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The lightsaber. Prior to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, nothing remotely like the now-infamous ‘laser sword’ had ever graced the silver screen. Fast-forward to 2019, and no other single item has captured the essence of Star Wars like that most elegant of weapons. Let’s take a look at some of the lightsaber’s finest moments.
Sith vs Jedi (Episode I)
No matter what your feelings are about The Phantom Menace (Watch now on Disney+), we can all agree on one thing: Darth Maul was awesome. We had already seen a brief clash between Qui-Gon Jinn and the Sith apprentice mid-way through the movie; in the final act, we’re treated to an epic showdown in which the Jedi Master and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, square off against the dual lightsaber-wielding Zabrak in a balletic sequence that is sheer poetry in motion. Nobody knew that a defeated Maul, last seen falling to his doom after being sliced in half, would be back for revenge almost 20 years later.
Obi-Wan vs Vader (Episode IV)
Kenobi would meet a similar fate himself in the Death Star hangar bay, after matching blades against his own Padawan, Anakin Skywalker — now a fully-fledged Sith Lord named Darth Vader. Playing for time in order to allow the crew of the Millennium Falcon to escape, there’s a relaxed, almost casual grace to Obi Wan’s fighting style in this sequence. When Vader finally strikes him down, there’s a glint in the old Jedi Master’s eye which hints that bigger things are still to come.
Dooku vs Yoda (Episode II)
It took millions of dollars and huge advances in CGI technology to fully realize the showdown that every Star Wars fan was desperate to see: Christopher Lee’s suavely malevolent Count Dooku, facing off against Yoda, the Jedi Master. With Obi-Wan and Anakin out for the count, it falls to the little green fighting machine to save the day. And save it Yoda does, hurling force lightning at the traitorous count before leaping in with his lightsaber flashing. It’s a whirling, frenetic duel that soon sees Dooku outclassed and outfought by a little green blur.
Vader vs Luke (Episode V)
“No … I am your father.” This line, which shocked an entire generation of movie-goers, was the culmination of a jaw-dropping father/son battle set against the backdrop of Cloud City. It’s only now that we come to understand just how much skill and restraint it took for Darth Vader not to kill Luke outright. Had he been fighting anybody other than his own son, Vader would have cut them down in seconds. Only the tiny shred of goodness still buried deep within him prevented the older Skywalker from killing the boy whose training was incomplete.
Ahsoka vs Vader (Rebels)
Through six seasons of The Clone Wars (Watch now on Disney+), fans watched as the bond between Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano grew stronger and closer. Then came Order 66, Palpatine’s plan for the total extermination of the Jedi order. Ahsoka ultimately survived, turning up in Rebels. From the moment we first see her, we know it’s only a matter of time before there’ll be a reckoning between Ahsoka and her former master … and what a reckoning it is! Vader surfs in on top of his TIE Fighter. Ahsoka has learned a lot since beginning her training, and manages to teach her old instructor a thing or two— cutting open Vader’s mask and revealing an eye. All things being equal, the almighty Vader should have wiped the floor with her. Can it be that somewhere within his black heart, the Sith Lord still harbors feelings for her?
Jedi in the Geonosis Arena (Episode II)
“Around the survivors, a perimeter create!” Just as the situation on Geonosis is at its most desperate for Anakin, Padme, and Obi Wan, the cavalry rides in to save the day. A force of Clone Troopers, led by Yoda, Mace Windu, and a cohort of Jedi Knights, arrive by gunship and in one of the most spectacular Star Wars set pieces ever, get to work clearing out the Separatist facility. Up until now, we had never seen this many Jedi fighting together. It’s a jaw-dropping sight to behold, as the forces of the Old Republic go through the Separatist army like a hot knife through butter.
Kylo Ren vs Rey (Episode VII)
In the wilderness of Starkiller Base, engulfed in snow flurries, we get our first real look at the Force powers of Rey and Kylo Ren. At the time of writing, we still don’t know what their relationship is. Are they family — brother and sister, separated at birth, like Luke and Leia? Or is their background more complex than that? We’ll have to wait until December, and hope that Episode IX:The Rise of Skywalker answers those questions. There is a primal, wintry beauty to their confrontation, with tremendous energies being unleashed. Kylo’s red cross-hilted lightsaber clashing with Rey’s cold blue blade gives us one of the most visually striking images from The Force Awakens.
Kylo Ren and Rey vs Snoke’s Guards (Episode VIII)
One movie later, the tables have been turned. Rey and Kylo Ren team up to take down Supreme Leader Snoke. First, they have to carve their way through a phalanx of Snoke’s personal guard, faceless minions clad in blood-red armor. Fighting back to back, the pair move in a gracefully coordinated dance that is perfectly synchronized. One can do little else but sit back and marvel at the flawless choreography on display.
Anakin and Obi Wan on Mustafar (Episode III)
Star Wars meets Dante’s Inferno when two former friends, now the bitterest of sworn enemies, battle it out on a river of flowing lava. The dance between Skywalker and Kenobi is mesmerizing to watch. Everything from the first pod race on Tatooine has been leading up to this: Obi Wan gaining the high ground, and finally delivering a coup de grace that will destroy his old friend and give rise to the personification of evil: Darth Vader.
Ben’s home (Episode IV)
Far from spectacular, the scene in which Ben Kenobi hands Luke his father’s lightsaber still has a huge wow factor for fans of a certain age. While it may not look like much today, back in 1977, the lightsaber was revolutionary. Watching Luke Skywalker sweep the buzzing blade back and forth with a look of wonder on his face told us that yes, we really were in a galaxy far, far away — and most of us have never left.
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