31 quotes
Searching for Evidence in the Hoth System
Capt. Firmus Piett
Admiral?
Adm. Kendel Ozzel
Yes, Captain?
Piett
I think we've got something, sir. The report is only a fragment, from a probe droid in the Hoth system, but it's the best lead we have.
Ozzel
We have thousands of probe droids searching the galaxy. I want proof, not leads.
[growing impatient]
Piett
The visuals indicate life readings.
Ozzel
Ridiculous! It could mean anything. If we followed up every lead...
Piett
But sir, the Hoth system is supposed to be devoid of human forms.
Darth Vader
You've found something?
[approaching the two officers after hearing their conversation]
Piett
Yes, my Lord.
[shows Vader the location of the power generator on Hoth]
Vader
That's it. The Rebels are there.
Ozzel
My Lord, there are so many uncharted settlements. It could be smugglers. It could be...
Vader
That is the system. The Force tells me so. The Rebels are there, and I am sure Skywalker is with them. Set your course for the Hoth system. General Veers, prepare your men.
[turns to General Maximilian Veers]
Bounty Hunter Negotiations with Darth Vader
Vader
You may take Captain Solo to Jabba the Hutt after I have Skywalker.
Boba Fett
He's no good to me dead.
Vader
He will not be permanently damaged.
Lando Calrissian
Lord Vader, what about Leia and the Wookiee?
Vader
They must never again leave this city.
Lando
That was never a condition of our agreement, nor was giving Han to this bounty hunter!
[angry]
Vader
Perhaps you think you are being treated unfairly?
Lando
No.
[pauses]
Vader
Good. It would be unfortunate if I had to leave a garrison here.
Lando
This deal is getting worse all the time.
[under his breath]
Strategic Oversight in the Hoth System
Vader
What is it, General?
Gen. Maximilian Veers
My Lord, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed. Com-Scan has detected an energy field protecting an area of the sixth planet of the Hoth system. The field is strong enough to deflect any bombardment.
Vader
The Rebels are alerted to our presence. Admiral Ozzel came out of lightspeed too close to the system.
Veers
He, He felt surprise was wiser–
Vader
He is as clumsy as he is stupid. General, prepare your troops for a surface attack.
[angrily]
Veers
Yes, my Lord.
[bows and leaves quickly]
Ozzel
Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed and we're preparing to–
[begins choking]
Vader
You have failed me for the last time, Admiral. Captain Piett.
Piett
Yes, my Lord?
[nervously]
Vader
Make ready to land our troops beyond their energy field, then deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off the system. You are in command now, Admiral Piett.
Piett
Thank you, Lord Vader.
[sees a dead Ozzel collapse]
Understanding the Structure of The Empire Strikes Back
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
I knew in the making of Empire that this was to be the second of a trilogy. Therefore I considered it the second act, the second movement—but it wouldn’t have the same climax that an ordinary film would have, where it sets up a premise, moves along, there is a payoff with a grand climax of some kind of action. The action in this film came at the beginning because it is a continuation of the first film.
Preparation for the Mission on Tatooine
Lando
Luke, we're ready for takeoff.
Luke
Good luck, Lando.
Lando
When we find Jabba the Hutt and that bounty hunter, we'll contact you.
Luke
I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine.
Lando
Princess, we'll find Han. I promise.
[to Leia]
Luke
Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal. Take care, you two, and may the Force be with you.
Unease in an Unfamiliar Environment
Leia
This ground sure feels strange. Doesn't feel like rock.
Han
There's an awful lot of moisture in here.
Leia
I don't know. I have a bad feeling about this.
Han
Yeah; so do I.
Humorous Observation on Unpleasant Odors
Han Solo
And I thought they smelled bad... on the outside!
[after cutting open a tauntaun to form a makeshift sleeping bag for Luke]
The Empire Strikes Back - Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
As for the idea of the Force, it is a mishmash of current cultic fashions without any base in ideas. It doesn't seem to be connected with ethics or a code of decent behavior, either. Shywalker (sic) is never called to account for having behaved unpleasantly to his guru (Yoda) before knowing who he is -- even to the extent of knocking food out of the hungry guru's hand. How many religions of any kind would tolerate a disciples having refused to share his food with his disguised spiritual leader?
The Complexity of Father-Son Relationships in Star Wars
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
The geek world, the scholars of Stars Wars, can tell you what scripts exist. I do not know. I’ve heard that. But what I know is when I came in to Empire and when I actually started to work, George said, “You know, Darth is Luke’s father.” And I said, “No shit?” So it was a total surprise to me and I thought wonderful. That to me was when the whole thing got really interesting and I thought, This thing’s going to be so much more complicated than I thought. It’s going to speak to things that I relate to very strongly and everybody who’s had to deal with their issues with their father, and this is really a mythic presentation of those things. And we’ve seen since then endless world catastrophes based on father problems. That’s why I think the saga is always going to be so interesting.
Reunion and Recovery Among Friends
C-3PO
Master Luke, sir, it's so good to see you fully functional again.
