So it is that time of year again, the clever play on words against today’s date. I, for one, need little reason to honor the great Star Wars phenomenon, so today I have chosen to pick 20 of the more quieter moments (I know, only 20?) from the A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi that are just as memorable as those space battles, lightsaber clashes, stormtrooper chases, At-At attacks, growling monsters, bleeping droids – you get the idea. Moments of the more serene variety, the looks, the reactions, the words that don’t need to be spoken, the actions that don’t need to be explained. May the fourth be with you, all day.
Love at first site – young Luke Skywalker sees the projected image of Princess Leia for the very first time, smitten.
A blast from the past – hearing his old moniker of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ben is instantly fed some nostalgia.
Not a real Stormtrooper – in disguise to rescue Leia, Luke makes a stromtrooper appear dazed and confused.
Over to you Vader – Ben knows all too well the ongoing power he has should Darth Vader “strike him down”.
One last shot – allowing the force to guide him, once last attempt at destroying the Death Star is a breath-skipping moment, for Luke, and us.
True love foreshadowing – at the medal ceremony, there’s a subtle difference in the way Leia looks at Han Solo, jus’ sayin’.
Hard to get – as feelings develop between Leia and Han, so does the tension, more directly led by the princess herself.
Using the force – Luke has little choice given the freezing temperatures and the potential to be torn limb from limb by the wampa.
The smug and the scorned – Luke gets a kiss from the princess, leaving Han in the cold, in the short term of course.
A huge parental clue – in a vision while hanging out with Yoda, Luke sees his own face within the Darth Vader mask.
Yoda’s disappointment – when Luke is unable to fully pull his X-Wing Fighter from the swamp, Yoda ponders on his student’s ability.
I love you; I know – as Han is about to be sent frozen to Jabba, Leia declares her love for him, of course he feels the same, it barely has to be said.
I am your father – between the revelation and the Nooooo! comes a look you won’t see on any reality TV show.
Leia hears Luke – almost at death’s door, Luke speaks out to Leia for help, and amazingly she hears him beyond her senses, turning the ship around.
Jabba chokes – having caused more than enough trauma, Leia uses all her might to literally take Jabba’s breath away.
A friend in Wicket – stranded in the Endor forest, Leia meets a feisty, super-cautious little character.
Death of an ewok – in a rare genuine sad moment, an ewok shows despair at losing a friend on the battlefield.
The look of victory – finally instigating a lightsaber battle between father and son, the Emperor relishes his enemy falling to the dark side.
Humane Darth Vader – as Luke begs his father for help, we somehow see the pained man behind the dark mask.
He’s my brother – the relief on Han Solo’s face when Leia simplifies the difference in love she feels for him and Luke is priceless.
*****
Let’s hear your more subtle, under-stated, silent moments from the Star Wars franchise in the comments below. I’ll even let you talk about Episodes I, II, and III if you really must – I particularly like the end titles of all three films.
Thanks to Starwarsscreencaps.com for images.