's here?
4017
4018 HAN
4019 Princess? What's going on?
4020
4021 THREEPIO
4022 Level five. Detention block A A-twenty-
4023 three. I'm afraid she's scheduled to
4024 be terminated.
4025
4026 LUKE
4027 Oh, no! We've got to do something.
4028
4029 HAN
4030 What are you talking about?
4031
4032 LUKE
4033 The droid belongs to her. She's the
4034 one in the message... We've got to
4035 help her.
4036
4037 HAN
4038 Now, look, don't get any funny ideas.
4039 The old man wants us to wait right
4040 here.
4041
4042 LUKE
4043 But he didn't know she was here.
4044 Look, will you just find a way back
4045 into the detention block?
4046
4047 HAN
4048 I'm not going anywhere.
4049
4050 LUKE
4051 They're going to execute her. Look,
4052 a few minutes ago you said you didn't
4053 want to just wait here to be captured.
4054 Now all you want to do is stay.
4055
4056 HAN
4057 Marching into the detention area is
4058 not what I had in mind.
4059
4060 LUKE
4061 But they're going to kill her!
4062
4063 HAN
4064 Better her than me...
4065
4066 LUKE
4067 She's rich.
4068
4069 Chewbacca growls.
4070
4071 HAN
4072 Rich?
4073
4074 LUKE
4075 Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you
4076 were to rescue her, the reward would
4077 be...
4078
4079 HAN
4080 What?
4081
4082 LUKE
4083 Well more wealth that you can imagine.
4084
4085 HAN
4086 I don't know, I can imagine quite a
4087 bit!
4088
4089 LUKE
4090 You'll get it!
4091
4092 HAN
4093 I better!
4094
4095 LUKE
4096 You will...
4097
4098 HAN
4099 All right, kid. But you'd better be
4100 right about this.
4101
4102 Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
4103
4104 LUKE
4105 All right.
4106
4107 HAN
4108 What's your plan?
4109
4110 LUKE
4111 Uh... Threepio, hand me those binders
4112 there will you?
4113
4114 Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
4115
4116 LUKE
4117 Okay. Now, I'm going to put these on
4118 you.
4119
4120 Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
4121
4122 LUKE
4123 Okay. Han, you put these on.
4124
4125 Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
4126
4127 HAN
4128 Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know
4129 what he has in mind.
4130
4131 The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as
4132 Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
4133
4134 THREEPIO
4135 Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for
4136 asking... but, ah... what should
4137 Artoo and I do if we're discovered
4138 here?
4139
4140 LUKE
4141 Lock the door!
4142
4143 HAN
4144 And hope they don't have blasters.
4145
4146 THREEPIO
4147 That isn't very reassuring.
4148
4149 Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
4150 start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.
4151
4152 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - ELEVATOR TUBE
4153
4154 Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits
4155 as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops,
4156 bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio
4157 completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious
4158 glance.
4159
4160 Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.
4161
4162 LUKE
4163 I can't see a thing in this helmet.
4164
4165 A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away
4166 by Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and
4167 the elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.
4168
4169 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN HALLWAY
4170
4171 Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main
4172 passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot
4173 similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end
4174 of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then
4175 disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting
4176 that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion.
4177 No one in the hallway seems to notice him.
4178
4179 INT. DEATH STAR - INTERIOR ELEVATOR - DETENTION SECURITY
4180 AREA
4181
4182 Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door
4183 slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards
4184 enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates
4185 are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.
4186
4187 HAN
4188 This is not going to work.
4189
4190 LUKE
4191 Why didn't you say so before?
4192
4193 HAN
4194 I did say so before!
4195
4196 INT. DETENTION AREA
4197
4198 Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
4199 the trio.
4200
4201 OFFICER
4202 Where are you taking this... thing?
4203
4204 Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut
4205 up.
4206
4207 LUKE
4208 Prisoner transfer from Block one-one-
4209 three-eight.
4210
4211 OFFICER
4212 I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear
4213 it.
4214
4215 The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in
4216 the information. There are only three other troopers in the
4217 area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the
4218 alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of
4219 Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
4220
4221 Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one
4222 of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.
4223
4224 HAN
4225 Look out! He's loose!
4226
4227 LUKE
4228 He's going to pull us all apart.
4229
4230 HAN
4231 Go get him!
4232
4233 The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and
4234 Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are
4235 blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of
4236 laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser
4237 gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the
4238 last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is
4239 about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink
4240 system, which is screeching questions about what is going
4241 on. He quickly checks the computer readout.
4242
4243 HAN
4244 We've got to find out which cell
4245 this princess of yours is in. Here
4246 it is... cell twenty-one-eight-seven.
4247 You go get her. I'll hold them here.
4248
4249 Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into
4250 the buzzing comlink.
4251
4252 HAN
4253 (sounding official)
4254 Everything is under control. Situation
4255 normal.
4256
4257 INTERCOM VOICE
4258 What happened?
4259
4260 HAN
4261 (getting nervous)
4262 Uh... had a slight weapons
4263 malfunction. But, uh, everything's
4264 perfectly all right now. We're fine.
4265 We're all fine here, now, thank you.
4266 How are you?
4267
4268 INTERCOM VOICE
4269 We're sending a squad up.
4270
4271 HAN
4272 Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor
4273 leak here now. Give us a few minutes
4274 to lock it down. Large leak... very
4275 dangerous.
4276
4277 INTERCOM VOICE
4278 Who is this? What's your operating
4279 number?
4280
4281 Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
4282
4283 HAN
4284 Boring conversation anyway.
4285 (yelling down the
4286 hall)
4287 Luke! We're going to have company!
4288
4289 INT. DEATH STAR - CELL ROW
4290
4291 Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door
4292 away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees
4293 the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping
4294 and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on
4295 her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands
4296 staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
4297
4298 LEIA
4299 (finally)
4300 Aren't you a little short to be a
4301 stormtrooper?
4302
4303 Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.
4304
4305 LUKE
4306 What? Oh... the uniform. I'm Luke
4307 Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you.
4308
4309 LEIA
4310 You're who?
4311
4312 LUKE
4313 I'm here to rescue you. I've got
4314 your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
4315 Kenobi.
4316
4317 LEIA
4318 Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?
4319
4320 LUKE
4321 Come on!
4322
4323 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
4324
4325 Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the
4326 far end of the conference table.
4327
4328 VADER
4329 He is here...
4330
4331 TARKIN
4332 Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think
4333 so?
4334
4335 VADER
4336 A tremor in the Force. The last time
4337 I felt it was in the presence of my
4338 old master.
4339
4340 TARKIN
4341 Surely he must be dead by now.
4342
4343 VADER
4344 Don't underestimate the power of the
4345 Force.
4346
4347 TARKIN
4348 The Jedi are extinct, their fire has
4349 gone out of the universe. You, my
4350 friend, are all that's left of their
4351 religion.
4352
4353 There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
4354
4355 TARKIN
4356 Yes.
4357
4358 INTERCOM VOICE
4359 Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency
4360 alert in detention block A A-twenty-
4361 three.
4362
4363 TARKIN
4364 The princess! Put all sections on
4365 alert!
4366
4367 VADER
4368 Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with
4369 him.
4370
4371 TARKIN
4372 If you're right, he must not be
4373 allowed to escape.
4374
4375 VADER
4376 Escape is not his plan. I must face
4377 him alone.
4378
4379 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - HALLWAY
4380
4381 An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
4382 elevator door.
4383
4384 HAN
4385 Chewie!
4386
4387 Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
4388
4389 HAN
4390 Get behind me! Get behind me!
4391
4392 A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door
4393 through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
4394
4395 Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke
4396 and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting
4397 up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
4398
4399 HAN
4400 Can't get out that way.
4401
4402 LEIA
4403 Looks like you managed to cut off
4404 our only escape route.
4405
4406 HAN
4407 (sarcastically)
4408 Maybe you'd like it back in your
4409 cell, Your Highness.
4410
4411 Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as they
4412 continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
4413 way down the corridor.
4414
4415 LUKE
4416 See-Threepio! See-Threepio!
4417
4418 THREEPIO
4419 (over comlink)
4420 Yes sir?
4421
4422 LUKE
4423 We've been cut off! Are there any
4424 other ways out of the cell bay?...
4425 What was that? I didn't copy!
4426
4427 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN BAY GANTRY - CONTROL TOWER
4428
4429 Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
4430 whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
4431 transmitter.
4432
4433 THREEPIO
4434 I said, all systems have been alerted
4435 to your presence, sir. The main
4436 entrance seems to be the only way in
4437 or out; all other information on
4438 your level is restricted.
4439
4440 Someone begins banging on the door.
4441
4442 TROOPER VOICE
4443 Open up in there!
4444
4445 THREEPIO
4446 Oh, no!
4447
4448 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR
4449
4450 Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as
4451 they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca
4452 are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far
4453 and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke
4454 fills the narrow cell corridor.
4455
4456 LUKE
4457 There isn't any other way out.
4458
4459 HAN
4460 I can't hold them off forever! Now
4461 what?
4462
4463 LEIA
4464 This is some rescue. When you came
4465 in here, didn't you have a plan for
4466 getting out?
4467
4468 HAN
4469 (pointing to Luke)
4470 He's the brains, sweetheart.
4471
4472 Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
4473
4474 LUKE
4475 Well, I didn't...
4476
4477 The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in
4478 the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
4479
4480 HAN
4481 What the hell are you doing?
4482
4483 LEIA
4484 Somebody has to save our skins. Into
4485 the garbage chute, wise guy.
4486
4487 She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
4488 look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
4489 says something.
4490
4491 HAN
4492 Get in there you big furry oaf! I
4493 don't care what you smell! Get in
4494 there and don't worry about it.
