STAR WARS
A New Hope
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup
slowly crawls into infinity.
It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.
During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an armored space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet.
Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy...
The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers from the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed by agiant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- MAIN PASSAGEWAY.
An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are old and battered.
Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar eye. Threepio, on theother hand, is a tall, slender robot of human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like metallic surface of an Art Deco design.
Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.
THREEPIO: Did you hear that? They've shut down the main reactor. We'll be destroyed for sure. This is madness!
Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
THREEPIO: We're doomed!
The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that only another robot could understand.
THREEPIO: There'll be no escape for the Princess this time.
Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.
THREEPIO: What's that?
EXTERIOR: SPACECRAFT IN SPACE.
The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.
The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wlld random patterns creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered arms and faces. An explosion hits near the robots.
THREEPIO: I should have known better than to trust the logic of a half-sized thermocapsulary dehousing assister...
Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages around the two hapless robots.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- DAY.
A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure,
Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with a prize-winning smile.
A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny robot to follow him.
LUKE: Hurry up! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!
The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- MAIN HALLWAY.
The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a frenzied panic.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.
A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome. Artoo makes beeping sounds.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.
Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel soldiers can be heard in the distance.
THREEPIO: Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place, dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little robot joins his companion.
THREEPIO: At last! Where have you been?
Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
THREEPIO: They're heading in this direction. What are we going to do? We'll be sent to the spice mine of Kessel or smashed into who knows what!
Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
THREEPIO: Wait a minute, where are you going?
Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- CORRIDOR
The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
IMPERIAL OFFICER: The Death Star plans are not in the main computer.
Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles in vain.
VADER: Where are those transmissions you intercepted?
Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
VADER: What have you done with those plans?
REBEL OFFICER: We intercepted no transmissions. Aaah....This is a consular ship. Were on a diplomatic mission.
VADER: If this is a consular ship...were is the Ambassador?
The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp. Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to his troops.
VADER: Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans and bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive!
The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- SUBHALLWAY.
The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the troopers spots her.
TROOPER: There she is! Set for stun!
Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
TROOPER: She'll be all right. Inform Lord Vader we have a prisoner.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- SUBHALLWAY.
Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into the cramped four-man pod.
THREEPIO: Hey, you're not permitted in there. It's restricted. You'll be deactivated for sure..
Artoo beeps something to him.
THREEPIO: Don't call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight glob of grease! Now come out before somebody sees you.
Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding the mission he is about to perform.
THREEPIO: Secret mission? What plans? What are you talking about? I'm not getting in there!
Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps and twangs angrily.
A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and, after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky robot jumps into the lifepod.
THREEPIO: I'm going to regret this.
INTERIOR: IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER.
On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.
CHIEF PILOT: There goes another one.
CAPTAIN: Hold your fire. There are no life forms. It must have been short-circuited.
INTERIOR: LIFEPOD.
Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship. Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.
THREEPIO: That's funny, the damage doesn't look as bad from out here.
Artoo beeps an assuring response.
THREEPIO: Are you sure this things safe?
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as he flies past.
WOMAN: I've told you kids to slow down!
INTERIOR: POWER STATION -- DAY.
Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the office, yelling wildly.
FIXER: Did I hear a young noise blast through here?
CAMIE: It was just wormie on another rampage.
Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly, handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.
LUKE: Shape it up you guys!.... Biggs?
Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
LUKE: I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?
BIGGS: Just now. I wanted to surprise you, hot shot. I thought you'd be here...certainly didn't expect you to be out working. (he laughs.)
LUKE: The Academy didn't change you much...but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get your commission? Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
BIGGS: Of course I got it. Signed aboard The Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at your service...(he salutes)...I just came to say good-bye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons. Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of it.
LUKE: I almost forgot. There's a battle going on! Right here in our system. Come and look!
DEAK: Not again! Forget it.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD -- SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
LUKE: There they are!
Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain to see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
Biggs sees two small silver specks.
BIGGS: That's no battle, hot shot...they're just sitting there! Probably a freighter-tanker refueling.
LUKE: But there was a lot of firing earlier...
Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the building in the process. Luke grabs them.
LUKE: Hey, easy with those...
CAMIE: Don't worry about it, Wormie.
The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
FIXER: I keep telling you, the Rebellion is a long way from here. I doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me Luke, this planet is a big hunk of nothing...
Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about Luke's ineptitude.
INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER -- HALLWAY
Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.
LEIA: Lord Vader, I should have known. Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit for this, when they hear you've attacked a diplomatic...
VADER: Don't play games with me, Your Highness. You weren't on any mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted system. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.
LEIA: I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan...
VADER: You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...and a traitor. Take her away!
Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander turns to Vader.
COMMANDER: Holding her is dangerous. If word of this gets out, it could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the senate.
VADER: I have traced the Rebel spies to her. Now she is my only link to find their secret base!
COMMANDER: She'll die before she tells you anything.
VADER: Leave that to me. Send a distress signal and then inform the senate that all aboard were killed! Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander. They stop and snap to attention.
SECOND OFFICER: Lord Vader, the battle station plans are not aboard this ship! And no transmissions were made. An escape pod was jettisoned during the fighting, but no life forms were aboard.
Vader turns to the Commander.
