Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Quotations

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 space film. It is the second film of the original Star Wars trilogy. The film is set three years after the destruction of the Death Star. Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa are being pursued by the evil Darth Vader and the elite forces of the Galactic Empire. While Han and Leia are chased across the galaxy by the Empire, Luke studies the Force under the training of Jedi Master Yoda. Meanwhile, Vader secretly plots a trap for Luke that will lead to a vicious confrontation and a shocking revelation.

Directed by Irvin Kershner. Written by George Lucas, Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan.

The Adventure Continues... Taglines

Boba Fett

As you wish.

He's no good to me dead.

What if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me.

Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold.

Han Solo

And I thought they smelled bad... on the outside!

Hurry up, Goldenrod, or you're gonna be a permanent resident!

Then I'll see you in Hell!

Shut him up or shut him down!

Lando Calrissian. He's a card player, a gambler, a scoundrel. You'd like him.

Chewie, this won't help me! Save your strength, there'll be another time! The princess, you have to take care of her! Do ya hear me?

Laugh it up, fuzz-ball.

Who's scruffy- looking?

[Leia Organa: I love you.] I know.

Never tell me the odds!

Oh yeah? well we can still outmaneuver em!

This babys got a few suprises in her.

Luke Skywalker

I am ready! I— Ben, I can be a Jedi! Ben tell him I'm rea— [bangs his head on the low ceiling] Ow!

[shocked] No. No! That's not true! That's impossible!

Lando Calrissian

You slimy, double-crossing, no-good swindler. You've got a lot of guts coming here, after what you pulled.

You know, seeing you sure brings back a few things. Yeah, I'm responsible these days... it's the price you pay for being successful.

They told me they fixed it! It's not my fault!

[When Darth Vader and a squad of Stormtroopers ambush Han, Leia, and Chewbacca in the dining room] I had no choice, they came right before you did. I'm sorry.

Welcome, I'm Lando Calrissian and I am the administrator of this facility.

This deal is getting worse all the time.

Princess Leia Organa

No light speed?

Watch what?

I don't know. I have a bad feeling about this.

I happen to like nice men.

Why you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking... nerf herder!

All troop carriers will assemble at the north entrance. The heavy transport ships will leave as soon as they're loaded. Only two fighter escorts per ship. The energy shield can only be opened for a short time, so you'll have to stay very close to your transports. [Derek Klivian: Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?] The ion cannon will fire several shots to make sure any enemy ships will be out of your flight path. When you've gotten past the energy shield, proceed directly to the rendezvous point. Understood? Good luck.

I am NOT a committee!

I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain.

Darth Vader

You have failed me for the last time, Admiral.

I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

The Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet.

All too easy

You are beaten! It is useless to resist! Don't let yourself be destroyed as Obi-Wan did!

If you only knew the power of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.

No. I am your father.

Apology accepted, Captain Needa.

Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.

Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny!

With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict, and bring order to the galaxy!

He is as clumsy as he is stupid!

Master Yoda

No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.

Oh, great warrior, hmm? Wars not make one great.

Mudhole? Slimy? My home this is!

All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was... what he was doing.

Told you, I did. Reckless is he. Now matters are worse.

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?

If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice.

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.

[When Luke asks if the Dark Side of the Force is stronger] No! No. No... Quicker, easier, more seductive.

Mind what you have learned. Save you it can.

A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware the Dark Side. Anger, fear, aggression; the Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight.

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....

Dialogue

[Han Solo is preparing to leave the Rebel base on Hoth.]

Princess Leia Organa: Han!

Han Solo: Yes, Your Highnessness?

Princess Leia Organa: I thought you had decided to stay.

Han Solo: Well the bounty hunter we ran into in Ord Mantell changed my mind.

Princess Leia Organa: Han, we need you!

Han Solo: We need?

Princess Leia Organa: Yes.

Han Solo: Well, what about you need?

Princess Leia Organa: I need? I don't know what you're talking about.

Han Solo: You probably don't.

Princess Leia Organa: And what precisely am I supposed to know?

Han Solo: Come on! You want me to stay because of the way you feel about me.

Princess Leia Organa: Yes! You're a great help to us, you're a natural leader.

Han Solo: No! That's not it. Come on... [Points at himself] A-ha! Come on!

Princess Leia Organa: You're imagining things.

Han Solo: Am I? Then why are you following me? Afraid I was gonna leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?

Princess Leia Organa: I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee!

Han Solo: I can arrange that. [Angrily storms down the hallway] You could use a good kiss!

[Luke is stranded out in a harsh snowstorm.]

Obi-Wan Kenobi: [voice comes out of nowhere] Luke. Luke!

Luke Skywalker: [weakly] Ben?