4495
4496 Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
4497 tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their
4498 way toward the opening.
4499
4500 HAN
4501 Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to
4502 kill her or I'm beginning to like
4503 her. Get in there!
4504
4505 Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han fires
4506 off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover, then
4507 slides into the chute himself and is gone.
4508
4509 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4510
4511 Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck.
4512 Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He
4513 finds a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't
4514 budge.
4515
4516 HAN
4517 (sarcastically)
4518 Oh! The garbage chute was a really
4519 wonderful idea. What an incredible
4520 smell you've discovered! Let's get
4521 out of here! Get away from there...
4522
4523 LUKE
4524 No! wait!
4525
4526 Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The
4527 laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room.
4528 Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes
4529 almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a
4530 rather grim look on her face.
4531
4532 LUKE
4533 Will you forget it? I already tried
4534 it. It's magnetically sealed!
4535
4536 LEIA
4537 Put that thing away! You're going to
4538 get us all killed.
4539
4540 HAN
4541 Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I
4542 had everything under control until
4543 you led us down here. You know, it's
4544 not going to take them long to figure
4545 out what happened to us.
4546
4547 LEIA
4548 It could be worse...
4549
4550 A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the
4551 murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins
4552 to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols
4553 drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.
4554
4555 HAN
4556 It's worse.
4557
4558 LUKE
4559 There's something alive in here!
4560
4561 HAN
4562 That's your imagination.
4563
4564 LUKE
4565 Something just moves past my leg!
4566 Look! Did you see that?
4567
4568 HAN
4569 What?
4570
4571 LUKE
4572 Help!
4573
4574 Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.
4575
4576 HAN
4577 Luke! Luke! Luke!
4578
4579 Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air
4580 and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around
4581 his throat.
4582
4583 LEIA
4584 Luke!
4585
4586 Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
4587
4588 LEIA
4589 Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.
4590
4591 LUKE
4592 Blast it, will you! My gun's jammed.
4593
4594 HAN
4595 Where?
4596
4597 LUKE
4598 Anywhere! Oh!!
4599
4600 Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
4601 muck by the slimy tentacle.
4602
4603 HAN
4604 Luke! Luke!
4605
4606 Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
4607 move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet.
4608 Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca
4609 howls in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke
4610 suddenly bobs to the surface.
4611
4612 LEIA
4613 Grab him!
4614
4615 Luke seems to be released by the thing.
4616
4617 LEIA
4618 What happened?
4619
4620 LUKE
4621 I don't know, it just let go of me
4622 and disappeared...
4623
4624 HAN
4625 I've got a very bad feeling about
4626 this.
4627
4628 Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble and
4629 edge toward the Rebels.
4630
4631 LUKE
4632 The walls are moving!
4633
4634 LEIA
4635 Don't just stand there. Try to brace
4636 it with something.
4637
4638 They place poles and long metal beams between the closing
4639 walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant
4640 trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.
4641
4642 LUKE
4643 Wait a minute!
4644
4645 Luke pulls out his comlink.
4646
4647 LUKE
4648 Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio!
4649 Where could he be?
4650
4651 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN GANTRY - COMMAND OFFICE
4652
4653 A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for
4654 See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which
4655 is sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and
4656 Threepio are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great
4657 explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the
4658 floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.
4659
4660 FIRST TROOPER
4661 Take over!
4662 (pointing to the dead
4663 officer)
4664 See to him! Look there!
4665
4666 A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door slides
4667 open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo follows
4668 his bronze companion out into the office.
4669
4670 THREEPIO
4671 They're madmen! They're heading for
4672 the prison level. If you hurry, you
4673 might catch them.
4674
4675 FIRST OFFICER
4676 (to his troops)
4677 Follow me! You stand guard.
4678
4679 The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
4680 watch over the command office.
4681
4682 THREEPIO
4683 (to Artoo)
4684 Come on!
4685
4686 The guard aims a blaster at them.
4687
4688 THREEPIO
4689 Oh! All this excitement has overrun
4690 the circuits of my counterpart here.
4691 If you don't mind, I'd like to take
4692 him down to maintenance.
4693
4694 TROOPER
4695 All right.
4696
4697 The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow, hurries
4698 out the door.
4699
4700 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4701
4702 As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller.
4703 Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his
4704 giant paws.
4705
4706 Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is
4707 snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.
4708
4709 LUKE
4710 Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!
4711
4712 Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole.
4713 Leia begins to sink into the trash.
4714
4715 HAN
4716 Get to the top!
4717
4718 LEIA
4719 I can't
4720
4721 LUKE
4722 Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio,
4723 will you come in?
4724
4725 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4726
4727 THREEPIO
4728 They aren't here! Something must
4729 have happened to them. See if they've
4730 been captured.
4731
4732 Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
4733 socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from
4734 the tiny robot.
4735
4736 THREEPIO
4737 Hurry!
4738
4739 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4740
4741 The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against
4742 the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each
4743 other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds
4744 it tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels
4745 the first crushing pressure against her body.
4746
4747 HAN
4748 One thing's for sure. We're all going
4749 to be a lot thinner!
4750 (to Leia)
4751 Get on top of it!
4752
4753 LEIA
4754 I'm trying!
4755
4756 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4757
4758 THREEPIO
4759 (to Artoo)
4760 Thank goodness, they haven't found
4761 them! Where could they be?
4762
4763 Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.
4764
4765 THREEPIO
4766 Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I
4767 turned it off!
4768
4769 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4770
4771 Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his
4772 head above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz
4773 and he rips it off his belt.
4774
4775 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4776
4777 Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard,
4778 but not distinctly.
4779
4780 THREEPIO
4781 Are you there, sir?
4782
4783 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4784
4785 LUKE
4786 Threepio!
4787
4788 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4789
4790 THREEPIO
4791 We've had some problems...
4792
4793 LUKE
4794 (over comlink)
4795 Will you shut up and listen to me?
4796 Shut down all garbage mashers on the
4797 detention level, will you? Do you
4798 copy?
4799
4800 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4801
4802 LUKE
4803 Shut down all the garbage mashers on
4804 the detention level.
4805
4806 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4807
4808 LUKE
4809 (over comlink)
4810 Shut down all the garbage mashers on
4811 the detention level.
4812
4813 THREEPIO
4814 (to Artoo)
4815 No. Shut them all down! Hurry!
4816
4817 Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
4818 screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.
4819
4820 THREEPIO
4821 Listen to them! They're dying, Artoo!
4822 Curse my metal body! I wasn't fast
4823 enough. It's all my fault! My poor
4824 master!
4825
4826 LUKE
4827 (over comlink)
4828 Threepio, we're all right!
4829
4830 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4831
4832 The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief.
4833 The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace
4834 in the background.
4835
4836 LUKE
4837 We're all right. You did great.
4838
4839 Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
4840 number.
4841
4842 LUKE
4843 Hey... hey, open the pressure
4844 maintenance hatch on unit number...
4845 where are we?
4846
4847 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4848
4849 HAN
4850 (over comlink)
4851 Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.
4852
4853 INT. DEATH STAR - TRACTOR BEAM - POWER GENERATOR TRENCH
4854
4855 Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
4856 tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep.
4857 The clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard.
4858 The old Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading
4859 to a control panel that connects two large cables. He
4860 carefully makes several adjustments in the computer terminal,
4861 and several lights on the board go from red to blue.
4862
4863 INT. DEATH STAR - UNUSED HALLWAY
4864
4865 The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway.
4866 Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster
4867 belts.
4868
4869 HAN
4870 If we can just avoid any more female
4871 advice, we ought to be able to get
4872 out of here.
4873
4874 Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
4875 from Solo.
4876
4877 LUKE
4878 Well, let's get moving!
4879
4880 Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the garbage
4881 room, as he runs away and then stops howling.
4882
4883 HAN
4884 (to Chewie)
4885 Where are you going?
4886
4887 The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy
4888 tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a
4889 victim. Han aims his pistol.
4890
4891 LEIA
4892 No, wait. They'll hear!
4893
4894 Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes
4895 relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply
4896 shakes his head in disgust.
4897
4898 HAN
4899 (to Chewie)
4900 Come here, you big coward!
4901
4902 Chewie shakes his head "no."
4903
4904 HAN
4905 Chewie! Come here!
4906
4907 LEIA
4908 Listen. I don't know who you are, or
4909 where you came from, but from now
4910 on, you do as I tell you. Okay?
4911
4912 Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.
4913
4914 HAN
4915 Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get
4916 one thing straight! I take orders
4917 from one person! Me!
4918
4919 LEIA
4920 It's a wonder you're still alive.
4921 (looking at Chewie)
4922 Will somebody get this big walking
4923 carpet out of my way?
4924
4925 Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.
4926
4927 HAN
4928 No reward is worth this.
4929
4930 They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.
4931
4932 INT. DEATH STAR - POWER TRENCH
4933
4934 Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of
4935 stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly
4936 slips into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few
4937 feet of him.
4938
4939 OFFICER
4940 Secure this area until the alert is
4941 canceled.
4942
4943 FIRST TROOPER
4944 Give me regular reports.
4945
4946 All but two of the stormtroopers leave.
4947
4948 FIRST TROOPER
4949 Do you know what's going on?
4950
4951 SECOND TROOPER
4952 Maybe it's another drill.
4953
4954 Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the stormtroopers
4955 as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures with his hand
4956 toward them, as the troops think they hear something in the
4957 other hallway. With the help of the Force, Ben deftly slips
4958 past the troopers and into the main hallway.
4959
4960 SECOND TROOPER
4961 What was that?
4962
4963 FIRST TROOPER
4964 Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about
4965 it.
4966
4967 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
4968
4969 Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
4970 stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers
4971 are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.