VADER: She must have hidden the plans in the escape pod. Send a detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally, Commander. There'll be no one to stop us this time.
COMMANDER: Yes, sir.
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the planet Tatooine.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT.
Judland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the distance rests half buried in the sand.
THREEPIO: How did I get into this mess? I really don't know how. We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life. Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: I've got to rest before I fall apart. My joints are almost frozen.
Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: What a desolate place this is.
Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio stops and yells at him.
THREEPIO: Where are you going?
A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small robot.
THREEPIO: Well, I'm not going that way. It's much too rocky. This way
is much easier.
Artoo counters with a long whistle.
THREEPIO: What makes you think there are settlements over there?
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: Don't get technical with me.
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: What mission? What are you talking about? I've had just about enough of you! Go that way! You'll be malfunctioning within a day, you nearsighted scrap pile!
Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the direction of the vast dune sea.
THREEPIO: And don't let me catch you following me begging for help, because you won't get it.
Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges off in the direction of the towering mesas.
THREEPIO: No more adventures. I'm not going that way.
Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant mountains.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DUNE SEA.
Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune; only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock mesas.
THREEPIO: That malfunctioning little twerp. This is all his fault! He tricked me into going this way, but he'll do no better.
In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint
of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving towards him.
THREEPIO: Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm saved!
The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the approaching transport.
THREEPIO: Over here! Help! Please, help!
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and the others can be heard working inside.
LUKE: (Very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest
of the season. You should have been there...it was fantastic.
BIGGS: You ought to take it easy Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day, whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.
LUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...
BIGGS: I've missed you kid.
LUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Biggs. It's
been so...quiet.
Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
BIGGS: Luke, I didn't come back just to say good-bye...I shouldn't
tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust...and if I don't
come back, I want somebody to know.
Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
LUKE: What are you talking about?
BIGGS: I made some friends at the Academy. (he whispers)...when our
frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship
and join the Alliance...
Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
LUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?
BIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor
crater!
LUKE: I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You
can barely hear me...
Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
BIGGS: My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make
contact.
LUKE: Your crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.
BIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what
I can on my own...It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not
going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe
in.
LUKE: And I'm stuck here...
BIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get
your chance to get off this rock.
LUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left...they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.
BIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople with one
blaster.
LUKE: I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place
pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.
BIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems
to be important or what really is important. What good is all your
uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire?...You know they're
starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems...it won't be
long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater
glory of the Empire.
LUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't
bother with this rock.
BIGGS: Things always change.
LUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long?
BIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning...
LUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.
BIGGS: Maybe someday...I'll keep a lookout.
LUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows.
I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet that's for sure...Take
care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.
BIGGS: So long, Luke.
Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
power station.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SUNSET.
The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he goes.
He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for a
moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
In the distance, a pepple tumbles down the steep canyon
wall and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a pair
of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the narrow
path.
The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages one
short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his back.
His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then off
again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller than
Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the
heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down the
trail.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SANDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.
The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge
tank-like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a large
tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot is sucked
into the giant machine.
The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER -- HOLD AREA.
It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
of the chamber.
INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER -- PRISON AREA.
Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
out from the gloom.
THREEPIO: Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!
A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- SANDCRAWLER -- SUNSET.
The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
ridge.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT -- DAY.
Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine. A
trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
FIRST TROOPER: Someone was in the pod. The tracks go off in this
direction.
A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
and gives it to the first trooper.
SECOND TROOPER: Look, sir -- droids.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DUNES.
The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
INTERIOR: SANDCRAWLER.
Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
THREEPIO: Wake up! Wake up!
Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding white
light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the odd
assortment of robots.
THREEPIO: We're doomed.
A Jawa starts moving toward them.
THREEPIO: Do you think they'll melt us down?
Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this never end?
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT -- LARS HOMESTEAD -- AFTERNOON.
The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
adobe block house.
The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots,
straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented
metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly,
attracting small insects to the dark areas when their mouths
and nostrils should be.
Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen
Lars, a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes
are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
standing in the main courtyard.
BERU: Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a translator to be sure it
speaks Bocce.
LUKE: It looks like we don't have much of a choice but I'll remind
him.
Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
for sale with the Jawa leader.
OWEN: I have no need for a protocol droid.
THREEPIO: (quickly) Sir -- not in an environment such as this --
that's why I've also been programmed for over thirty secondary
functions that...
OWEN: What I really need is a droid that understands the binary
language of moisture vaporators.
THREEPIO: Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was programming binary load
lifter...very similar to your vaporators. You could say...
OWEN: Do you speak Bocce?
THREEPIO: Of course I can, sir. It's like a second language for
me...I'm as fluent in Bocce...
OWEN: All right shut up! (turning to Jawa) I'll take this one.
THREEPIO: Shutting up, sir.
OWEN: Luke, take these two over to the garage, will you? I want you to
have both of them cleaned up before dinner.
LUKE: But I was going into Toshi Station to pick up some power
converters...
OWEN: You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done.
Now come on, get to it!
LUKE: All right, come on! And the red one, come on. Well, come on,
Red, let's go.
As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots
back into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little
beep and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is
restrained by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.
Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the head
of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.
LUKE: Uncle Owen...
OWEN: Yeah?
LUKE: This R2 unit has a bad motivator. Look!