Obi-Wan Kenobi: [spirit appears in front of Luke] You will go to the Dagobah system.

Luke Skywalker: [delirious] Dagobah system?

Obi-Wan Kenobi: There you will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master who instructed me.

Han Solo: Well, Your Worship, it looks like you managed to keep me here a while longer.

Princess Leia Organa: [Haughtily] I had nothing to do with it. General Rieekan thinks it's dangerous for any ships to leave the system until they've activated the energy shield.

Han Solo: That's a good story. I just think you can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your sight.

Princess Leia Organa: I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain.

[Chewbacca laughs amusingly]

Han Solo: Laugh it up, fuzzball! [To Luke] You didn't see us alone in the south passage. She expressed her true feelings for me.

Princess Leia Organa: What? [annoyed] Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking... nerf-herder!

Han Solo: [in mock offense] Who's scruffy-looking? [To Luke] Must have hit it pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh, kid?

Princess Leia Organa: Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet. [suddenly kisses Luke in front of Han]

[Darth Vader emerges from an egg-like meditation chamber to receive a report from General Maximilian Veers.]

Darth Vader: What is it, General?

General 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.

Darth Vader: [Angrily] The Rebels are alerted to our presence. Admiral Ozzel came out of lightspeed too soon.

General Veers: He felt surprise was wiser—

Darth Vader: He is as clumsy as he is stupid. General, prepare your troops for a surface attack.

General Veers: Yes, my lord. [bows and leaves quickly]

[Vader turns to a nearby screen and calls up Admiral Kendal Ozzel and Captain Firmus Piett.]

Admiral Ozzel: Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed and we're preparing to— [begins choking]

Darth Vader: You have failed me for the last time, Admiral. Captain Piett.

Captain Piett: [nervously] Yes, my lord.

Darth Vader: Make ready to land our troops beyond the energy shield and deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off the system. You are in command now, Admiral Piett.

[Ozzel collapses, dead]

Admiral Piett: Thank you, Lord Vader.

Admiral Piett: Our ships have sighted the Millennium Falcon, my lord. But, it has entered an asteroid field and we cannot risk—

Darth Vader: Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral. I want that ship, not excuses.

Admiral Piett: Yes, my lord.

C-3PO: Sir, the odds of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately three-thousand-seven-hundred-twenty to one!

Han Solo: Never tell me the odds!

Han Solo: You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake. Well, this could be it, sweetheart.

Princess Leia Organa: I take it back!

[The Millenium Falcon has evaded Vader's forces by flying into a tunnel within a large asteroid.]

Han Solo: I'm going to shut everything down but the emergency power systems.

C-3PO: Sir, I'm almost afraid to ask but, does that include shutting me down?

Han Solo: No, I need you to talk to the Falcon and find out what's wrong with the hyperdrive.

[The asteroid shakes.]

C-3PO: Sir, it's quite possible this asteroid is not entirely stable.

Han Solo: [annoyed] Not entirely stable? Well, I'm glad you're here to tell us these things! Chewie, take the professor into the back and plug him into the hyperdrive!

[The asteroid shakes again. Leia falls against Han, who begins holding her.]

Princess Leia Organa: [after a moment] Let go.

Han Solo: Shh!

Princess Leia Organa: Let go, please.

Han Solo: Don't get excited!

Princess Leia Organa: Captain, being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited.

Han Solo: [lets go] Sorry sweetheart. I haven't got time for anything else.

[Luke points a blaster at Yoda.]

Yoda: Away put your weapon, I mean you no harm! I am wondering, why are you here?

Luke Skywalker: I'm looking for someone.

Yoda: Looking? Found someone, you have, I would say. Hmmm?

Luke Skywalker: Right.

Yoda: Help you I can. Yes, mmm.

Luke Skywalker: I don't think so. I'm looking for a great warrior.

Yoda: Oh! Great warrior! [Laughs] Wars make not one great.

[Leia struggles with a part on the Falcon. Han moves in to help, but is pushed away.]

Han Solo: Hey, Your Worship, I'm only trying to help.

Princess Leia Organa: Would you please stop calling me that?

Han Solo: Sure, Leia.

Princess Leia Organa: You make it so difficult sometimes.

Han Solo: I do, I really do. You could be a little nicer, though. Come on, admit it. Sometimes you think I'm alright.

Princess Leia Organa: Occasionally, maybe... when you aren't acting like a scoundrel.

Han Solo: Scoundrel? Scoundrel? I like the sound of that. [Grabs and rubs Leia's hand]

Princess Leia Organa: Stop that.

Han Solo: Stop what?

Princess Leia Organa: [timidly] Stop that! My hands are dirty.

Han Solo: My hands are dirty too. What are you afraid of?

Princess Leia Organa: Afraid?

