That...Could Have Gone Better?

[@Barely_Edited]

Thanks to you, “goeth thusly” has entered my day-to-day vocab, no regrets

[@evaahallows1102]

Here’s another one for you! The word vernacular is the fancy way of saying your day-to-day vocab :) *cue the more you know meme*

[@ReinaElizondo]

Haha I've totally have caught myself saying it too.

[@Talisguy]

I'm not sure if this is mentioned in the video yet, but one thing I absolutely love about this fight is that it very cleverly gets around the headache of making a fight look both dramatic and "realistic" - Luke has had all of one lesson in how to use a lightsaber at this point, so he has no idea what he's doing, and Vader is trying to capture Luke alive. It doesn't have to look "real," because Luke is clearly winging it, there's obviously a massive, insurmountable skill disparity and the only reason the fight lasts longer than five seconds is that Vader isn't trying to kill him. With the "realism" effectively taken out of the equation, the film can milk it for all the drama it's worth. Also, when Luke manages to get in a lucky hit and Vader actually starts fighting back, the fight is, in fact, over within the next five seconds.

[@johncostello4565]

All of the OT duels are fought by characters who aren’t trying to kill each other.

[@wyrmh0le]

@@johncostello4565 Preeeetty sure Vader was gonna cut Obi Wan in half if he hadn't Ghosted.

[@spencerallison3196]

Fair but when it's the first fight in Starwars history and all Obi-Wan has to do is waste time. I think the point was he's baiting Darth and even though Obiwan will die, it's all he can do.

[@wyrmh0le]

@@spencerallison3196 Ol' Ben definitely had a plan that went exactly as he wanted, yeah. So to be more precise you could say that every duel in the OT involved at least one party that did not want to kill the other.

[@reganator5000]

@@spencerallison3196 It's also worth noting that Obi-Wan and Vader know each other very well- Vader was likely trying to dramatically defeat Obi-Wan, though he has learned a bit more patience, but Obi-Wan's actual objectives include dying, so his lack of commitment may have made Vader hesitate. Note that the set-up is well executed, even if the choreography isn't, in that Obi-Wan is already isolated from and unable to make it to the Falcon (they've mostly been testing each others defenses, especially Obi-Wan against Vader at first. Vader seems confident), and his sacrifice is immediately followed by everyone else's quite sensible decision to book it rather than stick around waiting for the Stormtroopers to get organised. He ghost immediately on seeing that A) they all got to the ship and B) Luke is standing around watching like a complete idiot. Had Luke just ran into the Falcon and left, Obi-Wan might have actually given it a better try, but he runs up behind the crowd of Stormtroopers and says 'Ben?!', so there wasn't really much for it.

[@kapitankapital6580]

I've always found Luke's makeup (dunno if that's the right term) at the end of this fight, along with Hamill's facial expressions, to be really impactful. Like he looks *ugly*, almost unidentifiable from how he normally looks. I know being covered in sweat and bruises and being flush is fairly realistic for how somebody would actually look after a fight, but it's quite rare for a movie to go to this extent; normally their actors need to look pretty even when they're being beaten. This really solidifies how truly beaten down Luke is by this moment, both physically and emotionally, and I think goes a long way in making the twist be so impactful and the end of Empire feel like such a low note.

[@tarmaque]

The funny thing is, Mark Hamill was in a motorcycle accident between filming the two movies and broke his nose and cheek. This left him looking significantly older and more abused than in the first movie.

[@myladycasagrande863]

@@tarmaque ... which is also why they had the snow beast on Both claw Luke across the face early on, before the audience has had a good look at his face. We naturally accept any changes to his appearance as results of getting smacked around and half frozen.

[@tarmaque]

@@myladycasagrande863 Indeed, this is the case.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

@@tarmaque indeed. The guy was lucky to be alive to even film it. So really, it was likely less makeup rather than better makeup.

[@theKobus]

I think this has to do also with how much Lucas liked Kurosawa's movies (and the connection between Star Wars and jidai-geki generally). I've always been struck by how intense the /physicality/ is. Take "Yojimbo" -- when Mifune's character gets a beating, he can barely drag himself around. Or the scarily accurate representation of crushing chronic pain in some parts of "Ikiru". (the fight in "Rashomon" is probably the most relevant here, isn't it)

[@takinastabatit]

I'm always deeply impressed with how Mark portrayed the intently focused, soul-deep terror of lying on that walkway with the glowing red tip of a lightsaber inches from his eyes. This was an awesome breakdown of an awesome movie fight 😁

[@travcollier]

Hamill is a genuinely good actor. Unfortunately, Luke is an annoying twit about 1/2 the time, so acting him well doesn't really make one appreciate Hamill that much ;) Jill's breakdown is great, as usual. It is awesome how a little bit more knowledge makes these scenes so much better/deeper. No really surprising, since almost every move is planned for a reason.