4972
4973 HAN
4974 (looking at his ship)
4975 There she is.
4976
4977 LUKE
4978 See-Threepio, do you copy?
4979
4980 THREEPIO
4981 (voice)
4982 For the moment. Uh, we're in the
4983 main hangar across from the ship.
4984
4985 LUKE
4986 We're right above you. Stand by.
4987
4988 Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
4989 the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
4990 points out the window to the ship.
4991
4992 LEIA
4993 You came in that thing? You're braver
4994 that I thought.
4995
4996 HAN
4997 Nice! Come on!
4998
4999 Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
5000 hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
5001 Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
5002 taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.
5003
5004 FIRST TROOPER
5005 It's them! Blast them!
5006
5007 Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and charges
5008 the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
5009 stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
5010 the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.
5011
5012 HAN
5013 (to Luke and Leia)
5014 Get back to the ship!
5015
5016 LUKE
5017 Where are you going? Come back!
5018
5019 Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.
5020
5021 LEIA
5022 He certainly has courage.
5023
5024 LUKE
5025 What good will it do us if he gets
5026 himself killed? Come on!
5027
5028 Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for
5029 muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke
5030 and Leia start off toward the starship hangar.
5031
5032 INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
5033
5034 Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is
5035 yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a
5036 dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few
5037 feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops
5038 begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are
5039 moving into an attack position in front of the lone
5040 starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops
5041 begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.
5042
5043 INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
5044
5045 Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt
5046 to save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of
5047 laser guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate
5048 extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of
5049 furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running
5050 the other way also.
5051
5052 INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
5053
5054 Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down
5055 a narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They
5056 quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an
5057 open hatchway.
5058
5059 INT. DEATH STAR - CENTRAL CORE SHAFT
5060
5061 Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge
5062 that spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity.
5063 The bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft,
5064 and Luke almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance
5065 off the end of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of
5066 his arm and pulls him back.
5067
5068 LUKE
5069 (gasping)
5070 I think we took a wrong turn.
5071
5072 Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby
5073 reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at
5074 the advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch
5075 that pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving
5076 them precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang.
5077 Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.
5078
5079 LEIA
5080 There's no lock!
5081
5082 Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.
5083
5084 LUKE
5085 That oughta hold it for a while.
5086
5087 LEIA
5088 Quick, we've got to get across. Find
5089 the control that extends the bridge.
5090
5091 LUKE
5092 Oh, I think I just blasted it.
5093
5094 Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
5095 stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
5096 ominous drilling and pounding sounds.
5097
5098 LEIA
5099 They're coming through!
5100
5101 Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when
5102 laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol
5103 at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across
5104 the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troops
5105 appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit,
5106 and grabs at his chest.
5107
5108 Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by
5109 Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move
5110 back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.
5111
5112 LUKE
5113 Here, hold this.
5114
5115 Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt.
5116 It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge
5117 overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the
5118 rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears
5119 and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.
5120 Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet
5121 of more troops.
5122
5123 LEIA
5124 Here they come!
5125
5126 Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
5127 he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the
5128 gorge and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He
5129 tugs on the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the
5130 princess in his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him
5131 quickly on the lips. Luke is very surprised.
5132
5133 LEIA
5134 For luck!
5135
5136 Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss
5137 to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as
5138 Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the
5139 stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at
5140 the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into
5141 the tiny subhallway.
5142
5143 INT. DEATH STAR - NARROW PASSAGEWAY
5144
5145 Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several
5146 stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks
5147 to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the
5148 opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of
5149 the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
5150
5151 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
5152
5153 Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the
5154 pirateship entry ramp.
5155
5156 THREEPIO
5157 Where could they be?
5158
5159 Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome left
5160 and right, beeping a response.
5161
5162 INT. DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR - BLAST SHIELDS DOOR
5163
5164 Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
5165 troopers hot on their trail.
5166
5167 TROOPER
5168 Close the blast doors!
5169
5170 At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
5171 front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
5172 race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage
5173 to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops
5174 before the doors slam shut.
5175
5176 TROOPER
5177 Open the blast doors! Open the blast
5178 doors!
5179
5180 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY
5181
5182 Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
5183 where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar,
5184 Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not
5185 ten feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his
5186 and steps slowly forward.
5187
5188 VADER
5189 I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan.
5190 We meet again, at last. The circle
5191 is now complete.
5192
5193 Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical offensive
5194 position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive stance.
5195
5196 VADER
5197 When I left you, I was but the
5198 learner; now I am the master.
5199
5200 BEN
5201 Only a master of evil, Darth.
5202
5203 The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few
5204 moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right
5205 moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain,
5206 as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He
5207 shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his eyes.
5208
5209 Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked
5210 by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke
5211 by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's
5212 blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark
5213 Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar.
5214 The two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments
5215 with laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing
5216 sound.
5217
5218 VADER
5219 Your powers are weak, old man.
5220
5221 BEN
5222 You can't win, Darth. If you strike
5223 me down, I shall become more powerful
5224 than you can possibly imagine.
5225
5226 Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.
5227
5228 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
5229
5230 Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back
5231 against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the
5232 Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.
5233
5234 HAN
5235 Didn't we just leave this party?
5236
5237 Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join them.
5238
5239 HAN
5240 What kept you?
5241
5242 LEIA
5243 We ran into some old friends.
5244
5245 LUKE
5246 Is the ship all right?
5247
5248 HAN
5249 Seems okay, if we can get to it.
5250 Just hope the old man got the tractor
5251 beam out of commission.
5252
5253 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
5254
5255 Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they
5256 hit their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact.
5257 Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord
5258 of The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his
5259 group's vantage point.
5260
5261 LUKE
5262 Look!
5263
5264 Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
5265 emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking
5266 bay.
5267
5268 INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY
5269
5270 Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's
5271 Imperial docking bay.
5272
5273 THREEPIO
5274 Come on, Artoo, we're going!
5275
5276 Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who
5277 were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards
5278 Ben and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
5279
5280 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
5281
5282 Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The
5283 troops rush toward the battling knights.
5284
5285 HAN
5286 Now's our chance! Go!
5287
5288 They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops
5289 charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader
5290 takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings
5291 his mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to
5292 deflect the blow and swiftly turns around.
5293
5294 The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts
5295 his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene
5296 look on his face.
5297
5298 Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's
5299 cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.
5300 Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the
5301 empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers
5302 and the robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two
5303 and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.
5304
5305 LUKE
5306 No!
5307
5308 The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
5309 The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium
5310 Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns
5311 their fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and
5312 advances toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.
5313
5314 HAN
5315 (to Luke)
5316 Come on!
5317
5318 LEIA
5319 Come on! Luke, its too late!
5320
5321 HAN
5322 Blast the door! Kid!
5323
5324 Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it
5325 explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge
5326 forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close
5327 behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out of the
5328 docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his
5329 onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops,
5330 as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He
5331 fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles to the floor.
5332
5333 BEN'S VOICE
5334 Run, Luke! Run!
5335
5336 Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He turns
5337 toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
5338 troopers and races into the ship.
5339
5340 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5341
5342 Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move.
5343 The dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the
5344 ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.
5345
5346 HAN
5347 I hope the old man got that tractor
5348 beam out if commission, or this is
5349 going to be a real short trip. Okay,
5350 hit it!
5351
5352 Chewbacca growls in agreement.
5353
5354 EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
5355
5356 The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking
5357 bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness
5358 of space.
5359
5360 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
5361
5362 Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off
5363 blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around
5364 him protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She
5365 sits down beside him.
5366
5367 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5368
5369 Solo spots approaching enemy ships.
5370
5371 HAN
5372 (to Chewie)
5373 We're coming up on the sentry ships.
5374 Hold 'em off! Angle the deflector
5375 shields while I charge up the main
5376 guns!
5377
5378 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
5379
5380 Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth,
5381 as the princess smiles comfortingly at him.
5382
5383 LUKE
5384 I can't believe he's gone.
5385
5386 Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.
5387
5388 LEIA
5389 There wasn't anything you could have
5390 done.
5391
5392 Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with the
5393 princess.
5394
5395 HAN
5396 (to Luke)
5397 Come on, buddy, we're not out of
5398 this yet!
5399
5400 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
5401
5402 Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.
5403
5404 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA
5405
5406 Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads
5407 for the cockpit.
5408
5409 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
5410
5411 Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit, settling
5412 into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in large
5413 rotating turrets on either side of the ship.
5414
5415 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT
5416
5417 Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of
5418 his laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.
5419
5420 HAN
5421 (to Luke)
5422 You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!
5423
5424 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
5425
5426 Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking
5427 TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls
5428 as the ship bounces slightly.
5429
5430 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT - COCKPIT
5431
5432 Computer graphic readouts form on Solo's target screen, as
5433 Han reaches for controls.
5434
5435 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT - COCKPIT
5436
5437 Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser
5438 cannon's control button.
5439
5440 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT.
5441
5442 Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.
5443
5444 LEIA
5445 (into intercom)
5446 Here they come!
5447
5448 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - POV (POINT OF VIEW) -
5449 SPACE
5450
5451 The Imperial TIE fighters move towards the Millennium Falcon,
5452 one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.
5453
5454 INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
5455
5456 The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts
5457 his maneuvering joy stick.
5458
5459 EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - IN SPACE
5460
5461 The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as
5462 it passes.
5463
5464 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA
5465
5466 Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo.
5467 The pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in
5468 the room and then comes back on.
5469
5470 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS
5471
5472 A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and
5473 fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as
5474 the fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor
5475 hit, and bounces slightly.
5476
5477 EXT. SPACE
5478
5479 Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.
