George Lucas’ original Star Wars movie from 1977 is one of the most renowned classics in the history of cinema, although Lucas himself was the only person who had faith in the movie’s success at the time it was made (apart from Mark Hamill). Something about the Rebellion’s struggle to destroy the Empire’s superweapon in a galaxy far, far away struck a chord with audiences, who lined up around the block and turned Star Wars into the highest-grossing movie of all time.
From the debut of the Jedi mind trick to the death of Ben Kenobi, Star Wars has both scenes that are laugh-out-loud funny and scenes that tug on fans’ heartstrings.
Funniest: C-3PO & R2-D2’s Banter
The opening scenes of Star Warsfocus exclusively on R2-D2 and C-3PO as they escape from Tantive IV with a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their pod crashes down on Tatooine and they end up going their separate ways after falling out, only to be reunited when the Jawas abduct them both.
Artoo and Threepio’s banter is always a joy to watch, because Threepio is purely reactionary to Artoo’s beeps and whirs. Like Rocket and Groot, one member of the duo puts his sidekick’s language into context.
Saddest: Luke Finds Uncle Owen & Aunt Beru Dead
When Luke learns that the Empire is looking for his droids, he realizes the search will lead the Stormtroopers to his aunt and uncle’s moisture farm, so he races down there to make sure they’re okay.
As he arrives on the farm and sees smoke billowing from the house, he realizes he’s too late. He finds Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru’s charred remains on the front steps of their quaint home.
Funniest: The Jedi Mind Trick
Upon arrival in the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Mos Eisley Spaceport, Luke and Obi-Wan are stopped by the Stormtroopers trying to find R2-D2 and C-3PO for Darth Vader.
With a wave of his hand, Obi-Wan uses the Force to convince the troops: “These are not the droids you’re looking for.” The Jedi mind trick quickly became a staple of pop culture.
Saddest: The Destruction Of Alderaan
After introducing Leia to the awesome power of the Death Star, Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin threaten to destroy her home planet of Alderaan unless she reveals the location of the secret Rebel base.
However, despite Leia telling them it’s on Dantooine, they order the Imperial troops to fire when ready anyway. Leia watches hopelessly as her entire planet is blown to smithereens.
Funniest: Chewie Scares A Mouse Droid
Han and Luke infiltrate the Death Star by disguising themselves as stormtroopers and taking Chewie as a fake prisoner. While they take Chewie up to the detention level, he growls at a mouse droid.
Terrified of the roaring Wookiee, the mouse droid turns and flees. While the droids played by human actors are arguably the most memorable, the ones created using animatronics can be great, too.
Saddest: Ben Kenobi’s Death
On the Death Star, Ben Kenobi confronts Darth Vader for the first time at least in the current canon — since their explosive showdown on Mustafar.
Having passed on the torch to Luke and learned how to immortalize himself as a ghost, Kenobi accepts his fate and warns Vader, “If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”
Funniest: “Boring Conversation Anyway.”
While Luke is trying to find Leia’s cell, Han awkwardly talks to an Imperial officer over the intercom. The officer sends backup and Han tries to get him to call it off by saying, “We’re all fine here. How are you?”
When the officer asks for Han’s identification, he shoots the intercom and before warning Luke that enemy combatants are on the way, he quips, “Boring conversation anyway.”
Saddest: All The Rebel Pilot Deaths In The Death Star Trench Run
Ultimately, the Battle of Yavin is a triumph. Han and Chewie come back to save Luke, allowing him to deliver the final death blow, destroying the Empire’s superweapon and securing the first major victory for the Rebel Alliance.
But before the Rebels’ glorious victory, the battle starts to go south. A bunch of Rebel pilots are shot down by TIE fighters and turrets during the trench run.
Funniest: The Trash Compactor
The trash compactor scene is mainly a suspenseful sequence, but it has a couple of great gags, too. Han tries to shoot the door and the blast bounces around the room. The Dianoga pulls Luke underwater. The walls start closing in and Han cracks, “One thing’s for sure: we’re all gonna be a lot thinner.”
When the droids manage to get the walls to stop closing in at the last second and the heroes all cheer to celebrate, Threepio mistakes it for cries of agony and thinks they were too late to save them: “Listen to them, Artoo, they’re dying!”
Saddest: “The Force Will Be With You, Always.”
After the Rebels’ first couple of attempts to land a torpedo in the open-air shaft on top of the Death Star, Obi-Wan’s disembodied Force ghost appears to Luke and encourages him to switch off his targeting computer and instead use the Force to land the torpedo.
So, Luke does just that and manages to blow up the space station. Obi-Wan then echoes the last words he said to Luke on the Death Star before he died: “The Force will be with you, always.”