The Targeting Computer Was Never Going to Work

[@cstick2664]

I wonder if the the theme of over reliance on technology that you talked about is actually there throughout the entire (George Lucas) saga? I mean think about it, in the prequels the Jedi are extremely engrained in this technology heavy world. Droids can’t figure out where a dart came from but some old guy in a restaurant identifies it immediately. The computer doesn’t have the planet Obi Wan is looking for and he literally can’t put 2 and 2 together until a child, who isn’t as ingrained, tells him it’s 4. The technologically produced clone army that just shows up out of nowhere is blindly trusted by all of them. This lack of wisdom (or common sense) born from both dogma but also technology reliance is literally the death of them. There’s what you mentioned here with the tracking computer. And then there’s the ending with primitive teddy bears winning the war. I think this theme extends over all 6 of the original movies though maybe I haven’t fleshed it out too well.

[@nikolaychurkin5660]

Very interesting, I didn't think about this before, thanks!

[@JerichoDeath]

That does track pretty well. Also, you made me realize that we can say "all 6 of the original movies" completely seriously. Or maybe that just makes me feel old.

[@nikolaychurkin5660]

@@JerichoDeath Nested tiers of originals, exactly.

[@nikolaychurkin5660]

Original-0: New Hope when it wasn't New Hope, Original-1: Episodes four through six, Original-2: Episodes one through six, etc. depending on how old we are.

[@LRM12o8]

@@JerichoDeath "All six movies" is still perfectly accurate, in my opinion. I prefer not to acknowledge the Disney trilogy's existence, because it's the lowest class of movies to me: -S: Original or Genuine Sequel/Prequel- -A: Spin-Off- -B: Parody- -C: Fan Movie / Hommage- *F: Poor Imitation* Episode VII on it's own is a C, but the other two flicks ruin the trilogy overall.

[@mistermeow527]

Little detail too: When Luke says his scanner shows negative on detecting the fighters Red Leader says "Pick up your visual scanning" basically saying "Dude, just use your eyes".

[@danielcaskey3826]

lmao right? "BITCH! LOOK!"

[@PhoenixT70]

To be fair, it's much more difficult to visually acquire targets in the Black then it is in atmo, and it's already damned hard to do that in atmo.

[@canebrakeruffian1122]

What@@PhoenixT70 said. Imagine driving through a busy downtown at 5 o'clock with traffic lights and looking below, behind and on top of you in-between checking your 12 o'clock for other cars and traffic lights, in the dark, at Mach 1 in 3d space instead of 20mph on a 2d plane like a street. It's difficult to visually find stuff in a fighter jet in the middle of the day on Earth. Space gotta be a muh fuh.

[@mistermeow527]

@@canebrakeruffian1122 Of course that's true however Star Wars space battles are really anachronisms of mid 20th century air battles with the trope in them being people's gut feelings over the "finicky" computer (IE: popular hesitation to the B29s targetting computer). Specifically the Dam Busters (Operation Chastise) where the Death Star battle takes its inspiration from where the Lancaster's altimeter and targeting devices weren't reliable enough to be sure of an accurate and safe attack vector. This had pilots using building steeples and tree lines as visual references instead as they disregarded thier device readings. In other words Star Wars uses WW2 pilot logic for space battles.

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

@@PhoenixT70 Exactly and they're moving so fast that by the time you see them then react to them, they're already gone. Had this movie been made a few years later they would've incorporated smart weapons because up until then, most of the people only knew of WWII aerial combat where you had to point your fighter at the enemy drop the bombs directly over the target.

[@AlexanderDraconis]

Fun fact, if you pause as the torpedoes go down the shaft, you see where Red Leader hit. Proton Torpedoes fit side by side in the nose of an X-Wing. So if they just fit side by side down the port, you can tell Red Leader, firing from beyond naked eye visual range....missed by maybe 10 feet. Poor guy got it within spitting distance. Never realized just how close he got.

[@cloudwalker9572]

That's so cool I never realized before, thank you for this little bit of trivia

[@Farmeryeti]

Even as a kid I'd always kind of understood that the reason Luke doesn't use the targeting computer is because only the Force would have worked (as implied by Red Leader missing when using his) but I never really put much thought into it past that, nor did I notice the little moments throughout the scene of Luke slowly trusting his instincts more as the battle goes on.

[@John-Doe-Yo]

I was always confused as a kid when the blasts hit a mean right angle straight down and thought it made no sense lol

[@NPClownumber81googolplex]

@@John-Doe-Yo haven't you seen the last jedi? Physics are totally random in star wars

[@John-Doe-Yo]

@@NPClownumber81googolplex nope last one I saw was the force awakens

[@1005corvuscorax]

Which is why "Rogue One" is idiotic. The ONLY way that shot could have been made (as it was made clear in the original movie, 1977) was through the Force. Galen purposefully creating the "weakness" was retconning BS. Rogue One was never needed, and actually effed up the POINT of A New Hope.

[@NPClownumber81googolplex]

@@1005corvuscorax very true it was a solution for an unexistent problem but it's still better than the physics of the last jedi or how Han Solo got his name and Chewbacca is a cannibal... Also relatively minimal wokeness which I'll take lol.

[@supertoastdemon]

I was a bit disappointed that you didn't mention the part where right after Luke says his scope's negative, Red Leader tells him to pick up his visual scanning, as in 'Hey man, use your eyes instead of trusting only your instruments' which is another great point leading up to Luke trusting in the force

[@paulocalinao2267]

Fun Fact: During the battle of the first Death Star, there were supposed to be the Blue X-wing squadron instead of Gold, however, the blue color on the X-wings would cause problems when rendering in the CGI because Blue screen was used back then instead of Green screen, hence why we have Gold squadron, red squadron, and green squadron. And then later in 2016 in the Rogue one, they showed that the Blue squadron was destroyed in Scariff.

[@JoseyWales44s]

Optical SFX not CGI. Of course, I still "tape" TV shows to watch later too. :)

[@billygray6776]

Also fun fact: The squadron is referred to as blue squadron in the film's 1976 novelization (Yes the novelization came out a year before the movie).

[@rienjen]

@@billygray6776 It was called "Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker." I guess a lot of people forget that, at one point, he was the central protagonist. This scene is boss. Other than the lightsaber duels with Vader, this is my favorite scene in SW.

[@JoseyWales44s]

@@billygray6776 Yep, still have my pre-release copy, although I didn't read it before seeing the movie. What's even more bizarre is that they released the novelization of "The Empire Strikes Back" before the movie release, spoiling the Vader/Luke revelation. I remember my idiot friend, who read the novel, running up to me on the playground screaming Darth Vader is Luke's father.

[@jmurray1110]

Wait people call it “the battle of the first Death Star” I mean sure that makes sense but given the Callander system I though everyone just called it “the battle of yavin”

[@AaronSkone]

Man you managed to give me brand new chills over a movie I have literally seen hundreds of times over the last 25 years

[@taitano12]

Same, bruh. And I've been watching it since it came out, and understood this from the beginning because of wamprat line, Red Leader missing, and Obiwan's "Trust The Force." line. Yet the campy, over the top way he describes the scene made me feel as excited as if I hadn't seen it in years. Awesome.

[@foujj]

I know right? It's like I experienced for the first time again in like 13 minutes.

[@neoblakkrstal9865]

Every time I watch this film I am transported once again to that time. I AM that 12 year old boy, sitting in the front row. Star Wars will never grow old and stale to me.

[@JaySwag77]

For real!

[@djdrocco]

Came to say this, nearly verbatim. Bravo.

[@aztektheultimatewoman]

That was the most enjoyable Raid ad I’ve seen.

[@teveszaki]

I was LMAO, when I heard Raid woven into the script :)

[@bonzwah1]

I never before appreciated how well red leader portrayed as a guy who's whole life lead up to this moment...he did everything right, and fought with all that he had, only to fail at the end.

[@vcdonovan5943]

Seriously the dude's acting in outstanding for a character who has to squeeze the absolute most out of the few lines he's given. That and he's confined sitting down in a box within a crop shot that only shows him from the chest up for 95% of the shots he's in. His facial expressions and visual acting really sells everything you need to know about this guy and the scene he's in. Every time I look at Red Leader it just impacts on me the sheer desperation of what the rebels are trying to accomplish here. Here's a hardened military leader just struggling to keep it together and none of his subornments under his command are as stressed out about it as he is. They obviously have no idea what they're really up against.

[@dominickstewart433]

His only fault was a lack of Midichlorians in his blood

[@TheWingus]

“Commander, it is possible to make no mistakes and still lose… that is not a weakness, that is life.” - Captain Picard

[@DrDavu]

They know what they're up against. They went anyway.

[@8-bitsarda747]

well, at least the next red leader, Wedge, did better. Both at Hoth, taking over AT-AT tripping for Luke when his gunner died, and at Endor, knocking out the power regulator of the Death Star's core for Lando to strike the killing blow.

[@DimaJeydar]

"Is this dude really going for Style Points?" Luke, use the Force to flex on them normies

[@homiedclown]

"Use the Flex Luke."

[@jacquesnouvel6436]

sigma grindset : Jedi edition

[@johnathonhamilton232]

I think the reason Luke was “bobbing and weaving” all over the place in the trench run was because his stabilizer had been blown loose. He asked R2 to lock it down but it might be why Vader couldn’t get a lock on him.