5480
5481 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5482
5483 Luke fires at an unseen fighter.
5484
5485 LUKE
5486 They're coming in too fast!
5487
5488 EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON/TIE FIGHTERS
5489
5490 Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the
5491 background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.
5492
5493 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CHEWBACCA
5494
5495 The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the
5496 cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.
5497
5498 EXT. TIE FIGHTER - SPACE
5499
5500 Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the frame,
5501 firing on the pirate starship.
5502
5503 EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTERS
5504
5505 The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the
5506 pirateship.
5507
5508 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
5509
5510 A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The
5511 ship lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a cabinet
5512 fill of small computer chips.
5513
5514 THREEPIO
5515 Oooh!
5516
5517 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS
5518
5519 Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates
5520 the ship's controls.
5521
5522 LEIA
5523 We've lost lateral controls.
5524
5525 HAN
5526 Don't worry, she'll hold together.
5527
5528 An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship's control panel,
5529 causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.
5530
5531 HAN
5532 (to ship)
5533 You hear me, baby? Hold together!
5534
5535 Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control
5536 panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant
5537 beeping all the while.
5538
5539 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
5540
5541 Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter
5542 with his laser cannon.
5543
5544 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
5545
5546 Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.
5547
5548 EXT. SPACE
5549
5550 A TIE fighter streaks in front of the starship.
5551
5552 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5553
5554 Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.
5555
5556 EXT. SPACE
5557
5558 A TIE fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms
5559 overhead.
5560
5561 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5562
5563 Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view, firing
5564 laserbeams from his cannon.
5565
5566 EXT. TIE FIGHTER
5567
5568 A TIE fighter dives past the pirateship.
5569
5570 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5571
5572 Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a
5573 fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He
5574 connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han laughs
5575 victoriously.
5576
5577 EXT. SPACE
5578
5579 Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon,
5580 unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.
5581
5582 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5583
5584 Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke,
5585 smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular
5586 direct hit.
5587
5588 LUKE
5589 Got him! I got him!
5590
5591 Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke gleefully
5592 returns.
5593
5594 HAN
5595 Great kid! Don't get cocky.
5596
5597 Han turns back to his laser cannon.
5598
5599 EXT. SPACE
5600
5601 Two more TIE fighters cross in front of the pirateship.
5602
5603 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5604
5605 While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns, looking
5606 over her shoulder out the ports.
5607
5608 LEIA
5609 There are still two more of them out
5610 there!
5611
5612 EXT. SPACE
5613
5614 A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts
5615 at it.
5616
5617 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5618
5619 Luke and Han look into their respective projected target
5620 screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo's port, and Han
5621 swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser
5622 cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke's port, and he reacts
5623 in a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his
5624 face.
5625
5626 EXT. SPACE
5627
5628 The TIE fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing
5629 destructive blasts at it.
5630
5631 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5632
5633 Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter,
5634 and it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Luke's projected
5635 screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces
5636 slightly as it is struck by the enemy fire.
5637
5638 EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTER
5639
5640 The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in,
5641 firing upon the Falcon.
5642
5643 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
5644
5645 Solo swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc
5646 of the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the
5647 pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo's laser cannon
5648 hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower
5649 of burning fragments.
5650
5651 LUKE
5652 (laughing)
5653 That's it! We did it!
5654
5655 The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory hug.
5656
5657 LEIA
5658 We did it!
5659
5660 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - PASSAGEWAY
5661
5662 Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled
5663 in the smoking, sparking wires.
5664
5665 THREEPIO
5666 Help! I think I'm melting!
5667 (to Artoo)
5668 This is all your fault.
5669
5670 Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in response.
5671
5672 EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON
5673
5674 The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically
5675 through space.
5676
5677 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
5678
5679 Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is
5680 watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.
5681
5682 TARKIN
5683 Are they away?
5684
5685 VADER
5686 They have just made the jump into
5687 hyperspace.
5688
5689 TARKIN
5690 You're sure the homing beacon is
5691 secure aboard their ship? I'm taking
5692 an awful risk, Vader. This had better
5693 work.
5694
5695 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5696
5697 Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of
5698 the ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the
5699 damage. Leia is seated near Han.
5700
5701 HAN
5702 Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You
5703 know, sometimes I even amaze myself.
5704
5705 LEIA
5706 That doesn't sound too hard. Besides,
5707 they let us go. It's the only
5708 explanation for the ease of our
5709 escape.
5710
5711 HAN
5712 Easy... you call that easy?
5713
5714 LEIA
5715 Their tracking us!
5716
5717 HAN
5718 Not this ship, sister.
5719
5720 Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.
5721
5722 LEIA
5723 At least the information in Artoo is
5724 still intact.
5725
5726 HAN
5727 What's so important? What's he
5728 carrying?
5729
5730 LEIA
5731 The technical readouts of that battle
5732 station. I only hope that when the
5733 data is analyzed, a weakness can be
5734 found. It's not over yet!
5735
5736 HAN
5737 It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't
5738 in this for your revolution, and I'm
5739 not in it for you, Princess. I expect
5740 to be well paid. I'm in it for the
5741 money!
5742
5743 LEIA
5744 You needn't worry about your reward.
5745 If money is all that you love, then
5746 that's what you'll receive!
5747
5748 She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,
5749 passes Luke coming in.
5750
5751 LEIA
5752 Your friend is quite a mercenary. I
5753 wonder if he really cares about
5754 anything... or anyone.
5755
5756 LUKE
5757 I care!
5758
5759 Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and Han
5760 stare out at the vast blackness of space.
5761
5762 LUKE
5763 So... what do you think of her, Han?
5764
5765 HAN
5766 I'm trying not to, kid!
5767
5768 LUKE
5769 (under his breath)
5770 Good...
5771
5772 HAN
5773 Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I
5774 don't know, what do you think? Do
5775 you think a princess and a guy like
5776 me...
5777
5778 LUKE
5779 No!
5780
5781 Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at
5782 young Luke's jealousy.
5783
5784 EXT. SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN
5785
5786 The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet
5787 Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.
5788
5789 EXT. FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN
5790
5791 The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.
5792
5793 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST
5794
5795 An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside.
5796 He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely
5797 visible in the foliage.
5798
5799 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE TEMPLE
5800
5801 Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple
5802 lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the
5803 fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the
5804 others are greeted by the Rebel troops.
5805
5806 Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an armored
5807 military speeder.
5808
5809 INT. MASSASSI - MAIN HANGAR DECK
5810
5811 The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set
5812 up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the
5813 commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and
5814 gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.
5815
5816 WILLARD
5817 (holding Leia)
5818 You're safe! We had feared the worst.
5819
5820 Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.
5821
5822 WILLARD
5823 When we heard about Alderaan, we
5824 were afraid that you were... lost
5825 along with your father.
5826
5827 LEIA
5828 We don't have time for our sorrows,
5829 Commander. The battle station has
5830 surely tracked us here.
5831 (looking pointedly to
5832 Han)
5833 It's the only explanation for the
5834 ease of our escape. You must use the
5835 information in this R2 unit to plan
5836 the attack. It is our only hope.
5837
5838 EXT. SPACE
5839
5840 The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red
5841 planet Yavin.
5842
5843 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
5844
5845 Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their
5846 discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer
5847 the call.
5848
5849 TARKIN
5850 Yes.
5851
5852 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
5853
5854 We are approaching the planet Yavin. The Rebel base is on a
5855 moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the planet.
5856
5857 EXT. YAVIN - JUNGLE
5858
5859 A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape,
5860 surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of
5861 twisted green.
5862
5863 INT. MASSASSI - WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA
5864
5865 Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia
5866 and several other senators are to one side of the giant
5867 readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,
5868 navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is
5869 listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and
5870 Chewbacca are standing near the back.
5871
5872 DODONNA
5873 The battle station is heavily shielded
5874 and carries a firepower greater than
5875 half the star fleet. It's defenses
5876 are designed around a direct large-
5877 scale assault. A small one-man fighter
5878 should be able to penetrate the outer
5879 defense.
5880
5881 Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties, stands
5882 and addresses Dodonna.
5883
5884 GOLD LEADER
5885 Pardon me for asking, sir, but what
5886 good are snub fighters going to be
5887 against that?
5888
5889 DODONNA
5890 Well, the Empire doesn't consider a
5891 small one-man fighter to be any
5892 threat, or they'd have a tighter
5893 defense. An analysis of the plans
5894 provided by Princess Leia has
5895 demonstrated a weakness in the battle
5896 station.
5897
5898 Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping
5899 sounds, and turns his head from right to left.
5900
5901 DODONNA
5902 The approach will not be easy. You
5903 are required to maneuver straight
5904 down this trench and skim the surface
5905 to this point. The target area is
5906 only two meters wide. It's a small
5907 thermal exhaust port, right below
5908 the main port. The shaft leads
5909 directly to the reactor system. A
5910 precise hit will start a chain
5911 reaction which should destroy the
5912 station.
5913
5914 A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.
5915
5916 DODONNA
5917 Only a precise hit will set up a
5918 chain reaction. The shaft is ray-
5919 shielded, so you'll have to use proton
5920 torpedoes.
5921
5922 Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot about
5923 sixteen years old.
5924
5925 WEDGE
5926 That's impossible, even for a
5927 computer.
5928
5929 LUKE
5930 It's not impossible. I used to bull's-
5931 eye womp rats in my T-sixteen back
5932 home. They're not much bigger than
5933 two meters.
5934
5935 DODONNA
5936 Man your ships! And may the Force be
5937 with you!
5938
5939 The group rises and begins to leave.
5940
5941 EXT. SPACE
5942
5943 The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the
5944 tiny green moon.
