Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Year: 1977

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: George Lucas

Budget: $11M

ActionAdventureSci-FiFantasy

In a galaxy far, far away, Princess Leia, a leader in the Rebel Alliance, is captured by the evil Galactic Empire. A desperate mission is launched to rescue her, drawing in a resourceful smuggler named Han Solo and the farm boy Luke Skywalker. They join forces to infiltrate the Empire's battle station, the Death Star, and deliver vital plans to the Rebellion, while facing dangerous adversaries and uncovering a powerful connection between Luke and the Force.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Trace every key event in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Rebel Alliance's Hidden Base

Amidst a galactic civil war, the Rebel Alliance continues to operate from a hidden base. They have been successfully securing victories against the tyrannical Galactic Empire, hoping to restore freedom to the galaxy.

2

Plans Stolen

Rebel spies manage to steal vital plans for the Death Star, a massive space station capable of obliterating entire planets. Imperial Senator Leia Organa, who secretly leads the Rebellion, races home with the crucial schematics to aid the Alliance.

3

Imperial Interception

Leia's ship is intercepted and boarded by an Imperial Star Destroyer commanded by Darth Vader. Despite the imminent threat, Leia successfully inserts the stolen plans into her droid R2-D2 before being captured.

4

Escape Pod Crash

R2-D2 and C-3PO escape in an escape pod and crash on the desert planet of Tatooine. They are pursued by Stormtroopers sent by Darth Vader, determined to retrieve the plans.

Tatooine
5

Captured by Jawas

The droids are captured by Jawa traders who sell them to moisture farmers Owen and Beru Lars. The droids are taken into their home, where they meet their nephew, Luke Skywalker, who is intrigued by the droids and their message.

Tatooine
6

Message from Leia

While cleaning R2-D2, Luke discovers a recording from Leia seeking help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. This ignites Luke's interest in the Rebellion and leads him to seek out the hermit, Ben Kenobi, who lives nearby.

Tatooine
7

Encounter with Obi-Wan

Luke is attacked by Sand People, but is rescued by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan reveals his past as a Jedi and informs Luke about the Force and the fate of the Jedi Order, igniting Luke's desire for adventure.

Tatooine
8

Journey to Mos Eisley

Luke and Obi-Wan travel to Mos Eisley to find a way off Tatooine. There, they meet smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca, who agree to help them in exchange for a hefty payment.

Mos Eisley
9

Boarding the Millennium Falcon

After a confrontation with bounty hunter Greedo, Han Solo takes Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids on the Millennium Falcon. As they escape Tatooine, they are pursued by Stormtroopers but manage to jump to light speed.

Tatooine
10

Death Star Activation

Onboard the Death Star, Grand Moff Tarkin informs his commanders about the dissolution of the Imperial Senate. As they prepare to show the galaxy their powerful weapon, Darth Vader interrogates Leia for the rebel base's location.

Death Star
11

Alderaan's Destruction

Despite Leia's pleas, Moff Tarkin destroys Alderaan using the Death Star's laser to demonstrate its power. This devastating act solidifies the Empire's tyranny, which deeply affects Luke and Leia.

Alderaan
12

Infiltrating the Death Star

The Falcon is captured by the Death Star's tractor beam. Luke, Han, and Chewbacca disguise themselves as Stormtroopers to rescue Leia while Obi-Wan works to disable the tractor beam and avoid detection.

Death Star
13

Obi-Wan's Sacrifice

In a dramatic confrontation, Obi-Wan sacrifices himself during a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader. His selfless act allows Luke and the others to escape, but his loss weighs heavily on Luke's heart.

Death Star
14

Attack on the Death Star

With the Death Star's weakness discovered, the Rebel forces prepare for an assault. Luke joins the X-wing squadron, determined to find a way to destroy the station and avenge the loss of his home.

Yavin IV
15

Triumph Over Evil

Guided by Obi-Wan's spirit, Luke successfully fires torpedoes into the Death Star's exhaust port, causing a chain reaction that destroys the station. The Rebels celebrate their hard-fought victory as Leia awards them medals for their bravery.

Yavin IV

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Summary

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

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