The Star Wars

By George Lucas

Rough Draft [First of four major screenplay drafts]

Lucasfilm Ltd.

5/74

1.  FADE IN:

SPACE

A sea of stars is broken by the vast blue surface of the planet, Utapau.  Five

small moons slowly drift into view from the far side of the planet.  The main

titles are followed by a roll-up:

Until the recent Great Rebellion, the Jedi Bendu were the most feared warriors

in the universe.  For one hundred thousand years, generations of Jedi

perfected their art as the personal bodyguards of the emperor.  They were the

chief architects of the invincible Imperial Space Force which expanded the

Empire across the galaxy, from the celestial equator to the farthest reaches

of the Great Rift.

Now these legendary warriors are all but extinct.  One by one they have been

hunted down and destroyed as enemies of the New Empire by a ferocious and

sinister rival warrior sect, the Knights of Sith.

A small silver spacecraft emerges from behind one of the Utapau moons.  The

deadly little fightercraft speeds past several of the moons, until it finally

goes into orbit around the fourth moon.

2.  WASTELAND - FOURTH MOON - UTAPAU

A harsh gale blows across the bleak grey surface of the Fourth Moon.  The

leaden sky presses down on a lone figure, Annikin Starkiller, a tall, heavy-

set boy of eighteen.  He slowly makes his way across the canyon floor.  The

heavy winds whip at him and make the going extremely difficult.  His face is

covered by a breath mask and goggles.  He stops for a second to adjust the

shoulder strap on his chrome multiplelaser rifle.  Something in the sky

catches his eye, and he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from

his belt.  He stands transfixed for a few moments, studying the heavens, then

turns and rushes back in the direction from which he came.

3.  SUPPLY HUT - FOURTH MOON - UTAPAU

A spacecraft, half buried in the dust, rests next to the remains of an

abandoned supply shack.  Annikin makes his way across the colorless landscape

and rushes into the crumbling building.  The interior of the hut is shabby,

but manages to abate the howling winds.  Seated in front of a thermoheater are

Annikin's father, Kane, and his young brother, Deak.  Kane is a large, burly

man, wearing the distinctive robes of a Jedi.  Deak is ten years old, with

dusty blond hair and a large scratch on his cheek.  Annikin slams the door and

removes his gear.  His ruggedly handsome face is caked with many layers of

dust.

ANNIKIN

Dad!  Dad!...They've found us!

Deak looks up from a small cube he has been studying.  His father whacks him

across the shoulder with a braided wire connector.

KANE

Continue with the problem.  Your concentration is worse than your brother's.

(to Annikin) How many?

ANNIKIN

Only one this time.  A Banta Four.

KANE

Good.  We may not have to repair this old bucket after all.  Prepare yourself.

DEAK

Me too!

KANE

Do you have the answer?

DEAK

I think it's the Corbet dictum:  "What is, is without."

Kane smiles.  This is the correct answer.  Annikin is strapping on a utility

belt with chrome laserpistols and lasersword.  Kane rises and starts for his

equipment.

DEAK (Con't)

Ahhh, Pop...

KANE

Deak, do you feel you're ready?

DEAK

Yes, sir.  I've outmarked Annikin in twelve disciplines.  I'm as good...

KANE

All right, son, get your gear.

Deak jumps up with the enthusiasm available only to a ten-year-old and grabs

his gear.  His father frowns and shakes his head.

4.  WASTELAND BLUFF - FOURTH MOON - UTAPAU

Kane Starkiller and his two sons carefully make their way up a rock bluff

overlooking the parked silver Sith spacecraft.  Kane inspects the craft with

his electrobinoculars.

KANE

No tracks.  Bi-lock hasn't been opened....Interior systems are still on....

ANNIKIN

Are we going to wait for him to come out?

KANE

He's not in there....He's baiting us.  I'm surprised they only sent one this

time.  We must be wearing them down, or they must think this knight is

something special....Stay on guard, and keep hidden.  I'm going to work my way

across the ridge and call his bluff.  Better we meet in open combat than wait

for him to ambush us....Keep your guard!

Kane leaves his two sons and  moves off along the obscured ridge.  Annikin and

Deak watch him intently.  Annikin throws down his multiplelaser rifle in

disgust.

ANNIKIN

He should have let me go with him....He's getting too old to make an open

challenge.

DEAK

He's not too old to realize you'd just get in the way.