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

Man, I love Mark Hammill so much! He did one of the voices in the audiobook of World War Z, and the combination of world-weariness, compassion, and a jaded-but-holding-onto-wonder quality that he brought to the role was wonderful to listen to.

[@tenkenroo]

Especially after he has his armed chopped off he has the look of a wounded animal.

[@ekij133]

The fight that really hammers home what "being dis-armed" means.

[@tarmaque]

You are a horrible person, and I would like to invite you to join us in our club.

[@aionicthunder]

You do have to hand it to Vader, even though he didn’t want Luke to die, he never let Luke get the upper hand

[@chrayez]

Unfortunately, Luke never got captured, so there was no opportunity to request that Vader un-hand him.

[@pwnmeisterage]

Things always go badly when you fight with your off-hand.

[@TheErickDH]

to be fair, more lightsaber fights in the first six movies result in at least one limb lost than not lol

[@jamesanderson6769]

His Obi-wan has taught you well comment could also include the fact that he doesn't know how long Luke actually spent with him. We know that most of Luke's training came from Yoda. But Vadar has already seen Luke do some pretty impressive force shenanigans, and probably assumes Obi-wan trained him for years.

[@matthewturpin6429]

I always assumed this. Vader certainly realized they both came from Tatooine, and definitely knew his family was there, so it isn't much of a leap of logic to guess that Obi Wan had been training Luke there. Its a faulty assumption, but a reasonable one.

[@HistoryandReviews]

In the radio drama of A New Hope, Obiwan trained luke on the falcon

[@eriks2962]

And does Vader even know that Yoda is still alive? The empire has extinguished the Jedi a long time ago. There are likely not many Jedi left alive to train Luke.

[@jasonblalock4429]

@@thesweetman9414 I disagree. If Yoda couldn't even beat Palpatine in a 1v1 fight, there's no way he could stand up to Palpatine *and* Vader. Especially not after years of atrophying on Dagobah. They'd have hunted Yoda down, if they knew where he was. No idea if they actually knew he was still alive, tho. Also, I don't know if it's canon any more, but I remember some of the old EU books specified that Yoda was living near the Dark Side Cave on Dagobah specifically because it would mask his presence. Which does make sense, anyway.

[@FFKonoko]

​@@jasonblalock4429 I don't think he was saying that yoda could stand up to both of them. He was saying that palpatine didn't really care and was happy to assume he was dead or say that he was. but that vader would definitely go fight yoda if he knew about him.

[@adamthompson4072]

I've always loved that last bit of cat & mouse when Luke can't find Vader who then pops outta the shadows and starts swinging. Vader's breathing is faster and harder here because he was holding his breath so he could get the drop on Luke. Fantastic little continuity bits along with the sound mixing

[@zen1647]

Great pick up on the breathing.

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

And yet Vader breathes in the middle of speaking words earlier on. That's always bugged me.

[@countluke2334]

The sound design is just perfect throughout the OT and most of the prequels. Ben Burrt is a god.

[@joshuagiehll3737]

@@Rachel-fi4sc his "breathing" is automatic, and his talking is a voice modulator so technically they can be separate, but yeah it's always bugged me a little too.

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

@@joshuagiehll3737 So glad it's not just me!

[@MWSin1]

One thing that struck me that I had never really paid attention to (I blame you for making me notice fight choreography) is the one winning the fight is normally the one advancing. But the continuously closing doors mean that every time Luke advances, his back is still to the wall anyway. Makes you really feel the fact that he is just falling deeper into Vader's trap.

[@mikegould6590]

How goes the rebellion, Princess Jilleia? Also, "you are not a Jedi yet" is one of the top Vader threats (next to "I find you lack of faith disturbing"). The vitriol is palpable.

[@DrDeFord]

Although “yet” is quite suggestive that Vader thinks he will be (or, at least, would be if Vader doesn’t manage to turn him.)