[@rainick]

Another thing I've never fucking noticed.

[@cykeok3525]

That's a really good point. If you think about it, flying down a really narrow trench with a busted stabilizer (which I'm assuming stabilizes the x-wing's flight lol) was probably taking some effort from Luke. Vader, who if you recall from the cel-shaded and CGI animated Clone Wars and Rebels shows, and the Episode 3 opening, is possibly the best starfighter pilot in the galaxy. Jedi pilots generally fly fighters while guided by the Force, but that's something that obviously would need training. The busted stabilizer and needing to keep from hitting the walls probably allowed the Force working to work through Luke in his course corrections, so he was probably (subconsciously) making himself a really hard target even for a pilot like Vader. Flying guided by the Force, without ever training how to do it.

[@michaelmorris1741]

@@cykeok3525 I still say Obi Wan picked that point to 'discorporate' so that he could guide the torpedo down the shaft. All he needed was for Luke to 'let go' and trust him.

[@KnjazNazrath]

@@michaelmorris1741 That's a great theory, but it also steals Luke's thunder which I consider unlikely. He's not as OP as Rei, but he's still the main character.

[@Shmey]

"What a capable evasion... I wonder if it's due to the power of the boy's sword?" Yeah. Good luck getting that reference. I'm not even sure if I quoted it right.

[@paulclementyonkers4604]

You actually made an "in-video" ad that was entertaining enough to watch without skipping...I hope your sponsors appreciate this.

[@brennonbrunet6330]

Best in-video ad that I've seen in awhile

[@munjee2]

And a rsl ad at that

[@nodwarves4u]

Ben did great, but y'all should look into Internet historians ads.

[@little_isalina]

I still skipped it.

[@alesksander]

​ @Threeshades Chad move. True champion move. ;)

[@kevinemmers9424]

Total props to this guy the way he fused a commercial into the story. Totally cracked me up! Way to go!

[@xela4183]

So this is how liberty dies...with thunderous applause.

[@TheOtherGuys2]

One of the things I liked was when the TIEs come out and Luke has one chasing him, "I can't shake him!", he specifically calls out for help from his friend Biggs. The one he talked to before they took off, and the one who was his friend back on Tatooine. He calls for help from Biggs, "Blast it Biggs, where are you?" but then Wedge swoops in and saves him. This is another lesson for Luke: he and the little group he calls his buddies can't do this alone. He has to work as a team, not as a buddy.

[@NathanYoungLibrary]

Somehow this is the first time I've ever connected that Biggs and Wedge were names in this film before they were ever a dual set of names in the Final Fantasy series. (Where there has been a Biggs and Wedge set of characters since...FF6?) and of course I just looked it up and the wiki is like "Duh it's a reference to Red Squadron. 26 years to connect the dots.

[@TheOtherGuys2]

@@NathanYoungLibrary Lol, neat. :P

[@lunarpking]

It's because the original scene was supposed to be Biggs saving him. Either through Marcia Lucas's editing or a lack of a scene with Biggs it was changed to Wedge. Wedge was also played by three actors, the one in the rebel base, the one who was physically there and the one who did ADR for the character in post production. The original end of the movie was supposedly a mess and if you pay attention you can see what a cluster fuck of editing it actually is. The end of this movie really is a miracle of editing for how good it is.

[@vsync]

a really interesting thing, now that I think about it, would have been what if he ended up fighting Biggs

[@patrickgardner396]

Great commentary! One addition: Marcia Lucas didn't just extend the final battle with the extra footage of scenes from the Yavin control room. Originally, the Rebel base was not supposed to be threatened by the Death Star. The rebels were just supposed to fly their mission, destroy the Death Star, and come back. But Marcia realized the scene just didn't have high enough stakes. So she invented the element of a countdown to the destruction of the rebel base, using only inserts added later showing the graphic with the death star coming in range, VO, and some leftover footage on the death star. Watch the scene again: at no point will you see anyone on camera referencing the threat from the Death Star to the rebel base. This change was fundamental to the dynamic of the scene - max'd the stakes - and it was entirely invented in the editing room. Incredible.

[@RedXlV]

If only Marcia Lucas had still been involved for the prequel trilogy. Or if JJ Abrams had the sense to bring her in for the sequel trilogy. They both could desperately have used her touch.

[@Wearyman]

@@Voltar Oh I disagree. The prequels needed her too. The "sequels" needed to be put in the dumpster and never shown to the world as the utter failures they were.

[@Iknowtoomuchable]

The footage is made on set, but the _movie_ is made in the editing room.

[@Gabiman66]

could you please source yourself, bcos these is so much misinformation going around about Marcia Lucas

[@bananian]

@@Voltar The prequels were a dumpster fire lol.

[@ottovonbearsmark8876]

One of the best things about the Original Trilogy that was really lacking in the Sequel Trilogy was that it really felt like a military operation. All the dialogue and the acting feels a lot like WW2 films of the time. During scenes like the Death Star attacks or the Battle of Hoth it felt like a proper war movie, whereas in the sequels it feels too much like a super hero movie to me.

[@littlechickeyhudak]

I enjoyed the sequels but I definitely agree. It could've been cooler if they leaned more into that. I recently had a thought that the story would've been more interesting and more distinct/unique if the resistance was a kind of clandestine spec-ops team working for the New Republic who have to figure out how to operate completely independently after the first order destroys the capital and collapses the government. That would've opened the door to a lot more interesting elements, especially when it comes to the lore surrounding the new republic and the origins of the first order as explored in some of the novels and comics (such as how they're working for the New Repblic, but it's jammed full of ex-imperial senators who want it to be fascist again and are operating with the First Order).

[@Corbalte]

Yes and that was thing that was also present in the prequels. Characters, even Yoda, always use military jargon in battle scene.

[@johnellizz]

Yes the battles in Empire and Star Wars felt real but even more so before the alterations. All battles in Prequels and Sequels feel silly and fake.

[@stickiedmin6508]

That's one of the reasons Rogue One is my favourite among the movies - The Wars part of Star Wars was always the part I liked best, and Rogue One is a proper War movie (also, X-Wings fighting TIE Fighters has *_NEVER_* looked better). It's something I really wish they'd explore a little more - Just imagine, The Great Escape (but in Star Wars), or Bridge Over The River Kwai (but in Star Wars), or Memphis Belle (but in Star Wars). Cool, right?

[@TokyoXtreme]

The writers of nu wars despise the military and the very concept of national defense, so nobody can be surprised when they can’t even come close to portraying such an organization accurately. The writers believe in “patriarchy” and “toxic masculinity”, and the entertainment industry pays the price.

[@arcticbanana66]

I always figured that the Y-wings (had they survived) would have been able to make the shot, being dedicated bombers that would have the necessary targeting equipment for such a feat, whereas the X-wings were dogfighters designed to fight other ships, not engage ground targets. There's also the theory that Vader was using the Force to mess with the Rebels' equipment, which was why they had such a hard time spotting the TIEs.

[@CouchPotator]

I thought there was an early Y-wing attack run that missed outright, and the one we saw was the second. But it's so hard to remember specifics.

[@arcticbanana66]

@@CouchPotator Might have been. It's been a long time since I saw the movie.

[@Stags28]

@@arcticbanana66 And in a galaxy far, far away, no doubt.

[@mrmacross]

Based on playing Rogue Squadron for N64, the Y-Wings wouldn't be helpful because they're SO SLOW that they would never get far in the trench. I swear, the whole point of the Y-wing design was to make a model that would explode spectacularly.

[@mesijevoprenejvozed7152]

I would say that "bombing" in the Star Wars universe was one thing, but using the "torpedo" (kind of air-to-air or air-to-ground missile) for this shaft-penetration is something different. The bombing procedure can be seen in the ep. V, when Millenium Falcon hides in the big asteroid hole (in the belly of some huge creature living in the asteroid actually :) ) and the TIE Bombers are bombing the surface of the asteroid. But those "torpedos" were available in all rebel fighters type A wing, B wing, X wing and Y wing. The "bomber" capability of the Y- wing was determined by the ion cannon turret on board and by a few added ion torpedos, both used for disabling the electronics in targeted vessel - ion cannon affect after it hits the vessel can be seen in the ep. 5 after the ground battle on the Hoth, when the rebel transport ship with two escort X-wings is escaping the planet while the ground ion artillery fires three (!) - not just showed two - ion shells onto the imperial star destroyer which blocks the orbit - the funny "our first catch" scene ;-D

[@dimitreze]

one of the last times I watched, I realize how heavy handed was the technical talk between the pilots all of this helps to contrast the very spiritual use of the force to destroy the death star I loved it! what an amazing movie

[@Grey1nferno]

wait nah i need the sauce for that edm song

[@aix42]

had a college professor point out the radio distortions heard in the control room were very accurately done. all the details add up.

[@hyuugo7462]

@@Grey1nferno Madeon - Beings (Shelter Live Edit)

[@abrahamedelstein4806]

The jargon is lifted, sometimes word for word from classic WWII movies.

[@EyeShotFirst]

@@abrahamedelstein4806 And that's exactly how Lucas conceptualized the whole battle. I think he was even using footage from dogfights as placeholders.

