We rank the 50 Biggest WTF Moments in Star Wars History
By Josh Hill
21. Anakin Massacres Tusken Raider Camp
Film: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
The Moment: Anakin returns to Tatooine after having a terrible vision about his mother suffering at the hands of someone. When he arrives, he discovers that she has been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders and is presumed dead. He finds her captive in a Raider camp but she dies in his arms, something that prompts him to go full rage, embrace the dark side and slaughter every single Raider man, woman and child he sees.
Why It’s Memorable: Attack of the Clones is an affront to cinema, but it isn’t without it’s interesting moments where it tries really hard to be a good film. Just like how Lucas went for the gut in A New Hope with the death of Owen and Beru, he goes way dark on this one as Anakin slaughters women and children.
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An easter egg here is that Qui-Gon tries to speak to Anakin through The Force but isn’t able to reach him. It’s in the scene right after Anakin begins his slaughter and it cuts back to Yoda and Mace meditating. Of course, this moment is ruined in a way by Hayden Christensen’s wooden acting where he rants to Padme about what he did, but it’s the first truly dark moment we see Anakin indulge in and not really feel remorse.
Next: 20. Jango Fett Loses His Head