Star Wars: Ranking all of the Lightsaber duels
Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader (The Empire Strikes Back)
The duel between Luke and Darth Vader features what is arguably the best lightsaber choreography in the original trilogy, especially considering how far it came following the duel between Old Ben and Darth Vader only three years prior.
The setting of Cloud City provides excellent scenery for the duel, and as usual John Williams provides a tremendous cinematic score as his iconic music plays behind the fight.
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However, one of the biggest reasons this contest lands a spot at #1 is due to the conclusion which features one of the most famous moments in cinematic history, the moment in which Darth Vader reveals himself as Luke’s father.
For those who had been following Star Wars since its original premiere in 1977, this reveal for those lucky enough to see The Empire Strikes Back in theaters in 1980 likely came as one of the biggest shocks in cinematic history.
It came as such a surprise; there were many fans who did not believe the reveal of Vader as Luke’s father to be the truth. Rather, many thought Vader was lying as a way to sway Luke to the Dark Side and the real truth that Vader was in fact not his father would be revealed in Return of the Jedi. Regardless, Vader was, in fact, Luke’s father and in-turn changed the entire dynamic of the Star Wars franchise.
In what began as a battle between a young Jedi-in-training and an infamous Sith Lord, the undercurrents of not only the duel but the entire trilogy changed in just five words; “no, I am your father.” Following this revelation, the whole tone and purpose of the trilogy turned and set the path for the rest of the saga to become a story centered around the Skywalker family.
Next: Why the Dark Side is Superior
What do you think of this ranking of all the lightsaber duels? Let us know what you agree with or disagree with on the best Star Wars lightsaber duels.