[@logicaldude3611]

When Vader jumps into combat, it’s because he realizes that the main battle is just a diversion and that the bombers are making their way to the trench. He specifically says that. It usually goes unnoticed, but Vader is the first one who realizes not everything is as it appears.

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

Probably been Obi-Wan'd one too many times to underestimate diversions like that.

[@giantsean]

Not that this was a thing in 1977, but Rogue One does explain a bit that the Empire was concerned about Galen Urso compromising the DS. Vader mentions this to Krennic before he chokes him a little.

[@yourgodemperorofeverything1354]

@@giantsean that motive from rogue one was weak. I mean the motive that port is specially designed weakness. It's not and it's actually very smart design, and as proofen in the video, in normal conditions impossible to destroy

[@marcosbravo9645]

"Several fighters have broken off from the main group, come with me." Vader would rather deal with this personally than issuing orders from the station. 20 years previously in the battle of Kamino, while Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti are supervising the battle in Tipoca city, Anakin jumped in his fighter and led things personally, remarking to a comment from a squadron leader "you know me Broadside, I would rather be up here than stuck in a command center". Anakin/Vader likes to deal with combat situations personally, incredible how that's consistent.

[@Jordan-Ramses]

Yeah, Wedge literally says 'are you sure the computer can hit it?'. I thought everyone knew this a long time ago. Just nobody listened to him. Except Obi Wan.

[@cjthex]

in my onion luke really was the star of the war

[@apewit9163]

you r name rhymes with sex 🤮🤮

[@abee948]

Oh my god CJ the X I love you

[@BobFlats7]

Onion.

[@CommanderShepard-wq3wo]

Boooo! **gives thumbs up**

[@melvinbrennaniii2355]

Obliterated

[@dabradguy]

I've always thought that Red leader missing implied it could not be done. It was suggested heavily before the mission started. The mission was kind of a last stand, and everyone in the know knew it would not work. However, great video on pointing out how masterfully everything was edited together. Makes me want to rewatch this scene asap.

[@marhawkman303]

Well, I'd say "thought it was unlikely to work, but had a non-zero chance of success". It was the only shot they had of destroying that thing that COULD work... even if the odds were bad.

[@kueller917]

This is actually one of the only times I've seen someone really emphasize the lack of music during big chunks of this scene. Ever since I rewatched it years ago it hit me hard how empty it was and how well that works. Music is not just what is being played but it's also the silence in between, and having the music only show up sparingly makes those moments when Williams does show up so much more impactful.

[@Chr1t0n]

anoter/most masterful use of non-music: buffy the vampire slayer episode 'the body'

[@chiensyang]

I think The Imperial March was composed for The Empire Strikes Back. I am not sure why George Lucas choose not to use this piece in The New Hope.

[@jazzyj7834]

Silence is a symphony.

[@ChadDutton]

Another good use of silence - During the original "Jurassic Park." From the very intro, there is music to deliver us to each scene.... up until the T-Rex scene. There, all music stops for the entire scene... and it reflects how all the 'fun' of the "Dinosaur Hijinks' have now faded and gone away... and these kids in the back of this vehicle might be dinner for that hungry dino.

[@ultimateninjaboi]

I like the touch that the Y-wing computers seem like theyre integral to the design, and more easily engaged/disengaged. And also bigger/more advanced. And the X-wing ones seem a bit more secondary, with just a stick holding them up, and completely disappearing when disengaged. Really showcases that the Ys are primarily bombers, and the Xs more fighters

[@canobenitez]

that's some sweet ass nerd fact, thanks

[@directorforplastic7929]

@@canobenitez idk if that’s a “confirmed canon” fact but either more of an intentional design choice or something unintentional just made to distinguish the two different cockpits from each other that can be rationalized as to why it is the way it it

[@canobenitez]

@@directorforplastic7929 don't break the magic bro

[@dandywaysofliving]

@@canobenitez Pretending to be a tour guide from The Year 3399 AD^2 "..And if u look at the 2nd reply in this comment thread u will find as u kids like to call it nowadays an.."

[@Indylimburg]

@@dandywaysofliving 😂 what will happen to all these comments centuries future?

[@wolframvoneschenbach1174]

A small thing about thisvscene I like is when Luke is in trouble he calls out for Biggs who he was already friends with to help him but it's Wedge that swings in to help. The fact that a seemingly minor character like Wedge would survive the battle but have to withdraw after taking too much damage is something we don't see too often in movies, 9/10 he'd just get blown up.

[@Grubnar]

And then years later he blows up the second Death Star. For a "minor character" that has to be some sort of record!

[@Corsair37]

@@Grubnar Dennis Lawson, the actor that played Wedge in the original trilogy (except for the briefing room scene in the first one) was also a gunner in the Millenium Flacon for The Last Skywalker. He has one line, something like "Let's go, Lando!" He's also the uncle of Ewan McGregor.

[@wolframvoneschenbach1174]

@@Grubnar For sure, he's the one who hooked an AT-AT too. Far more of a major character in Empire and Jedi but never really a main character.

[@enjoythestruggle]

​@@wolframvoneschenbach1174 Something good franchises do well is getting you interested in the minor characters and not treating them like minor throwaway characters despite their small role in the story. Many would simply forget to feature Wedge again or conveniently kill him off and replace him with 'generic Rebel Pilot #27' even though 'logically' he should be around. Instead Wedge had his own little character arc and became a beloved character for the fans, he even shakes Luke's hand during the Ewok party.

[@pwnmeisterage]

Wedge is no "minor" character. He is the most skilled, badass, unstoppable pilot in the galaxy. Assuming you ignore all those cheaters who use the Force. And assuming you ignore all the other cheaters who have bigger ships with better firepower.

[@chrisaguilera1564]

Just goes to show that Marcia Lucas was ahead of her time. The film editors match shots with action in precusion to elevate the tension. She did that masterfully. I've seen the trench run like a thousand and I'm on the edge of my seat every time. Very few modern films have that kind of talented editors. They spend too much time and money on visual effects which kind of misses the point. Never learn. Visual effects are a support mechanism not the main point of reference. A films structure and story are derived from its editor.

[@cillianennis9921]

Or maybe it just shows how behind the times modern films shot themselves. Like Damn I didn't even notice until he mentioned it that the music cuts out when Vader is on the prowl. Like it takes balls that most directors today must be lacking to say to a master composer "you do a great job but we are going to do the most tension filled scenes without music & instead use silly sound effects to fill the gap." Like how amazing is that. Shows how great movies can be especially when like Star Wars its made without some corporate suits from your producer or whatever the term is studio is it anyway stepping on your ideas. Like how many more films like star wars could be made today pretty much zero as the modern studios are lead by people who go like we can't do that we'll be cancelled or some nonsense.

[@KonoGufo]

@@cillianennis9921 Two things can be true. Modern films have certainly regressed in their overall quality, but Marcia Lucas still had a damn good head on her shoulders.

[@TonyRedgrave]

Another detail that I've always really liked is the rebel causality rate. They sent out 32 pilots to destroy the Death Star. 12:31 *Three of them came back* That is a 90% casualty rate. That is abysmal. In any other confrontation, it would be unacceptable. It's another detail that shows the plan was never really going to work.

[@ravenshade266]

I’ve always wondered who the third was. Obviously Luke and Wedge survive, but who’s the Y-Wing pilot who made it, and how on earth were they lucky enough to make it in that slow-moving death trap?

[@AdamMPick]

@@ravenshade266 Gold Three, who is never shown on screen aka Keyan Farlander in the old lore. He was introduced in the X-Wing game in 1993 and became a Jedi later. For Nu-Wars post 2014. Evaan Verlaine. She got a retcon backstory in the Leia comic books from 2015 onwards. A fellow Alderaanian survivor, who saw her duty to the throne of Alderaan first, with Leia representing it.

[@ravenshade266]

@@AdamMPick You, sir, are amazing. Thank you!

[@Grubnar]

Yeah, but the Imperials had a 99.99% casualty rate ... only Vader survived.

[@vickcalderon1697]

The death ratio is not unacceptable. 32 single pilot ships vs the Death Star that house how many? The rebels left with 3 and the Death Star 1 (Darth Vader).

[@anthonybranch4712]

Speaking of sound design, can we acknowledge how MANIACALLY AGGRESSIVE the TIE fighter 'scream' is? Those things roar toward you and you KNOW you're in trouble. Ben Burtt (I believe) absolutely outdid himself coming up with that sound.

[@tommymaddox6785]

Now imagine you're a fresh 19 year old Russian conscript in 1941 jumping into cover as what is probably the closest real life alternative, a group of Stuka ground attack planes, begin a sharp dive on your position. Sound design for the Tie scream is a mix of tires on wet pavement and an elephant.

[@SIXITHS]

@@tommymaddox6785 The inspiration for the sound was indeed a plane, but not a Stuka. It was a Hawker Hunter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmPPnmx3pamLhdE Specifically the 'Blue Note' that is produced by airflow over the 30mm autocannons.

[@orobertg]

Credit for the tie fighter sound should be given to this beagle, credit where credit is due. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnOlqIt3hbN_qJI

[@JJfromPhilly67]

@@tommymaddox6785 Imagine you are a Polish (1939), Dutch, Belgian, French (1940), and/or Soviet (1941) refugee trying to get out of the battle zone.

