Star Wars: 50 Greatest Moments - Ranked

4. I Know (The Empire Strikes Back)

Star Wars Leia Han Solo I Love You I Know
Lucasfilm

Once again, we come back to the relationship of Han and Leia. With the scoundrel about to be frozen in carbonite - which could potentially kill him - Leia tells him: "I love you."

That alone, with the earnest delivery from Fisher that goes far deeper than the couple's usual banter, makes it a good moment. But it's Han Solo's response that makes it one of the greatest in the saga's history:

"I know."

It's not the obvious romantic response, and yet somehow that just increases the romance of the scene. The words, which Ford came up with himself rather than following Lucas' script, verbalise the effortless cool of Solo, but the coy delivery and fact that he doesn't take his eyes of Leia make the moment a really sweet one too.

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Contributor

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.