Episode IV – A New Hope

Darth Vader captures Princess Leia, but she hides the Death Star plans in R2-D2, who escapes with C-3PO to Tatooine. The droids reach young farm boy Luke Skywalker and old Obi-Wan Kenobi, who tells Luke his father was a Jedi killed by Vader and gives him his father's lightsaber. The Empire kills Luke's aunt and uncle. They hire Han Solo and Chewbacca, but the Death Star destroys Alderaan and captures the Millennium Falcon. The group rescues Leia, and Obi-Wan sacrifices himself dueling Vader. At the rebel base on Yavin 4, Luke joins the attack on the station, Han returns to help, and Luke, trusting the Force, destroys it. Vader escapes.

1. Behind the scenesThe stormtrooper head bonk

   When the stormtroopers enter the control room where C-3PO and R2-D2 are, the last one bangs his head on the door frame. The mistake stayed in the film, and the bonk sound was only added in the 2004 DVD.

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2. ReferenceCell block 1138

   During Leia's rescue, Luke says he's transferring a prisoner from cell block 1138. The number is a nod to Lucas's first feature, THX 1138.

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3. ReferenceThe Wilhelm scream

   When Luke shoots a stormtrooper who falls off the ledge into the chasm, the scream is the Wilhelm Scream, an old Hollywood sound effect that sound designer Ben Burtt adopted as a signature.

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4. SetupCell 2187

   Leia is held in cell 2187. Remember that number: it shows up again later in the franchise.

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5. ReferenceThe Outrider at Mos Eisley

   In the Special Edition, the ship taking off from Mos Eisley is the Outrider, from the Shadows of the Empire game and novel, dropped into the film as a nod to fans.

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