Luke
Thanks, Threepio.
C-3PO
Artoo expresses his relief, also.
[referring to R2-D2]
Han Solo
How are you feeling, kid? You don't look so bad to me. In fact, you look strong enough to pull the ears off a Gundark.
Luke
Thanks to you.
Han
That's two you owe me, junior. Well, your worship, looks like you've managed to keep me around for a little while longer.
[turns to Princess Leia]
Princess Leia Organa
I had nothing to do with it. General Rieekan thinks it's dangerous for any ships to leave the system until we've activated the energy field.
Han
That's a good story. I think you just can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your sight.
Leia
I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain.
Han
Laugh it up, fuzzball! But you didn't see us alone in the south passage. She expressed her true feelings for me.
[to Chewie]
Leia
My– Why you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking… nerf-herder!!
[feels surprised at hearing Han say that]
Han
Who's scruffy-looking? Well, I must've hit pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh, kid?
[turns back to Leia; to Luke Skywalker]
Leia
Why, I guess you don't know everything about women yet.
[kisses Luke on the lips in front of Han and Chewie]
Vader's Instructions to Boba Fett
Vader
There will be a substantial reward for the one who finds the Millennium Falcon. You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want them alive. No disintegrations.
[turns to Boba Fett]
Boba Fett
As you wish.
Vader Commands Action Against the Millennium Falcon
Piett
They'll be in range of our tractor beam in moments, my Lord.
Vader
Did your men deactivate the hyperdrive on the Millennium Falcon?
Piett
Yes, my Lord.
Vader
Good. Prepare the boarding party and set your weapons for stun.
Piett
Yes, my Lord.
Navigating Danger in an Asteroid Field
Leia
You can't make the jump to light-speed in this asteroid field!
Han
Sit down, sweetheart; we're taking off!
C-3PO
Look!!
Han
I see it, I see it!
C-3PO
We're doomed!
Leia
The cave is collapsing!
Han
This is no cave!
[suddenly realizing that the ''Millennium Falcon'' has flown into the mouth of a giant space creature]
Leia
What?!
Critics' Evolving Perspective on The Empire Strikes Back
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
I think the critics felt that they were going to see an extension of Star Wars. In other words, they wanted another Star Wars. I decided that the potential was much greater than a rerun of Star Wars. When I finally accepted the assignment, I knew that it was going to be a dark film, with more depth to the characters than in the first film. It took a few years for the critics to catch up with the film and to see it as a fairy tale rather than a comic book.
Character Reflections in The Empire Strikes Back
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
* Lawrence Kasdan, , Bruce Handy, Vanity Fair, May 18, 2015.
[http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/lawrence-kasdan-star-wars-force-awakens "Lawrence Kasdan Says There’s a Future for Lando Calrissian in Star Wars"]
Negotiating Safety Amidst Danger
Han
Get out of here, Lando.
Lando
Shut up and listen! Now Vader has agreed to turn Leia and Chewie over to me.
Han
Over to you?
Lando
They'll have to stay here, but at least they'll be safe.
Leia
What about Han?
Lando
Vader's giving him to the bounty hunter.
Leia
Vader wants us all dead!
Lando
No. He doesn't want you at all! He's after somebody called, uh... Skywalker!
Han
Luke!
[realizing who Lando is talking about]
Lando
Lord Vader has set a trap for him!
Leia
And we're the bait!
Lando
Yeah. Well, he's on his way.
Han
Perfect. You've fixed us all real good, didn't you? My friend.
[getting very angry at Lando; punches Lando in the face; the two security guards come up behind Han and hit him with their clubs, causing him to fall down on the floor. The guards prepare to hit him again]
Lando
Stop! I've done all I can. I'm sorry I couldn't do better, but I've got my own problems. I've already stuck my neck out farther than I should!
[signals his guards to stop the fight; the guards back down while Lando talks to Han, Chewie and Leia]
Han
Yeah. You're a real hero.
[Lando glares at Han, then leaves the room with his two security guards]
Leia
Boy, you certainly have a way with people.
[tending to Han's injuries while she talks to him]
Navigating Danger in the Asteroid Field
Leia
What are you doing? You're not actually going into an asteroid field!
Han
They'd be crazy to follow us, wouldn't they?
Leia
You don't have to do this to impress me.
C-3PO
Sir, the possibilities of successfully navigating through an asteroid field are approximately 3,720 to 1!
Han
Never tell me the odds!
Embracing the Charm of a Scoundrel
Han Solo
You like me because I'm a scoundrel. There aren't enough scoundrels in your life.
[to Princess Leia]
Reflections on The Empire Strikes Back
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
* Irvin Kershner, , Mike Ryan, October 18, 2010.
[http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2010/10/irvin-kershner "In Hindsight, Empire Strikes Back Director Irvin Kershner Would’ve Helmed One of the Prequels"]
Unlearning Limits: A Lesson in Mindset
Luke
Oh, no! We'll never get it out now!
Yoda
So certain, are you? Always with you, it cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?
