Saga Title Meanings

One of the interesting thing about the titles of the SW movies is that they can sometimes refer to different things, depending on your interpretation. Here are a few different ways to interpret the titles, though I'm sure it's not exhaustive:

The Phantom Menace -

1. The Dark Side of the Force (what George Lucas says)
2. The Other Sith Lord (the Jedi have only disovered one)
3. The Naboo Invasion itself. (I agree with Harry Knowles on this interpretation. The invasion is a phantom menace - a fabricated crisis designed to win Palpatine the election)

Attack of the Clones -

1. The attack of the Clone Army on Geonosis
2. The putting into motion by the Sith of the first phase of war - initiating the Clone Wars

Revenge of the Sith -

1. The Sith taking over the galaxy
2. The Sith winning the Chosen One to their side

A New Hope -

1. Luke Skywalker
2. The Rebel Alliance
3. The Destruction of the Death Star

The Empire Strikes Back

1. The Empire retaliating for the defeat at Yavin
2. The Empire striking a blow to the rebellion in the attempt to bring Luke Skywalker to the Emperor

Return of the Jedi
1. Luke becoming a Jedi Knight, thus ensuring a new day for the Jedi
2. Anakin destroying Vader and returning (My interpretation)

Does anyone have other interpretations of the titles?

 

Or accepting Anakin Skywalker into the Order (they sense danger in his training).

Harry has some interesting insights when he's not trying to pander to the Internet demographics.

Foreshadowing Order 66. The clones save the Jedi this time around, but things are going to change.

This one is straightforward: wiping out the Jedi and achieving power, absolute power!

 

aahhhnnnnliiiimmmmaaaatttttteddd.......pooowwwwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

 

The Phantom Menace
Palpatine beginning his rise to what Darth Articulate said.

 

The return of the 'Jedi', plural, as a group and a force for good, as symbolised by both Luke's initiation and Anakin's redemption.

 

I always thought TPM was referring to Darth Maul or the Sith in general.

 

Palpatine/Darth Sidious. And I'm not sure George said the phantom menace was the Dark Side.

Option 1.

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Option 1.

The most ambiguous title. I'd say the Return of the Jedi Order, through Luke.

 

"....The “phantom menace” refers to the force of the dark side of the universe. Anakin will be taken over by dark forces which in turn destroy the balance of the Galaxy, but the individual who kills the Emperor is Darth Vader—also Anakin. The tale meanders and both the prediction and Qui-Gon are correct—Anakin is the chosen one, and he did bring peace at last with his own sacrifice. Luke couldn't kill the Emperor himself, but he could make Anakin reflect on his life and kill the Emperor. "

-George Lucas, Cut Magazine 1999

 

1) Dark Side of the Force
2) The beginning of The Clone Wars
3) The Sith destroying the Jedi and taking control of The Republic
4) Luke Skywalker
5) Empire attacks Rebels after the destruction of the first Death Star
6) Luke Skywalker becomes a Jedi Knight

Simple