OWEN: (to the head Jawa) Hey, what're you trying to push on us?
The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has
sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to
attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio
taps Luke on the shoulder.
THREEPIO: (pointing to Artoo) Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is in
prime condition. A real bargain.
LUKE: Uncle Owen...
OWEN: Yeah?
LUKE: What about that one?
OWEN: (to Jawa) What about that blue one? We'll take that one.
With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the
damaged astro-droid for Artoo.
LUKE: Yeah, take it away.
THREEPIO: Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very pleased with that one,
sir. He really is in first-class condition. I've worked with him
before. Here he comes.
Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.
LUKE: Okay, let's go.
THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Now, don't you forget this! Why I should stick my
neck out for you is quite beyond my capacity!
INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- GARAGE AREA -- LATE AFTERNOON.
The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
with a cord to his face.
THREEPIO: Thank the maker! This oil bath is going to feel so good.
I've got such a bad case of dust contamination, I can barely move!
Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in
thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small
two-man Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the
garage. Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and
he slams a wrench across the workbench.
LUKE: It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is right. I'm never gonna get out
of here!
THREEPIO: Is there anything I might do to help?
Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger
drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.
LUKE: Well, not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest, or
teleport me off this rock!
THREEPIO: I don't think so, sir. I'm only a droid and not very
knowledgeable about such things. Not on this planet, anyways. As a
matter of fact, I'm not even sure which planet I'm on.
LUKE: Well, if there's a bright center to the universe, you're on the
planet that it's farthest from.
THREEPIO: I see, sir.
LUKE: Uh, you can call me Luke.
THREEPIO: I see, sir Luke.
LUKE: (laughing) Just Luke.
THREEPIO: And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations, and this is
my counterpart, Artoo-Detoo.
LUKE: Hello.
Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping oil
from his bronze body.
LUKE: You got a lot of carbon scoring here. It looks like you boys
have seen a lot of action.
THREEPIO: With all we've been through, sometimes I'm amazed we're in
as good condition as we are, what with the Rebellion and all.
LUKE: You know of the Rebellion against the Empire?
THREEPIO: That's how we came to be in your service, if you take my
meaning, sir.
LUKE: Have you been in many battles?
THREEPIO: Several, I think. Actually, there's not much to tell. I'm
not much more than an interpreter, and not very good at telling
stories. Well, not at making them interesting, anyways.
Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
neck joint. He uses a larger pick.
LUKE: Well, my little friend, you've got something jammed in here real
good. Were you on a cruiser or...
The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke
tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch
three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator,
being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a
rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit
garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.
LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.
LUKE: What's this?
Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for
Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence
fragment over and over.
THREEPIO: What is what?!? He asked you a question...(pointing to Leia)
What is that?
Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
sentence fragment over and over.
LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi. You're my only hope.
THREEPIO: Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely a malfunction. Old
data. Pay it no mind.
Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.
LUKE: Who is she? She's beautiful.
THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...
THREEPIO: I think she was a passenger on our last voyage. A person of
some importance, sir -- I believe. Our captain was attached to...
LUKE: Is there more to this recording?
Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
squeaks and a whistle.
THREEPIO: Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going to get us in trouble.
It's all right, you can trust him. He's our new master.
Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.
THREEPIO: He says he's the property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of
these parts. And it's a private message for him. Quite frankly, sir I
don't know what he's talking about. Our last master was Captain
Antilles, but with what we've been through, this little R2 unit has
become a bit eccentric.
LUKE: Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means old Ben Kenobi?
THREEPIO: I beg your pardon, sir, but do you know what he's talking
about?
LUKE: Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-Wan, but old Ben lives out
beyond the dune sea. He's kind of a strange old hermit.
Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
moments.
LUKE: I wonder who she is. It sounds like she's in trouble. I'd better
play back the whole thing.
Artoo beeps something to Threepio.
THREEPIO: He says the restraining bolt has short circuited his
recording system. He suggests that if you remove the bolt, he might be
able to play back the entire recording.
Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and
hasn't really heard what Threepio has been saying.
LUKE: H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you're too small to run away on me
if I take this off! Okay.
Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
Artoo's side.
LUKE: There you go.
The princess immediately disappears...
LUKE: Well, wait a minute. Where'd she go? Bring her back! Play back
the entire message.
Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
embarrassment.
THREEPIO: What message? The one you're carrying inside your rusty
innards!
A women's voice calls out from another room.
AUNT BERU: Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!
Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
robot.
LUKE: All right, I'll be right there, Aunt Beru.
THREEPIO: I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to have picked up a slight
flutter.
Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and
hurries out of the room.
LUKE: Well, see what you can do with him. I'll be right back.
THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Just you reconsider playing that message for him.
Artoo beeps in response.
THREEPIO: No, I don't think he likes you at all.
Artoo beeps.
THREEPIO: No, I don't like you either.
INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- DINING AREA.
Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-used
kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls of
food and starts for the dining area.
Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
grain.
LUKE: You know, I think that R2 unit we bought might have been stolen.
OWEN: What makes you think that?
LUKE: Well, I stumbled across a recording while I was cleaning him. He
says he belongs to someone called Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
manages to control himself.
LUKE: I thought he might have meant old Ben. Do you know what he's
talking about? Well, I wonder if he's related to Ben.
Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.
OWEN: That old man's just a crazy old wizard. Tomorrow I want you to
take that R2 unit into Anchorhead and have its memory flushed. That'll
be the end of it. It belongs to us now.
LUKE: But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking for him?
OWEN: He won't, I don't think he exists any more. He died about the
same time as your father.
LUKE: He knew my father?
OWEN: I told you to forget it. Your only concern is to prepare the new
droids for tomorrow. In the morning I want them on the south ridge
working out those condensers.
LUKE: Yes, sir. I think those new droids are going to work out fine.
In fact, I, uh, was also thinking about our agreement about my staying
on another season. And if these new droids do work out, I want to
transmit my application to the Academy this year.
Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
it.
OWEN: You mean the next semester before harvest?
LUKE: Sure, there're more than enough droids.
OWEN: Harvest is when I need you the most. Only one more season. This
year we'll make enough on the harvest so I'll be able to hire some
more hands. And then you can go to the Academy next year.
Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his
uncle.
OWEN: You must understand I need you here, Luke.
LUKE: But it's a whole 'nother year.
OWEN: Look, it's only one more season.
Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.
LUKE: Yeah, that's what you said last year when Biggs and Tank left.
AUNT BERU: Where are you going?
LUKE: It looks like I'm going nowhere. I have to finish cleaning those
droids.
Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
mechanically finishes his dinner.
AUNT BERU: Owen, he can't stay here forever. Most of his friends have
gone. It means so much to him.
OWEN: I'll make it up to him next year. I promise.
AUNT BERU: Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He has too much of his
father in him.
OWEN: That's what I'm afraid of.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- LARS HOMESTEAD.
The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
homestead.
INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- GARAGE.
Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.
LUKE: What are you doing hiding there?
Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
sight.
THREEPIO: It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't deactivate me. I told
him not to go, but he's faulty, malfunctioning; kept babbling on about
his mission.
LUKE: Oh, no!
Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- LARS HOMESTEAD.
Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead and
searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-
robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the salt
flat as Luke scans the landscape with his electrobinoculars.
THREEPIO: That R2 unit has always been a problem. These astro-droids
are getting quite out of hand. Even I can't understand their logic at
times.
LUKE: How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere in sight. Blast it!
THREEPIO: Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go after him?
LUKE: It's too dangerous with all the Sandpeople around. We'll have to
wait until morning.
Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.
OWEN: Luke, I'm shutting the power down for the night.
LUKE: All right, I'll be there in a few minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.
He takes one final look across the dim horizon.
LUKE: You know that little droid is going to cause me a lot of
trouble.
THREEPIO: Oh, he excels at that, sir.
INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- PLAZA.
Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.
OWEN: Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be loafing now!
INTERIOR: LARS HOMESTEAD -- KITCHEN.
The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru prepares
the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.
OWEN: Have you seen Luke this morning?
AUNT BERU: He said he had some things to do before he started today,
so he left early.
OWEN: Uh? Did he take those two new droids with him?
AUNT BERU: I think so.
OWEN: Well, he'd better have those units in the south range repaired
be midday or there'll be hell to pay!
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- LUKE'S SPEEDER -- DAY.
The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
wasteland.
INTERIOR/EXTERIOR: LUKE'S SPEEDER -- DESERT WASTELAND -- TRAVELING -- DAY.
Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something
in the motor compartment.
LUKE: (yelling) How's that.
Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.
LUKE: Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this direction somewhere, but I
don't see how that R2 unit could have come this far. We must have
missed him. Uncle Owen isn't going to take this very well.
THREEPIO: Sir, would it help if you told him it was my fault.
LUKE: (brightening) Sure. He needs you. He'd probably only deactivate
you for a day or so...
THREEPIO: Deactivate! Well, on the other hand if you hadn't removed
his restraining bolt...
LUKE: Wait, there's something dead ahead on the scanner. It looks like
our droid...hit the accelerator.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK MESA -- DUNE SEA -- COASTLINE -- DAY.
From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs the
gun before it can be fired.
The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes
called, speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into
an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in
the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK MESA -- CANYON.
The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large as
elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns, and
long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders mount
saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs and ride
off down the rugged bluff.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- FLOOR.
The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke,
with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands
before little Artoo.
LUKE: Hey, whoa, just where do you think you're going?
The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
menacingly behind the little runaway.
THREEPIO: Master Luke here is your rightful owner. We'll have no more
of this Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish...and don't talk to me about your
mission, either. You're fortunate he doesn't blast you into a million
pieces right here.
LUKE: Well, come on. It's getting late. I only hope we can get back
before Uncle Owen really blows up.
THREEPIO: If you don't mind my saying so, sir, I think you should
deactivate the little fugitive until you've gotten him back to your
workshop.
LUKE: No, he's not going to try anything.
Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of
frantic whistles and screams.
LUKE: What's wrong with him now?
THREEPIO: Oh my...sir, he says there are several creatures approaching
from the southeast.
Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.
LUKE: Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on, let's have a look. Come on.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- RIDGE -- DAY.
Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the two
riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young
adventurer.
LUKE: There are two Banthas down there but I don't see any...wait a
second, they're Sandpeople all right. I can see one of them now.
Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large,
gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled
and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be
heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles down
the side of the mountain.
The towering creature brings down his curved,
double-pointed gaderffii -- the dreaded axe blade that has
struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. But Luke
manages to block the blow with his laser rifle, which is
smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambles backward
until he is forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister
Raider stands over him with his weapon raised and lets out a
horrible shrieking laugh.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ROCK CANYON -- FLOOR -- DAY.
Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in the
rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the inert
Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the speeder.
The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts and
supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan is
heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sandpeople
fleeing in terror.
Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.
BEN: Hello there! Come here my little friend. Don't be afraid.
Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a
heap and begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben
puts his hand on Luke's forehead and he begins to
come around.
BEN: Don't worry, he'll be all right.
LUKE: What happened?
BEN: Rest easy, son, you've had a busy day. You're fortunate you're
still in one piece.
LUKE: Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to see you!
BEN: The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly. Tell me young
Luke, what brings you out this far?
LUKE: Oh, this little droid! I think he's searching for his former
master...I've never seen such devotion in a droid before...there
seems to be no stopping him. He claims to be the property of an Obi-
Wan Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he's talking
about?
Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.
BEN: Obi-Wan Kenobi...Obi-Wan? Now thats a name I haven't heard in a
long time...a long time.
LUKE: I think my uncle knew him. He said he was dead.
BEN: Oh, he's not dead, not...not yet.
LUKE: You know him!
BEN: Well of course, of course I know him. He's me! I haven't gone by
the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born.
LUKE: Then the droid does belong to you.
BEN: Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid. Very interesting...
He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.
BEN: I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled
but they will soon be back and in greater numbers.
Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.
LUKE: Threepio!
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- SAND PIT -- ROCK MESA -- DAY.
Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins
to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and Ben
stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half
buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.
Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and
then flips a hidden switch on his back several times until
finally the mechanical man's systems turn on.
THREEPIO: Where am I? I must have taken a bad step...
LUKE: Can you stand? We've got to get out of here before the
Sandpeople return.
THREEPIO: I don't think I can make it. You go on, Master Luke. There's
no sense in you risking yourself on my account. I'm done for.
Artoo makes a beeping sound.
LUKE: No, you're not. What kind of talk is that?
Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
air.
BEN: Quickly, son...they're on the move.
INTERIOR: KENOBI'S DWELLING.
The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as
old Ben sits thinking.
LUKE: No, my father didn't fight in the wars. He was a navigator on a
spice freighter.
BEN: That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your
father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten
involved.
LUKE: You fought in the Clone Wars?
BEN: Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father.
LUKE: I wish I'd known him.
BEN: He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior.
I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself. And he was a
good friend. Which reminds me...
Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around.
As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
with several electronic gadgets attached to it.
BEN: I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have
this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He
feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic
crusade like your father did.
THREEPIO: Sir, if you'll not be needing me, I'll close down for
awhile.
LUKE: Sure, go ahead.
Ben hands Luke the saber.
LUKE: What is it?
BEN: Your fathers lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not
as clumsy or as random as a blaster.
Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the
ceiling.
BEN: An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. For over a thousand
generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice
in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.
Luke hasn't really been listening.
LUKE: How did my father die?
BEN: A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he
turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi
Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all
but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.
LUKE: The Force?
BEN: Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy
field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy together.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
BEN: Now, let's see if we can't figure out what you are, my little
friend. And where you come from.
LUKE: I saw part of the message he was...
Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.
BEN: I seem to have found it.
Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers
before his eyes.
LEIA: General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone
Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire.
I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in
person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission
to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital
to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2
unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid
safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour.
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.
There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.
BEN: You must learn the ways of the Force if you're to come with me to
Alderaan.
LUKE: (laughing) Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan. I've got to go
home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is.
BEN: I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old
for this sort of thing.
LUKE: I can't get involved! I've got work to do! It's not that I like
the Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing I can do about it right
now. It's such a long way from here.
BEN: That's your uncle talking.
LUKE: (sighing) Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever going to explain
this?
BEN: Learn about the Force, Luke.
LUKE: Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a
transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going.
BEN: You must do what you feel is right, of course.
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
battle station: the Death Star!
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, is
speaking.
TAGGE: Until this battle station is fully operational we are
vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped. They're more
dangerous than you realize.
The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.
MOTTI: Dangerous to your starfleet, Commander, not to this battle
station!
TAGGE: The Rebellion will continue to gain a support in the Imperial
Senate as long as....
Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut
short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and bow
before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his place
at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind him.
TARKIN: The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us.
I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council
permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept
away.
TAGGE: That's impossible! How will the Emperor maintain control
without the bureaucracy?
TARKIN: The regional governors now have direct control over
territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this
battle station.
TAGGE: And what of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a
complete technical readout of this station, it is possible, however
unlikely, that they might find a weakness and exploit it.
VADER: The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.
MOTTI: Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a
useless gesture, no matter what technical data they've obtained. This
station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use
it!
VADER: Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've
constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to
the power of the Force.
MOTTI: Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader.
Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure
up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the
Rebel's hidden fort...
Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's
spell.
VADER: I find your lack of faith disturbing.
TARKIN: Enough of this! Vader, release him!
VADER: As you wish.
