LUKE: I'll never join you!
VADER: If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told
you what happened to your father.
LUKE: He told me enough! He told me you killed him.
VADER: No. I am your father.
Shocked, Luke looks at Vader in utter disbelief.
LUKE: No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!
VADER: Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
LUKE: No! No! No!
VADER: Luke. You can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is
your destiny. Join me, and we can rule the galaxy as father and son.
Come with me. It's the only way.
Vader puts away his sword and holds his hand out to Luke.
A calm comes over Luke, and he makes a decision. In the
next instant he steps off the gantry platform into space. The
Dark Lord looks over the platform and sees Luke falling far
below. The wind begins to blow at Vader's cape and the torrent
finally forces him back, away from the edge. The wind soon
fades and the wounded Jedi begins to drop fast, unable to grab
onto anything to break his fall.
INTERIOR: REACTOR SHAFT
Suddenly Luke is sucked into an exhaust pipe in the side of
the shaft. When Vader sees this, he turns and hurries off the
platform.
INTERIOR: EXHAUST PIPE
Luke tumbles through the exhaust pipe.
He slides to the end of the slickly polished pipe and stops
as his feet hit a circular grill and knock it open. Luke claws
at the surface of the pipe, trying to keep from sliding out
into space.
EXTERIOR: BOTTOM OF CLOUD CITY -- WEATHER VANE -- DUSK
Unable to hang onto the pipe, Luke tumbles out, emerging at
the undermost part of Cloud City. Reaching out desperately, he
manages to grab onto on electronic weather vane.
LUKE: Ben...Ben, please!
Luke tries to pull himself up on the weather vane but slips
back down. He hooks one of his legs around the fragile
instruments. All the while, a powerful current of air rushes
out at him from the exhaust pipe.
LUKE: Ben. Leia!
There is an ominous cracking sound from the base of the
weather vane and a piece breaks off, falling into the clouds
far below.
LUKE: Hear me! Leia!
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Leia seems to be lost in a fog, her expression troubled.
Chewie is busy operating the ship. Lando stands next to the
Wookiee, watching a readout on the control panel.
LEIA: Luke...We've got to go back.
Chewie growls in surprise.
LANDO: What?
LEIA: I know where Luke is.
LANDO: But what about those fighter?
Chewie barks in agreement with Lando.
LEIA: Chewie, just do it.
LANDO: But what about Vader?
Chewie turns on Lando, the newcomer, with an ominous growl.
LANDO: All right, all right, all right.
EXTERIOR: CLOUD CITY -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- DUSK
The Falcon makes a graceful banking turn back toward Cloud
City.
EXTERIOR: CLOUD CITY -- LANDING PLATFORM
Vader enters the landing platform and watches as the speck
that is the Falcon disappears. The wind blows at his cape.
He turns to two aides who are standing near the entrance to
the landing platform.
VADER: Bring my shuttle.
EXTERIOR: BOTTOM OF CLOUD CITY -- WEATHER VANE
Nearly unconscious, Luke hangs upside-down on the weather
vane as his body shifts in the wind.
EXTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- BOTTOM OF CLOUD CITY
The Falcon dives to the underside of the floating city.
Three TIE fighter close in on the starship.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON
Leia tries to remain calm.
LANDO: (pointing out the cockpit window) Look, someone's up there.
LEIA: It's Luke. Chewie, slow down. Slow down and we'll get under him.
Lando, open the top hatch.
Lando rushes out of the cockpit.
EXTERIOR: BOTTOM OF CLOUD CITY -- WEATHER VANE
Luke hangs by one arm from the crossbar of the weather
vane. He slips from the bar and grabs onto the pole of the
vane as the Falcon banks toward him. The Falcon positions
itself under Luke as Lando moves up through the opening of the
hatch. Luke begins to slide and finally falls from the vane
into space.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Out the cockpit window, Leia sees Luke falling from the
bottom of the city. The ship gains on him.
LEIA: Okay. Easy, Chewie.
The Falcon closes in on Luke.
EXTERIOR: BOTTOM OF CLOUD CITY
Three TIE fighters race toward the Falcon, firing away.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HATCH
The hatch pops open with a hiss of pressure. Lando reaches
out to help the battered warrior inside the ship.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Flak bursts all around it as the Falcon banks away from the
city. Leia and Chewie struggle with the controls.
