Star Wars original trilogy

In 1977, a little-known director named George Lucas released a space fantasy that changed movies forever. Star Wars introduced audiences to a galaxy filled with Jedi knights, smugglers, princesses, and droids. Two sequels followed: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Together they form the original trilogy, the middle chapter of the nine-episode Skywalker Saga.

Mark Hamill plays Luke Skywalker, a farm boy who discovers his connection to the mystical Force. Carrie Fisher is Princess Leia, the leader of the Rebel Alliance. Harrison Ford brings roguish charm to Han Solo. The films were shot at Elstree Studios in England, with location work in Tunisia and Norway. John Williams composed the legendary score. The first film, made on a $11 million budget, grossed over $775 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing movie of its time.

The trilogy won multiple Academy Awards, especially for visual effects and sound. Industrial Light & Magic, founded by Lucas, revolutionized filmmaking. The films have been preserved in the National Film Registry. They launched a franchise that includes prequels, sequels, animated series, and a vast expanded universe. [edit]

The original trilogy begins on the desert planet Tatooine. Luke Skywalker lives with his uncle Owen and aunt Beru, dreaming of adventure. That dream arrives when he buys two droids: R2-D2 and C-3PO. R2 carries a holographic message from Princess Leia, a Rebel leader captured by the Empire. The message pleads for help from Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master.

Luke seeks out Ben Kenobi, an old hermit who reveals himself as Obi-Wan. He explains the Force, an energy field that binds the galaxy. Obi-Wan tells Luke his father was a Jedi killed by Darth Vader. Imperial stormtroopers attack Luke's home, killing his aunt and uncle. Luke agrees to join Obi-Wan to deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance.

The Death Star is a moon-sized space station that can destroy planets. Obi-Wan hires Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca to fly them on the Millennium Falcon. They escape Tatooine but find Alderaan destroyed. The Falcon is captured by the Death Star. Inside, Luke and Han rescue Leia while Obi-Wan faces Vader. Obi-Wan sacrifices himself, allowing the others to flee.

The Rebels analyze the Death Star plans and find a weakness: a small exhaust port. Luke leads an X-wing assault. He turns off his targeting computer and uses the Force to guide his shot. He destroys the Death Star just as it prepares to fire on the Rebel base.

In The Empire Strikes Back, the Rebels hide on the ice planet Hoth. Vader sends probe droids across the galaxy. The Empire finds the base and attacks. The Rebels evacuate. Han, Leia, and Chewbacca escape in the Falcon, pursued by Imperial ships. Luke travels to the swamp planet Dagobah to train with Yoda, the last Jedi Master. Yoda teaches him about the Force and warns him of the dark side.

Han and Leia seek refuge on Cloud City, a mining colony on Bespin. Its administrator is Lando Calrissian, an old friend of Han. But Vader has already arrived. Lando is forced to betray them. Vader freezes Han in carbonite and gives him to bounty hunter Boba Fett. Luke senses his friends in danger and leaves Dagobah early. He confronts Vader in a lightsaber duel. During the fight, Vader reveals a stunning truth about Luke's father.

Return of the Jedi opens with Luke returning to Tatooine to rescue Han from the crime lord Jabba the Hutt. With Leia disguised as a bounty hunter and the droids in tow, Luke orchestrates a daring raid. After a fierce battle at Jabba's palace, they escape. Luke returns to Dagobah to finish his training, but finds Yoda dying. Before passing, Yoda confirms the terrible secret about Luke's lineage.

The Rebels learn the Empire is building a second Death Star, protected by a shield generator on the forest moon of Endor. They plan a two-pronged attack: a ground team to destroy the shield, and a space assault to destroy the station. Luke surrenders to Vader and is brought before the Emperor, who tries to turn him to the dark side.[edit]