A Reel 20: STAR WARS - EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH

“You were the chosen one…!”

 

Today marks the 20th anniversary of STAR WARS – EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH. 

The third and final episode of George Lucas’ Prequel Trilogy, REVENGE OF THE SITH covered the tragic fall of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker to the dark side and his becoming Darth Vader… along with the end of the Republic and the rise of the evil galactic Empire, and the birth of future STAR WARS heroes Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. It was preceded by EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002), and EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999). 

 

The roots of REVENGE OF THE SITH go back to George Lucas’ original story for the Saga in 1973. The climactic duel between Anakin and his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would have its basis in the novelization of RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983). Lucas began the screenplay for SITH during production of ATTACK OF THE CLONES. Possible titles included RISE OF THE EMPIRE and BIRTH OF EMPIRE, before settling on REVENGE OF THE SITH…which was a nod to the original title of RETURN OF THE JEDI. 

 

Filming would take place in 2003 from June into September in the UK and Sydney. It would be the only film in the Saga with no location shooting (one location shot was actually captured during the ATTACK OF THE CLONES production). The cast would include returning actors Hayden Christensen (Anakin), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan), and Natalie Portman (Padme, Anakin’s wife). Other cast members included Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, and Christopher Lee. Matthew Wood would provide the voice of General Grievous, taking over for Gary Oldman who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. John Williams would return to provide the score. 

 

Upon release, REVENGE OF THE SITH would be met with mostly positive reviews, despite criticisms on the writing and acting. The film would break several box office records, and it still holds the mark for the highest opening-day gross on a Thursday, at $50 million. It would finish as the highest grossing film in the U.S. and the second highest worldwide. It would be nominated for an Oscar for Best Makeup, and would win the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film. In April of 2025 it would have a re-release for its 20th anniversary, and would finish second for the week. It would be the final film George Lucas would direct. 

 

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Two decades after release, REVENGE OF THE SITH has aged very well. It’s themes and storylines have served as a basis for further content on TV and streaming (CLONE WARS, OBI-WAN KENOBI, BAD BATCH, ANDOR), and its plot of a Republic falling to deception and authoritarian rule is suddenly, and frighteningly…hitting close to reality. 

 

REVENGE OF THE SITH is true to its title; the bad guys win and the hero of the Prequel Trilogy falls to the dark side. It is a tragedy that Shakespeare or the Greeks would have penned, but the closing shot offers that one thing that STAR WARS has always preached and loved: 

 

Hope. 

 

“Goodbye old friend. May the Force be with you.”