5945
5946 INT. DEATH STAR
5947
5948 Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with
5949 interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another
5950 on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and
5951 the forth moon.
5952
5953 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
5954
5955 Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity. The moon with the
5956 Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.
5957
5958 VADER
5959 This will be a day long remembered.
5960 It has seen the end of Kenobi and it
5961 will soon see the end of the
5962 Rebellion.
5963
5964 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR DECK
5965
5966 Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship
5967 hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters.
5968 Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and
5969 unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this
5970 activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes
5971 onto an armored speeder.
5972
5973 MAN'S VOICE
5974 (over loudspeaker)
5975 All flight trooper, man your stations.
5976 All flight troops, man your stations.
5977
5978 Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter
5979 pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of
5980 his friend's departure.
5981
5982 LUKE
5983 So... you got your reward and you're
5984 just leaving then?
5985
5986 HAN
5987 That's right, yeah! I got some old
5988 debts I've got to pay off with this
5989 stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't
5990 think I'd be fool enough to stick
5991 around here, do you? Why don't you
5992 come with us? You're pretty good in
5993 a fight. I could use you.
5994
5995 LUKE
5996 (getting angry)
5997 Come on! Why don't you take a look
5998 around? You know what's about to
5999 happen, what they're up against.
6000 They could use a good pilot like
6001 you. You're turning your back on
6002 them.
6003
6004 HAN
6005 What good's a reward if you ain't
6006 around to use it? Besides, attacking
6007 that battle station ain't my idea of
6008 courage. It's more like suicide.
6009
6010 LUKE
6011 All right. Well, take care of
6012 yourself, Han. I guess that's what
6013 you're best at, isn't it?
6014
6015 Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.
6016
6017 HAN
6018 Hey, Luke... may the Force be with
6019 you!
6020
6021 Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in
6022 a small wave and then goes off.
6023
6024 Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,
6025
6026 HAN
6027 What're you lookin' at? I know what
6028 I'm doing.
6029
6030 INT. MAIN HANGAR DECK - LUKE'S SHIP
6031
6032 Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.
6033
6034 LEIA
6035 What's wrong?
6036
6037 LUKE
6038 Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really
6039 thought he'd change his mind.
6040
6041 LEIA
6042 He's got to follow his own path. No
6043 one can choose it for him.
6044
6045 LUKE
6046 I only wish Ben were here.
6047
6048 Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
6049 heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
6050 his arm.
6051
6052 BIGGS
6053 Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you
6054 get here... are you going out with
6055 us?!
6056
6057 LUKE
6058 Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there
6059 with you! Listen, have I got some
6060 stories to tell...
6061
6062 Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
6063 behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
6064 leader.
6065
6066 RED LEADER
6067 Are you... Luke Skywalker? Have you
6068 been checked out on the Incom T-sixty-
6069 five?
6070
6071 BIGGS
6072 Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in
6073 the outer rim territories.
6074
6075 Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of
6076 his fighter.
6077
6078 RED LEADER
6079 I met your father once when I was
6080 just a boy, he was a great pilot.
6081 You'll do all right. If you've got
6082 half of your father's skill, you'll
6083 do better than all right.
6084
6085 LUKE
6086 Thank you, sir. I'll try.
6087
6088 Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
6089
6090 BIGGS
6091 I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll
6092 tell me your stories when we come
6093 back. All right?
6094
6095 LUKE
6096 I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.
6097
6098 BIGGS
6099 (going off)
6100 You did, all right. It's going to be
6101 like old times, Luke. We're a couple
6102 of shooting stars that'll never be
6103 stopped!
6104
6105 Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for
6106 his ship.
6107
6108 As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek, deadly
6109 spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft, points
6110 to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on the
6111 back of the fighter.
6112
6113 CHIEF
6114 This R2 unit of your seems a bit
6115 beat up. Do you want a new one?
6116
6117 LUKE
6118 Not on your life! That little droid
6119 and I have been through a lot
6120 together.
6121 (to Artoo)
6122 You okay, Artoo?
6123
6124 The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of
6125 the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps
6126 that he is fine.
6127
6128 Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an
6129 his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive
6130 hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner
6131 into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotional-filled moment as Artoo
6132 beeps good-bye.
6133
6134 CHIEF
6135 Okay, easy she goes!
6136
6137 THREEPIO
6138 Hang on tight,Artoo, you've got to
6139 come back.
6140
6141 Artoo beeps in agreement.
6142
6143 THREEPIO
6144 You wouldn't want my life to get
6145 boring, would you?
6146
6147 Artoo whistles his reply.
6148
6149 All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.
6150 The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the
6151 pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The
6152 hum of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted
6153 voice of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses
6154 are disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit
6155 shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman,
6156 holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace
6157 of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.
6158
6159 BEN'S VOICE
6160 Luke, the Force will be with you.
6161
6162 Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.
6163
6164 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE
6165
6166 All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing
6167 on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The
6168 muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this
6169 eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion
6170 rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage
6171 in a tight formation and disappears into the morning cloud
6172 cover.
6173
6174 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6175
6176 The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly
6177 before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its
6178 four moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves
6179 ever closer to the system. A series of green dots appear
6180 around the fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills
6181 the war room.
6182
6183 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
6184 Stand-by alert. Death Star
6185 approaching. Estimated time to firing
6186 range, fifteen minutes.
6187
6188 EXT. SPACE
6189
6190 The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface
6191 of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying
6192 in formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.
6193
6194 EXT. SPACE - ANOTHER ANGLE
6195
6196 Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow
6197 around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in
6198 formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly
6199 pull away.
6200
6201 INT. RED LEADER STARSHIP - COCKPIT
6202
6203 Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,
6204 looking to each side at his wing men.
6205
6206 RED LEADER
6207 All wings report in.
6208
6209 INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT
6210
6211 One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.
6212
6213 RED TEN
6214 Red Ten standing by.
6215
6216 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
6217
6218 Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for
6219 combat.
6220
6221 RED SEVEN
6222 (over Biggs' headset)
6223 Red Seven standing by.
6224
6225 BIGGS
6226 Red Three standing by.
6227
6228 INT. PORKINS' COCKPIT
6229
6230 PORKINS
6231 Red Six standing by.
6232
6233 RED NINE
6234 (over headset)
6235 Red Nine standing by.
6236
6237 INT. WEDGE'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6238
6239 WEDGE
6240 Red Two standing by.
6241
6242 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6243
6244 RED ELEVEN
6245 (over headset)
6246 Red Eleven standing by.
6247
6248 LUKE
6249 Red Five standing by.
6250
6251 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
6252
6253 Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his
6254 head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.
6255
6256 INT. RED LEADER'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6257
6258 RED LEADER
6259 Lock S-foils in attack position.
6260
6261 EXT. SPACE
6262
6263 The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the
6264 Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the "X"
6265 position.
6266
6267 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
6268
6269 READ LEADER
6270 (over headset)
6271 We're passing through their magnetic
6272 field.
6273
6274 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6275
6276 RED LEADER
6277 Hold tight!
6278
6279 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6280
6281 Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the
6282 approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted
6283 slightly.
6284
6285 RED LEADER
6286 (over headset)
6287 Switch your deflectors on.
6288
6289 INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT
6290
6291 RED LEADER
6292 (over headset)
6293 Double front!
6294
6295 EXT. SPACE
6296
6297 The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The
6298 Death Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in
6299 size as the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the
6300 metallic surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna
6301 is built into the surface on one side.
6302
6303 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6304
6305 Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome
6306 spectacle.
6307
6308 WEDGE
6309 Look at the size of that thing!
6310
6311 RED LEADER
6312 (over headset)
6313 Cut the chatter, Red Two.
6314
6315 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6316
6317 RED LEADER
6318 Accelerate to attack speed. This is
6319 it, boys!
6320
6321 EXT. SPACE
6322
6323 As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome
6324 size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half
6325 of the deadly space station is in shadow and this area
6326 sparkles with thousands of small lights running in thin lines
6327 and occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a
6328 city at night as seen from a weather satellite.
6329
6330 INT. GOLD LEADER'S COCKPIT
6331
6332 GOLD LEADER
6333 Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.
6334
6335 RED LEADER
6336 (over headset)
6337 I copy, Gold Leader.
6338
6339 GOLD LEADER
6340 We're starting for the target shaft
6341 now.
6342
6343 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6344
6345 Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming
6346 in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in
6347 the background. He moves his computer targeting device into
6348 position.
6349
6350 RED LEADER
6351 We're in position. I'm going to cut
6352 across the axis and try and draw
6353 their fire.
6354
6355 EXT. SPACE
6356
6357 Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive
6358 towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across
6359 the dark grey expanse of the huge station.
6360
6361 INT. DEATH STAR
6362
6363 Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo-
6364 powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate
6365 the huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting
6366 devices.
6367
6368 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6369
6370 Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel X-
6371 wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death
6372 Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and
6373 fires.
6374
6375 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6376
6377 Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.
6378 Threepio is at her side.
6379
6380 WEDGE
6381 (over war room speaker
6382 system)
6383 Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.
6384
6385 RED LEADER
6386 (over speaker)
6387 I see it. Stay low.
6388
6389 EXT. SPACE
6390
6391 An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.
6392
6393 INT. DEATH STAR
6394
6395 Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute
6396 armaments and unlocking power cables.
6397
6398 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6399
6400 Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.
6401
6402 EXT. SPACE
6403
6404 X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.
6405
6406 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6407
6408 Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous
6409 fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit
6410 window.
6411
6412 LUKE
6413 This is Red Five; I'm going in!
6414
6415 EXT. SPACE
6416
6417 Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak
6418 from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on
6419 the dim surface.
6420
6421 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6422
6423 Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able
6424 to pull out in time to avoid the fireball.