[@garvinanders2355]

If only there was a Jedi master around who could mentor him. As opposed to just a knight who sat on the council of course. :D

[@Metaphizzle]

The idea of crawling across that tiny beam, as Luke does after getting his hand cut off, freaks me out more than anything else in the fight. Speaking of continuity errors, you gotta love how Luke is facing Vader as he backs away, across the beam, in the first shot-then in the next shot he's facing away from Vader so he can climb down to the tiny platform at the end of the beam. Obviously, if the audience notices at all, they're meant to assume Luke just turned around while he was off-camera. But turning around on that tiny beam has gotta be awkward as heck, so it's funny how the film just brushes over that with editing.

[@darthhodges]

In the full scene you see him turn 90 degrees to his right while still on his knees on the beam before they cut away. Even without the missing hand and the galaxy's most evil person standing over me with a laser sword I'd be terrified to try that, too.

[@OldManFerdiad]

"Non-diegetic heels" has to be my favourite thing you have ever said.

[@JohnZ117]

Btw, something I recently learned about your chosen hairstyle, "The Star Wars character Leia Skywalker was based on a real-life Mexican Hero named Clara de la Rocha a Colonel in the Mexican Rebel Resistance against the Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz. Lucas admired the style and fortitude of the revolutionaries and copied elements into his movie. Clara de la Rocha was born in 1890 and joined the Maderista Movement in 1910 at 20 years of age. She fought many bloody battles and rose to the rank of unit commander then Colonel. An interesting trait she was described as possessing was a relentless, positive minded, no failure attitude. An awesome inspiration of admirable tenacity and reminder of the Power of a United Gente." -Hugo Morrison, Chicano History: Revisited

[@davydatwood3158]

"Oh, Sparklies" made me soo happy. :D When Luke calls for Leia, I don't think he knows she's in a position to help. He's just utterly desperate and has no-one else to turn to, so he might as well try. Also: I'd forgotten that Vader's armour stops Luke's lightsabre in this fight. I'd noticed it stop Ben's lightsabre in the last episode of Obi-Wan, but hadn't clocked that that moment was a callback to this scene. So that's good to know, too.

[@davydatwood3158]

@@watcher314159 Not in 1980 he didn't. I very much doubt that the work "beskar" even appears in the script. When ESB was filmed, the whole Manadalorian concept didn't even exist. So any suggestion that Vader's armour is beskar is a retcon at best. And to be honest, smacks of laziness - why not just say that Vader's armour is made of the strongest modern composite materials? There's no good reason why deskar should be the only thing that a lightsabre can't cut through.... Anyway, I'm one of those people who says that something is only canon if it appears on screen, and to my knowledge the notion that Vader's armour is made of beskar never appears on screen.

[@rolgirremoreas1909]

This duel is my favourite in all of Star Wars. It uses every little thing from the multiple sets, the dialogue, the choreography, etc to tell the story in a way that balances tension and release so that it remains captivating throughout. I've always found that the prequels have less interesting duels as the focus on flawless choreography makes them feel more like a technical demonstration - impressive but not in a way that gets you invested emotionally in what's going on. It's like going to an opera only for everyone to only do scales and intonation exercises: even if they were the highest level of difficulty I wouldn't really leave having enjoyed it all that much.

[@Chopstorm.]

Same. I quite like the Phantom Menace duels, as they're not _quite_ to the level of ridiculousness that the later movies get to, but this one is in a league of it's own. Bob Anderson being in the suit at this point is definitely a plus as well.

[@Dantalliumsolarium]

I Never noticed how Vader was purposefully one handedly and not trying to kill luke. Ugh thank youuuuu for all your wonderful work

[@seanheath4492]

It's been a while since I watched ESB, but it's pretty consistent with how he's portrayed elsewhere. If he's not taking a fight seriously, he only uses one hand; when both hands are on the saber, things just got real.

[@BrianBullington]

Luke... i know something you don't know. i am not left handed. Vader... I'm not left handed eith.... oh i am now.

[@aether9083]

I've watched countless breakdowns of this fight. Despite that, I'm amazed at how each time I watch another, something new is pointed out to me. I haven't seen anyone else pick up on Luke turning the lights on each time he enters a new area, or the continuity error with his lightsaber. Great job! 👍

[@annbrookens945]

I never saw it as "Luke turning on the lights", just that the lights were programmed to come on as one entered. Possibly a disorienting tactic.

[@berthulf]

@@annbrookens945 Same, but now the theme is pointed out (and we don't see it with anyone else) it is... Luke, the lightbringer is gonna be a hard thing to drop.

[@mechaulfr9600]

I think that Luke calling put to Leia was more just desperation. He reached out with his feelings, felt her, and hoped to god...er... the force that she could both hear and help him. Loved the vid!