Han Solo: You're trembling.

Princess Leia Organa: I'm not trembling.

Han Solo: [moving closer to Leia] You like me because I'm a scoundrel. There aren't enough scoundrels in your life.

Princess Leia Organa: I happen to like nice men.

Han Solo: [moving closer still] I'm a nice man.

Princess Leia Organa: No you're not. You're—

[Han begins to kiss Leia]

C-3PO: [interrupting] Sir! Sir! I've isolated the reverse power flux coupling!

Han Solo: [annoyed] Thank you. Thank you very much!

C-3PO: Oh, you're perfectly welcome, sir.

[Leia walks away.]

Darth Vader: [kneeling before Emperor Palpatine's hologram] What is thy bidding, my master?

Emperor Palpatine (Hologram): There is a great disturbance in the Force.

Darth Vader: I have felt it.

Emperor Palpatine (Hologram): We have a new enemy, the young Rebel who destroyed the Death Star. I have no doubt that this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker.

Darth Vader: How is that possible?

Emperor Palpatine (Hologram): Search your feelings, Lord Vader. You know it to be true. [pauses] He could destroy us.

Darth Vader: He's just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him.

Emperor Palpatine (Hologram): The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi.

Darth Vader: If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally.

Emperor Palpatine (Hologram) : [intrigued] Yes... He would be a great asset. Can it be done?

Darth Vader: He will join us or die, master.

Luke Skywalker: Look, I'm sure it's delicious. I just don't understand why we can't see Yoda now!

Yoda: [cheerfully] Patience! For the Jedi it is time to eat as well. Eat. [Laughs] eat. Hot. Good food, hmm? Good, hmm?

Luke Skywalker: How far away is Yoda? Will it take us long to get there?

Yoda: Not far. Yoda not far. Patience. Soon you will be with him. Root leaf, I cook. Why wish you become Jedi?

Luke Skywalker: Well, mostly because of my father, I guess.

Yoda: Oh, father! Powerful Jedi was he. Powerful Jedi.

Luke Skywalker: Oh, come on! How could you know my father? You don't even know who I am. Oh, I don't even know what I'm doing here! We're wasting our time!

Yoda: [sighs, looks upward] I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: [voice emanates from nowhere] He will learn patience.

Yoda: Much anger in him, like his father.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Was I any different when you taught me?

Yoda: He is not ready!

Luke Skywalker: Yoda? I am ready! I— Ben, I can be a Jedi! Ben tell him I'm rea— [bangs his head on the low ceiling] Ow!

Yoda: Ready, are you? What know you of ready? For 800 years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained! A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one, a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away to the future, the horizon. Never his mind on where he was [pokes Luke]. Hmm? What he was doing. [paces around] Adventure. Heh! Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things. [turns to Luke and points with his walking stick] You are reckless!

Obi-Wan Kenobi: So was I, if you remember.

Yoda: [still looking at Luke] He is too old. Yes. Too old to begin the training.

Luke Skywalker: But I've learned so much.

Yoda: [looking toward the sky] Will he finish what he begins?

Luke Skywalker: I won't fail you! I'm not afraid.

Yoda: [grimly] Oh! You will be. You will be.

Han Solo: All right, Chewie. Let's get outta here!

Princess Leia Organa: The Empire is still out there! I don't think it's wise to—

Han Solo: No time to discuss this in a committee!

Princess Leia Organa: I am not a committee!

Luke Skywalker: What's in there?

Master Yoda: Only what you take with you.

C-3PO: Sir, the odds of surviving a direct assault on an Imperial Star Destroyer are precisely—

Princess Leia Organa: Shut up!

[Luke's X-wing sinks into the swamp]

Luke Skywalker: 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 Skywalker: Master, moving stones around is one thing. This is totally different.

Yoda: No! No different! Only different in your mind. You must unlearn what you have learned.

Luke Skywalker: Alright, I'll give it a try.

Yoda: No! Try not! Do, or do not. There is no try.

[Luke concentrates, and the X-wing begins to rise out of the swamp. A moment later, however, it sinks the rest of the way, with Yoda and R2-D2 both expressing their disappointment.]

Luke Skywalker: [tired] I can't. It's too big.

Yoda: Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you, 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. Everywhere. Here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere. Yes, even between the land and the ship.

Luke Skywalker: You want the impossible. [walks away]

[After Yoda raises Luke's X-Wing from the swamp]

Luke Skywalker: I don't- I don't believe it!

Yoda: That is why you fail.

[Darth Vader addresses a group of bounty hunters]

Darth 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. [Points at Boba Fett] No disintegrations!

Boba Fett: As you wish.

[Luke is standing on one hand and balancing Yoda on one foot, while moving rocks using the Force. He becomes distracted and falls, sending Yoda tumbling.]