TARKIN: This bickering is pointless. Lord Vader will provide us with
the location of the Rebel fortress by the time this station is
operational. We will then crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
and scattered bodies.
LUKE: It looks like Sandpeople did this, all right. Look, here are
Gaffi sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...I never heard of them hitting
anything this big before.
Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.
BEN: They didn't. But we are meant to think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sandpeople always ride single file to hide there numbers.
LUKE: These are the same Jawas that sold us Artoo and Threepio.
BEN: And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople. Only
Imperial stormtroopers are so precise.
LUKE: Why would Imperial troops want to slaughter Jawas?
Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.
LUKE: If they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they
sold them to. And that would lead them home!
Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
the speeder and jumps it.
BEN: Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.
Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with
the burning Sandcrawler.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- LARS HOMESTEAD.
The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps out
and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home. Debris
is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great battle has
taken place.
LUKE: Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!
Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and
uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is
stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
resolve comes over him.
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DETENTION CORRIDOR.
Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is
filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.
VADER: And, now Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your
hidden Rebel base.
The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut
and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled
screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the dead.
Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to him.
BEN: There's nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there.
You'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of
the Empire.
LUKE: I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me
now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my
father.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- WASTELAND.
The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
Ben is standing.
BEN: Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of
scum and villainy. We must be cautious.
Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
smile.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several
combat-hardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A
Trooper questions Luke.
TROOPER: How long have you had these droids?
LUKE: About three or four seasons.
BEN: They're for sale if you want them.
TROOPER: Let me see your identification.
Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID
while Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.
BEN: You don't need to see his identification.
TROOPER: We don't need to see his identification.
BEN: These are not the droids your looking for.
TROOPER: These are not the droids we're looking for.
BEN: He can go about his business.
TROOPER: You can go about your business.
BEN: (to Luke) Move along.
TROOPER: Move along. Move along.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina
on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of
transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are
parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle
the speeder.
THREEPIO: I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting creatures.
As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
away.
LUKE: Go on, go on. I can't understand how we got by those troopers. I
thought we were dead.
BEN: The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded. You
will find it a powerful ally.
LUKE: Do you really think we're going to find a pilot here that'll
take us to Alderaan?
BEN: Well, most of the best freighter pilots can be found here. Only
watch your step. This place can be a little rough.
LUKE: I'm ready for anything.
THREEPIO: Come along, Artoo.
INTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- CANTINA.
The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy den
is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien
creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At first the
sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy, furry,
scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over drinks. Ben
moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group of repulsive
but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender stops Luke and
the robots.
BARTENDER: We don't serve their kind here!
Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's
drift.
LUKE: What?
BARTENDER: Your droids. They'll have to wait outside. We don't want
them here.
Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures
along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.
Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.
LUKE: Listen, why don't you wait out by the speeder. We don't want any
trouble.
THREEPIO: I heartily agree with you sir.
Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.
Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall-
savage-looking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey
with fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a
fur-covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
sight to behold.
Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between
Ben and the giant Wookiee.
Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
or whatever.
A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.
CREATURE: Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?
The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
belligerent monstrosity.
HUMAN: He doesn't like you.
LUKE: I'm sorry.
HUMAN: I don't like you either
The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
adventurer.
HUMAN: (continued) Don't insult us. You just watch yourself. We're
wanted men. I have the death sentence in twelve systems.
LUKE: I'll be careful than.
HUMAN: You'll be dead.
The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His
three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind
Luke.
BEN: This little one isn't worth the effort. Come let me buy you
something...
A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the
young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through
tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking
liquid. With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a
wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old
Ben. The bartender panics.
BARTENDER: No blasters! No blaster!
With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to
life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is
cut in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off
his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke,
shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities, attempts
to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds.
The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a
respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his
bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben points
the the Wookiee.
BEN: This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate on a ship that might suit our
needs.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on an
electronic conversation with another little red astro-droid. A
creature comes out of the cantina and approaches two
stormtroopers in the street.
THREEPIO: I don't like the look of this.
INTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- CANTINA.
Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years
old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental, and
cocksure.
HAN: Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system.
BEN: Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.
HAN: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?
BEN: Should I have?
HAN: It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve
parsecs!
Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
obvious misinformation.
HAN: (continued) I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local
bulk-cruisers, mind you. I'm talking about the big Corellian ships
now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?
BEN: Only passengers. Myself, the boy, two droids, and no questions
asked.
HAN: What is it? Some kind of local trouble?
BEN: Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements.
HAN: Well, that's the trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you
something extra. Ten thousand in advance.
LUKE: Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that!
HAN: But who's going to fly it, kid! You?
LUKE: You bet I could. I'm not such a bad pilot myself! We don't have
to sit here and listen...
BEN: We haven't that much with us. But we could pay you two thousand
now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan.
HAN: Seventeen, huh!
Han ponders this for a few moments.
HAN: Okay. You guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave as soon as you're
ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.
BEN: Ninety-four.
HAN: Looks like somebody's beginning to take an interest in your
handiwork.
Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
questions. The bartender points to the booth.
TROOPER: All right, we'll check it out.
The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.
HAN: Seventeen thousand! Those guys must really be desperate. This
could really save my neck. Get back to the ship and get her ready.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
BEN: You'll have to sell your speeder.