[@graysontowler136]

Great analysis! I would also suggest that Vader was testing Luke (and holding back his psychological ace card) because he wanted to figure out if Luke really was strong enough to help Vader overthrow the Emperor. If he'd been able to capture Luke in carbonite early in the fight, Luke would have shown himself to be too weak to be of any use. It's only after Luke showed himself strong enough to put up a decent fight--and actually landed a hit--that Vader went for the "I am your father" play. And that's when Vader gets sincere--he outright says what his long game is. If Luke had joined him, and they'd joined forces against the Emperor... well, who knows?

[@Chasmodius]

What a great Elseworlds series that would be: The Skywalker Empire.

[@IamGrimalkin]

The thing is, the expanded universe (both new and old) depicts Vader as a more benevolent leader than either Palpatine or most of his subordinates. Even in the movies, you get the impression that Vader didn't really like the Death Stars; while Palpatine and Tarkin revelled in them It's still a good thing Luke didn't turn but even if he did, I feel the galaxy would be better off with Luke and Vader than Palpatine in charge.

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

There's a fic series on AO3 called Double Agent Vader by Fialleril. I went into it thinking, basically, "pffft, yeah right, this'll be a fun experiment in ignoring canon"... but it sticks wholly to canon the entire way through, fleshes out the characters beautifully, adds fantastic well-thought-out world-building, and makes total sense. It is now my new headcanon, and I cannot recommend it enough.

[@WarmLillie]

*Lillie takes sword notes* Don’t always strike for the head, instead the other area, hand to then disarm. Have effective armor and shoes. Use the environment Bait and mind games Have the high ground Practice gymnastics especially the Batman leap then the superhero landing Use the family card. Also The Darkside has cookies… I’m am sightly tempted

[@kenbrown2808]

to quote one of the people I learned under, "leg them and run"

[@kenbrown2808]

also, big loopy swings are easy to parry or avoid. - of course, that's also the reason they are so common in theatrical combat.

[@jamesanderson6769]

The cookies are a lie.

[@ashaide]

+ whispers + they also have cooler lightsaber hilts and they wear black all the time.

[@jamesanderson6769]

Well, so does Luke. You have me on the lightsaber hilts though. Even if I think the green blade looks the best.

[@barbaros99]

My absolute favourite movie fight. Thank you some much for your excellent analysis! I didn't even think of the doors closing behind Luke as being thematic, not just a way to trap him.

[@malloryjenkins8347]

Same! I never thought of that either. I’m going to be looking for that kind of stuff next time I watch.

[@bricelory9534]

I also love Vader's utilitarianism as he just seems to not react and walk away after Luke jumps. To me, that is one of the more poignant moments to underline the emptiness of the Dark Side, for all their talk of passion and similar. At least I am pretty sure that happens.... I'm second guessing myself because it's been so long...

[@thork6974]

It's the way he instantly deflates from the "join me" gesture. He wasn't expecting this. It's also evident in the original theatrical release-- his next line, before it was changed, "Bring my shuttle," thrums with anger and disappointment. He might as well be growling at his officers, "Don't you say a f-in word."

[@aidan6998]

@@thork6974 Replacing that line is one of the SE changes that annoys me the most, the new line sounds so awkward, and Vader's new shuttle trip back to his destroyer fucks the pacing of the escape.

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

Vader can sense Luke is still alive; later he force chats with him. But he does realize that Luke has escaped.

[@wizzardman]

I tend to imagine Vader ends that scene going "Why does everyone I love keep dying?", followed by being pleasantly and uncharacteristically surprised and proud when Luke *still* isn't dead several minutes later. Jumping to certain death and then getting away on a passing shuttle is a very Anakin move.

[@bolerobell]

Jill, your step-through of that fight is just great and perfect. You have vocalized all my thoughts and emotions about that fight.

[@bobbyhanson346]

Thank you for this deep dive. I had never noticed the lighting analogies in ESB before. You should do a scene-by-scene of all the Star Wars movies in entirety! :)

[@ConstanzeWeber]

Fun off-topic fact: the actor playing the imperial officer who drags Leah away in the 'it's a trap' scene (non-Admiral-Ackbar variety), is the same actor that plays Boba Fett: Jeremy Bulloch!!!!

[@kacpikachu5951]

I really like a number of things in this fight. For one, the structure + the way Vader’s choreography make it seem like he’s evaluating Luke, with him only extending Luke the offer to join him after Luke manages to land a hit. Not only does that make sense for Vader to do, it also gives the audience a chance to see where Luke is in terms of both ability and character, so we have some kind of a gage for him going into the next movie. Second, the fight ends with Vader as the literal victor, but with neither character actually achieving their larger goal, which leaves the fight feeling unfinished while building the tension for the next one because there’s not really a foreseeable outcome; we know Luke can lose because we saw it happen, but we also know that Luke can stop Vader from getting what he wants.