Luke
Master, moving stones around is one thing, but this is... totally different!
Yoda
No! No different! Only different in your mind. You must unlearn what you have learned.
Luke
All right, I'll give it a try.
Yoda
No! Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.
Luke
I can't. It's too big.
Yoda
Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere. Yes. Even between the land and the ship.
Luke
You want the impossible. I don't... I don't believe it!
[sees Yoda use the Force to levitate the X-wing out of the bog and gets flustered when he does it]
Yoda
That is why you fail.
Han Solo's Urgency with C-3PO
Han Solo
Hurry up, goldenrod, or you're gonna be a permanent resident!
[calling to C-3PO as they're about to escape the Echo Hoth base]
Dark Times for the Rebellion
Opening crawl
It is a dark time for the Rebellion. Although the Death Star has been destroyed, Imperial troops have driven the Rebel forces from their hidden base and pursued them across the galaxy. Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of freedom fighters led by Luke Skywalker have established a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. The evil lord Darth Vader, obsessed with finding young Skywalker, has dispatched thousands of remote probes into the far reaches of space....
Training vs. Friendship: A Difficult Choice
Yoda
Luke! You must complete the training.
Luke
I can't keep the vision out of my head. They're my friends. I've gotta help them.
Yoda
You must not go!
Luke
But Han and Leia will die if I don't.
Obi-Wan
You don't know that. Even Yoda cannot see their fate.
[appears in spirit]
Luke
But I can help them! I feel the Force.
Obi-Wan
But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted by the dark side of the Force.
Yoda
Yes, yes! To Obi-Wan you listen. The cave! Remember your failure at the cave!
Luke
But I've learned so much since then. Master Yoda, I promise to return and finish what I've begun. You have my word.
Obi-Wan
It is you and your abilities the Emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer.
Luke
That's why I have to go.
Obi-Wan
Luke, I don't want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost Vader.
Luke
You won't.
Yoda
Stopped they must be. On this all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi Knight with the Force as his ally will conquer Vader and his Emperor. If you end your training now, if you choose the quick and easy path as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil.
Obi-Wan
Patience!
Luke
And sacrifice Han and Leia?
Yoda
If you honor what they fight for, yes.
Obi-Wan
If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere.
Luke
I understand. R2, fire up the converters.
Obi-Wan
Luke. Don't give in to hate. That leads to the dark side.
Yoda
Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can.
Luke
I will, and I'll return. I promise.
[flies off with X-wing]
Yoda
Told you I did. Reckless is he. Now matters are worse.
Obi-Wan
That boy is our last hope.
Yoda
No. There is another.
Concerns Over Carbon Freezing Process
Vader
This facility is crude, but it should be adequate to freeze Skywalker for his journey to the Emperor.
[referring to the carbon freezing chamber]
Imperial officer
Lord Vader! Ship approaching, X-wing class.
Vader
Good. Monitor Skywalker and allow him to land.
Lando
Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. You put him in there, it might kill him!
[referring to Luke Skywalker]
Vader
I do not want the Emperor's prize damaged. We will test it... on Captain Solo.
A New Threat Emerges in the Force
Vader
What is thy bidding, my master?
[kneeling before the Emperor's hologram]
The Emperor
There is a great disturbance in the Force.
Vader
I have felt it.
The Emperor
We have a new enemy. The young Rebel who destroyed the Death Star. I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker.
Vader
How is that possible?
The Emperor
Search your feelings, Lord Vader. You will know it to be true. He could destroy us.
Vader
He's just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him.
The Emperor
The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi.
Vader
If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally.
The Emperor
Yes... He would be a great asset. Can it be done?
[intrigued]
Vader
He will join us or die, Master.
Temptation and Conflict in the Dark Side
Vader
You are beaten. It is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be destroyed as Obi-Wan did.
Vader
There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You've only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict, and bring order to the galaxy.
[deactivates his lightsaber]
Luke
I'll never join you!
[wincing]
Vader
If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.
Luke
He told me enough. He told me you killed him.
Vader
No. I am your father.
Luke
No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!
[shocked]
Vader
Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
Luke
NO!!! NO!!!
Vader
Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together, we can rule the galaxy as father and son. Come with me. It is the only way.
[Luke looks down the shaft and then back at Vader; Luke lets go of the projection and falls into the shaft]
Impact of The Empire Strikes Back on Audiences
Quotes about The Empire Strikes Back
Fans have written over the last 30 years telling me how eagerly they awaited the second film of the trilogy. I hadn’t realized how many young children would be seeing the film, and how it would affect them. I think the kids responded to the movement, the characters, and the fairy tale quality of the film. The humor helped make the film appealing to more mature audiences as well.
Journey to the Dagobah System Begins
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Luke. Luke!
[voice comes out of nowhere]
Luke Skywalker
Ben?
[weakly]
Obi-Wan
You will go to the Dagobah system.
Luke
Dagobah system?
Obi-Wan
There you will learn from Yoda, the Jedi master who instructed me.