RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)

“I am your father”. The line that stunned moviegoers all around the world in The Empire Strikes Back, so shouldn’t that movie have more reasons to be on the list than Return of the Jedi? The Empire Strikes Back may have revealed the true identity of Darth Vader, but it was Return of the Jedi that made him a more interesting and intricate character. In Return of the Jedi, Vader’s conflict is on full display. Unwilling to let his son perish at the hands of the Emperor, Vader ultimately sacrifices his own life to save his son. Vader died rediscovering the joy of fatherhood, and it was his sacrifice and love that restored the galaxy to peace and order, marking the true return of the Jedi. Not only does the sacrifice and redemption of Darth Vader mark the climax of the original trilogy, it’s also one of the most memorable and satisfying moments in film history. Towards the end, Vader is able to redeem himself through the love and forgiveness of his son. As George Lucas said, “Only through the love of his children and the compassion of his children, who believe in him, though he’s a monster, does he redeem himself.”

Trivia: George Lucas included the scene in which Yoda confirms Da h Vader is Luke›s father because, a er a discussion with a children’s psychologist, he didn›t want younger viewers to dismiss Vader›s claim as a lie.