[@malloryjenkins8347]

I love how you analyzed all aspects of the fight, not solely the physical ones, but psychological and emotional as well. Love your vids 🙏🏼

[@hamstermk4]

I love these sorts of videos, they are the primary reason why I have subscribed. While plenty of people analyze fights from a technical level, it is the confluence of technical and narrative that really sets your channel apart.

[@waynemccray4015]

The way you say "Join the Dark Side Luke. We have cookies!!" Made my day. Now I want to join the Dark Side!

[@BOABModels]

You're all talk, Hamill! You never even finished Jedi school!

[@domstafford1894]

Great to see another fight analysis video! More please!

[@etherealtb6021]

"We have cookies!" Stop! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love this! Thank you!

[@thenewdoc4599]

I see Star Wars Jill content. I click.

[@mbryson2899]

Vader's casual circle in the beginning of the fight reminded me powerfully of Ferrault's swordplay against the Strasbourger in the first set-to in "The Duellists." Knowledge of complete control.

[@mbryson2899]

Speaking of which, have you ever done "The Duellists," @Jill Bearup?

[@Vinemaple]

Been jonesing for a new Jill Bearup video... And it's a fight breakdown! Sooo happy now, and so glad you got this posted! You've seemed busy lately, and there's the concussion...

[@diegocella6791]

Come to the dark side... we have cookies... and cheese! SOLD!

[@JillBearup]

Cheese is obviously on the Light Side of the Force. :D

[@seanheath4492]

@@JillBearup Where does knafeh fit on the spectrum? :P

[@zam6877]

Aaahh....always a pleasure watching your stuff...now to the next!

[@luiseveigel849]

That hairstyle looks really nice on you! I once tried to do it myself with my own hair and … it did not go over well

[@brucestein988]

+1 Congrats for the Princess Leia inspired hairstyle!

[@Chasmodius]

I remember hearing an anecdote from Carrie Fisher about how ticked off she was to learn that you could just get little bun things to stick on your head instead of having to sit in the hair & makeup chair for hours getting it done to your real hair!

[@persiswynter6357]

You mean it could have gone better?

[@RestrepoStyle]

What a lovely explanation! I have seen this so many times, yet, this video explains the poetry to the fight. I didn’t realize Vader only used one hand as a way to show dominance. Bravo 🙌

[@LairdErnst]

Well done Jill! Excellent break down of the scene and background!

[@davidrenner6112]

Great video! I loved the analysis of the fight extrapolated into emotional status of the characters, how staging and lighting reinforced this. Informational and funny. Love the hair! Looks great on you.

[@redrackham6812]

It really is a win for Luke, though. First of all, he accomplishes his main goal. It's not just that they would not have been able to fix the hyperdrive without Artoo. Without Luke occupying Vader's attention, it is highly unlikely for Lando's plan to have worked. It was one thing for Lando's security personnel to arrest those stormtroopers and free Leia and Chewbacca. It would have been another thing altogether for them to have arrested Vader. So Luke was able to rescue Leia, Chewbacca, and Threepio, if not Han. Second, Luke prevented Vader from accomplishing his goal. Vader was no better off at the end of the film than at the beginning. In fact, he was worse off, because at the beginning, he had a lead on Luke and the Rebellion's whereabouts, and at the end, he did not. (One might ask why he did not anticipate that Luke would go to Tatooine to rescue Han from Jabba, since presumably Vader knew that that was where Fett was taking Han.) Third, Luke, as you say, learned a great deal from the fight, which was going to put him in a much better position for the rematch. So all in all, Luke kind of won that fight. In much the same way, the Rebellion wins in Empire. The attack on Hoth was pretty much the Empire's last chance to crush the Rebellion, but the Rebels made a more or less clean getaway, and by Return, it was the Rebellion that was on the attack.

[@JoshB_TheTower]

There is a bit of a "don't bother us we don't bother you" when it came to the Hutts and the empire. Also there is sand.

[@barrygeistwhite3474]

My suspicion is that after Bespin the Emperor told Vader to sit and chill a minute, that Luke would eventually come to them all full of piss and vinegar and *that's* when they would turn him. Thus there was no need to go to Tatooine in pursuit regardless of whether he suspected that's where Luke went.

