Format: Movie
Released: 1977
Screenplay By: George Lucas
Directed By: George Lucas
Run Time: 120 Minutes
Character: Luke Skywalker
Plot summary of the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope continues below…
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Star Wars: A New Hope: Story Structure Analysis
DRAMATIC PHASE ONE: THE SETUP
All of the main characters are introduced. The story world and its mechanics are established. Foundations are laid for the main throughline, subplots and central conflict.
ACT ONE: DEALING WITH AN IMPERFECT SITUATION
A character in an Imperfect Situation faces Oppressive Opposition as he pursues an Initial Goal. But when there is a Disturbance to his routine, he faces a Dilemma regarding his situation, and must assume a New Role.
Luke Skywalker, an adventurous orphan stuck on a desert farm (the imperfect situation) with his mean old aunt and uncle (oppressive opposition), wants to farm moisture for another season then go away to the Imperial Academy (the initial goal). But when Luke finds a message while cleaning a new droid, removes its restraining bolt and allows the droid to escape (the disturbance), he goes after it, meets Obi-Wan Kenobi and is asked to accompany him to Alderaan (the dilemma) and become a Jedi (the new role).
The Imperfect Situation: Luke hates living in the middle of nowhere with his aunt and uncle. Meanwhile, the Empire controls the galaxy with an iron fist. They are on the verge of completing a planet-destroying, superweapon that will give them even more power, but the rebels stole the plans.
Initial Goal: Luke wants to farm moisture for one more season then leave his aunt and uncle for good.
Oppressive Opposition: Luke’s butthead uncle makes him do chores and stuff, rather than letting him hang out with his friends. Later, R2D2 runs away, which will only get Luke in trouble. When Luke goes after him, Sandpeople interrupt the simple task of bringing the runaway droid home.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: Luke finds a portion of Princess Leia’s message in R2D2.
This prompts him to remove the droid’s restraining bolt, allowing R2 to run off in the night.
Turning Point One – The Dilemma: Start Time: 33 of 120 minutes (27.5%) – After Obi-Wan saves Luke from the Sandpeople, he asks Luke to accompany him to Alderaan to learn the ways of the Force and help the princess. Luke must choose between farming moisture Tatooine or following a crazy old man across the galaxy to learn the Force
The New Role: If Luke accepts, he will become Obi-Wan’s Padawan learner.
Act Run Time: 43 of 120 minutes (35.8%)
ACT TWO: LEARNING THE RULES OF AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION
The character Learns the Rules of an Unfamiliar Situation and faces Incidental Opposition in pursuit of a Transitional Goal. But when he receives a Reality Check, he makes a Commitment to his New Role.
Act Start Time: 43 of 120 minutes (35.8%)
Luke accompanies Obi-Wan to the scummy and villainous Mos Eisley (the unfamiliar situation) and faces dimwitted stormtroopers and bar patrons (incidental opposition) while trying to find a pilot to take them to Alderaan (transitional goal). But when some guy in an elephant mask reveals their location to the stormtroopers (the reality check) they become fugitives on the run from the Empire, trying to make it to a planet that has been destroyed by the Death Star (the commitment).
The Unfamiliar Situation: Luke follows Obi-Wan to Mos Eisley and gets a crash course on scum, villainy, the Force, and just how dangerous the Empire is.
Transitional Goal: Luke and Obi-Wan attempt to find a ship and pilot to take them and the droids to Alderaan.
Incidental Opposition: In the Cantina, Luke is accosted by some ruffians for breathing up their air. Meanwhile, the stormtroopers are looking for the droids. This demonstrates the incidental nature of the Act Two Opposition. The Empire isn’t looking for Luke or Obi-Wan at this point.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: Stormtroopers nearly find the droids who are hiding in a closet. The elephant man follows Luke and Obi-Wan and snitches on them to the stormtroopers. The troopers arrive and open fire just as the gang boards the Falcon. A shoot-out ensues with the Falcon taking off and jumping to lightspeed just in the nick of time. Maybe this whole droid delivery service wasn’t such a smart business move after all.
Turning Point Two – The Commitment: Start Time: 54 of 120 minutes (45%) – Obi-Wan and Luke are initially just going to Alderaan to deliver the droids. But when the planet is destroyed by the Death Star, the duo inadvertently become the last hope for delivering the plans hidden in R2 to the Rebel Alliance.
Luke himself is now placed at direct odds with the Empire.
Act Run Time: 16 minutes of 120 minutes (13.3%)
DRAMATIC PHASE TWO: CONFRONTATION
The character is thrown in the middle of the Central Conflict and is placed at direct odds with the forces of antagonism. He undergoes a series of successes and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.
ACT THREE: STUMBLING INTO THE CENTRAL CONFLICT
The character stumbles into the Central Conflict and faces Intentional Opposition in pursuit of a False Goal. But when there is a grave Turn of events, he has a Moment of Truth.
Act Start Time: 59 of 120 minutes (49.1%)
The Empire pursues of the Rebels (the central conflict) and captures the Millennium Falcon (intentional opposition) while Luke and the gang are on their way to deliver the droids (the false goal). But when they are caught by the Death Star’s tractor beam and pulled inside (the turn), Luke discovers Princess Leia is onboard and must convince Han and Chewie to rescue her before she is executed (the moment of truth).
The Central Conflict: Luke and the Rebels, vs. the Empire’s Death Star. It is in this act that Luke and the gang discover and contend with the Death Star.
False Goal: Luke and the gang attempt to escape the Death Star.