6425
6426 BIGGS
6427 (over headset)
6428 Luke, pull up!
6429
6430 EXT. SURFACE OF DEATH STAR
6431
6432 Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges
6433 of his wings slightly scorched.
6434
6435 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
6436
6437 BIGGS
6438 Are you all right?
6439
6440 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6441
6442 Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief.
6443 Flak bursts outside the cockpit window.
6444
6445 LUKE
6446 I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.
6447
6448 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6449
6450 Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface
6451 with laserbolts.
6452
6453 INT. DEATH STAR
6454
6455 Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in
6456 all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.
6457 Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and
6458 foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes
6459 up to him.
6460
6461 ASTRO-OFFICER
6462 We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord
6463 Vader. But they're so small they're
6464 evading our turbo-lasers!
6465
6466 VADER
6467 We'll have to destroy them ship to
6468 ship. Get the crews to their fighters.
6469
6470 INT. DEATH STAR
6471
6472 Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their
6473 turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes
6474 about preparing for another blast. Even the troopers head
6475 gear is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming
6476 noise of the monstrous weapon. One troopers bangs his helmet
6477 with his hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.
6478
6479 INT. READ LEADER'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6480
6481 Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.
6482
6483 RED LEADER
6484 Luke, let me know when you're going
6485 in.
6486
6487 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6488
6489 The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose
6490 down and starts his attack dive.
6491
6492 LUKE
6493 I'm on my way in now...
6494
6495 RED LEADER
6496 Watch yourself! There's a lot of
6497 fire coming from the right side of
6498 that deflection tower.
6499
6500 LUKE
6501 I'm on it.
6502
6503 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6504
6505 Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon
6506 and down onto the dim grey surface.
6507
6508 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING TRAVELING
6509
6510 A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the
6511 onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements
6512 erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on
6513 the surface.
6514
6515 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6516
6517 The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window
6518 as a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of
6519 his run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.
6520
6521 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6522
6523 The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers
6524 his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from
6525 the surface towards the heavens.
6526
6527 INT. DEATH STAR
6528
6529 The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout
6530 the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke
6531 and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of
6532 explosions.
6533
6534 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6535
6536 Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and
6537 gun towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A
6538 dense barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.
6539
6540 INT. DEATH STAR
6541
6542 Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small
6543 auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.
6544
6545 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6546
6547 Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces
6548 nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides
6549 technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna
6550 watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working
6551 over a screen speaks into his headset.
6552
6553 CONTROL OFFICER
6554 Squad leaders, we've picked up a new
6555 group of signals. Enemy fighters
6556 coming your way.
6557
6558 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6559
6560 Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching
6561 Imperial fighters.
6562
6563 LUKE
6564 My scope's negative. I don't see
6565 anything.
6566
6567 INT. RED LEADER'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6568
6569 The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches
6570 the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.
6571
6572 RED LEADER
6573 Keep up your visual scanning. With
6574 all this jamming, they'll be on top
6575 of you before your scope can pick
6576 them up.
6577
6578 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6579
6580 Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon,
6581 four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters.
6582 Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan
6583 with the remaining two TIE ships.
6584
6585 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6586
6587 Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The
6588 horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,
6589 hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.
6590
6591 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6592
6593 RED LEADER
6594 Biggs! You've picked one up... watch
6595 it!
6596
6597 BIGGS
6598 I can't see it! Where is he?!
6599
6600 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6601
6602 Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed
6603 by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several
6604 laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.
6605
6606 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6607
6608 Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying
6609 to avoid him.
6610
6611 BIGGS
6612 He's on me tight, I can't shake him...
6613 I can't shake him.
6614
6615 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6616
6617 Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward
6618 the Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE
6619 fighter, who sticks close to his tail.
6620
6621 INT. X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6622
6623 Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to
6624 normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.
6625
6626 LUKE
6627 Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.
6628
6629 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6630
6631 Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now
6632 followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of
6633 sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.
6634
6635 EXT. SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6636
6637 In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the
6638 Death Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the
6639 background.
6640
6641 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6642
6643 There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding
6644 in a mass of flames.
6645
6646 LUKE
6647 Got him!
6648
6649 INT. DEATH STAR
6650
6651 Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,
6652 flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.
6653
6654 VADER
6655 Several fighters have broken off
6656 from the main group. Come with me!
6657
6658 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6659
6660 A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other
6661 officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout
6662 screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the
6663 room's loudspeaker.
6664
6665 BIGGS
6666 (over speaker)
6667 Pull in! Luke... pull in!
6668
6669 WEDGE
6670 (over speaker)
6671 Watch your back, Luke!
6672
6673 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6674
6675 WEDGE
6676 (over headset)
6677 Watch your back! Fighter's above
6678 you, coming in!
6679
6680 EXT. SPACE
6681
6682 Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he
6683 spots the tailing TIE fighter.
6684
6685 INT. TIE FIGHTER'S COCKPIT
6686
6687 The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.
6688
6689 EXT. SPACE
6690
6691 The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship.
6692 Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.
6693
6694 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6695
6696 Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.
6697
6698 LUKE
6699 I'm hit, but not bad.
6700
6701 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
6702
6703 Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.
6704
6705 LUKE'S VOICE
6706 Artoo, see what you can do with it.
6707 Hang on back there.
6708
6709 Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his
6710 head turns.
6711
6712 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6713
6714 Luke nervously works his controls.
6715
6716 RED LEADER
6717 (over headset)
6718 Red Six...
6719
6720 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6721
6722 In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries
6723 about Luke.
6724
6725 RED LEADER
6726 (over speaker)
6727 Can you see Red Five?
6728
6729 RED TEN
6730 (over speaker)
6731 There's a heavy fire zone on this
6732 side. Red Five, where are you?
6733
6734 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6735
6736 Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from
6737 the Death Star surface.
6738
6739 LUKE
6740 I can't shake him!
6741
6742 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6743
6744 Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star,
6745 an Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.
6746
6747 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6748
6749 The Death Star whips below Wedge.
6750
6751 WEDGE
6752 I'm on him, Luke!
6753
6754 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6755
6756 WEDGE
6757 (over headset)
6758 Hold on!
6759
6760 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6761
6762 Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE
6763 fighter.
6764
6765 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6766
6767 Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.
6768
6769 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6770
6771 Luke reacts frantically.
6772
6773 LUKE
6774 Blast it! Wedge where are you?
6775
6776 INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6777
6778 The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another X-
6779 wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on
6780 the Imperial fighter.
6781
6782 EXT. SPACE
6783
6784 The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.
6785 Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.
6786
6787 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6788
6789 Luke looks about in relief.
6790
6791 LUKE
6792 Thanks, Wedge.
6793
6794 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6795
6796 Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening
6797 to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room
6798 intercom.
6799
6800 BIGGS
6801 (over speaker)
6802 Good shooting, Wedge!
6803
6804 GOLD LEADER
6805 (over speaker)
6806 Red Leader...
6807
6808 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6809
6810 Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at
6811 the Death Star surface pole.
6812
6813 GOLD LEADER
6814 This is Gold Leader. We're starting
6815 out attack run.
6816
6817 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6818
6819 Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars
6820 toward the Death Star surface.
6821
6822 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6823
6824 Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as
6825 technicians move about attending to their duties.
6826
6827 RED LEADER
6828 (over speaker)
6829 I copy, Gold Leader. Move into
6830 position.
6831
6832 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6833
6834 Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward
6835 the Death Star surface.
6836
6837 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
6838
6839 Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
6840 whip past in the window above his head.
6841
6842 VADER
6843 Stay in attack formation!
6844
6845 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6846
6847 Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.
6848
6849 GOLD LEADER
6850 (over speaker)
6851 The exhaust post is...
6852
6853 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6854
6855 GOLD LEADER
6856 ...marked and locked in!
6857
6858 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6859
6860 Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the
6861 surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep
6862 trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as
6863 laserfire is returned by the Death Star.
6864
6865 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6866
6867 Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered
6868 helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He
6869 looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is
6870 buffeted by Imperial flak.
6871
6872 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6873
6874 Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the
6875 exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing
6876 numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to
6877 bounce about.
6878
6879 GOLD LEADER
6880 Switch power to front deflector
6881 screens.
6882
6883 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6884
6885 Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
6886 as laserbolts streak past on all sides.
6887
6888 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
6889
6890 An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel
6891 fighters.
6892
6893 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6894
6895 GOLD LEADER
6896 How many guns do you think, Gold
6897 Five.
6898
6899 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6900
6901 GOLD FIVE
6902 (over speaker)
6903 I'd say about twenty guns. Some on
6904 the surface, some on the towers.
6905
6906 Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected target
6907 screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red target
6908 near the center blinks on and off.
6909
6910 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
6911 (over speaker)
6912 Death Star will be in range in five
6913 minutes.
6914
6915 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6916
6917 The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom overhead
6918 through a hail of laserfire.
6919
6920 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6921
6922 Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in front
6923 of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel craft.
6924
6925 GOLD LEADER
6926 Switching to targeting computer.
6927
6928 INT. GOLD TWO'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6929
6930 Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his
6931 targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under
6932 intense laser barrage.
6933
6934 GOLD TWO
6935 Computer's locked. Getting a signal.
6936
6937 As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly
6938 all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench
6939 as the surface whips past in a blur.
6940
6941 GOLD TWO
6942 The guns... they've stopped!
6943
6944 EXT. GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT
6945
6946 Gold Five looks behind him.
6947
6948 GOLD FIVE
6949 Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch
6950 for enemy fighters.
6951
6952 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6953
6954 GOLD LEADER
6955 They've coming in! Three marks at
6956 two ten.