[@sidblack728]

And, of course, the fact that Tattooine is probably the last place in the galaxy that Vader would want to go to.

[@barrygeistwhite3474]

@@sidblack728 Sand *does* get everywhere. And in that getup?! No thanks.

[@sandal_thong8631]

No, Luke did not rescue his friends. It was serendipitous that they got out of there with R2. Going back for Luke put them in the sights of the star destroyer; they might have escaped without lightspeed under cover of other ships leaving the city, though we don't see them. Makes me think of a GM in an RPG providing a way out when the player characters screw up. I'm still wondering what was behind the door where Lando's code was changed. His own ship? I'm sure Vader would be worried that Lando would flee. It's too bad we didn't hear what Vader said to Lando before Han and company arrived either in the NPR Adaptation for Radio, or at the end of the Lando movie, I mean Solo movie. When they left Tatooine there should have been 3 star destroyers in orbit, just keeping watch in case Luke showed up to rescue Han. It would be another reason they parked in the desert instead of using spaceport services. You'd think that Boba Fett would have said to Jabba, "Hey, this Luke guy was wanted by Vader and the Emperor," but then you can't talk to a dictator when he's mad. Meanwhile, the Emperor figured out where the rebel fleet was and could have gone after them, but wanted to lure them in to the Death Star trap.

[@Pedro_Guerrero]

I love all your fight analysis, Jill! Keep it up!

[@lucyseverine9907]

I had honestly forgotten just how truly awesome this fight is. Thanks for the break-down!

[@YTEdy]

I can't be the only one who chuckled out loud at your Leia buns. Nicely done.

[@davidmcleod5133]

“A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.” And yet, has anybody else noticed how often Jedi are the ones to ignite their sabers first? Luke with Vader on Bespin, Obi-Wan when he rushes to catch Jango Fett on Kamino,Obi-Wan when he encountered Dooku in Episodes 2 & 3,, Obi-wan when he confronts Anakin on Mustafar, HALF THE FRICKIN’ JEDI COUNCIL when they confront Palpatine in his office…. I almost feel like Lucas was trying to make a statement about why their order fell.

[@violacola]

Interesting hot take you have there. Maybe we can look at what what George Lucas has actually said on the matter. “The Jedi, they don’t attack, they only defend. Yoda didn’t attack until the [Attack of the Clones]. […] There’s a conundrum ultimately. It’s been there forever. Which is, are you just going to sit there and let them kill you? Or your loved ones? Or destroy the world that you know? Or are you going to try to fix it? At some point, you do have to stand up for what you believe in. [...] If a cobra’s going to strike you, I think you have every right to put a stick up there and hit him over the head. Because it’s either him or you. Of course, this is the mythology of the cowboy. They always put him in these crises where you have to choose between your own personal values and the practicality of what you need to do. You’ve got to pick up the sheriff’s badge even though you had all these problems in the past. You’re going to have to go out and kill people again. Even though you said you’d never do it.” - James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction, 2018 You can believe whatever you want about the Jedi and their moral standing, but George Lucas has been extremely consistent in his own statements. His narrative intention is that the Jedi are in the right. The entire story of Star Wars is an exploration of his own philosophy, with the Jedi serving as the represention of it.

[@dembones5005]

Lighting your saber defensively to show your rebuke of your enemy and your resolve to face them doesn't seem particularly hostile to me. They're readying the weapon in case they need it, and most of the time continue with trying to get their enemy to stand down once they do.

[@davidmcleod5133]

@@dembones5005 Because EVERY conflict resolution expert will tell you introducing a weapon into a situation calms EVERYTHING right down. 🙄

[@dembones5005]

@@davidmcleod5133 Definitely a fair point in the real world, but in fantasy? Nobody* the Jedi draw on were interested in conflict resolution that didn't involve the Jedi surrendering unconditionally (Vader, Palpatine), or at least not interfering with them (Jango). Star Wars is pretty simple like that. * *Except* the thugs in Mos Eisley - Ben definitely had other options for dealing with them that would have drawn less attention.

[@corrienosov2475]

I literally watched this video because of your hair. I'm here for it. 😊 I've watched many of your videos and loved them, but almost scrolled past this one until it autoplayed and I saw the hair! I, too, have worn Leia buns for a performance of a Star Wars medly that my accordion band did at one time. Seriously, though, I really enjoy your humor and breakdown of fights and armor!