LUKE: That's okay. I'm never coming back to this planet again.
INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY -- CANTINA.
As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature
speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.
GREEDO: Going somewhere, Solo?
HAN: Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I was just going to see your
boss. Tell Jabba that I've got his money.
Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding
the gun on him.
GREEDO: It's too late. You should have paid him when you had the
chance. Jabba's put a price on your head, so large that every bounty
hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you. I'm lucky I found you
first.
HAN: Yeah, but this time I got the money.
GREEDO: If you give it to me, I might forget I found you.
HAN: I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...
GREEDO: Jabba's through with you. He has no time for smugglers who
drop their shipments at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser.
HAN: Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you think I had a choice?
Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.
GREEDO: You can tell that to Jabba. He may only take your ship.
HAN: Over my dead body.
GREEDO: That's the idea. I've been looking forward to killing you for
a long time.
HAN: Yes, I'll bet you have.
Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as the
other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up and
starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some coins
as he leaves.
HAN: Sorry about the mess.
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
VADER: Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be
some time before we can extract any information from her.
An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
IMPERIAL OFFICER: The final check-out is complete. All systems are
operational. What course shall we set?
TARKIN: Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of
persuasion.
VADER: What do you mean?
TARKIN: I think it is time we demonstrate the full power of this
station. (to soldier) Set your course for Princess Leia's home planet
of Alderaan.
TROOPER: With pleasure.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking
exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
hiding from the hot winds.
THREEPIO: Lock the door, Artoo.
One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.
TROOPER: All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move
on to the next door.
The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
THREEPIO: I would much rather have gone with Master Luke than stay
here with you. I don't know what all the trouble is about, but I'm
sure it must be your fault.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: You watch your language!
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET -- ALLEYWAY -- USED SPEEDER LOT.
Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.
LUKE: He says it's the best he can do. Since the XP-38 came out,
they're just not in demand.
BEN: It will be enough.
Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they
disappear down another alley.
BEN: If the ship's as fast as he's boasting, we ought to do well.
INTERIOR: DOCKING BAY 94 -- DAY.
Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the
grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim
testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat,
slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge
ugly mouth.
JABBA: Come on out, Solo!
A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
HAN: I've been waiting for you, Jabba.
JABBA: I expected you would be.
HAN: I'm not the type to run.
JABBA: (fatherly-smooth) Han, my boy, there are times when you
disappoint me...why haven't you paid me? And why did you have to fry
poor Greedo like that...after all we've been through together.
HAN: You sent Greedo to blast me.
JABBA: (mock surprise) Han, why you're the best smuggler in the
business. You're too valuable to fry. He was only relaying my concern
at your delays. He wasn't going to blast you.
HAN: I think he thought he was. Next time don't send one of those
twerps. If you've got something to say to me, come see me yourself.
JABBA: Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to dump that shipment of
spice...you understand I just can't make an exception. Where would I
be if every pilot who smuggled for me dumped their shipment at the
first sign of an Imperial starship? It's not good business.
HAN: You know, even I get boarded sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice,
but I've got a charter now and I can pay you back, plus a little
extra. I just need some more time.
JABBA: (to his men) Put your blasters away. Han, my boy, I'm only
doing this because you're the best and I need you. So, for an extra,
say twenty percent I'll give you a little more time...but this is it.
If you disappoint me again, I'll put a price on your head so large you
won't be able to go near a civilized system for the rest of your short
life.
HAN: Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my pleasure.
EXTERIOR: DOCKING PORT ENTRY -- ALLEYWAY.
Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94.
Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The
darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot.
He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
transmitter.
INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94
Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking
Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large,
round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only
loosely be called a starship.
LUKE: What a piece of junk.
The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
HAN: She'll make point five beyond the speed of light. She may not
look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some
special modifications myself.
Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to
follow.
HAN: We're a little rushed, so if you'll hurry aboard we'll get out of
here.
The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
Solo.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON.
Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
engines of the starship.
INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94.
Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
Falcon passing Solo.
THREEPIO: Hello, sir.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.
Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
creature.
TROOPER: Which way?
The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
bay.
TROOPER: All right, men. Load your weapons!
INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94.
The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
docking bay entrance.
TROOPER: Stop that ship!
Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers
rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at
Han as he ducks into the spaceship.
TROOPER: Blast 'em!
Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
slams the overhead entry shut.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON.
HAN: Chewie, get us out of here!
The group straps in for take off.
THREEPIO: Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I hate space travel.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREETS.
The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above the
dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the morning
sky.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.
The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway, makes
a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
HAN: It looks like an Imperial cruiser. Our passengers must be hotter
than I thought. Try and hold them off. Angle the deflector shield
while I make the calculations for the jump to light speed.
EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.
The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
stardestroyers.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy
spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
HAN: Stay sharp! There are two more coming in; they're going to try to
cut us off.
LUKE: Why don't you outrun them? I thought you said
this thing wasfast.
HAN: Watch your mouth, kid, or you're going to find yourself floating
home. We'll be safe enough once we make the jump to hyperspace.
Besides, I know a few maneuvers. We'll lose them!
EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.
Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.
HAN: Here's where the fun begins!
BEN: How long before you can make the jump to light speed?
