CT Tarkin: Big Bad of ANH or Co-Dragon?

I've had this argument in the past with people whether they consider Tarkin more of the "Big Bad" of ANH, or do they see him as more of a "Co-Dragon" with Vader, and that there is no "Big Bad" in ANH. I personally see him as more of a "Co-Dragon" with Vader, despite that he has some authority over Vader, because the Death Star is under his commend, but I've seen people call him the "Big Bad" of the movie, and I was wondering what the general consensus of this forum is regarding this question.

 

Co-Villains

 

Co-Villains.

 

Central.

 

I've never really considered ANH to have a central villain.

 

I suppose it's chiefly down to how one reads the two characters and personal preference plays a part too. I think most here will likely say co but prefer Vader. Curious thing perception.

 

I actually don't know. It's an interesting question. He's a tremendous character either way. There's no ifs, buts or maybes with Tarkin. He just is.

 

While Vader was the Emperor's enforcer, Tarkin was central. Definitely the political/military baddie and so interesting to watch. I always was spooked by his character (he gave the order to terminate Leia and Alderaan.)

He's my favorite politically inclined character from the Saga because of these reasons (Dooku a close second.)

 

The Big Bad, certainly. Their relationship is similar to that of Rosa Klebb/Red Grant in my favorite Bond film, From Russia With Love: a calculating tyro matched with a calculating hitman.

 

Tarkin had the authority but Vader had the power. Although Tarkin is in charge of the Death Star, the movie focuses more on Vader. I never saw Tarkin as the main antagonist. The moment Vader entered the Tantive IV, he became an act that is almost impossible to follow.

 

Tarkin's role throughout the making of ANH changed a lot. By the time of the fourth draft, which became the shooting script, Lucas had decided that instead of Vader being the big bad, it would fall to Tarkin and that Vader was just an enforcer. With Tarkin's death and Vader moving on to TESB, the focus shifted more towards Vader with Palpatine being his boss. Then in the early stages of ROTJ, it was Palpatine and Jerjerrord as the main baddies with Vader fighting to maintain his spot. Once this changed, Vader moved up as the secondary villain who was still a threat, but Palpatine was the overall main threat.

So with that said, now that we have had the PT come and go, it seems like Tarkin and Vader share that role of main villain in the film. Though Tarkin issues commands from a military standpoint, which is why Vader doesn't put up a resistance to being told to back off of Motti.

 

Because Vader has no respect for Motti. He doesn't really care if he lives or dies. Keep in mind it was Vader's plan to allow the Falcon to escape and track them to the base and he was the one to give the orders to launch the fighters. He was much more subvert in the use of his power.

 

I think Tarkin's "officially" the main villain, but Vader's presence is so overwhelming that it might as well be him in everything but name.

I bet a lot of casual viewers wouldn't even be able to tell you what Tarkin's name is after the movie is over.

 

I actually think there both the main villains in ANH.

Tarkin is the one who commands basically everyone, including Vader, and blew a whole planet.

Vader is the one who does a lot of the dirty work, going after the blockade runner, going into star fighter combat at the battle of the first death star and also appears to command a fare share of authority.

 

Rare that people put them on equal footing. Commendable.

 

Co-Villians

Tarkin was in charge of the Death Star and Vader was the Emperor's enforcer and representative.

 

I feel like Tarkin has a stronger presence in-universe while Vader has a stronger presence out-of-universe. If you watch ANH, you'll remember Vader, but if you live in the GFFA, you'll hate Tarkin.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tarkin has de jure authority while Vader has de facto authority. Few Imperial citizens were aware of the fact that in addition to being Sheev's enforcer, Vader was Sheev's apprentice.

If Vader and Tarkin are co-dragons, who's the big bad?

 

Interesting explanation of shift of perception in the first part. I think it's a bit of a sweeping generalisation though.

 

In last week's Star Wars Official Fact File (67) a point was made of how Vader (and the Inquisitor) appear on the Empire's propaganda posters.

The Vader one has a bunch of different military Imperials behind him (pilot, trooper, etc) and the slogan is "He can't do it alone..." with "Join the military and be one of the guys backing Vader up" being the basic message.

 

I meant more than 50%. I didn't mean literally everyone.

When I said a stronger presence, I didn't mean that the other has no presence.

 

I would think if you're afraid of someone you remember them. I think Vader being favoured really is largely to later marketing.

 

I could see the Outer Rim (Tarkin's "stomping ground") having a different perspective on him to the Core - especially if there's lots of Tarkintowns rather than just the one.

 

As could I but I really don't need a 'who's supposedly more evil' contest between them. They both made rather poor choices that affect many.

 

"Who's actions are the more recognised and high-profile in-universe" was more what I was thinking of.