CT Favorite lightsaber duel in the OT?

I think that Luke vs. Vader ROTJ is the best duel in entire Saga. I love how Luke tries to redeem Vader even as Vader fights him while Palpatine encourages Luke and Vader to fight.

 

The OT lightsaber fights seem more like the broadsword fights in Game of Thrones. Slower-paced yes, but still powerful. I voted Empire, because there was additional stuff (Vader attacking Luke with telekinesis), but it was still grounded.

 

It wasn't telekinesis dammit! It was the Force.

 

I've always loved the atmosphere and mood of the ESB fight. The red and blue glow, the steam, all the machinery, and those stairs with THAT pattern.

 

Definitely the final battle between Vader and Luke. The setting, the music, the Emperor's taunting, Vader's taunting, Luke's brief lash out at Vader in anger.... it's just so.... concluding. It's like the entire trilogy culminates in that one scene.

 

Luke vs vader TESB

 

For me, the clear winner is the 'duel' between Luke and 'VaderLuke' in Dagobah's cave in TESB. Even though there is plenty of emotionally anchored lightsaber battles throughout the OT and ROTS, no combat in the saga succeeds in portraying a character's inner struggle quite like this one. The cinematography behind that scene was excellent from the sheer darkness of the cave(showing Luke's obscurity about his demons) to the apparition of 'Vader' springing slow-motion-like towards a recoiling Luke at the crescendo of music tenseness (reflecting very well Luke's disquiet about unknown lurking) and to the young apprentice clumsily drawing on the offensive with Vader(defaulting on fighting rather than truly 'looking' ). Leading to the discovery his only enemy was himself all along when cutting 'himself' open...In this one duel, he realizes he is the only one placing limitations on himself and that he needs to look past appearances. Though a long way from achieving Jedi serenity, it was his first step towards enlightenment....

Honorable mentions: ROTS's Anakin and Obi-Wan's dance to their brotherly Hell in the fires of Mustafar & Luke vs Vader saberlocks (both times).

 

Luke Vs. Darth Vader in ESB. Love the colour palette and lighting.

 

I agree.

 

the first duel between luke and vader. no one knew what the outcome would be, and it set it up perfectly for rotj

 

I voted for ROTJ, since I loved the intensity and there seemed to be a lot more at stake. However, I have a soft spot for the duel in ANH, even though it was the least visually thrilling, since it was the first.

 

I would have to say there Luke Vader duel in ROTJ. Epic

 

It would have to be Luke/vader in ROTJ. Only one in which the good guys win lol.

 

I love Luke vs. Vader in TESB. It has a creepy vibe I really like. There's an uncertainty about it that I don't feel in ROTJ, like they're both hesitant, sizing one another up for the first time.

 

That's what I love about it too. Plus ever since ANH, Luke has been waiting for this moment to avenge Obi-Wan. When Vader appears and says "But you are not a Jedi yet" there's such menace behind it that I get psyched every time even though I know everything that's going to happen.

 

Tough one, but I'd have to go with Luke and Vader's in ROTJ.

 

Luke VS Vader in Empire by far. I would rate the duel in ROTJ at second

 

Freddy vs Jason

 

The duel in ESB is my favorite.

 

I voted for the Ben vs Vader fight, not neccesarily because I think it's the best, but it's extremely underrated! First of all, it was the first Lightsaber fight, that alone makes it revolutionary! And second, it's NOT a bad fight! It's slow paced, yes, but I like that. Something called "suspense", you keep wondering what's gonna happen next, who's gonna make the move. These men are old school Jedis and are fighting with style and class. It's not about dancing around(like in the prequel fights), but about making the right move in order to win. It's a battle between former master and student, good and evil, there's a lot at stake!

As someone said, kind of like the fights in Game of Thrones, slow paced and without all the dancing and over the top music in the background. Much more exciting!

 

I never saw the Ben vs Vader fight as slow paced, but more like a fencing match with both opponents fighting with efficient moves.

 

ANH, the first one I saw. To me the most iconic moment of the entire trilogy was when Obi-Wan sacrificed himself. That's when you knew it was getting serious, and that the heroes were really in danger of dying. The music, the shot, and the timing were perfect. The adversarial banter during the duel was great. The plot advanced while filling in the history of the two men. Too me, it was the most "Star Wars" of the lightsaber duels.

 

Does anyone else agree that the ROTJ duel seemed too short? I know the duel in ANH was not that long either, but the ESB duel had a continuous phase in 3 different locations. I'm not not saying it makes the duel any less concerning quality.

 

I wish the ROTJ duel could have been a bit longer. Add some of the scenes from the novel. When Luke was hiding from Vader, there is a whole section with Luke tossing his saber to Vader and then reaching for it with the Force before attacking. Heck Vader has the saber in the finished movie.