HAN: It'll take a few moments to get the coordinates from the
navi-computer.
The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
LUKE: Are you kidding? At the rate they're gaining...
HAN: Traveling through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops, boy!
Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or
bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick,
wouldn't it?
The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
warning light begins to flash.
LUKE: What's that flashing?
HAN: We're losing our deflector shield. Go strap yourself in, I'm
going to make the jump to light speed.
The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
makes the jump to hyperspace.
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
second.
EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR.
Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
displaying a small green planet.
MOTTI: We've entered the Alderaan system.
Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
hands are bound.
LEIA: Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding
Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on
board.
TARKIN: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it
signing the order to terminate your life!
LEIA: I surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility
yourself!
TARKIN: Princess Leia, before your execution I would like you to be my
guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No
star system will dare oppose the Emperor now.
LEIA: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems
will slip through your fingers.
TARKIN: Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way,
you have determined the choice of the planet that'll be destroyed
first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the
Rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power...
on your home planet of Alderaan.
LEIA: No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't
possibly...
TARKIN: You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name
the system!
Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
TARKIN: I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where
is the Rebel base?
Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
Alderaan.
LEIA: (softly) Dantooine.
Leia lowers her head.
LEIA: They're on Dantooine.
TARKIN: There. You see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. (addressing
Motti) Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready.
LEIA: What?
TARKIN: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an
effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your Rebel
friends soon enough.
LEIA: No!
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- BLAST CHAMBER.
VADER: Commence primary ignition.
A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another lever
and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A huge beam
of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges
into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green
planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA.
Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
seems almost faint.
LUKE: Are you all right? What's wrong?
BEN: I felt a great disturbance in the Force...as if millions of
voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.
Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
he fixes his gaze on Luke.
BEN: You'd better get on with your exercises.
Han Solo enters the room.
HAN: Well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I
told you I'd outrun 'em.
Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
HAN: Don't everyone thank me at once.
Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along
a chess-type board.
HAN: Anyway, we should be at Alderaan about oh-two-hundred hours.
Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
covered arms over his head.
THREEPIO: Now be careful, Artoo.
Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to
walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot.
Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and
begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
THREEPIO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you.
HAN: (interrupting) Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
THREEPIO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.
HAN: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.
THREEPIO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let
the Wookiee win.
Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
Han watches with a bit of smugness.
BEN: Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.
LUKE: You mean it controls your actions?
BEN: Partially. But it also obeys your commands.
Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
"seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae,
hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of
the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift
lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't
move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy,
then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red
laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him
to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
HAN: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good
blaster at your side, kid.
LUKE: You don't believe in the Force, do you?
HAN: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've
seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me
believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's
no mystical energy field that controls my destiny.
Ben smiles quietly
HAN: It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
BEN: I suggest you try it again, Luke.
Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
eyes.
BEN: This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct.
LUKE: (laughing) With the blast shield down, I can't even see. How am
I supposed to fight?
BEN: Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.
Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
BEN: Stretch out with your feelings.
Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker
makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect
the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
position.
BEN: You see, you can do it.
HAN: I call it luck.
BEN: In my experience, there's no such thing as luck.
HAN: Look, going good against remotes is one thing. Going good against
the living? That's something else.
Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
control panel.
HAN: Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan.
Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
LUKE: You know, I did feel something. I could almost see the remote.
BEN: That's good. You have taken your first step into a larger world.
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
TARKIN: Yes.
OFFICER CASS: Our scout ships have reached Dantooine. They found the
remains of a Rebel base, but they estimate that it has been deserted
for some time. They are now conducting an extensive search of the
surrounding systems.
TARKIN: She lied! She lied to us!
VADER: I told you she would never consciously betray the Rebellion.
TARKIN: Terminate her...immediately!
EXTERIOR: HYPERSPACE.
The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
surreal light show surrounds the ship.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
HAN: Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in the sublight engines.
Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit
window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed,
then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and
violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them,
battering the sides of the ship.
HAN: What the...? Aw, we've come out of hyperspace into a meteor
shower. Some kind of asteroid collision. It's not on any of the
charts.
The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
cockpit.
LUKE: What's going on?
HAN: Our position is correct, except...no, Alderaan!
LUKE: What do you mean? Where is it?
HAN: Thats what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. It's been
totally blown away.
LUKE: What? How?
Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins
to settle down.
BEN: Destroyed...by the Empire!
HAN: The entire starfleet couldn't destroy the whole planet. It'd take
a thousand ships with more fire power than I've...
A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
alarm starts humming.
HAN: There's another ship coming in.
LUKE: Maybe they know what happened.
BEN: It's an Imperial fighter.
Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts
outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A
tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit
window.
LUKE: It followed us!
BEN: No. It's a short range fighter.
HAN: There aren't any bases around here. Where did it come from?
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
LUKE: It sure is leaving in a big hurry. If they identify us, we're in
big trouble.
HAN: Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam it's transmissions.
BEN: It'd be as well to let it go. It's too far out of range.
HAN: Not for long...
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.
The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny fighter.
In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is
obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind
Chewbacca.
BEN: A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own.
LUKE It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something.
HAN: Well, he ain't going to be around long enough to tell anyone
about us.
EXTERIOR: SPACE.
The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
they race toward camera and disappear over head.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.