[@JJfromPhilly67]

I'm not sure who exactly decided to put sirens on the Stuka Dive Bombers, but he should really get most of the credit.

[@screwupalt]

Your palpable passion for editing is infectious, that's some rare shit I reckon a bunch of kids who'll come across your essays will eventually become editors themselves, and they'll owe at least some of it to you, and that's just wonderful. keep it up, these essays have *great* artistic merit on their own.

[@chugs1984]

it's a shame he didn't realise that New Hope was edited by Richard Chew Paul Hirsch Marcia Lucas And Marcia Lucas is in particular the sole, number one reason why the first three star wars films are a nightmarish mess like the prequels and sequels are. Lucas just wanted to make old pulp comic films and toys. She was the true film maker and she is the one made Star Wars make sense. She is the one that introduces the concept of love and relationship into the films. She works out that Darth Vader is Luke's father and so on. George has done his best to destroy all the evidence but I think that the prequels themselves show what happens when Lucas makes a film where every major and minor decision rests with him.

[@wavecentral]

Fun fact - the first "targeting computer miss" is a homage to the same scene in the 1955 movie "Dambusters", where the first bomber makes an attack run on the German dam using a specialised bombsight, the bomb hits the dam wall and explodes but the dam isn't destroyed. Quite a few parts of the finale in Star Wars come from that film.

[@Ozymandias1]

You can see the similarities in this scene: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2KndKumgt9rl7c

[@wilekrowan3610]

The Norden bomb sight in ww2 was supposed to be this top secret super awesome analog targeting computer, but it turned out to be more mythical than reliable in practice. Eventually they just ordered the bombers to fly lower to actually hit their targets.

[@leef8433]

Yeah that was a real thing in ww2

[@chrisdoherty1072]

The entire Death Star sequence is nearly a shot-by-shot remake of _Dambusters_, and Lucas hired the cinematographer from Dambusters to help with the framing.

[@Stickweasel91]

All of the professional pilot jargon and callouts happening makes the otherwise fantastical situation feel more grounded in reality and it raises the stakes and helps build tension. The characters are taking their situation seriously.

[@magnuskallas]

Definitely. And it's fairly certain Lucas got help from a Hollywood military advisor writing this. So it makes better sense for older audiences. (To this day, after seeing so many films by now or even been to military). I can't pinpoint all the film(s) with fairly similar scene playing out like "Systems down, need to switch to manual" etc.

[@trollzland1337]

honestly if this scene had typical movie one-liners instead of jargon and callouts it would've been a million times less entertaining. I LOVE just listening to all that tactical dialogue

[@zephyr8072]

I’ll be honest. A lot of that is ruined by the fact that one of the pilots is a greasy, obese slob named PORKINS. Yeah that’s great. Why not just call him Piggy McFat and have him eating fried chicken in the cockpit if you’re going to be that unsubtle. Best part is when Biggs tells him to eject. TO EJECT INTO SPACE WITHOUT A SPACESUIT. It’s like somebody snuck this character and dialogue into the ultra serious scene as a prank and they just went with it.

[@silvesby]

@@magnuskallas The scene also is sorta a space duplicate of Dam Busters, so the dialogue is very similar

[@magnuskallas]

@@silvesby Great insight! I'm aware of the bomb and its story, but didn't know there was a classic film. I can already imagine it!

[@someoneunknown1645]

It is rarely talked about but Red Leader says to keep up with "visual scanning", he also says that "with all this jamming" that the Imperial tie fighters could be on top of them before their "scopes can pick them up" and that Red Ten while at the trench run notes that there is "too much interference" which suggests that the Imperials have a ECM (Electronic Counter Measure) which is probably why the Rebels could not land a hit onto the exhaust port until Luke used the force, it is because the Imperials use ECM to mess up the trajectories of the torpedoes which is why they couldn't hit beforehand.

[@samurai8698]

On a station like that, you can bet they have the best counter-measures available.

[@sarowie]

@@samurai8698 well, even just accidental/coincidental radio emission could mess the rebels system. its not like you can pickup an working death star on the junk yard and test if your system are roboust enough to fly and operate so close in the trances.

[@tuttlenate]

@@sarowie Yeah, you put a starship the literal size of a moon in orbit of a planet, outputting enough power to shatter worlds, you're gonna have some MASSIVE electromagnetic disruptions almost unwittingly.

[@UToobUsername01]

Also the fact is in World War II people relied more on their manual skills to shoot down stuff than computers which were not really around to assist people. (which is why some people refer to OT star wars as "World War II in space". IE you needed more skill to get the enemy. Today with computer guided missiles it's "fire from long range and let the machine do it all for you." There is no need for dogfighting or close range skills. Some sci-fi shows like Mobile Suit Gundam bring battles back to close range by inventing some fictional interference to make computer guided missiles ineffective. (called minovsky particles to explain away how manual aiming is needed again) But they maintain the "psychic ability can often save your skin" element seen in the star wars universe to give an inexperienced hero a fighting chance to still beat an ace pilot with much more battle experience.

[@philiponeill6903]

It's been a long time since I read it, but I distinctly remember in the novelisation Red Leader (though I think it was actually Blue Leader in the novel) saying something like: "They can jam everything except your eyes."

[@Dudemon-1]

I'm old. In the 70s, we realized this, so I never knew that this understanding was lost. Cool that you've brought it back!

[@hecate235]

True. Saw SW in 1977, and the audience understood that blowing up the Death Star was a huuuuge long shot. But it was also the rebels only chance. Then Ben whispers in Luke's ear and we all had this little shudder of...."omg, maybe Luke can do it."

[@pwnmeisterage]

This understanding was easier in the 1970s. Because computers of the era did indeed suck. They were slow, weak, stupid, clumsy. A skilled human could always outperform the machine. Times have changed, lol, now the machines are getting smarter and better than even the most talented humans.

[@captaincarrot9062]

Something else I though I’d mention is that one of his engines was still blown out from his first skirmish, he even tells R2 to fix it just before R2 gets hit, meaning he had to manually stabilize his ship. The point is that entire time Vader couldn’t lock onto him, and I believe that’s because his ship wasn’t flying in its robotic pattern anymore, now it was all spastic and jolty

[@dustinvannoy311]

Something I always thought, based on ESB when Luke promised return after saving his friends to Yoda and Ben's aggressive urging not to go.....was Obi Wans message that he wouldn't interfere (this time) As a kid and I guess now I took that as Kenobi was with him when Vadar began to engage him.....and assisted him in blowing up the f'n death star......with the force

[@briannaamore1383]

@@dustinvannoy311 So much about Obi-Wan has changed now. I always assumed that Jedi Masters always came back as Force Ghosts but apparently not.

[@A.Lifecraft]

During Irak War 1, Irakis added random aerodynamic surfaces to their rockets. With computers too slow to counteract in realtime, this caused erratic flightpaths which were hard to calculate by defenses.

[@jannaarnold2509]

“All right broskis we’re goin’ fast and hard like a Timmies run.” Thank you for the Canadian representation Ben 😂

[@matthewboer8279]

Got to giver down there trench bud , shoot them glowing Timbits five hole.

[@JamesG1880]

I’m proud that I understood that reference thanks to years and years of watching HIMYM and learning about the great white north thru Robin Sherbatsky🙌🏼🤣

[@Willigula]

Every time I visit Canada, I gain 5 pounds from those Honey Crullers.

[@cryogeneric]

I've always loved the scene when Luke turned off the computer. Even as child, I vividly remember being blown away by the music. I also love the dialog ... the dismissive but focused & serious tone in Luke's voice when he says, "Nothing! I'm all right!"

[@trollzland1337]

I honestly loved that too, the sheer calm in his voice compared to his earlier panicky and energetic

[@CowCommando]

The theme of humanity (flesh, will, hope, determination) vs machine is repeated in other places as well. Two examples I can think of are Ewoks vs. Empire in Episode 6 and Luke's mechanical hand being a synonym for the dangers of giving in to the Dark Side (because Vader, the face of the Dark Side for the most part is "more machine than man.")

[@ShuRugal]

@7:15 - i just realized something. I never understood the whole "running along the trench, waiting to shoot the hole" thing, but having done a lot of milsim aviation, this comment just made me realize that their targeting computers are operating Continuously Computed Release Point (CCRP) mode: They have designated the point they want their munitions to hit, and the targeting computer is guiding them on how to fly to approach the release point at the correct angle/speed/height to ensure a hit. Neat.

[@Daniel-Strain]

Yes, it has to be at that angle. But also, there are a lot more towers on the surface, so being in the trench gives them a little more cover.

[@jackeppington6488]

@@Daniel-Strain Except it doesn't work. Only the Force works! ;)

[@Indylimburg]

Nice.

[@brianhall4182]

Yeah, but I've always wondered why they had to enter the trench from THAT far away. I mean they're flying for a good minute or two there. Surely they could've entered the trench a little closer, engaged the computer for, like, 15 seconds, and had a better time of it. =p

[@Daniel-Strain]

@@brianhall4182 In various computer game renditions I've played of it, you get completely toasted by all the towers on the surface if you don't go down in the trench, where there are fewer and they have to come at you from fewer angles. I'm sure they're using it for cover. The same way you would fly into a canyon if being pursued on a planet.