Yoda: Control! Control! You must learn control!

Luke Skywalker: I saw... I saw a city in the clouds.

Yoda: Hmm. Friends you have there.

Luke Skywalker: They were in pain!

Yoda: It is the future you see.

Luke Skywalker: The future? Will they die?

Yoda: Difficult to see. Always in motion the future is.

Luke Skywalker: I've gotta go to them.

Yoda: Decide you must how to serve them best. If you leave now, help them you could, but... you would destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.

Yoda: Luke! You must complete the training.

Luke Skywalker: 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 Skywalker: But Han and Leia will die if I don't.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: You don't know that. [appears in spirit] Even Yoda cannot see their fate.

Luke Skywalker: But I can help them! I feel the Force!

Obi-Wan Kenobi: 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 Skywalker: 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 Kenobi: It is you and your abilities the Emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer.

Luke Skywalker: That's why I have to go.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Luke, I don't want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost Vader.

Luke Skywalker: 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 Kenobi: Patience!

Luke Skywalker: And sacrifice Han and Leia?

Yoda: If you honor what they fight for, yes!

Obi-Wan Kenobi: If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere.

Luke Skywalker: I understand. R2, fire up the converters.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: 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 Skywalker: I will, and I'll return. I promise.

[Luke's X-Wing takes off]

Yoda: Told you I did. Reckless is he. Now matters are worse.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: That boy is our last hope.

Yoda: No. There is another.

Darth Vader: You may take Captain Solo to Jabba the Hutt after I have Skywalker.

Boba Fett: He's no good to me dead.

Darth Vader: He will not be permanently damaged.

Lando Calrissian: Lord Vader, what about Leia and the Wookiee?

Darth Vader: They must never again leave this city.

Lando Calrissian: [angry] That was never a condition of our agreement, nor was giving Han to this bounty hunter!

Darth Vader: Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly?

Lando Calrissian: [pauses] No.

Darth Vader: Good. It would be unfortunate if I have to leave a garrison here.

Lando Calrissian: [under his breath] This deal is getting worse all the time.

[Han kisses Leia and is taken by stormtroopers to the carbon-freezing chamber.]

Princess Leia Organa: I love you.

Han Solo: I know.

[Lando checks the readout on the carbonite slab]

Darth Vader: Well, Calrissian? Did he survive?

Lando Calrissian: Yes, he's alive... and in perfect hibernation.

Darth Vader: [to Boba Fett] He's all yours, bounty hunter. Reset the chamber for Skywalker.

Imperial officer: Skywalker has just landed, my Lord.

Darth Vader: Good. See to it that he finds his way here. Calrissian, take the Princess and the Wookie to my ship.

Lando Calrissian: You said they would be left in the city under my supervision!

Darth Vader: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

Darth Vader: You have learned much, young one.

Luke Skywalker: You'll find I'm full of surprises.

Darth Vader: Your destiny lies with me, Skywalker. Obi-Wan knew this to be true.

Luke Skywalker: No.

Darth 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.

Luke Skywalker: [angrily] I'll never join you!

Darth Vader: If only you knew the power of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.

Luke Skywalker: He told me enough! He told me you killed him!

Darth Vader: No. I am your father.

Luke Skywalker: [shocked] No. No! That's not true! That's impossible!

Darth Vader: Search your feelings, you know it to be true!

Luke Skywalker: [crying and yelling] No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!!

Darth 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 lets go of the projection and falls into the shaft]

Darth Vader: [speaking through the Force] Luke.

Luke Skywalker: [on the Falcon] Father?

Darth Vader: Son, come with me.

Luke Skywalker: Ben... why didn't you tell me.

Lando Calrissian: Luke, we're ready for take off.

Luke Skywalker: Good luck, Lando.

Lando Calrissian: When we find Jabba the Hutt and that bounty hunter, we'll contact you.

Luke Skywalker: I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine.

Lando Calrissian: [to Leia] Princess, we'll find Han. I promise.

Luke Skywalker: Chewie, I'll be looking for your signal. Take care you two and may the Force be with you.

Taglines

As the Rebels flee the Empire from the secret base:

Hoth Rebel Base Loud Speaker: 'The first transport is away'

Hoth Rebel Base Ground Staff: [Throw fists in air!] HURRAY!

Cast

Mark Hamill — Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford — Han Solo
Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia Organa
Billy Dee Williams — Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels — C-3PO
David Prowse — Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones)
Peter Mayhew — Chewbacca
Kenny Baker — R2-D2
Frank Oz — Yoda (voice)
Alec Guinness — Obi-Wan Kenobi
Jeremy Bulloch — Boba Fett (voiced by Temuera Morrison)

Quoternity