LEIA: (into intercom) Lando?
LANDO: (over intercom) Okay, let's go.
EXTERIOR: BOTTOM OF CLOUD CITY
The Falcon races away. It is closely followed by three TIE
fighters, all of which keep up a heavy laser assault on the
fleeing starship.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Explosions erupt all around the cockpit, buffeting the ship
wildly. Chewie howls as he frantically tries to control the
ship.
Leia and Chewie turns to see Luke, bloody and battered,
enter the cockpit supported by Lando. Leia jumps up and hugs
him while Chewie barks in joyous relief.
LUKE: Oh, Leia.
LANDO: All right, Chewie. Let's go.
Leia helps Luke from the cockpit as another huge blast
rocks the ship.
EXTERIOR: SPACE -- CLOUD CITY -- DAY
The Falcon, still followed by the three TIE fighters, races
away from the cloud-covered city.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- SLEEPING QUARTERS
Luke rests on a cot, his injured arm wrapped in a
protective cuff. Leia gently wipes his face. The ship lurches
again.
LEIA: I'll be back.
She kisses him, then leaves the quarters.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
All over the ship muted alarm buzzers sound. Lando
anxiously watches the flashing lights on the control panel and
hurriedly adjusts some switches. Seated next to him, Chewie
points out a new blip appearing on the panel. Leia, watching
over their shoulders, recognizes the shape.
LEIA: Star Destroyer.
LANDO: All right, Chewie. Ready for light-speed.
LEIA: If your people fixed the hyperdrive.
Another explosion rocks the ship. Leia notices as a green
light on the panel next to her flashes on.
LEIA: All the coordinates are set. It's now or never.
Chewie barks in agreement.
LANDO: Punch it!
The Wookiee shrugs and pulls back on the light-speed
throttle. The sound of the ion engine changes...it is winding
up. Faces are tense, expectant. But nothing happens, and the
engine goes off. Chewie lets out a frustrated howl. The flak
still violently rocks the ship.
LANDO: They told me they fixed it. I trusted them to fix it. It's not
my fault!
Chewie gets up from his chair and starts out of the
cockpit. He gives Lando and angry shove as he storms past him.
EXTERIOR: SPACE
In the distance the TIE fighters continue their chase,
still shooting lasers. Vader's Star Destroyer moves behind
them, determinedly following the Falcon.
INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE
Vader stands on the bridge looking out the window as
Admiral Piett approaches him.
PIETT: They'll be in range of our tractor beam in moments, lord.
VADER: Did your men deactivate the hyperdrive on the Millennium
Falcon?
PIETT: Yes, my lord.
VADER: Good. Prepare the boarding party and set for your weapons for
stun.
PIETT: Yes, my lord.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON
Beeping while he works, Artoo is busy connecting some wires
to Threepio who now has one leg attached.
Chewie enters through the doorway, grunting to himself.
THREEPIO: Noisy brute. Why don't we just go into light-speed?
Artoo beeps in response.
THREEPIO: We can't? How would you know the hyperdrive is deactivated?
Artoo whistles knowingly.
THREEPIO: The city's central computer told you? Artoo-Detoo, you know
better than to trust a strange computer. Ouch! Pay attention to what
you're doing!
Chewie is in the pit. He is trying to loosen something with
an enormous wrench. Frustrated, he uses the wrench like a club
and hits the panel...
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Leia and Lando, seated in front of the control panel, are
suddenly sprayed by a shower of sparks.
INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE
Vader stands on the bridge, watching as the Millennium
Falcon is chased by the TIE fighters. As his Destroyer draws
nearer, Vader's breathing gets slightly faster.
VADER: Luke.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- SLEEPING QUARTERS
Luke realizes that Vader's ship is very near. He feels
resigned to his fate. He senses that he is beaten, more
emotionally than physically.
LUKE: Father.
INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE
VADER: Son, come with me.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- SLEEPING QUARTERS
LUKE: (moaning) Ben, why didn't you tell me?
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Lando and Leia are at the controls of the Falcon.
Meanwhile, in the ship's hold, Chewie continues to work
frantically on the hyperdrive mechanism.
LANDO: (into intercom) Chewie!