Annikin ignores his little brother's remark and sneaks a look over the ridge

at the Sith spacecraft.  Kane moves out of the rocks some distance away and

starts toward the starship.  Deak moves to the ridge next to his brother, his

chrome laserrifle sparkling in the reflected light of Utapau.

DEAK

He's making his move....

ANNIKIN

Watch your guard...and cover that weapon.  It shines like a beacon.

Deak reluctantly move away and watches the other direction.  Kane has almost

reached the Sith spacecraft and still there is no sign of its occupant.

DEAK

What's happening?

ANNIKIN

Nothing.  I don't like it.

Kane carefully moves to the main hatch of the starship.  He kicks a valve and

the hatch drops open with a loud clank and rushing gas.  Annikin becomes more

tense as his father carefully moves inside the spacecraft.  Everything is

still.  Even the continual winds seem to have died down.  Moments pass with no

sign of activity inside the enemy starship.  Annikin watches the craft with

his electrobinoculars.  The waiting becomes unbearable.

ANNIKIN

Something's happened!  He's been in there too long.

DEAK

Let me look!  Stand my guard.

Deak takes the electrobinoculars from his brother and studies the silent

spacecraft.  Annikin impatiently scans the opposite horizon.

DEAK

I think the power just went off.  We'd better wait here until someone comes

out.

ANNIKIN

What if he needs help?

DEAK

The power went back on again....

With the aid of the electrobinoculars, Deak watches the running lights of the

starship flash on and off.  Suddenly, something huge moves in front of his

field of view.  Before either of the two young boys can react, a large,

sinister Sith warrior in black robes and a face mask looms over them.  He

carries a long lasersword which cuts young Deak down before he or his brother

are able to raise their weapons.  The startled Annikin backs away in horror,

then settles down and ignites his lasersword, which creates an eerie red glow.

He stumbles over rocks as he attempts to avoid the charging Sith knight.  The

evil warrior swings his mighty lasersword, but Annikin manages to deflect the

intended deathblow.

Finally, Annikin is able to assume a defensive stance, and the two warriors

stand, sizing up each other.  The black knight is at least seven feet tall,

and dwarfs the young Jedi.  They stand for a few moments, almost frozen, then

in a flurry of blows, laserswords clash with the sound of electric snapping

and popping.  Annikin is barely able to hold his own against the experienced

knight.  Many blows are exchanged before the Sith warrior is able to back

Annikin up against a deep crevasse.  Annikin stumbles and almost falls over

the cliff to his death.

The black knight suddenly senses something behind him and whirls around to

face Annikin's father, Kane Starkiller, a Jedi Bendu master.  The Sith warrior

raises his lasersword, but is cut in two before he can bring it down again.

Kane moves to the fallen black knight, and studies him carefully.  Annikin,

still a little wobbly from the whole experience, attempts to stand.  Kane sees

his dead son Deak, and goes to him.  He lifts him into his arms and begins to

weep.  Annikin stands bewildered, watching his father cradle his dead brother.

5.  INTERIOR SITH STARSHIP - WASTELAND CANYON - UTAPAU

Kane Starkiller slides into one of the four seats of the small Sith starship.

Through the front viewing canopy, he watches Annikin drag his younger

brother's body to a small crevasse.  Annikin places a small locket around his

brother's neck, makes a complicated sign with his hand, and dumps the body

into the shallow depression.  The giant engines of the spacecraft begin to

whine, kicking up large clouds of dust.

Annikin climbs into the seat beside his father and removes his breath mask and

goggles.  There are tears in his eyes.  Father and son look out across the

wasteland towards Deak's grave.  The thunderous clap of an explosion is

followed by a small mushroom cloud rising out of the depression.  Annikin

throws a container down in a fit of rage.

ANNIKIN

How many more of them are there?  I want to finish it, once and for all!  I'm

sick of running...when will it stop?

Annikin's father waits silently until his son's tirade is finished.  Annikin

sits silently for a few moments.

ANNIKIN (con't)

I'm sorry.

KANE

Son, plot a course for Aquilae.

Annikin lights up like a Bantha at feeding time.

ANNIKIN

Aquilae!!  You mean we're going home?

KANE

We both need a rest.

Kane pulls back on the throttle, and the powerful spaceship lifts off the

surface of the Fourth Moon of Utapau.

6.  CLOUD SEA - ALDERAAN

A title card appears over a sea of billowing clouds on the gaseous planet of

Alderaan:

Alderaan:  Capital of the New Galactic Empire.

