Star Wars

In this film, we are introduced to a universe "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." It is universe in which the Empire, has represented by the evil Darth Vader, is under attack by the Rebellion, as represented by the beautiful Princess Leia of Alderaan.

Just before she is captured by Vader, she sends her droids, the robots C-3PO and R2-D2, to find Obi-Wan Kenobi. Before they can, however, they are purchased by the family of Luke Skywalker, who wonders if the holographic message might not be referring to "old Ben Kenobi", a hermit living out in the desert.

His hunch is correct, and Kenobi explains that Luke's father was once a Jedi Knight, one of the order who protected the galaxy using the Force, a mystical energy field. He further explains that Luke's father was betrayed and murdered by Vader, who helped destroy the Jedi.

After the Empire, having tracked the droids, kills Luke's aunt and uncle, the foursome sets off for Alderaan with smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca, on the Millenium Falcon. On the way, Ben teaches Luke to use the Force, as well has how to use his father's lightsaber.

When they arrive, all they find is debris, as Governor Tarkin, in an attempt to get Leia to reveal the location of the Rebels' hidden base, has destroyed the planet with the Empire's moon-sized space station, the Death Star. Caught in the station's tractor beam, they escape capture by hiding in the compartments Solo uses for smuggling.

While Ben goes off to disable the tractor beam so they can escape, Luke convinces Han to help him rescue the princess, who's being held on board, with a promise of more money than he can imagine as a reward.

Han, Luke, and Chewbacca do manage to rescue Leia, but it's hardly a clean getaway, detour in the trash compactor aside. Eventually they make it back to the hangar deck in time to see Ben locked in a saber battle with Darth Vader, who has sensed the presence of his old master. Ben sacrifices himself as a diversion, and they escape.

They reunite with the Rebellion, but with the Death Star close behind, following the tracking device that had been installed on the Falcon prior to their escape. Luke asks Han to stay for the battle to destroy the station, but he refuses, explaining that he has old debts to pay with his reward.

The rebellion mounts a fighter attack. Targeted by Vader, who senses the Force in him, Luke is saved when Han returns and blasts Vader's wingman, and destroys the station.