6957
6958 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6959
6960 Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked
6961 by two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically
6962 toward the Death Star surface.
6963
6964 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
6965
6966 Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
6967 zoom by.
6968
6969 VADER
6970 I'll take them myself! Cover me!
6971
6972 WINGMAN'S VOICE
6973 (over speaker)
6974 Yes, sir.
6975
6976 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6977
6978 Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.
6979
6980 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
6981
6982 Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's
6983 hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.
6984
6985 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6986
6987 The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.
6988
6989 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6990
6991 As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.
6992
6993 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6994
6995 Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.
6996
6997 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
6998
6999 The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
7000 formation.
7001
7002 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7003
7004 Gold Leader panics.
7005
7006 GOLD LEADER
7007 (into mike)
7008 I can't maneuver!
7009
7010 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7011
7012 Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.
7013
7014 GOLD FIVE
7015 Stay on target.
7016
7017 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7018
7019 The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he
7020 adjusts his targeting device.
7021
7022 GOLD LEADER
7023 We're too close.
7024
7025 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7026
7027 The older pilot remains calm.
7028
7029 GOLD FIVE
7030 Stay on target!
7031
7032 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7033
7034 Now he's really panicked.
7035
7036 GOLD LEADER
7037 Loosen up!
7038
7039 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7040
7041 Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
7042 fire button.
7043
7044 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7045
7046 Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.
7047
7048 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7049
7050 Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
7051 all directions.
7052
7053 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7054
7055 Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.
7056
7057 GOLD FIVE
7058 Gold Five to Red Leader...
7059
7060 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7061
7062 Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his
7063 cockpit.
7064
7065 GOLD FIVE
7066 (over headset)
7067 Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.
7068
7069 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7070
7071 RED LEADER
7072 I copy, Gold Five.
7073
7074 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7075
7076 GOLD FIVE
7077 They came from behind...
7078
7079 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7080
7081 One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter,
7082 blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the
7083 Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his
7084 descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins
7085 toward his death.
7086
7087 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7088
7089 Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.
7090
7091 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
7092
7093 Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death
7094 Star's control room.
7095
7096 OFFICER
7097 We've analyzed their attack, sir,
7098 and there is a danger. Should I have
7099 your ship standing by?
7100
7101 TARKIN
7102 Evacuate? In out moment of triumph?
7103 I think you overestimate their
7104 chances!
7105
7106 Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move
7107 around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers
7108 read across the bottom.
7109
7110 VOICE
7111 (over speaker)
7112 Rebel base, three minutes and closing.
7113
7114 INT. READ LEADER'S COCKPIT
7115
7116 Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
7117
7118 RED LEADER
7119 Red Group, this is Red Leader.
7120
7121 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7122
7123 Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer
7124 keys.
7125
7126 RED LEADER
7127 (over speaker)
7128 Rendezvous at mark six point one.
7129
7130 WEDGE
7131 (over speaker)
7132 This is Red Two. Flying toward you.
7133
7134 BIGGS
7135 (over speaker)
7136 Red Three, standing by.
7137
7138 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7139
7140 DODONNA
7141 (over headset)
7142 Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep
7143 half your group out of range for the
7144 next run.
7145
7146 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7147
7148 RED LEADER'S VOICE
7149 (over headset)
7150 Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two
7151 and Three. Hold up here and wait for
7152 my signal... to start your run.
7153
7154 Luke nods his head.
7155
7156 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7157
7158 The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation
7159 high above the Death Star's surface.
7160
7161 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7162
7163 Luke peers out from his cockpit.
7164
7165 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7166
7167 Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red
7168 Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the
7169 exhaust port.
7170
7171 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7172
7173 Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
7174 begins to perspire.
7175
7176 RED LEADER
7177 This is it!
7178
7179 EXT. SPACE
7180
7181 Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
7182 streak across the black heavens.
7183
7184 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
7185
7186 A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
7187 Rebel fighters.
7188
7189 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7190
7191 The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.
7192
7193 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7194
7195 Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.
7196
7197 RED TEN
7198 We should be able to see it by now.
7199
7200 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7201
7202 From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
7203 Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward
7204 them.
7205
7206 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7207
7208 RED LEADER
7209 Keep your eyes open for those
7210 fighters!
7211
7212 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7213
7214 RED TEN
7215 There's too much interference!
7216
7217 EXT. SPACE - DEATH STAR TRENCH
7218
7219 Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star
7220 trench.
7221
7222 RED TEN'S VOICE
7223 Red Five, can you see them from where
7224 you are?
7225
7226 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7227
7228 Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.
7229
7230 LUKE
7231 No sign of any... wait!
7232
7233 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7234
7235 Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.
7236
7237 LUKE
7238 (over headset)
7239 Coming in point three five.
7240
7241 RED TEN
7242 I see them.
7243
7244 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7245
7246 Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a
7247 tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar
7248 fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.
7249
7250 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7251
7252 Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes
7253 and makes several adjustments.
7254
7255 RED LEADER
7256 I'm in range.
7257
7258 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7259
7260 Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.
7261
7262 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7263
7264 RED LEADER
7265 Target's coming up!
7266
7267 Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He
7268 then looks into his targeting device.
7269
7270 RED LEADER
7271 Just hold them off for a few seconds.
7272
7273 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7274
7275 Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
7276 fighters.
7277
7278 VADER
7279 Close up formation.
7280
7281 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7282
7283 The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death
7284 Star surface.
7285
7286 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7287
7288 Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross
7289 hairs.
7290
7291 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7292
7293 Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
7294
7295 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7296
7297 Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red
7298 Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the
7299 front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader's
7300 computer screen.
7301
7302 EXT. SPACE
7303
7304 Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and
7305 it explodes into flames against the trench.
7306
7307 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7308
7309 Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid
7310 Vader's fighter behind him.
7311
7312 RED TEN: You'd better let her loose.
7313
7314 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7315
7316 Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.
7317
7318 RED LEADER
7319 Almost there!
7320
7321 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
7322
7323 Red Ten panics.
7324
7325 RED TEN
7326 I can't hold them!
7327
7328 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7329
7330 Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
7331 the Rebel fighters.
7332
7333 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7334
7335 Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.
7336
7337 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7338
7339 Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,
7340 and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and
7341 pain.
7342
7343 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7344
7345 Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.
7346
7347 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7348
7349 Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer
7350 targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the
7351 cross hairs, and fires.
7352
7353 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7354
7355 RED LEADER
7356 It's away!
7357
7358 INT. DEATH STAR
7359
7360 An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from
7361 the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the
7362 corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.
7363
7364 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7365
7366 Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.
7367
7368 RED NINE'S VOICE
7369 (over speaker)
7370 It's a hit!
7371
7372 RED LEADER
7373 (over speaker)
7374 Negative.
7375
7376 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7377
7378 Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny
7379 explosions are visible in the distance.
7380
7381 RED LEADER
7382 Negative! It didn't go in. It just
7383 impacted on the surface.
7384
7385 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR - TIE FIGHTER
7386
7387 Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes
7388 the Death Star horizon.
7389
7390 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7391
7392 Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.
7393
7394 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7395
7396 LUKE
7397 (over headset)
7398 Red Leader, we're right above you.
7399 Turn to point...
7400
7401 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7402
7403 Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death
7404 Star surface.
7405
7406 LUKE
7407 ...oh-five; we'll cover for you.
7408
7409 RED LEADER
7410 (over headset)
7411 Stay there...
7412
7413 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7414
7415 A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.
7416
7417 RED LEADER
7418 ...I just lost my starboard engine.
7419
7420 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7421
7422 Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.
7423
7424 RED LEADER
7425 (over headset)
7426 Get set to make your attack run.
7427
7428 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7429
7430 Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks,
7431 and he presses their firing buttons.
7432
7433 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7434
7435 Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.
7436
7437 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7438
7439 Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting
7440 with Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it,
7441 creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is
7442 destroyed.
7443
7444 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7445
7446 Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far
7447 below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his
7448 situation.
7449
7450 INT. DEATH STAR
7451
7452 Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.
7453
7454 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7455 Rebel base, one minute and closing.
7456
7457 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7458
7459 Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen
7460 intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim
7461 after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the
7462 room.
7463
7464 LUKE
7465 (over speaker)
7466 Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up.
7467 We're going in. We're going in full
7468 throttle.
7469
7470 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7471
7472 The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.
7473
7474 WEDGE
7475 Right with you, boss.
7476
7477 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7478
7479 The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and
7480 dive toward the Death Star.
7481
7482 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7483
7484 BIGGS
7485 Luke, at that speed will you be able
7486 to pull out in time?
7487
7488 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7489
7490 LUKE
7491 It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon
7492 back home.
7493
7494 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7495
7496 The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire.
7497 Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.
7498
7499 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7500
7501 Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.
7502
7503 BIGGS
7504 We'll stay back far enough to cover
7505 you.
7506
7507 INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT
7508
7509 Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.
7510
7511 WEDGE
7512 (over headset)
7513 My scope shows the tower, but I can't
7514 see the exhaust port! Are you sure
7515 the computer can hit it?
7516
7517 EXT. DEATH STAR - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
7518
7519 The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots
7520 laserbolts.
7521
7522 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7523
7524 Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks
7525 for a moment and then moves his targeting device into
7526 position.
7527
7528 LUKE
7529 Watch yourself! Increase speed full
7530 throttle!
7531
7532 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7533
7534 Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.
7535
7536 WEDGE
7537 What about the tower?
7538
7539 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7540
7541 LUKE
7542 You worry about those fighters! I'll
7543 worry about the tower!
7544
7545 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE
7546
7547 Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.
7548
7549 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7550
7551 Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned,
7552 knicking one of his wings close to the engine.
7553
7554 LUKE
7555 (to Artoo)
7556 Artoo... that, that stabilizer's
7557 broken loose again! See if you can't
7558 lock it down!