EXTERIOR: SPACE
The Falcon races through space followed very closely by the
TIE fighters and the huge Imperial Star Destroyer.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Luke enters the cockpit and looks out the window. He is
almost unconscious with pain and depression.
LUKE: It's Vader.
INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE
VADER: Luke...it is your destiny.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
LUKE: Ben, why didn't you tell me?
INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE
PIETT: Alert all commands. Ready for the tractor beam.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HOLD
Artoo races to a control panel and starts working on a
circuit board. Furious, Threepio stands on one leg, yelling.
THREEPIO: Artoo, come back at once! You haven't finished with me yet!
You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive. Chewbacca can do it. I'm
standing here in pieces, and you're having delusions of grandeur!
Artoo moves a circuit on a control panel. Suddenly, the
control panel lights up.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Leia and Lando are thrown into their seats as the
Millennium Falcon unexpectedly shoot into hyperspace.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HOLD
The ship tilts up and Artoo topples into the pit on top of
Chewie.
THREEPIO: Oh, you did it!
EXTERIOR: SPACE
The Falcon soars into infinity and away from the huge Star
Destroyer which seems, by contrast, to stand still.
INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE
Admiral Piett and another captain glance at Vader in
terror. Vader turns slowly and walks off the bridge, his hands
held behind his back in a contemplative gesture.
EXTERIOR: SPACE -- REBEL CRUISER
The Millennium Falcon is attached to a huge Rebel cruiser
by a docking tube. Rebel fighters move about the giant
cruiser, and a Rebel transport ship hovers near the fleet.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Lando sits in the pilot's seat as he talks into the
comlink. Chewie busily throws a variety of switches in
preparation for takeoff.
LANDO: (into comlink) Luke, we're ready for takeoff.
LUKE: (over comlink) Good luck, Lando
LANDO: (into comlink) When we find Jabba the Hut and that bounty
hunter, we'll contact you.
INTERIOR: STAR CRUISER -- MEDICAL CENTER
Luke speaking into the comlink as a medical droid works on
his hand. Leia stands near him while Threepio and Artoo look
out the window.
LUKE: (into comlink) I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on
Tatooine.
INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
LANDO: (into comlink) Princess, we'll find Han. I promise.
INTERIOR: STAR CRUISER -- MEDICAL CENTER
LUKE: (into comlink) Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal.
Chewie's wail comes over the comlink.
LUKE: (into comlink) Take care, you two. May the Force be with you.
Luke looks down at his hand. A metalized type of bandage
has been wrapped around his wrist. The medical droid makes
some adjustments in a tiny electronic unit, then pricks each
one of Luke's fingers.
LUKE: Ow!
Luke wriggles his fingers, makes a fist, and relaxes it.
His hand is completely functional.
He gets up and walks over to Leia. There is a new bond
between them, a new understanding. Leia is thinking about Han;
Luke is thinking about his uncertain and newly complicated
future. Together they stand at the large window of the medical
center looking out on the Rebel Star Cruiser and a dense,
luminous galaxy swirling in space. Luke puts his arm around
Leia. The droids stand next to them, and Threepio moves closer
to Artoo putting his arm on him. The group watches as the
Millennium Falcon moves into view, makes a turn, and zooms
away into space.
EXTERIOR: SPACE -- REBEL STAR CRUISER
While Luke, Leia, and the droids stand, looking out the
window of the star cruiser, two escort fighters join the large
ship. Slowly, the cruiser turns and moves away into space.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXTERIOR: GALAXY -- SPACE
END CREDITS FADE IN AND OUT OVER BACKGROUND
THE END
Directed by
IRVIN KERSHNER
Produced by
GARY KURTZ
Screenplay by
LEIGH BRACKETT and LAWRENCE KASDAN
Story by
GEORGE LUCAS
Executive Producer
GEORGE LUCAS
STARRING
Luke Skywalker MARK HAMILL
Han Solo HARRISON FORD
Princess Leia CARRIE FISHER
Lando Calrissian BILLY DEE WILLIAMS
C-3PO ANTHONY DANIELS
CO-STARRING
Darth Vader DAVID PROWSE
Chewbacca PETER MAYHEW
R2-D2 KENNY BAKER
Yoda FRANK OZ
Production Designer
NORMAN REYNOLDS
