Did the Actors Have to Hide Their Faces?

A New Hope gave audiences the breakout entrance of Darth Vader. Once Vader and the stormtroopers overwhelmed the Rebels on Tantive IV, most of the defenders lay dead with their hands across their faces. We may wonder why the actors hid their faces this way. There were both storytelling and filming reasons. 

Why Did Most Actors Hide Their Faces?

The famous opening scene from A New Hope has enthralled audiences since its debut in 1977. Once the Tantive IV got pulled into the Devastator Star Destroy, the drama escalated. The Rebels troops lined the entranceway to meet the Imperial invading force, and Vader made his grand entrance. 

The devastation was quick and complete. At the end of the scene, we can see that most of the actors had their hands over their faces, but it’s unclear why. 

In-universe, the actors hid their faces to make Vader’s entrance and dominance more dramatic. By looking at this version of the script, we get a sense of the chaos and overwhelming force designed for this scene. As C-3PO says, “This is madness!” and “We’re doomed.” Then, the “nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons” before “a tremendous blast” tears into the passageway of Tantive IV.

To complete the overwhelming intensity that accompanies Vader’s entrance, the actors put their hands over their faces. It provided a gesture that they were completely wiped out by this invading Imperial force, helped complete the scene, and added to the compelling storytelling.

The Battles that Changed the Galaxy reference book includes the action on Tantive IV as a devastating attack by Vader and his forces. Originally, the Empire destroyed this ship, and “the remaining crew was executed.” Hidden faces corresponded with this complete defeat for the Rebels.

The actors also hid their faces for more practical filming reasons. By not showing their faces, these actors could appear again in other roles and don’t have to worry about blinking or moving their eyes. To this second point, acting dead would have been more difficult with the special-effect smoke circulating in the air.

The added effect of actors covering their faces likewise corresponds with the detailed efforts in filming the opening scene of A New Hope. Portraying “the might of the Empire” in a brief, captivating way entailed “computer-controlled motion cameras” for “precise compositing of multiple miniature effects shots.” It also required model ships that looked like “real, working craft” and close camera work. 

In a small way, the hands-on-face element helps accentuate the “in medias res” suspense that Lucas focused on for A New Hope. Like the Flash Gordon serials that influenced Lucas, the opening scene jumps into “the middle of the action” and discards a traditional beginning. Lucas sought to hook the audience right away and bring them into the story. 

Hence, the entire scene required acute attention to detail, including what deceased Rebels should do with their hands. By hiding their faces, the actors contributed to a legendary scene and could be incorporated into more of the filming. 

Actors Hiding Their Faces

For both dramatic and practical reasons, the actors who played dead Rebels in the opening scene of A New Hope hid their faces. This decision complements the intricate work of filming the scene and enhances the drama that still enthralls viewers.