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Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

By Andrew Stires · May 9, 2011

Screenplay Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Movie Time: 134 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) confronts the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt, attempting to use his Jedi powers to release of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). Jabba laughs, dismissing Luke’s feeble attempt to influence him with the Jedi mind trick. Luke then tries to kill Jabba, using his force powers to steal a blaster from a nearby guard only to be sent plummeting down a hidden trap door to face the fearsome Rancor. (00:23:30)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

During a thrilling battle over the Great Pit of Carkoon, Luke defeats Jabba’s minions, while Han accidentally knocks Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch) into the gaping jaws of the Sarlacc. Leia (Carrie Fisher) strangles Jabba and is rescued by Luke, who destroys Jabba's barge. As the barge explodes in a ball of fire, our reunited band of rebel heroes flies off to continue their battle against the Empire. (00:36:53)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

On Dagobah, Yoda (Frank Oz) tells Luke he has completed his Jedi training but still must confront his father, Darth Vader (David Prowse). The spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) reveals to Luke how Anakin Skywalker was seduced by the dark side and became Vader. Luke also discovers that Leia is his twin sister who was hidden to protect her from the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid). It’s this new knowledge and the completion of his training that propels Luke to leave Dagobah and rejoin the Rebel Alliance and his companions on the forest moon of Endor. (00:46:00)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

After Luke tells Leia that she is his sister and Vader their father, Luke surrenders to Vader, believing that there is still a chance he can save the man who was once their father. Agreeing peacefully to accompany Darth Vader to the Death Star, Luke reaches out to Vader, telling him he still feels goodness within him. Vader says, “It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.”Luke replies, “Then my father is truly dead.” (1:23:15)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

During their final light saber duel, Luke submits to rage, knocking Vader to the ground and slicing off his hand. As Luke stands over his father, poised to deliver the killing blow, the Emperor urges him to fulfill his destiny and join the dark side. Luke tosses his saber aside and turns to the Emperor defiant, “Never. I'll never turn to the Dark Side. You've failed, your highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me.” Realizing Luke cannot be turned, the Emperor used Force lightning against Luke, but upon seeing his tortured dying son, Vader repents and turns on the Emperor, throwing him down the reactor shaft to his death. (1:54:09)