Intentional Opposition: The Falcon gets caught in the Death Star’s tractor beam and brought on board. The Emperor’s minions search the ship, and Luke’s crew sneaks into the control room under the noses of their enemies.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: Leia is to be executed immediately. Meanwhile, the Death Star catches the Falcon in a tractor beam and pulls it into the base.
Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: Start Time: 68 of 120 minutes (57%) – R2 reveals Leia is on the Death Star and is scheduled to be terminated. When Luke realizes this, he wants to go save her. Han initially refuses, but Luke convinces him he will receive a huge reward if they rescue her. Luke comes up with a plan to gain access to the detention area, making the decision to fight for what he believes is right.
Act Run Time: 13 minutes of 120 minutes (10.8%)
ACT FOUR: IMPLEMENTING A DOOMED PLAN
The character implements a Doomed Plan and faces Self-Inflicted Opposition in pursuit of a Penultimate Goal. But when an unthinkable Lowpoint occurs, he pulls himself together and discovers a Newfound Resolve.
Act Start Time: 72 of 120 minutes (59.9%)
Luke and Han cosplay as stormtroopers to sneak into the detention area (the doomed plan), but end up alerting the entire station to their presence (self-inflicted opposition) while trying to rescue the prince and escape the Death Star (the penultimate goal). But when Obi-Wan sacrifices himself for the others to escape (the lowpoint), Luke and Han shoot their way through the two Tie Fighters giving pursuit and escape to the Rebel base (the newfound resolve).
The Doomed Plan: Rescuing the princess and escaping the Death Star will result in Obi-Wan’s death and the Empire learning the location of the Rebel base.
Penultimate Goal: Luke and Han cosplay as stormtroopers to rescue the princess and escape the Death Star.
Self-Inflicted Opposition: Luke and Han willingly go into the heart of the Death Star in attempt to rescue the princess. As a result, they bring the wrath of the Empire onto themselves.
Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: Obi-Wan allows himself to be struck down by Vader so Luke and the gang can escape. Sad music plays.
Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: Start Time: 94 of 120 minutes (78.3%) – The Falcon is pursued by Tie Fighters as Luke and the gang exit the space station. They manage to outgun the enemy ships and escape. The audience is pleased. Leia points out that by sending their two worst Tie Fighter pilots to pursue them, the Empire has intentionally allowed them to escape. Knowing the Empire is tracking them, they decide to go straight to the Rebel base in hopes the stolen plans will allow them to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon. They have decided to make this the rebellion’s last stand. For some reason.
Act Run Time: 24 minutes of 120 minutes (20%)
DRAMATIC PHASE THREE: RESOLUTION
The character engages in a final confrontation with the forces of antagonism to resolve the Central Conflict. The main throughline and all additional subplots are resolved. The new status quo is established.
ACT FIVE: TRYING A LONGSHOT
The character tries a Longshot and faces Ultimate Opposition while trying to accomplish the Ultimate Goal. But just when it seems All is Lost, he makes a Final Push against the forces of antagonism and either succeeds or fails.
Act Start Time: 96 of 120 Minutes (81.6%)
Luke and the Rebels use the stolen data tapes to plot their attack on the Death Star (the longshot, and face the full might of the Empire (ultimate opposition), as they try to destroy the Death Star once and for all (the ultimate goal). But when they fail to make the crucial shot and all but a few ships are destroyed (all is lost), Luke makes a final run on the canyon, sinks the shot with an assist from Han, and destroys the Death Star (the final push).
The Longshot: The Rebels use the stolen data tapes to plot their attack on the Death Star. The approach will not be easy. In fact, some say it’s impossible.
Ultimate Goal: Luke et al. attempt to destroy the Death Star.
Ultimate Opposition: The Rebels must fly straight up to the most powerful weapon of mass destruction ever created.
Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: Vader deploys the tie fighters and goes to his own ship as Gold team attempts their attack run. Vader’s fighters show up and wreck the Rebel’s the plan, destroying all of Gold team’s ships. Red team attempts to make the run. Red Leader gets off a shot but misses. Way to go, Red Leader. Luke looks on as all his allies are blown away.
Turning Point Five – The Final Push: Start Time: 113 of 120 minutes (94.1%) – Luke takes his team in at full throttle, knowing this run is the rebellion’s last chance at success. As they approach the target, both of Luke’s wingmen are taken out by Vader and his squadron of TIE fighters. Luke readies his targeting computer, but Obi-Wan tells him to use the Force instead. This prompts Vader to declare “the force is strong with this one”. R2 takes a photon torpedo to the head-like portion of his cylindrical body. Just as Vader gets Luke ship in his sights, Han swoops in and blows Vader off into space, giving Luke his chance. Using the Force, Luke sinks the winning shot, blows up the Death Star, and the unlikely underdogs win the state championship!
Act Run Time: 21 minutes of 120 minutes (17.5%)
ACT SIX: LIVING IN A NEW SITUATION
Having accomplished (or failed to have accomplished) the Ultimate Goal, the character is shown living in a New Situation.
Act Start Time: 117 of 120 minutes (99.1%)
Having destroyed the Empire’s indestructible new weapon with his awesome pilot skills, Luke is the new darling of the rebellion. Even more amazing, Han is no longer a money-grubbing douchebag. All is seemingly set right with the universe.
The New Situation: Luke is the savior of the universe (in your face Flash Gordon). Han is no longer a scumbag. An awards ceremony is held for Luke and Han.
Medals are awarded, and everyone cheers. The galaxy is saved… until the sequel.
Act Run Time: 3 minutes of 120 minutes (2.5%)
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