[@int3rs3kt]

I completely lost it at that RAID ad because I wasn't sure if it is a bit or not. Well done, mate.

[@lrgogo1517]

I mean, the “Link in Description” and the QR being plastered on screen were the tip-offs for me

[@danjohnson1568]

Best advert in video essay blend ever.

[@xsanguine8]

Well it's a bit, and a deep cut, since Annakin went bad from following all his sponsor's advice.

[@jacobpeters5458]

6:08 - Mark Hamill really knew how to make the little but most relatable moments feel real. at the end of VI when he gets in a shuttle with Vader's body and the gate was almost gonna close on him before the deathstar exploded, you can see him do a little "oh crap" expression. and then relief when he makes it

[@roguebantha7324]

To add to this, watch Jill Bearup's recent breakdown of the duel in ESB; Hamill really sells the emotions during that scene as well. Luke, and Star Wars, wouldn't be near the same without him.

[@Aredhel_Wren]

I have always been convinced that Red Leader's miss was caused by the sudden movement of his flight stick down and to the right at the same time he fires - probably in an attempt to pull out of the trench. Proton torpedoes, when fired off-axis, move in sweeping arcs to track their targets and when fired at close range may not have had the lead-time they needed to find exact purchase on a target so small. Luke had to straighten out to get a clear on-axis shot at the port, and the same was true with Red Leader. I always assumed that was why we got the tight shot of Red Leader's flight stick. Dude was a veteran, but he was clearly under a lot of pressure.

[@LyokoisGreat2]

Yea I was also thinking response time was a factor too and that Red Leaders timing was just slightly too late

[@brucetucker4847]

The funny thing is that for a movie with such high technology the firing system is terribly out of date by 2022 standards. These days for something requiring that sort of precision the targeting computer once set would fire the torpedo without the pilot having to push a button. The footage was shot with space ships and lasers but the tactics and the behavior of the equipment were based on WW2-era technology. Doesn't make it any less fun of a film, though.

[@happyears21694]

That's what I'm more likely to blame on. Not the targeting computer.

[@happyears21694]

If he had shot just straight, he would've made it because when Luke's torpedoes went in, you see the blast mark on the left from Garven's torpedoes indicating that he made his shot a little late.

[@TheBalloonGuys]

I have to say, you have the smoothest insertion of an ad into your video that I’ve ever seen. Didn’t see it coming. It was funny and entertaining. Legit impressed. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@jacobpeters5458]

literally the only time I wanted to watch one to see what Ben Kenobi would say next! haha

[@rowdythecat4696]

It's the first time ever that I didn't skip through a Raid Shadow Legends ad

[@agentduke2]

/agree. First sponsor ad i think I've actually laughed at in probably...well, ever. "What about Alderaan? That sh*t can wait!"

[@VinceLammas]

This video and navigation through the climax of Star Wars is great and the Raid Shadow Legends insertions is truly funny. Skills!

[@recKx87]

Watched it twice... so good 👏👏

[@erictoncray966]

Ok. I’m being honest. This analysis gave me shivers how in-depth and accurate it was, using only elements revealed in the movie itself. It’s beautiful.

[@sjonnieplayfull5859]

His own timing of music and sfx also made it more epic

[@safe-keeper1042]

@@sjonnieplayfull5859 Yes, the editing in this vid was superb.

[@thewewguy8t88]

i honestly want to see more scenes analyized.

[@samuelbarham8483]

I got shivers as well. Right with you.

[@kabob0077]

4:49 The reason they can't hit anything with those laser turrets is because they're Turbolasers, anti-capital ship weapons, not anti-fighter, and it's basically like using a 15-inch or 14-inch gun to shoot down planes. Sure it's theoretically possible to do so, but it's very hard to do something like that.

[@ravenshade266]

Unless it’s Porkins. Poor guy.

[@Lord_Aussem]

I suppose it would have been a short movie if they had equipped the Death Star with some sort of Anti-fighter weaponry, like the star wars equivalent to Flak AA guns. But I guess that's why they had squadrons of fighters!

[@brightroot5719]

@@Lord_Aussem I think the empires idea was, fill the death star with anti ship weapons. And any fighters could be delt with by waves of endless tie fighters.

[@cykeok3525]

@@ravenshade266 Not sure how canon all the other materials are, but it was explained that Porkins turns up the acceleration compensator in the cockpit all the way to 100%. Basically it's reactive artificial gravity that cancels the g-forces from maneuvers (which is a huge issue in real life fighter aircraft, and can cause pilots to black out). Usually pilots don't turn it up all the way, so they can still feel a fraction of the go-forces, which helps them feel what their own fighter is doing. In the seconds after he took a glancing hit from an enemy fighter, his damaged X-Wing was actually veering toward the surface, but because he had the acceleration compensator was turned up, he couldn't immediately feel it and correct his course, so he hit the station's surface.

[@ravenshade266]

@@cykeok3525 Ah, I thought he’d taken a hit from one of the turbolasers, not a fighter. My mistake!

[@FynneRoke]

Don't know if it's already been mentioned here, but worth noting that part of the reason Vader is so deadly in a fighter is because he's prescient. "The force is strong with this one" matters because they're target and evade is actually playing out slightly in advance of the action, so with Luke, Vader can't predict him as easily, and therefore doesn't have a shot until Luke has to stop dodging to line up his attack. Just an excellent subtlety in the storytelling.

[@MackenzieChandlerDunnavant]

You know it's been a long quarrantine when people clapping and cheering in a movie theater gets you emotional. A New Hope is also my favorite Star Wars so I may be biased tho.

[@oneboss7648]

I hope we can get a similar reaction from Dune or No Way Home!

[@MovieBuffConnorJamieson]

Idk why but i had the same reaction. Literally teared up, idk why

[@mikea.6121]

@MovieBuff Me too!

[@ANonymous-mo6xp]

I still remember seeing Return of the Jedi the second day of the release and the thunderous applause at the end of that movie by the audience. Chills.

[@BluntyTV]

Dude. NAILED IT.

[@housecarl1114]

Another thing I always loved about this scene is Luke's humanity. Red leader makes his wingmen stay in formation behind him, even though he knows it will almost certainly cost them their lives but that it may give him a little bit of an edge, he's not a bad guy, he is just completely mission oriented. He is not a hypocrite either, he also gives his own life, knowing that their last chance was Luke's team, and he doesn't seem to want Luke distracted with trying to save him. On Luke's run, wedge gets hit and Luke says, "get out of there wedge, you can't do any more good back there" thus gaining himself a loyal friend for life. Wedge would clearly have stayed if he had been told to, but Luke let him go allowing him to become the only pilot to survive the attack on both death stars.

[@apachesparatan5849]

Actually a handful of pilots survived maybe 5-10.... I like the comics when the suggest the bomber pilot was from Alderan (to lazy to look up how it's spelled)

[@stevenrowan9244]

@@apachesparatan5849 You were very close. It's spelled Alderaan.

[@NICUofficial]

wedge is so god tier. Luke telling him to "get out of there" is such a sweet gesture. love that you highlighted this moment. Wedge is my favorite side character in the series.

[@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human]

I lvoed that scene. Wedge's fighter is hit and broken, and then he flies his fighter out no problem. It might as well have been "ow, I sprained my pinkie finger" "Get out of there Wedge!" "Are you sure, it's just my pinkie, I can still fly perfectly fine?" "SAVE YOURSELF WEDGE! You're clearly the most important one here!"

[@NICUofficial]

@@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human i imagine wedge as such a good pilot that he could basically just fly a burning paper airplane across time and space, no problem LOL

[@Connorses]

I thought "use the force" was a good enough hint as to why Luke didn't use his targeting computer, but apparently there's lots more details supporting it. God I wish the later movies were written as well as this one.

[@smartalec2001]

It's exactly the same lesson Luke learned from deflecting the blaster from the floating ball. Clear your mind, stretch out with your feelings, trust your instincts and not your eyes, go with the flow. The right move at the right moment. It's the most basic, Jedi-101 skill the Jedi have, their simplest, most completely passive trick, and it was enough to take out the Death Star.

[@lrgogo1517]

It’s kind of jarring how Ben drops the voice he was using throughout the sponsor skit when Obi-Wan explains the Death Star to everyone literally four seconds later

[@blehmeh9889]

That wasn't Obi Wan explaining the death star to everyone, because Obi Wan died (ironically) on the Death Star when he was trying to fight Darth Vader. That was just an old grey haired scientist you mistook for Obi Wan.

[@masonm87]

I heard that a couple of the other pilots, namely Red Leader were actual pilots who flew on operations? If that's true they nailed the tension of a commander showing confidence at the beginning of the mission, while gradually losing confidence in their ability to lead their squadron and win the battle near the end. I've personally felt that feeling before in the army, it sucks man; thankfully it was only in training. I imagine it's like what a comedian feels like when they bomb on stage.

[@happyears21694]

Garven Dreis graduated from flying a T-16 to a Z-95. He also flew a R-22, a Y-Wing and an X-Wing.

[@alexoisthestupid1469]

@@happyears21694 I think he means the actors

[@happyears21694]

Then we don't know about Drewe Henley because he's not talked about and has stopped acting after this film as he suffered manic depression.