[@gregoryvn3]

Absolutely brilliant breakdown of the fight, the best I've seen. Even pointed out new wrinkles that hadn't occurred to me and my friends before. Thank you for doing what you do! Bonus points for the Leia hair, obviously. ^_^

[@varde42]

Thank You for this thoroughly enjoyable analysis :) As a side note - this hairstyle looks awesome on You :)

[@Philistine47]

I'm very much enjoying your discussion of the OT lightsaber fights. Thank you.

[@ArmouryTerrain]

This is a really good analysis of this fight. Thankyou for not picking on the flaws too much and I really love your hair.

[@Jtsolario]

Great vid, Jill. Beautifully written and presented.

[@jerrychubb6168]

A fantastic review. Your analysis is always fun and informative.

[@aaronjimenez7825]

Your channel focus is something I never envisioned myself watching, and yet here I am, not missing a single upload. Your presentation is so amazing and I find it all fascinating.

[@nekkidnora]

This is such a fascinating play-by-play and it really makes the fight better. Love it.

[@jaimejohnesee]

I always enjoyed this scene, but you somehow made it even more enjoyable. Thank you for posting such fun content. I've learned so much from your channel about weapons and fighting on film. 💙

[@ajvanmarle]

David Prowse really doesn't get enough credit for how much he put into Vader's character. The way he moves, with that slight delay in everything, adds enormously to the gravitas and menace. And for this fight, the stunt double managed to copy that perfectly.

[@firestarter000001]

I am along time Star Wars fan, watched the movies a 100 times, but never analyzed it that way. Impressive, most Imporessive:). Love it, thank you.

[@DerKurfuerst]

I've seen the famous line "No, I am your father" so many times, yet I got shivers seeing it here again.

[@foolwise4703]

I love your breakdowns - as I do a bit of martial arts and hema, I often tend to critisize films for inaccuracy, but you taught me that there are more important things to look for in a movie fight :-)

[@UpLateGeek]

I was going to say what a great job you did of breaking down this fight, how great this movie is, and how this fight scene really impacted me as a kid, but I'm mostly just jealous of your Princess Leia hair buns. I'm literally sitting here wrapped head to toe in my blanket because it's winter and my room is a frigid 17°C (OK, Australian winter). But even back when I had long hair, it wasn't long enough to pull off that hairstyle. Although that would've been a pretty hilarious cosplay, dude dressed up in a white senator's robes, with Princess Leia hair buns!

[@erichurst7897]

I love this fight sequence, how Vader just descends from civility and calmness to pure rage in the last room. No finesse, just raw brutal force with just enough control to not outright kill Luke.

[@Catasros]

I love that the way Vader makes these really extra circular swings and motions while fighting with only one hand, ‘cause (retroactively,) it really echoes how ANAKIN fought back in his youth, with all that extra flair. Vader didn’t NEED to make a full circular motion to bring his guard back up after Luke’s first attack. But it is absolutely a thing that ANAKIN would have done.

[@CHEESEPUFF_7]

Whoop Star wars analysis on this channel improves my mood once again 😁 Thank you!

[@creativehorsequeen]

"Weeee! Sparkles!" 🤣😂🤣 I love your commentary.

[@bradmalacari2766]

Thank you Jill. Gold as always 👍

[@charleshurst1015]

YAAY!! Great video Jill! Thank you 😊

[@TeacherinTraining39]

"And now, Han is a wall ornament." -The single best thing I have heard all year.

[@archiegeorge3969]

Sword lady, you are the best at scene breakdown in any genre! Thank you

[@shieldwallofdragons]

Great video!...awesome breakdown...also nice ruffly shirt.

[@TheOnlyToblin]

God I love your videos. Even if I vehemently disagree with what you're saying sometimes, I am 100% on board and totally both accept and respect your perspective. These videos are just pure joy. Thank you, Jill, for sharing your knowledge, thoughts and time with us!

[@THESP-rz3hg]

12:05 your captioning is as good as any other joke in this piece (I won't say better because your work is as always on point)

[@curtiswfranks]

I am amusical, so I lack the words and knowledge to really describe it, but I love the 'trumpeting'* when Luke decides to fall rather than surrender to Vader. In that moment, the audience is facing the very real possibility that he might be committing suicide for all that we or he knows, but it is a victory all the same because the act is one of defiance. Such a good indicator of scene tonality. A different musical cue there would completely recontectualize or reinterpret that choice. It could be one of despair, or a comedic accident, or anything else. But we know that it is a victory. * I am not sure that the instruments actually are trumpets.

[@Caseytify]

An excellent breakdown. I especially enjoy your exploration of how the fight advances the story.

