BEHIND THE SCENES: READY TO LEAVE!

Departure time for Han and Chewie on Yavin IV.

They've been as well paid as they can be for helping to rescue Princess Leia Organa and bring her to the Rebel base on Yavin IV, but now its time for Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate Chewbacca to depart before the Death Star and the Empire can come looking for them- a move that upsets their new friend in Luke Skywalker, ready to do his bit in the fight against the enemy, during this classic moment filmed at the UK's Shepperton Studios, on their then largest soundstage, during early Summer 1976.

The famous scene where Han says, "May the Force be with you" to Luke was originally cut from the movie by George Lucas in post production, under advice from his filmmaking friend and colleague Brian De Palma that the concept of the Force was to the detriment of the film and should be removed or curtailed where possible. Thankfully, Marcia Lucas, a fan of the Force's place in the saga, recognises the moment's importance for the character of Solo, and, to her great credit, reinstates it back into the film during its final lockdown edit by early 1977.

 

Filming a tense moment between friends.

"May the Force be with you."

Loading the containers.

Continuity Polaroid between takes. Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

Numerous reference images of the massive hangar bay set were taken by Script Supervisor Ann Skinner for continuity during filming- two B/W Polaroids so far unpublished reveal the full size built X-wing and partial Y-wing prop re-arranged into different positions to make the set look even bigger and more varied in fighter compliment, as well as two other colour Polaroids- one showing the main hangar bay with its craft facing right to left, the other featuring the Y-wing and and a full-size X-wing fighter cut-out facing right to left in shot. One last unpublished colour Polaroid is a close-in shot of all the containers being loaded onto the transport.

Luke is stunned that they're actually leaving.

Another frame from that scene.

A moment of amusement for Ford, Hamill and Lucas.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.