Star Wars: 50 Greatest Moments - Ranked

5. Battle Of Hoth (The Empire Strikes Back)

Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Battle Of Hoth
Lucasfilm

The best extended opening sequence in all of Star Wars - and it's hard to think of many sequels that have a better opening, really - The Empire Strikes Back comes out of the gate swinging with the Battle of Hoth.

The sight of the giant AT-AT's crunching through snow and rebels alike is truly something to behold, and indeed its the ice-planet setting that gives this so much of its power: it's one of the most evocative, gorgeous worlds in the whole galaxy.

It's not just the setting though, as the sequence is a bedazzling array of high-stakes action, the seemingly unstoppable walkers being brought down hard by the ingenuity of Luke, Wedge, and the tow cables. It's one of the most inspired battles in Star Wars, though not quite the best.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.