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

Should have known what this was by the hair lol

[@garvinanders2355]

The plot goeth thusly! Been a long time since I heard those words. Good to hear them again.

[@tenkenroo]

This will always be for me the best lightsaber fight. Notice Luke continues to descend in the fight which is a metaphor to his descent to being tempted to the dark side. The fight doesn’t go on for to long like the obi wan vs anakin fight. The catwalks lead to a cramped fight and the sets are real.

[@silviasanchez648]

Princess Leia hairdo suits you so well! Nice touch 😊 Great video!

[@christophercarpenter2222]

I had always thought the wound to Vader was a bit of a sticking point. We get a lot of limb removal via light saber in starwars. I assumed even a glancing blow would be more severe. But the prequels showing the loss of Ankins limbs goes far to retcon why he was able to shrug off what to a human limb would have been agonizingly pain full. Thank you for the wonderful walk through.

[@falconeer99]

Gotta give props to David Prowse acting skills while wearing a mask and armor. His body language after Luke drops into the shaft just shouts "Holy crap, the little s.o.b. actually jumped"

[@persiswynter6357]

An excellent analysis. It was most impressive. ⭐⚔

[@wintyrqueen]

I do love that the single moment that Luke actually hits Vader, Vader promptly disarms him by amputation. It really shows just how easily he could have ended it at any moment

[@Ciborium]

Luke: "I'm not afraid!" Yoda: "Oooh. You will be." That gave me such chills when I first saw it as a youngster. It still gives me a bit of a shiver because I now know what Yoda meant by it.

[@alwaysxnever]

Damn this really is an amazing fight. I haven't watched it in a decade. This makes me want to watch it again.

[@varkesh456]

This is why these moments can never be taken away from no matter how hard disney tries i still love the original movies and even find a lot to love in the prequel movies. At a time when choreography was no where near as elebrate as what it has become these days they used elements of postuing and story to both show how the fight was progressing and add emotional weight. And even the simpelst of sword fights with a good story to unfold though the fight will be more effective than a flashy fight with less purpose. Universal theme, timeless messaging and good story and that scene is timeless and still gets me all of the time.

[@Wirrn]

I love that Disney's depictions of Vader in Rebels and Kenobi have kept your ability to track how hard Vader thinks he needs to try in a fight by whether he's one or two handed. Say what you will about Disney Star Wars, they consistently do Vader right

[@Wirrn]

Regarding the Obi Wan line, I think Vader has an inkling that Obi Wan can talk to him, he repeats the line in ROTJ where it doesn't really make sense if its entirely in the past. And tbf Obi Wan did say he'd become more powerful before *completely discorporating*, so Vader knows SOMETHING weird happened

[@ronin504]

Awesome analysis of a great scene.

[@codespace1337]

Such an absolutely fantastic breakdown.

[@archmagexiv]

Thank you Jill!

[@kennethpryde966]

I do so love your narrations. Would that you had time and means to narrate every beloved scene in every movie that is dear to someone's heart.

[@kennethpryde966]

And the darkside absolutely does not have cookies. I mean, I looked everywhere. Not one.

[@SgtJamesRay]

That was good.. I loved your sports naration. Lol "We have cookies!"

[@Taracinablue]

Very interesting and helpful breakdown.

[@soyevquirsefron990]

This is the best swordplay of original trilogy, the new hope duel was excusable because of budget and technical limitations but the Rotj fight was choreographed by a batter’s coach

[@jcbrenadelpozo5586]

I stood up and clapped. What a spectacular video 👏

[@waldemarhachaj]

As always great analysis, thank you, I've enjoyed it.

[@tylerstevens1904]

Love the hair. It's not exact, which makes it perfect.

[@jonathanbarwick3735]

I would love to see your break downs of the duels in Obi Wan Kenobi

[@resurgam_b7]

Growing up, the scariest part of this movie was that tiny little green creature with pointy teeth and a grating voice leaning in towards the camera while growling menacingly "Good, you will be... you will be."

[@tetsujin_144]

12:15 (Luke falls from the tower) "But don't worry, after somehow managing to arrest his terminal velocity to something that won't kill him..." I think Vader did it.

[@gmsherry1953]

If Vader had simply had the presence of mind to tell Luke about the cookies, the whole thing might have come out differently.

[@jimkettle4487]

I just watch The Princess, 2022 I'm eagerly looking forward to your review of it. It probably best described as a medieval princess version of Die Hard, but more fun to watch, especially thinking of some of your previous comments about fighting in dresses etc.