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Star Wars – The Story So Far

A long time ago (38 years, to be exact), in a galaxy far, far away (your local multiplex), something very special happened. Star Wars arrived, and the world suddenly possessed a film that defined a generation, and launched a franchise that will continue to be handed down, from adult to child, until the sun swells to envelop the Earth.
This article is over 8 years old and may contain outdated information

Episode 5

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Three years after the destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance, the Empire tracks down the new Rebel base to Hoth, an ice planet, and mounts an attack. Many Rebel troops are able to escape on a transport and Leia, Han, Chewie and C-3PO make their getaway in the Millennium Falcon. Luke leaves with R2D2 in an X-Wing fighter, because the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi has instructed him to seek out a Jedi named Yoda on the planet Dagobah. Crashing into a swamp on that planet, Luke meets Yoda and begins Jedi training.

Needing their ship repaired, Leia, Han and their group head to the mining colony Bespin, which is led by an associate of Solo, Lando Calrissian. Initially thinking that their friend’s home is a place of safety, they soon realize that Darth Vader has laid a trap for them and they are taken into custody. While C-3PO is dismembered, and Leia and Chewie are incarcerated as a lure for Luke, Han Solo is tortured and eventually frozen in carbonite.

Unhappy that Darth Vader continually changes the terms of their agreement, Lando Calrissian helps free Leia and Chewie, who have collected the pieces of C-3PO. Luke arrives at the colony as Leia and Chewie try to stop the bounty hunter Boba Fett from taking the frozen Han Solo to the crime-boss Jabba The Hutt, to whom Solo owes money.

They give chase in the Millennium Falcon, while Luke faces Darth Vader in a dramatic showdown – during which Vader cuts off Luke’s hand and reveals that he is his father. He tries to persuade Luke to join him on the Dark Side, but Luke flings himself down an exhaust shaft and is left hanging, perilously, from an outside antenna.

Luke uses the Force to communicate with Leia, who returns with Falcon and rescues him. The team – now consisting of Luke, Leia, Lando, Chewie, C-3PO and R2D2 – pledge to rescue Han Solo, and head off into the stars.


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Sarah Myles
Sarah Myles is a freelance writer. Originally from London, she now lives in North Yorkshire with her husband and two children.