By George & Josh Bate
Few (if any) films in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga produce as much thrilling action, pure emotion, and lasting impact as the final installment in the prequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Jam-packed with unforgettable moments, lightsaber duels, and iconic lines (“Hello there”), George Lucas’ space epic has become a fan favorite in the years since its release, and is now considered a standout entry in the franchise. Revenge of the Sith is the darkest of the prequels, and perhaps of the entire saga, too as it bridged the gap between the prequels and the iconic original trilogy, while also trying to improve upon The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Tragedy, political tension, and explosive action are fused together to create a thrilling film once dubbed the “finale” of Star Wars. As this year marks the film’s 20th anniversary, now is the perfect time to revisit one of the most beloved entries in Star Wars history.
Here are the top 10 moments that define Revenge of the Sith.
10. Qui-Gon Jinn’s Name-Drop
In what is ultimately a brief moment in the film, Yoda reveals to Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon Jinn has found a way to manifest beyond death, becoming the first Force ghost. Again, it’s brief, but this subtle and impactful moment shows the prequel trilogy coming full circle, six years after Qui-Gon made his on screen debut in the first chapter. It is also a clear sign of hope amid the all of the darkness that came before it, and sets up Obi-Wan’s future training in exile, paving the way for his eventual return in A New Hope.
9. General Kenobi’s Iconic Entrance – “Hello There”
May the Force be with you, I am your father. These are two of many iconic lines of dialogue in a galaxy far, far away. In recent years, another line has joined that level of infamy – Obi-Wan’s “hello there.” When Ewan McGregor’s character surprises General Grievous and his villainous droid army on the planet Utapau, he delivers what can easily be considered one of the most effortlessly cool, and hilarious, lines in the franchise. The greeting has since become one of the most memed in all of Star Wars, one of many moments in this movie that have had a lasting pop culture impact.
8. The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise
The scene that was, for many years, ranked first as the longest dialogue-only scene in Star Wars history, Palpatine’s haunting tale about Darth Plagueis is a masterclass in manipulation. His attempts to lure Anakin to the dark side are clear as day to the audience, but the Jedi isn’t aware of the Chancellor’s ulterior motives. The secret Sith Lord tells the story of a powerful Force user who found the ability to cheat death, exactly what Anakin was looking for as he feared the death of Padme following some disturbing visions once the future. Ian McDiarmid’s chilling delivery combined with the ominous score from John Williams make this scene one of the most sinister in the saga, as well as the most important, later becoming the basis for the overarching plot of the sequel trilogy. To cap it all off, the transition from Palpatine saying, “Not from a Jedi” to the Battle of Kashyyyk is masterfully done and gives us goosebumps everytime.
7. The Battle of Coruscant
George Lucas throws the audience into the heart of the action right away, wasting no time and showcasing a breathtaking space battle above the galactic capital of Coruscant. Anakin and Obi-Wan, piloting individual fighter ships, carefully navigate the chaos of the destruction, dodging explosions and blaster fire. This sequence feels like it belongs in a prestige war film, with the key difference being that it takes place space (and the presence of more memorable and humorous lines). The battle shows Anakin at the prime of his Jedi powers, before he falls down the path of the dark side, and also highlights the film’s stunning visual effects.
6. Order 66
The Jedi Purge is one of the most heartbreaking films in the saga, and Order 66 is a huge reason why. Palpatine’s master plan sees the near-extinction of the Jedi Order at the hands of the clone troopers, the army they deployed to aid them in the fight against the rising Sith. As Palpatine would say, it’s ironic. From Plo Koon’s starfighter being shot down to Ki-Adi-Mundi’s last stand, the gut-wrenching montage is the key turning point in the film; the Jedi-dominated story seen in the prequels up until that point has dissipated, and in its place is an era of darkness and chaos. John Williams once again creates a brilliant score that pairs incredibly well with the haunting footage of the Jedi in their final moments, making the entire sequence one that lingers long after the credits roll.
6. The Aftermath of Palpatine vs. Mace Windu
Another crucial turning point in the film, Mace Windu is nearly victorious in ending Palpatine’s reign before it even officially begins, if it wasn’t for Anakin’s last minute intervention. While the duel between the foour Jedi and Palpatine leaves a little to be desired, its aftermath is excellent – creating palpable anxiety and incredible emotion. Palpatine’s transition into the scarred, visually disturbing Emperor audiences first saw in 1983, coupled with his chilling “Unlimited power!” declaration, is the true beginning of Imperial reign and marks Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader.
4. Darth Vader Rises
The moment Anakin loses (almost) all of his former self is when he dons the Darth Vader suit for the first time. With ominous lighting and a slow, robotic transformation from man to machine, the weight of the scene remains undeniable. The nearly inaudible dialogue Hayden Christensen delivers as the mask is placed on his head, the parallels to Padme giving birth at the same time, the imagery of the Galactic Empire on the floor, and the Frankenstein’s Monster-esque awakening of Vader are just some of the many outstanding parts of this legendary scene.
3. The Duel on Mustafar
Anakin and Obi-Wan’s duel on the lava planet of Mustafar is often considered one of the best lightsaber duels in the entire franchise. The fight, taking place in a molten lava-filled world, is filled with incredible choreography and raw emotion between the two characters, and highlights the Force power both these Jedi hold. With every clash of their lightsabers, Anakin and Obi-Wan’s brotherly bond collapses more and more, making it one of the most devastating duels in the saga.
2. Obi-Wan’s Heartbreaking Farewell
“You Were the Chosen One!” The culmination of that duel, no moment in Revenge of the Sith is as emotionally powerful as Obi-Wan’s final goodbye to Anakin. As he struggles to watch his former padawan burns in the flames, Obi-Wan becomes engulfed in grief and pain, shouting, “You were the Chosen One!” It’s a scene that is made even better by the heartbreaking and emotional performance from Ewan McGregor, who perfectly captures a man who has truly lost everything in his life.
1. Obi-Wan Delivers Luke to Owen and Beru
Despite all the darkness that engrosses Revenge of the Sith, the film ends on a hopeful note. After leaving Anakin on Mustafar, Obi-Wan travels to the remote desert world of Tatooine to deliver baby Luke to his uncle Owen and aunt Beru. With the iconic binary suns setting in the background and John Williams’ unforgettable Force theme swelling, this moment is the true glue between the prequels and the original trilogy. There’s no dialogue, but so much is said through silence (and, again, Williams’ score). Haunting yet hopeful, Lucas ends the trilogy with a staunch reminder that, despite the darkness we may face, there is always a spark of hope.