7559
7560 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7561
7562 Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by
7563 in the background, making his delicate task seem even more
7564 precarious.
7565
7566 EXT. DEATH STAR
7567
7568 Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.
7569
7570 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7571
7572 Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.
7573
7574 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7575
7576 Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.
7577
7578 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7579
7580 Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.
7581
7582 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7583
7584 Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-
7585 wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.
7586
7587 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7588
7589 Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.
7590
7591 WEDGE
7592 (over speaker)
7593 I'm hit! I can't stay with you.
7594
7595 LUKE
7596 (over speaker)
7597 Get clear, Wedge.
7598
7599 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7600
7601 LUKE
7602 You can't do any more good back there!
7603
7604 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7605
7606 WEDGE
7607 Sorry!
7608
7609 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7610
7611 Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.
7612
7613 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7614
7615 Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.
7616
7617 VADER
7618 Let him go! Stay on the leader!
7619
7620 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7621
7622 Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters,
7623 still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.
7624
7625 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7626
7627 Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.
7628
7629 BIGGS
7630 Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much
7631 faster this time. I can't hold them!
7632
7633 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7634
7635 The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke
7636 and Biggs.
7637
7638 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7639
7640 Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.
7641
7642 LUKE
7643 Artoo, try and increase the power!
7644
7645 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7646
7647 Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping Artoo-
7648 Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning from
7649 side to side.
7650
7651 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7652
7653 Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.
7654
7655 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7656
7657 Vader adjusts his control stick.
7658
7659 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7660
7661 Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.
7662
7663 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7664
7665 Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a
7666 moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer
7667 targeter.
7668
7669 BIGGS
7670 (over headset)
7671 Hurry up, Luke!
7672
7673 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7674
7675 Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench.
7676 Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.
7677
7678 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7679
7680 Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.
7681
7682 BIGGS
7683 Wait!
7684
7685 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7686
7687 Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.
7688
7689 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7690
7691 Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.
7692
7693 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7694
7695 Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters
7696 across the surface.
7697
7698 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7699
7700 Leia and the others stare at the computer board.
7701
7702 INT. LUKE'S X-WING COCKPIT
7703
7704 Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but
7705 his anger is also growing.
7706
7707 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
7708
7709 Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with
7710 satisfaction.
7711
7712 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7713 Rebel base, thirty seconds and
7714 closing.
7715
7716 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7717
7718 Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.
7719
7720 VADER
7721 I'm on the leader.
7722
7723 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR - LUKE'S SHIP
7724
7725 Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.
7726
7727 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7728
7729 Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful
7730 glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems
7731 nervous.
7732
7733 THREEPIO
7734 Hang on, Artoo!
7735
7736 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7737
7738 Luke concentrates on his targeting device.
7739
7740 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7741
7742 Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.
7743
7744 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7745
7746 Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.
7747
7748 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7749
7750 Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.
7751
7752 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7753
7754 Luke's ship charges down the trench.
7755
7756 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7757
7758 Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting
7759 device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then
7760 starts at a voice he hears.
7761
7762 BEN'S VOICE
7763 Use the Force, Luke.
7764
7765 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7766
7767 The Death Star trench zooms by.
7768
7769 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7770
7771 Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting
7772 device. He has second thoughts.
7773
7774 BEN'S VOICE
7775 Let go, Luke.
7776
7777 A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes
7778 his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.
7779
7780 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7781
7782 Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.
7783
7784 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7785
7786 VADER
7787 The Force is strong with this one!
7788
7789 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7790
7791 Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.
7792
7793 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7794
7795 Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears
7796 Ben's voice.
7797
7798 BEN'S VOICE
7799 Luke, trust me.
7800
7801 Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the
7802 button. The targeting device moves away.
7803
7804 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7805
7806 Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.
7807
7808 BASE VOICE
7809 (over speaker)
7810 His computer's off. Luke, you switched
7811 off your targeting computer. What's
7812 wrong?
7813
7814 LUKE
7815 (over speaker)
7816 Nothing. I'm all right.
7817
7818 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7819
7820 Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.
7821
7822 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7823
7824 Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.
7825
7826 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7827
7828 Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in
7829 anticipation.
7830
7831 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7832
7833 The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen,
7834 follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.
7835
7836 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7837
7838 Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target.
7839 He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire
7840 shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.
7841
7842 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7843
7844 A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms
7845 go limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched
7846 sound.
7847
7848 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7849
7850 Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.
7851
7852 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7853
7854 Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to
7855 fly.
7856
7857 LUKE
7858 I've lost Artoo!
7859
7860 Artoo's beeping sounds die out.
7861
7862 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7863
7864 Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen,
7865 while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the
7866 Death Star and targets glow brightly.
7867
7868 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
7869 The Death Star has cleared the planet.
7870 The Death Star has cleared the planet.
7871
7872 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
7873
7874 Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.
7875
7876 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7877 Rebel base, in range.
7878
7879 TARKIN
7880 You may fire when ready.
7881
7882 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7883 Commence primary ignition.
7884
7885 An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control panel,
7886 as green lighted buttons turn to red.
7887
7888 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7889
7890 The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in
7891 pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.
7892
7893 INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT
7894
7895 Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.
7896
7897 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7898
7899 Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected
7900 targeting screen.
7901
7902 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7903
7904 Luke's ship barrels down the trench.
7905
7906 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7907
7908 Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader
7909 takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.
7910
7911 VADER
7912 I have you now.
7913
7914 He pushes the fire buttons.
7915
7916 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7917
7918 The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center
7919 fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships
7920 at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining
7921 ships continue to move in.
7922
7923 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7924
7925 Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's
7926 wingman.
7927
7928 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7929
7930 Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.
7931
7932 VADER
7933 What?
7934
7935 INT. DARTH VADER'S WINGMAN - COCKPIT
7936
7937 Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the
7938 unknown attacker.
7939
7940 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
7941
7942 Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.
7943
7944 HAN
7945 (yelling)
7946 Yahoo!
7947
7948 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7949
7950 The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters.
7951 It's a collision course.
7952
7953 INT. WINGMAN'S COCKPIT
7954
7955 The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the
7956 Dark Lord.
7957
7958 WINGMAN
7959 Look out!
7960
7961 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7962
7963 Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate
7964 starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with
7965 Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes
7966 into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged
7967 ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.
7968
7969 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7970
7971 Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin,
7972 heading for deep space.
7973
7974 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7975
7976 Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins
7977 into space.
7978
7979 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7980
7981 Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.
7982
7983 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
7984
7985 Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.
7986
7987 HAN
7988 (into mike)
7989 You're all clear, kid.
7990
7991 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7992
7993 Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.
7994
7995 HAN
7996 (over speaker)
7997 Now let's blow this thing and go
7998 home!
7999
8000 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
8001
8002 Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust
8003 port, then fires his laser torpedoes.
8004
8005 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
8006
8007 Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply
8008 disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do
8009 find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are
8010 heading for the main reactor.
8011
8012 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
8013
8014 Luke throws his head back in relief.
8015
8016 INT. DEATH STAR
8017
8018 An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls
8019 the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.
8020
8021 INTERCOM VOICE
8022 Stand by to fire at Rebel base.
8023
8024 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
8025
8026 Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin
8027 in the distance.
8028
8029 INT. DEATH STAR
8030
8031 Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff
8032 Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.
8033
8034 INTERCOM VOICE
8035 Standing by.
8036
8037 The rumble of a distant explosion begins.
8038
8039 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
8040
8041 The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like
8042 Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small
8043 flashes appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a
8044 supernova, creating a spectacular heavenly display.
8045
8046 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
8047
8048 HAN
8049 Great shot, kid. That was one in a
8050 million.
8051
8052 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
8053
8054 Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.
8055
8056 BEN'S VOICE
8057 Remember, the Force will be with
8058 you... always.
8059
8060 The ship rocks back and forth.
8061
8062 EXT. DARTH VADER'S TIE FIGHTER
8063
8064 Vader's ship spins off into space.
8065
8066 EXT. SPACE
8067
8068 The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.
8069
8070 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR
8071
8072 Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a
8073 throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder
8074 as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting.
8075 Princess Leia rushes toward him.
8076
8077 LEIA
8078 Luke! Luke! Luke!
8079
8080 She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance
8081 around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace
8082 one another, slapping each other on the back.
8083
8084 HAN
8085 (laughing)
8086 Hey! Hey!
8087
8088 LUKE
8089 (laughing)
8090 I knew you'd come back! I just knew
8091 it!
8092
8093 HAN
8094 Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all
8095 the credit and take all the reward.
8096
8097 Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves
8098 at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.
8099
8100 LEIA
8101 (laughing)
8102 Hey, I knew there was more to you
8103 than money.
8104
8105 Luke looks toward the ship.
8106
8107 LUKE
8108 Oh, no!
8109
8110 The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the
8111 fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.
8112
8113 THREEPIO
8114 Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say
8115 something!
8116 (to mechanic)
8117 You can repair him, can't you?
8118
8119 TECHNICIAN
8120 We'll get to work on him right away.
8121
8122 THREEPIO
8123 You must repair him! Sir, if any of
8124 my circuits or gears will help, I'll
8125 gladly donate them.
8126
8127 LUKE
8128 He'll be all right.
8129
8130 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN THRONE ROOM
8131
8132 Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main
8133 temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners
8134 are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the
8135 beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly
8136 march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From
8137 one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired
8138 Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to
8139 an equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awestruck by the
8140 whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other
8141 dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is
8142 dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful.
8143 She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He
8144 winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who
8145 is moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled
8146 troops, who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo
8147 beeps with happiness.
8148
8149 FADE OUT:
8150
8151 END CREDITS OVER STARS
8152
8153 THE END