This is something I noticed a long time ago, but which my husband insists is me reading too much into coincidence.
In the “awards” scene in the big hall in Star Wars, where all the people in the rebel militia are in formation, and Luke, Han and Chewbacca walk down the aisle to Princess Leia to receive awards (which Chewie most unfairly doesn’t receive, but that’s another thread), Chewbacca roars three times, the first time with a close-up on his face. Each time he does, something happens.
The first time he roars, the rebel troops make a quarter turn, so they go from facing the aisle to facing Leia; the second time, Luke, Han and Chewbacca have just turned around to face the crowd, then Chewie roars, and the crowds breaks out into applause. The third time, the credits immediately begin to roll, so we don’t know what, if anything, the rebels might have done.
I say the roars were commands to the troops. Aside from the fact that there are no other apparent commands or signals, Chewbacca doesn’t have any reason to just randomly roar. Also, if he’s not getting a medal himself, being there to command the troops explains his presence.
Yes! I have noticed this as well. When watching this scene I like to tell people that I can understand the Wookiee language, and I say what Chewbacca is telling everyone to do, including the last roar where he says “Roll credits!”
Okay, the three of them enter this huge hall, through the grand door guarded with guards, and step down the ceremonial stairs to the floor, walk straight to the front stage with curtains, past hundreds of people… wait, back it up a bit.
Right behind the great door, maybe five feet back is a block wall. With vines growing on it, no less. The grand door doesn’t lead to like, a grand hallway or anteroom or something? They have to step in from the side? Is it like the Pope’s door, opening only once a century? Rather a letdown.
I never noticed the timing of Chewie’s roars until after I joined the military. The first time I saw the movie after I was in the military it became obvious that Chewie was giving commands.
Now that you mention it, that’s what made me think of it as well. It never occurred to me until I’d been in the military. DH has been in the military as well-- he’s even actually served in combat, though, and he doesn’t see it. Maybe he’s just giving me a hard time. I’ll have to ask him again.
Of course this discussion ignores why the Rebellion took the time and effort to have an award ceremony with their entire military and leadership in attendance on a base they now the Empire knows the location of and can arrive at any moment