The towering white oxide clouds pass, revealing the Imperial city of Alderaan.

The magnificent domed and gleaming city is perched, mushroom-like, on a tall

spire, which disappears deep into the misty surface of the planet.  The

peacefulness of this nebulous idyll is broken by the increasing wail of ion

engines.   Four sleek stardestroyers, from the Imperial Third Fleet, burst

from one of the huge cumulus range.  The craft are flying in a tight formation

as they bank steeply, and head toward the Imperial capital of the galaxy.

7.  INTERIOR OF STARDESTROYER - ALDERAAN

Stardestroyers are two-man spacecraft crammed with sophisticated electronic

weaponry.  The pilot and gunnery officers sit side-by-side, surrounded by

lighted readouts and switches.  They wear the gleaming black uniforms of the

Empire.

PILOT

Tok-One to chicks:  Shape it up.  Let's make it good.

CHICK-ONE

Does that glare bother you?

PILOT

Use your face shield, Chick-One.

The pilot is cold and professional as he maneuvers his craft closer to the

others.  The positions of the ships are displayed on a readout, along with a

graphic representation of the city.  The pilot gives the gunner a quick look

before he flips his sunshield over his eyes.

PILOT

Here we go.  Count:  three, two, one, now!

8.  REVIEW STAND - PLAZA OF THE DADERS - ALDERAAN

On a huge, austere platform stands the dark Cos Dashit, Lord of Alderaan,

Consul to the Supreme Tribunal, and ruler of the Galactic Empire.  He is a

thin, grey-looking man, with an evil mustache which hangs limply over his

insipid lip.  Standing at rigid attention on his right are several generals,

dressed in the black and grey uniform of the realm.  Five members of the

Supreme Tribunal sit off to the side.  On the emperor's left stands Crispin

Hoedaack, newly appointed Governor of the Aquilaean Systems, a young,

treacherous man with stone-cut, angular features and piercing grey eyes.

They all gaze skyward, as the four gleaming stardestroyers scream low overhead

in an impressive barrel-roll formation.  As the sound of the spacecraft

resonates throughout the glass canyon of the Plaza, the group of dignitaries

return their attention to the parade of Imperial shock troops, and giant air

tanks (which ride magically two to three feet above the ground).

The Plaza of the Daders is filled with a hundred rows of troops as the last

brigade marches into position.  The sound of a thousand men snapping to

attention is followed by a strange silence.  A light wind blows the great red

banner of the Empire, creating a subtle flapping sound.  The emperor's

amplified voice startles many of the troops as it cuts through the quiet.

EMPEROR

Upon this battle depends the survival of the Galactic Empire.  Upon this

battle depends the life and long continuity of our civilization.  Not since

the great Jedi Rebellion has our destiny been placed in such a balance.  This

is to be the most magnificent campaign of all!  You have never been called

without doing something to be remembered, something notable and striking.  The

conquering of the Aquilaean System, the last of the independent Systems, and

the last refuge of the outlawed, vile sect of the Jedi, will have such

important and lasting consequences, that I can't but consider it as an epoch

in history.

To the rear of the Plaza, watching the spectacle over the shoulder of a

curious bureaucrat, stands Clieg Whitsun, a tall, blond young man about twenty

years old.  He seems interested in what the emperor has to say, but keeps

looking around nervously as if someone were after him.  His arm rests across

his head, as he carefully but coolly adjusts a glowing blue ring on his index

finger.  The emperor nears the end of his speech.

        Crispin Hoedaack has moved up to stand next to the sinister monarch.

The troops shout an Imperial salute in response to a particularly partisan

statement.

EMPEROR (con't)

...I have personally asked the Aquilaeans to accept this Treaty of Alliance.

During the long period of negotiation, they have only decided to be undecided.

We will barter no longer.  Governor Hoedaack has been appointed the First Lord

of the Aquilaean System and Surrounding Territories.  This is the last

frontier and the final stone in the great wall of the Galactic Empire.

The troops cheer, ad the emperor escorts Hoedaack inside.  Whitsun moves

quickly away from the Plaza, passing through several check stations, where he

is forced to show his identification.

9.  NIGHT CLUB - ALDERAAN

Whitsun walks into the glass and chrome splendor of one of the famous

nightclubs of Alderaan.  He moves to the long mirrored bar, and sits next to a

rough-looking man, Bail Antilles, dressed in the distinctive gold and furs of

the Galactic traders.