[@All_Hail_Chael]

The reason he is sweating so much is that the scene was fiilmed on the hottest day ever recorded at the time in England. Why do I remmeber these things and not important stuff?

[@masonm87]

@@happyears21694 I suppose I heard wrong: “Henley interpreted his character as an experienced battle veteran and so opted to play him without any excitement in his voice. Director George Lucas disagreed with this so they compromised so that Red Leader would at first be formal but as the battle progressed become more excited.[3]” Even so, the way he portrayed the seasoned squadron commander was spot on.

[@AcolytesOfHorror]

“Is this guy going for style points?” had me cackling

[@Jakeverhart]

This is so professional! You made me realize so many tiny details in these scenes, and i am a superfan who’s watched this scene well over 200 times. Luke having to straighten up for the shot, the scanners not “working”, and the pointing out of the music. Really incredible work!

[@colliric]

Targeting computer presumably failed on the first attack. "Negative, it didn't go in. Just impacted on the surface!" Failed because it's designed to the hit the target directly, not drop a payload into it. Luke had to account for this fact, and time the firing of the torpedoes manually anyway. He turns off the computer to avoid being distracted by the "shoot now" alert.

[@Daniel-Strain]

Also their sensors were being scrambled. That's why they couldn't see the TIE fighters and the port wasn't appearing on Wedge's computer. And it's why the targeting computer was never going to work - it goes off of sensors.

[@carlsaveus1735]

..and you can see the impact of Red Leader's torpedos on the surface at the left of the exhaust port when we see Luke taking his shot. Great continuity detail.

[@Crimsonking741]

So it’s kinda like aimbot. It’s better to shoot your shots so they’ll walk into them, instead of aiming where the target is now, because you’ll miss. Interesting!

[@prisoner122]

Actually a really cool and interesting detail that I never fully realised before. It fully plays into the idea that the empire is representative of the technologically superior United States during the Vietnam War. Also this is the first time I haven’t skipped someone doing an Ad read, that was fucking hilarious.

[@dimitreze]

watch the video with Cameron and Lucas talking about this

[@All_Hail_Chael]

This never made sense to me. The TIEs are technologically inferior but they have lots more of them... somewhat like the MiG 21. Whereas the X-Wing is superior but they are way less of them like the F-4 Phantom. This is more a Russia vs USA scenario though, rather than Vietnam.

[@TeamGrimm07]

Whether we wanted it or not

[@MistahFox]

​@@All_Hail_Chael The technical details of TIE fighters and X-Wings, as well as many other aspects fans take for granted were only created in later lore like the Rogue Squadron novels and games. The people who wrote that lore use their own parallel to historical details, which Star Wars always leans heavily into (especially WW2 and Vietnam), but Star Wars never just uses one historical parallel. What's more important than the X-Wing being superior (which comes in later lore) is the fact that the TIE fighter turns faster, but the X-Wing is more durable which is both a way to make the craft different enough to make interesting Dog-fights and a historic parallel to the much nimbler Japanese Zero during WW2, which could outmaneuver any U.S. fighter but couldn't take a hit, unlike the U.S. fighters which had armor and self-sealing fuel tanks. The trench run itself is a parallel to dam busters of WW2. The Empire itself was based on many things, the British Empire, the Romans, Vietnam era America, and borrows some aesthetics and terms from both Imperial Germany and the Nazis. Unfortunately most Star Wars fans just think the Empire equals Nazis because that's all they know about from history. The rebels are both the Vietcong and WW2 America. Most of Star Wars parallels the Vietnam war, but very little of it comes from technical details. The war still weighed heavily on the American consciousness, especially George Lucas who started from subtle Nature vs. Technology themes in ANH to extremely heavy handed allegory in ROTJ. Lucas seems to represent Vietnam with Nature Vs Technology as well as underdog themes, and that's the main theme in the Original Trilogy regardless of if the specific lore of the fighters fits that theme lol.

[@All_Hail_Chael]

@@MistahFox Weirdly enough, I read all the Rogue Squadron books and pretty much every other Star Wars book pre 1999. It wasn't those books, it was the X-Wing and TIE Fighter games. I have forgotten most of what I knew about Star Wars, The Phantom Menace will do that to a man.

[@logicaldude3611]

I never really noticed that Wedge was the targeting computer critic all along. Good catch. Before Obi-Wan even says anything, we have a few seeds of doubt planted that using the targeting computer is doomed to fail.

[@jonreynolds3621]

Big Star Wars Fan here. This is the first time I have ever heard an analysis of why Ep IV is such a great film from a technical, film perspective. I've always thought the YT SW community needed a voice like this: something that discusses why the OT, especially ANH, is a great film, not because it is Star Wars, but because it is an exceptional film!.....and your discussion of the use of music! AHHHH So good! I am so tired of every second of every movie being covered in music to tell us how to feel (I say this a songwriter and recording artist lol). Silence is some of the best music someone can make in movies and this scene is such a great use of it! Well done on this analysis man- seriously!

[@noneya3635]

Not to mention the Timmy run comparison to the fast and hard run up the trench. God damn brilliant.

[@hbenensky]

There is a reason the thesis statement of the film is how Obi wan negatively says He's more machine than man when talking about Vader

[@corbananderson7060]

"Hey, I can raw dog this" Literally every movie review should be done this way

[@ChaosSolak]

In fact, that scene shows one more thing: Vader only views the Force as a tool at that time. Something to give him power. He respects it, but still lacks the understanding that it flows in all things. We all know how good of a pilot he is (even all the way back from his child days) but all he was doing there was using his own computer. When we as viewers look at Luke's X-Wing, it's almost flying in a straight line. Had Vader just decided to simply forget about the locking system, he could have shot down Luke no sweat. Instead, he was left just as confused as Luke. Because like him, he wasn't trusting the Force to guide him. Same reason why he failed to notice Han approaching, saving Luke's hide in the process. Truly a great scene worth analysing!

[@emperorbailey]

When you think about it, it's really remarkable how prophetic this 1977 movie was about Raid: Shadow Legends.

[@finalorbit]

Yes. Marcia Lucas killed it, but just wanted to mention that the sound is due to Ben Burtt. Brilliant sound designer and editor.

[@Mikey-xz4vn]

I always thought the 'My Scope's Negative' and 'Pick up your visual scanning' lines with respect to the TIEs was just due to the fact that given their small size and lack of shields, the TIE fighter just had a very very small radar cross-section (or whatever the SW equivalent to 'radar' is)

[@Daniel-Strain]

I think those pilots would know if they should be able to scan the TIE's and they seem surprised they can't. The Death Star must have been giving off a huge sensor scrambling or dampening field as a defense. This would also mean the sensors the targeting computer uses wouldn't work right.

[@randallpratt1511]

Awesome critical breakdown! As a old guy who actually saw this on the big screen in 1977, I agree. A fucking masterpiece!

[@cogenerate]

OK... I just gotta say this: that was, hands-down, the BEST plug for the worst money-grubbing "free-to-play" game that has become such a meme that no one alive today will not skip-forward the moment a content creator mentions its name, that I have ever seen. I watched it all. Every second. Didn't make me wanna get the game, but respect +1.

[@johnshite4656]

I skipped it immediately.

[@Ryan-oq8gy]

also the voice acting was spot on

[@Nexus9]

@@johnshite4656 Go back and watch it, it was a hilarious plug for his sponsor.

[@samfaught6458]

​@@Nexus9 This is like, ALMOST the level of Internet Historian during The Engoodening Of No Man's Sky kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWale4mFaLV3m7Mm34s

[@alleygh0st]

It made me lol like I rarely do.

[@hiimchrisj]

I always understood the main point but it never occurred to me just how much the rest of the scene builds up to it in subtle ways. Great video as always. Also that's probably the best transition into an ad break I've ever seen lol

[@Faenwolf]

The raid advertisement was pretty fun. Kudos. Nicely implemented.

[@Wilsontripplets]

What i noticed is that the death star trench has a slight curve to it. The computer showed a flat running trench. A one degree difference over such a long distance makes for a huge paralax error.

[@ericclark9770]

I always appreciated the details of the SFX department - when you see Luke's shot go in, you can see the blast mark from Red Leader's missed attempt on the surface...

[@jjohnston94]

I always wondered why any of the structure around the exhaust port was even still there after being hit by Red Leader's torpedoes. These were the big guns, no? The size of the explosion inside the Death Star when they hit says so.

[@The-jy3yq]

@@jjohnston94 if you shoot a smol bomb into a bigger bomb you get a beeg explosion(in this case a bomb's a reactor, the smoller torpedo destabilizes it and you know what happens when a mighty powerful reactor goes kaput)

[@TheVCRTimeMachine]

The whole point of the ending of this film was that in a world of incredible technology, the human spirit and human belief are more powerful and meaningful than any technology we possess.

[@TokyoXtreme]

Even Vader said as much earlier in the film.

[@wowliker642]

@@TokyoXtreme "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."

[@zephyr8072]

The Force isn’t either of those things though. It’s literal magic.

[@bepd]

@@zephyr8072 It's essentially explained as the life "force" of the universe, intangible and metaphysical and connected to living beings in a way. I don't think it's a stretch to say it's implied that things like "human spirit" and "belief" are part of what the original idea of the Force was meant to encompass.

