Authors: George Lucas
INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars zoom by.
VADER I’ll take them myself! Cover me!
WINGMAN’S VOICE (over speaker) Yes, sir.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star. INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader’s hands grip the control stick as he presses the button. INTERIOR GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING —COCKPIT
The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward. EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
As Gold Two’s sh ip explodes, debris is flung out into space. INTERIOR GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene. EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight formation.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
Gold Leader panics.
GOLD LEADER (into mike) I can’t maneuver!
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader. GOLD FIVE Stay on target.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he adjusts his targeting device.
GOLD LEADER We’re too close.
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
The older pilot remains calm.
GOLD FIVE Stay on target!
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
Now he’s really panicked.
GOLD LEADER Loosen up!
INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the fire button.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
Gold Leader’s ship is hit by Vader’s laser.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in all directions.
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.
GOLD FIVE Gold Five to Red Leader…
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his cockpit.
GOLD FIVE (over headset) Lost Tiree, lost Dutch. INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
RED LEADER I copy, Gold Five.
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE’S Y-WING —COCKPIT.
GOLD FIVE They came from behind….
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
One of the engines explodes on Gold Five’s Y-wing fighter, blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the Death Star’s surface, passing a TIE fighter during his descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins toward his death.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle. INTERIOR DEATH STAR —CONTROL ROOM.
Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death Star’s control room.
OFFICER We’ve analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?
TARKIN Evacuate? In out moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances!
Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers read across the bottom.
VOICE (over speaker) Rebel base, three minutes and closing. INTERIOR READ LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
RED LEADER Red Group, this is Red Leader.
INTERIOR MASSASSI OUTPOST —WAR ROOM.
Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer keys.
RED LEADER (over speaker) Rendezvous at mark six point one. WEDGE (over speaker) This is Red Two. Flying toward you. BIGGS (over speaker) Red Three, standing by.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT
DODONNA (over headset) Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep half your group out of range for the next run.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
RED LEADER’S VOICE (over headset) Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two and Three. Hold up here and wait for my signal…to start your run. Luke nods his head.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation high above the Death Star’s surface.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke peers out from his cockpit.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red Leader’s X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the exhaust port.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He begins to perspire.
RED LEADER This is it!
EXTERIOR SPACE.
Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers streak across the black heavens.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR SURFACE —GUN EMPLACEMENTS. A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching Rebel fighters.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts. INTERIOR RED TEN’S COCKPIT.
Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters. RED TEN We should be able to see it by now.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward them.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
RED LEADER Keep your eyes open for those fighters!
INTERIOR RED TEN’S COCKPIT.
RED TEN There’s too much interference!
EXTERIOR SPACE —DEATH STAR TRENCH.
Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star trench.
RED TEN’S VOICE Red Five, can you see them from where you are? INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below. LUKE No sign of any…wait!
INTERIOR RED TEN’S COCKPIT.
Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters. LUKE (over headset) Coming in point three five. RED TEN I see them.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar fins as they loop toward the Death Star’s surface. INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes and makes several adjustments.
RED LEADER I’m in range.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Red Leader’s X-wing moves up the Death Star trench. INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
RED LEADER Target’s coming up!
Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He then looks into his targeting device.
RED LEADER Just hold them off for a few seconds. INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing fighters.
VADER Close up formation.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star surface.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross hairs.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red Twelve. Vader’s laser cannon flashes below the view of the front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader’s computer screen.
EXTERIOR SPACE.
Red Twelve’s X-wing fighter is hit by Vader’s laserfire, and it explodes into flames against the trench.
INTERIOR RED TEN’S COCKPIT.
Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid Vader’s fighter behind him.
RED TEN You’d better let her loose.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device. RED LEADER Almost there!
INTERIOR RED TEN’S COCKPIT.
Red Ten panics.
RED TEN I can’t hold them!
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of the Rebel fighters.
INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick. INTERIOR RED TEN’S COCKPIT.
Darth Vader’s well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable, and strikes Red Ten’s ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and pain.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Red Ten’s ship explodes and bursts into flames. INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the cross hairs, and fires.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
RED LEADER It’s away!
INTERIOR DEATH STAR.
An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance. INTERIOR MASSASSI OUTPOST —WAR ROOM.
Leia and the others stare at the computer screen. RED NINE’S VOICE (over speaker) It’s a hit!
RED LEADER (over speaker) Negative.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny explosions are visible in the distance.
RED LEADER Negative! It didn’t go in. It just impacted on the surface.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR —TIE FIGHTER. Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader’s X-wing passes the Death Star horizon.
INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader swings his ship around for the next kill. INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
LUKE (over headset) Red Leader, we’re right above you. Turn to point…
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death Star surface.
LUKE …oh-five; we’ll cover for you.
RED LEADER (over headset) Stay there…
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.
RED LEADER …I just lost my starboard engine.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader’s X-wing. RED LEADER (over headset) Get set to make your attack run. INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader’s gloved hands make contact with the control sticks, and he presses their firing buttons.
INTERIOR RED LEADER’S COCKPIT.
Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Laserbolts are flung from Vader’s TIE fighter, connecting with Red Leader’s Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it, creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is destroyed.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his situation.
INTERIOR DEATH STAR.
Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen. DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE Rebel base, one minute and closing. INTERIOR MASSASSI OUTPOST —WAR ROOM.
Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim after Red Leader’s death. Princess Leia nervously paces the room.
LUKE (over speaker) Biggs, Wedge, let’s close it up. We’re going in. We’re going in full throttle.
INTERIOR WEDGE’S COCKPIT.
The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out. WEDGE Right with you, boss.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and dive toward the Death Star.
INTERIOR BIGGS’ COCKPIT.
BIGGS Luke, at that speed will you be able to pull out in time? INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
LUKE It’ll be just like Beggar’s Canyon back home. EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire. Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.
INTERIOR BIGGS’ COCKPIT.
Luke’s lifelong friend struggles with his controls. BIGGS We’ll stay back far enough to cover you.
INTERIOR LUKE’S COCKPIT.
Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke’s cockpit window. WEDGE (over headset) My scope shows the tower, but I can’t see the exhaust port! Are you sure the computer can hit it? EXTERIOR DEATH STAR —GUN EMPLACEMENTS.
The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots laserbolts.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks for a moment and then moves his targeting device into position. LUKE Watch yourself! Increase speed full throttle!
INTERIOR WEDGE’S COCKPIT.
Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters. WEDGE What about the tower?
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
LUKE You worry about those fighters! I’ll worry about the tower!
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR SURFACE.
Luke’s X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers. INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned, knicking one of his wings close to the engine.
LUKE (to Artoo) Artoo…that, that stabilizer’s broken loose again!
See if you can’t lock it down!
EXTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER.
Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by in the background, making his delicate task seem even more precarious.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR.
Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters. INTERIOR WEDGE’S COCKPIT.
Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
Luke’s targeting device marks off the distance to the target. EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.
INTERIOR DARTH VADER’S COCKPIT.
Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge. INTERIOR MASSASSI OUTPOST —WAR ROOM.
Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board. WEDGE (over speaker) I’m hit! I can’t stay with you. LUKE (over speaker) Get clear, Wedge.
INTERIOR LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER —COCKPIT.
LUKE You can’t do any more good back there!
INTERIOR WEDGE’S COCKPIT.
WEDGE Sorry!