WHITSUN

Your glass is empty.

Whitsun speaks into a small intercom on the bar front.

WHITSUN (con't)

A dantic and...

He looks in Antilles' glass.

ANTILLES

No thanks, Whitsun.  I've had enough.

WHITSUN

Just a dantic then.  Bail, it's not like you to refuse a drink.  You're going

to give Galactic traders a bad name.

A drink appears magically from a small elevator in the bar.  Whitsun takes it,

and then places a pen-like transmitter he has taken from his pocket next to

the intercom.  It creates a low electronic buzz.

10.  BAR OBSERVATION CENTER - ALDERAAN

A controller sitting in front of a row of monitors taps his headphones, then

flips a switch back and forth a couple of times.  He is obviously annoyed.

CONTROLLER

Number eighteen is out again.  Give me a maintenance check.

The controller yawns and puts his feet up on the control panel.

11.  NIGHTCLUB - ALDERAAN

Whitsun leans in close to Antilles.  He is suddenly very serious.

ANTILLES

Whitsun, we've got problems.  They've just grounded all spacecraft, including

trade frigates.  Even the ships under Imperial registry can't move.  Something

big is up.

WHITSUN

I'm afraid they're not waiting for the Alliance Treaty.  They're already

moving against the System.  I've got to get word back.

ANTILLES

The chrome companies are protesting the embargo, but it's going to take some

time.

WHITSUN

Isn't anything moving?

ANTILLES

Military ships, but...

They are interrupted by an Imperial officer, and several stormtroopers.   The

officer shouts over the P.A. system, as the troops rush to block the exits.

Whitsun and the Galactic trader are tense, but remain cool.

OFFICER

Attention:  all Captains and First Officers of Guild Trade frigates will

accompany me to the Ministry of Transport immediately.

Antilles gives Whitsun a hopeless look as the troops check their papers, and

then take Antilles away.   A small fight breaks out in the back of the

nightclub as one of the trader captains expresses his dislike of the Empire.

Whitsun slams his glass to the bar in a gesture of hate and frustration.

12.  GOVERNOR HOEDAACK'S QUARTERS - ALDERAAN

The large, white-on-white executive quarters resound with the high-pitched

laugh of the evil Governor Hoedaack.  He slaps Darth Vader, a tall, grim-

looking general, on the back, and the general's mouth makes the slightest

gesture at a smile.

HOEDAACK

Success, I told you.  We are no longer under the control of the Great

Families....We've gained a true advantage.

Vantos Coll, a member of the Supreme Tribunal, and a man of the grossest

dimensions, appears to be a little worried.

COLL

A rather dangerous advantage.  You still have a System to conquer.

HOEDAACK

But this System will bring us more scientific wealth than that of any other

House in the Tribunal.  We will easily gain control of the directorship.

COLL

Don't underestimate the armies of Aquilae.  They're lead by a Jedi.

HOEDAACK

I've told you about Commissioner Lars, General.  He worries a lot.

VADER

It's a myth that any Jedi still exist.

COLL

General Skywalker is no myth.  When I first arrived at court, he was the First

Bodyguard to the emperor...He lead the Jedi Rebellion.

VADER

Seig Darklighter lead the Rebellion.

COLL

So the emperor would have you think, but I was there.

VADER

Then why wasn't he hunted down like the others?

COLL

Because he is too dangerous, too clever.  Besides, his presence on Aquilae is

still only a rumor.

HOEDAACK

Then why do you believe it?

COLL

Because I knew him.  He's there, alright.  I can sense it.  Mark my words:

Aquilae will not be easily conquered.

13.  COURTYARD - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE

A low, sleek "landspeeder," (an auto-like transport which travels a few feet

above the ground on a magnetic field), glides into the courtyard of the palace

of Aquilae.  The planet is desert wilderness, but the palace is a sparkling

oasis, with low concrete walls and great turrets spilling over with foliage

from rooftop gardens.  The speeder stops before an enormous shaded corridor.

Fountains line the beautiful and highly polished, tiled walkway.  Two young

boys, Biggs (7) and Windom (5) are helped out of the speeder by Amber, a one-

armed bodyguard dressed in the flowing white robes of the Aquilaean military.

The two boys run through the long corridors, yelling and screaming, their

little footsteps echoing throughout the palace.