[@tburrows357]

@@wowliker642 I always liked that reference because in essence any one of a trillion rocks rocks floating through any given solar system can destroy a planet or at least cause a ELE

[@eggzisstenshulldredd]

Yep, best Star Wars thing ever. And no one knows it or wants to admit it. Such a tight and perfectly executed story and characters. P.S. Best ad read ever.

[@krovarus1911]

I'd say Kotor 2 has it beat but glad you enjoy it so much

[@johnweb7055]

Your analysis of Red and Gold Leader is spot-on. I’ve seen this seen well over 200 time and I totally missed that.

[@johnweb7055]

Couldn’t agree more. I kinda noticed the confidence of gold leader, or at least I was aware of it on some level..but gold leader? So spot on.

[@boyceunplugged]

Something else I noticed while watching your video. In EVERY other space battle in Star Wars, the Imperial Commander is always on the bridge cooly watching the battle progress, but in the Battle of Yavin, the Imperial Officers in charge are rushing around, walking through halls, and trying to get control of the situation. It really illustrates how the Empire has lost control of the situation. It's kind of odd, because this isn't an ambush by the rebels, but really, its the DS attacking the rebel base. But in every other space battle, even the surprise attack on Scarif, the Imperial commanders are just chillin on the bridge.

[@ghjuyt101]

The empire was planning for what essentially ammounts to obital bombardment, so aside from standard stationing they would not be ready to defend, plust it was supposed to essentially be a surprise attack on the rebels

[@wabznasm9660]

Oh what an excellent little video mate. I’d never been conscious of the sound editing but my brain certainly was and your exploration of it absolutely did it for me. Gripping!! You also included one of my favourite lines, Vader’s ‘technological terror’ speech. The more I listen to it the more I notice that they didn’t cut out Earl-Jones’s breathing, which means that dad must have two sets of lungs in there.

[@johnadler6987]

He probably does. He was pretty horrifically burned on Mustafar, so he probably has his original lungs, plus a second set of artificial lungs, so that when he talks, he doesn't overexert himself.

[@klausstock8020]

The #1 wrong answer to Vader when he says "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force." is: *"I find your lack of faith disturbing."*

[@darkmage07070777]

Oh, the brilliance of the film goes far deeper than just the Battle for Yavin. If you pay attention to the characters throughout the film, nobody talks or acts stupidly for their character motivations. The only exception is the arrogance of Tarkin (without which you wouldn't really have a plot). Beyond that, everyone does "the smartest move that can" under the circumstances. And this is one of the things that draw us in - the characters act like we would in their situation, so we have no choice but to empathize when it doesn't work.

[@spyguy318]

Even Tarkin’s arrogance isn’t that stupid. He’s got a very pompous and proud personality, and he believes straight-up the rebels can’t do shit to the Death Star. And he’s almost right, it literally takes a miracle to destroy it and the rebels still have a 90% casualty rate. And even after all that, his arrogance leads to his death.

[@fuzzblightyear145]

Absolutely. Luke is is just this reckless farmboy who thinks he's invincible but so out of his depth, Leia is hard assed leader and in command and does all the planning (hides the plans and jettisons the driods, lies to Tarkin) and takes control when they get trapped in the detention centre, and Han is this shifty cynical pirate you don't know if you can even trust not to just dump them and run (shoots first and dumps his cargo at teh first sight of the Imperials...). Then gradually Luke learns control, Leia softens and opens up, and Han finds himself a cause. I do miss character arcs. (and even the Imperial fleet actually behaves like a proper trained navy in the original films)

[@thundercricket4634]

Even Tarkins arrogance I would have to defend as at least slightly justified. Don't forget that at this point the Rebellion has, for years, been routinely getting its clock cleaned at most every point by the Empire. With a win loss record of like...187-0, was Tarkin REALLY that arrogant to think he had pretty good chances of making it 188-0? The destruction of the first Death Star was the first significant win for the Rebellion, and it was what made the Empire finally see them as a threat rather than a nuisance.

[@Robertstevens11567]

I think the arrogance of Tarkin actually makes the thing more believable. Look at the arrogance the US has in its military being the best in the world by a decent amount but not insane amounts in comparison to the empire.

[@simontmn]

Tarkin is one of those guys who acts like he's competent, believes he's competent, so everyone around him assumes he's competent until it's too late. That said, it was Vader's idea to let the rebels escape to be tracked.

[@fractalelf7760]

I read the book before the movie came out in 1976 (its weirdly different), then saw it on opening day before it was a "hit" which occurred a week later. I still recall making my mom take me to the afternoon showing on day 1- there were maybe twelve other people in the theater.... but you knew you saw something that was profoundly different from anything that came before it. A week later all hell broke loose with lines every day for months.

[@mrstephenpariah]

Do you still have the book? Apparently a lot of work went into pre-marketing.

[@fractalelf7760]

@@mrstephenpariah God I wish….

[@bellowingsilence]

10:58 also, Vader himself is strong in the force, and experienced in it. He is experienced enough in the force to know how to use the computers as a tool to help him, but not be beholden to them. So when he sees Luke instinctually dodging any possible point of weakness for firing, when Vader should instinctually be able to click the trigger at an opportune moment while aided by the computers on top of that, clearly something is up.

[@jamesclayton9177]

This space battle really was so amazingly done. And you're right that it evoked such powerful emotions with the sound editing. I remember watching this with my siblings and just as Luke loses his wingmen and breaths in that deep sigh of stress, I looked around and saw my siblings all asleep. I felt the same sense of "its all up to me" that luke did, conveyed beautifully through the film

[@rudyvalle9022]

It’s these moments where characters have to think and make decisions that makes this so fun to watch. One of my favorite parts in all of the Star Wars films is when Lando is flying within the second Death Star. He commands some of his fighters to head back to the surface to get some of the tie fighters off their tail. That’s such a boss move that gets overlooked. It gave them the breathing room they needed to take down the entire station.

[@thewewguy8t88]

i know right. but like honestly while that scene was awesome i never felt like there was any tension oddly enough. like the tie fighters chasing lando and wedge could not keep up with them. heck there was a scene where a tie fighter crashs into the wall and blows up

[@undeniablebis]

@@thewewguy8t88 because the scene implies that the death star is gonna get destroyed anyway. Also it's the last film of the trilogy, and we know that Luke is in that base so the audience is more focused on luke and vader.

[@thewewguy8t88]

@@undeniablebis yes as i said it was still awesome to watch its just like i said it felt very much almost like slightly going through the motions(which is not a bad thing for that scene) its just yeah i watched a review of return of the jedi and the guy described it kind of perfectly geroge was not interested in making a good film with return of the jedi he was interested in making a hit film(which i think it was and worked for the time) and i do think he earned the right to make the last movie a hit film and that is not to say he did not make a good movie because he also did but i do think it was more a hit film then a good film.

[@gran-roan]

The imagery of the shot, implies the torpedoes do a sharp "L" before entering the exhaust port, and that's why it was impossible for a computer achieve that. Only through the Force. Was my kid self wrong?

[@SoccerBoyAP]

There are inconsistencies with geographical association with "the trench run" In the pilot brief the imagery shows what looks like a wall in the trench with the exhaust port(s) (2:50); the two circles on the wall; Personally this is misleading because later in the battle we witness the "L" curve the torpedoes actually take (11:59) I've been scratching my brain to remember what was represented in the LucasArts video game X-Wing which allowed you to play the Death Star battle in which... you use your targeting computer There is another misplaced, what is where, right before Luke takes the shot. We see Vader locking in on Luke's X-Wing and his canons are firing below Luke and then Luke slows down to throw of the targeting and the next frame shows R2-D2 being shot... R2 is on the top of the X-Wing, Vader was firing from underneath ... how did he not strafe the X-Wing before he got to shooting R2's head?

[@gran-roan]

@@SoccerBoyAP Never saw the detailed map to see how it looks, but it does sound like there is some inconsistency on how it was filmed. Wonder if Rogue One show something else.

[@captiannemo1587]

Could just be the rebel plans are not up to date

[@alpacaofthemountain8760]

I also love that they were forced into the tighter trenches so they could avoid the fire from the turrets, which perfectly sets up the scenes where Vader guns down the fighters which are now forced to fly straight

[@SteveErnst117]

I've literally been explaining this to people ever since rogue one came out. and every other time I've had to hear some fool say 'but it fixed a literal plot hole in the first star wars' - yeah gimme a break. then I gotta go slowly step by step to explain that only luke could have done it and only because of the force. it's not a stupid obvious weakness.

[@NestedQuantifier]

Which is why the rebels tried it in the first place? And of course, it's not like the two main guys in the empire are some of the most powerful force-users. And it's not like that even the empire generals acknowledged that there is a danger.

[@SteveErnst117]

@@NestedQuantifier yeah they tried it. of course they would. it was literally their only hope of survival. As leia explicitly mentions when they arrive at the rebel base. yes, and to their knowledge at the time of the death star's construction (at least according to OT movie lore...disregarding any extraneous lore), they thought they were the only two force users left in the galaxy, so they weren't too worried about someone else using the force to steer a proton torpedo into their exhaust pipe. it was never even on their radar to begin with. yes, they acknowledged that there was a danger, but only after analyzing the rebel attack and figuring out what they were trying to do. it was a "one in a million" shot, as han would later correctly put it, and tarkin thought those were pretty good odds. he was only wrong because luke used the friggin force.