14.  The palace library is a dim, cool room projecting an aura of time-worn

comfort and security.  In the distance, the children can be heard screaming

through the corridors.  King Kayos, silver-haired but amazingly youthful under

a tanned and leathery face, motions for one of his aides to shut the partially

closed door.  He is in the middle of an emergency meeting of the Aquilaean

High Senate.  The twelve men sit in overstuffed chairs, placed in a large

circle.  A large, sallow-eyed Galactic trader named Aay Zavos fiddles

nervously with a small scrap of leather as he speaks.

ZAVOS

My Lord, the chrome companies are with you in spirit, but you must understand,

they can't openly support you.  Imperial trade restrictions are very

unfavorable, and we, of course, favor your independence.

KAYOS

If there were to be war, would your frigates still supply us?

ZAVOS

Your bluntness is to be commended.  It could be arranged.

Count Sandage, a corrupt noble of the Senate, jumps to his feet in a rage.

SANDAGE

This is nonsense!  We have no choice but to approve the Treaty.  If there is

war, the Empire will destroy our entire System with a snap of the finger.

General Skywalker is a dreamer if he thinks he can mount any meaningful

resistance....And you're dreamers if you believe him.  So much trust in one

aged man.  You must see...

At that moment, all heads turn as someone enters the room.  It is General Luke

Skywalker, Commander of the Aquilaean Starforce.  He is a large man,

apparently in his early sixties, but actually much older.  Everyone senses the

aura of power that radiates from this great warrior.  Here is a leader:  a

Jedi general.  He looks weary, but is still a magnificent-looking warrior.

His face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates, is set off by a close

silver beard, and dark, penetrating eyes.  Sandage is somewhat embarrassed and

quietly sits down.

GENERAL

Is there anyone here so naive he believes the Empire would even bother

negotiating if they were contemplating destruction of this System?  Your

Excellencies, this is more than a simple raid on your resources.  You must

reach a decision.

Mir Nash, a thin, birdlike senator, turns to the general.

NASH

General Skywalker, war is a serious business...a deadly business.

GENERAL

Procrastination is a deadly business, Senator.  War is my business.  Have you

approved my defense measures?

The Grande Mouff Tarkin wears the long, black robes of the Aquilaean religion.

He speaks with a high, cracking voice.

TARKIN

An actual war with the Empire is still only a remote possibility.  As a

military treatise, your proposal has certain merits, but in the harsh light of

reality, an attack against the Empire appears to be a somewhat extreme

defense.

NASH

You must understand, General, we are interested in avoiding a war, not

starting one.

GENERAL

There are times when offense makes the best defense.  If that Alliance Treaty

isn't signed, we will need all of the advantage we can get.

KAYOS

Count Sandage, I want you to head the delegation to Alderaan.  You will leave

tomorrow with our answer regarding the Treaty.  My decision will be

forthcoming.

The senators whisper among themselves.

KAYOS (con't)

All right, then.  May the force of others be with you all.

The senators leave in a flurry of hushed conversation.  The general is lost in

thought, and remains in his chair.  Biggs and Windom (Windy), the king's two

young sons, storm through the existing senators and rush on to Kayos' lap.

The king is obviously very proud of the two young princes.  He throws Biggs

into the air, and then catches him again.

WINDY

Me too!  Me too!

BIGGS

Leia's leaving!  Leia's leaving and you gotta say good-bye.

The king picks up Windy and swings him around, then puts him down.

KAYOS

Okay, whippersnapper, go tell your mother and your sister that I'm on my way.

The two boys run out of the room and are heard yelling and screaming down the

hallway.  The king starts out, but stops in front of the general.

KAYOS

Luke, my daughter is leaving for the academy at Chathos.  Won't you come and

wish her well?  It would mean a lot to her.  She truly idolizes you, you know.

Come on, the war will wait.

GENERAL

Of course.  I'm sorry, My Lord.  Politics always seem to distress me.

The general rises, and as they head for the door, Kayos pats him on the back.

KAYOS

I know, Luke.  I feel the Force also.

15.  COURTYARD - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE

A large, four-seat speeder sits gleaming in the sun-soaked courtyard.  The

Princess Leia, about fourteen years old, possessing a soft beauty and iron

will, is embracing her mother, Queen Breha, a warm, silver-haired matron.

There are tears in the princess' blue eyes.  Biggs and Windy jump around

inside the speeder, disrupting the efforts of the one-armed Amber to pack

several plaxiform cases.

Leia embraces the king as he approaches