[@screenname8267]

It was never a stupid obvious weakness. It was one of thousands of exhaust ports and the only one with that particular problem. The stupid obvious problem was actually made in Rogue One, where the Empire killed a guy's wife in front of him, then put him in charge of building their secret weapon without questioning his newfound zeal for the Empire.

[@tracytron7162]

Seriously. It's a great film but dear god, it was never a plothole to begin with. The only people who call it that are just idiots who don't actually understand the series and just go "Oooo cool laser swords and explosions"

[@cykeok3525]

@@screenname8267 Even in Rogue One, Erso didn't even engineer the exhaust port flaw. He just made it so that damage to one of the secondary reactors would cause a runaway chain reaction through entire station's power generation system if it was damaged. It's possible that Erso had no idea how anyone would exploit the weakness he created, whether with suicide commandos boarding the station, or Rebel sympathizers/Imperial traitors sabotaging it as an inside job, etc. As it turns out, the secondary reactor was reachable by starfighter attacks via the exhaust port. On the flip side, it means that attacking from the outside via the exhaust port would have been useless if it wasn't for the flaw engineered into one of the secondary reactors. Without the flaw, presumably an attack via the exhaust port would have just caused the damage of that one secondary reactor, maybe reduced the station's total power output by 3% or something like that. So it's a plausible design flaw that was obscure enough that other scientists and engineers working on the project would not have been able to discern it.

[@mcnedelsky]

Perfect encapsulation of going for a desperate Timmy’s run with your bois, and loosing some along the way. RIP Biggs - you got distracted by that dank weed.

[@robinofmoxley]

One of the greatest scenes in cinematic history, hands down. And I just realized that it's kind of a conflict between a natural moon and a techno-moon at the end, to really hammer the theme home.

[@CowboyX1000]

I never realized how many times the computers failed! And your attention to the editing is spot on. Speaking of which, nice blending of the ad. I loved it! Ad content that did not distract from the narrative. Well done Sir!

[@dangingerich2559]

I saw this scene in the theater when I was a mere 5 years old, and I still remember it, and remember how I was thinking this same thing. I knew, somehow, not with logical reasoning but with just the feeling of the scene, that the computer wouldn't work and it would have to be "The Force" to win the day. After all, that was what much of the movie was about, right? Lessons ObiWan taught Luke earlier in the show, and how ObiWan did things were directly pushing this idea. I also learned two lessons that have served me will ever since: don't rely only on the tools and be aware of what my intuition (my "gut feeling" back then) is trying to tell me. These ideas have brought me a pretty solid career in computer troubleshooting and support. They're valuable lessons, for those who have a solid intuitive nature. Not everyone can make use of it, though.

[@s-a-r-a-h]

my parents also saw this movie when they were 5 (i'm pretty jealous y'all got to see it in the theater)

[@mccryan3]

I always assumed that the targeting computer didn't work because the plans that the rebels stole were old, and the position of the vent may have been shifted in the final construction. It's the kind of thing that happens all the time in big construction projects in the real world. Which is why it's required to keep the "as built" plans on file.

[@betazen6836]

I heard that this is the reason for the laser weapon being in the middle of the equator in the plans the rebels have versus the "as built" death star, so I wouldn't doubt that

[@Lanman106]

@@betazen6836 Oh dang! I never thought of that before. That makes sense that the blueprint would be old.

[@gromm93]

That... is a stunningly awesome detail in itself!

[@NICUofficial]

@@betazen6836 I've always, always wondered if that center-equator laser was on purpose or some kind of accident in production (I can imagine it wasn't super-easy to make that image back at the time, so possibly just a technical challenge?). It gnaws at me, wondering. But it does work really, to imply that the plans are out of date in some way, which is pretty much how I interpret it as well.

[@TheAdatto]

No the plans just showed were the weak spot was. But the hole was to small for a targeting computer. Guess normally they are used for surface targets where the blast alone would be enough. But now it had to go in to reach the actual target. Pinpoint accuracy is normally not needed

[@cybe9717]

This has to be the first time an analysis of a movie showed me more than I already knew. I came in expecting just a fellating of a classic movie I liked or some added exposition from an interview, and what I got was someone who picked up on a subtle mini arc I never realized was there and scoped in on it. Kudos man.

[@jackboltagon6235]

Good to know I'm not the only one who gets giddy when hearing, "Lock S-Foils in attack position."

[@ced612]

This guy performed the best plug for an app game I've ever seen in my life lol!!! I saved this to my favorites. It must be shared with the world.

[@frisk8747]

most entertaining Raid ad I've seen in awhile! AND YES MORE BEN VIDEOS AND ITS STAR WARS!!!

[@lydiaderhake2532]

And. This legitimately brought tears to my eyes in a way I thought wouldn't happen again since Every Frame a Painting stopped posting. Thank you.

[@matthewschreck6418]

I agree. The Yavin battle was most exciting thing ever put on film. Loved Red Leader( as you might realize). Loved the pilot interaction and the futz over the speakers. The editing was fantastic. What do many filmmakers don't realize is it's not just the special effects. Star Wars only captured this magic in the Yavin battle and the Hoth battle. I am convinced that the reason why Star Wars and Empire were so great was due to Gary Kurtz. He left after Empire and the Star Wars films were never the same. I saw Star Wars in 1977 when I was 10 years old and I remember the audience cheering ever time when the Death Star exploded!

[@30AndHatingIt]

With all due respect to the fair points you’ve made, the third act of Return of the Jedi is excellent. The pacing is flawless and, aside from the battle on Endor, the fleet battle above it is the greatest space battle of all time. I’m fact, several scenes still hold the record for the most complex layered shots ever put to film.

[@Ozymandias1]

Watch Star Wars was saved in the edit on KZbin.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

I saw it the first day it was released when I was 20. Yes, everyone cheered on the good guys!

[@danieldl9437]

Smoothest raid shadow legends ad segue ever

[@michaeldexter2544]

Another nice touch is that, just as they reach the entrance to the exhaust shaft, the torpedoes make a right-angle turn to enter it. Presumably, Luke used the Force to "nudge" them into the exhaust shaft, perhaps unconsciously -- or did Obi-Wan do it, somehow? Either way, it further reinforces that only someone using the Force could have made that shot.

[@ruprecht8520]

As a kid I noticed the hard turn the torpedos took and wondered if it would have been better to avoid the trench and fly straight at the exhaust port from above. Take a straight shot instead. But I was a kid and figured I must have missed something.

[@neoblakkrstal9865]

@@ruprecht8520 The port was shielded, so a direct assault would not have worked, it had to be the trench run. The Rebel commander says as much during the briefing on Yavin 4.

[@miklosernoehazy8678]

...I favor the notion that Obi-wan and Luke were doing this together... ... although somewhat unknowingly on Luke's part...

[@treschlet]

I always figured the torpedos are guided (this is generally canon) and they were essentially prevonfired to make that turn and then follow the shaft. The pilot just had to fire them at just the right time so their internal guidance could finish the job

[@LocalDiscordCatgirl]

@@treschlet even so, it takes one hell of a guidance system to make that sharp of a turn and travel all the way to the core of a space station down a pipe without scraping the sides of the pipe or prematurely detonating on some valve or mesh or pressure from the gasses being exhausted or melting from those gasses.

[@AdvanceWarrior]

11:15 "Is this guy about to go for style points right now?" I'm rolling at this 😂 I never saw it like that

[@FannyPackMan100]

I'm glad you emphasized the importance of music having a time and place. That it is very important for sound effects and the overall atmosphere of a scene to tell its own story to allow the audience to absorb the gravity and the feel of the moment, without having any music that distracts from it.

[@cariboubearmalachy1174]

I like they made a whole two hour movie to explain how the exhaust port couldn't possibly be a miniscule and possibly unavoidable design weakness in a space station that's 4000 miles in diameter but could only possibly be explained by insider sabotage.

[@Elkayra8]

if we trust the books tough, the main designer tought it would be a black planet buster for mining heavy ore or get rid of asteroid fields. so she wasn't really concerned about a thermal exhaust port. who would try to destroy a mining facility? they din't told Wedge future wife what they were building these shit for. her name is Qwi Xux by the way.

[@Stefanthenautilus]

@@Elkayra8 As usual, the EU comes through!

[@RogerS1978]

The other thing I always thought of was that it's ray shielded, was the targeting computers reliant on something like lasers to find the position like smart bombs and so were also impacted enough to scatter the shots by the ray shielding mentioned earlier and the rebels simply didn't know it.

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

Yep, they had to use proton torpedoes because they could penetrate the ray shielding.

[@ericgulseth74]

@@JohnFourtyTwo All lines in the movie to explain why a hole in the station can destroy it, but for some reason, they made an entire movie (Rouge One) to cover what some say is a "plot hole". I mean it's a big engineering project, of course there will be oversites.

[@AdditiveOutlier]

It's crazy how you made an ad, for Raid: Shadow Legends out of all things, arguably the most entertaining part of the entire video. Hands down the best sponsor plug I have and probably will ever see, for all the millions of sponsored videos there are.

[@safe-keeper1042]

Yeah, that was incredibly clever.