ROTS Chapter 16: Tragedy of Darth Plagueis DISCUSSION

Due to the success of the PT and OT CBC discussions, I would like to discuss ROTS chapter by chapter on the DVD. There are 47 chapters to discuss over the next eight months, excluding Chapter 1: Opening Logos, Chapter 2: Revenge of the Sith and Chapter 50: End Credits.

Each discussion will last 5 days. At the end of 5 days, the following chapter will be posted.

Chapter 16: Tragedy of Darth Plagueis
DISCUSSION: January 21, 2006 - January 25, 2006
DVD TIME INDEX: 42:37 - 47:57

Synopsis:
Anakin arrives at the Galaxies Opera House. It is bustling with patrons. Anakin arrives at Palpatine's box. He is watching Squid Lake with his entourage. He tells his young charge that he has just found out that Grievous is hiding in the Utapau system. Anakin is pleased. Palpatine tells him to sit and tells his entourage to leave. He tells Anakin that he cannot rely on the Jedi Council anymore and that they're planning to betray him. Anakin won't hear it, but Palpatine tells him to search his feelings. Anakin is shaken by the council's recent actions. Palpatine then realizes that they asked Anakin to spy on him. He says that the Jedi are afraid to lose their power. Anakin says that they use their power for good. Palpatine says that good is a point of view and the Jedi and Sith and similar in almost every way including their quest for power. Anakin speaks badly about the Sith saying that they think inwards and Palpatine then tells the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise. He said that Plagueis was very powerful and could manipulate the midichlorians to create life. Anakin is amazed that he could cheat death. Palpatine says that he could save others but not himself. He told his apprentice everything he knew then this apprentice killed him in his sleep. He says it's quite ironic. Anakin asks if he can learn this power and Palpatine says that no Jedi will teach him this unusual power. END OF CHAPTER

Opinion:
This chapter is probably the most important dialogue of the entire prequel trilogy. Usually scenes that have a lot of dialogue and have to explain a lot, usually are boring and do not do the film justice. However in this case, we not only have an almost perfect scene, but something so essential that without it, you really couldn't show a transition of evil.

Here we re-establish that Anakin is the chancellor's number two man and that he give information to throw the story in a new direction. Leaking Utapau was a smart decision, creating some doubt in Anakin's mind afterwards. Also the story of Darth Plagueis. Palpatine knows that Anakin is torn apart and that giving him this false goal of saving his wife will force him to betray his friends and turn to the dark side.

Here's the ultimatum. Either continue with the Jedi and let your wife supposedly die or learn the power of the dark side and fulfill the prophecy of darkness. Palpatine tries to make the Jedi look bad then make the Sith look good. You can tell if you haven't already that Palpatine is a Sith Lord and that he killed Darth Plagueis. This also hints back that either Plagueis or Palpatine could be his father and caused the virgin birth that Shmi bore.

I love the somber tone and the score here. It's brooding and yet there is some sadness. You know that Palpatine is the master manipulator and that Anakin is failing. One of the best scenes of the movie and best dialogue dominating scene. Magnificent chapter.

 

For those who are just joining us or would like to review past discussions:

Chapter 1: Opening Logos (no discussion)
Chapter 2: Revenge of the Sith (no discussion)
Chapter 3: Battle Over Coruscant
Chapter 4: General Grievous
Chapter 5: Rescuing the Chancellor
Chapter 6: Confronting Grievous
Chapter 7: Happy Reunions
Chapter 8: Grievous on Utapau
Chapter 9: Bad Dreams
Chapter 10: Counsel with Yoda
Chapter 11: The Chancellor's Request
Chapter 12: On the Jedi Council
Chapter 13: Secret Assignment
Chapter 14: Not the Chosen One?
Chapter 15: Seeds of Distrust
Chapter 16: Tragedy of Darth Plagueis

Don't forget we are still discussing ESB and ROTJ in the CT forums as well.

 

along with padme's ruminations, this is one of the most powerful scenes in RotS and perhaps in all the sequels. it's set up so beautifully - anakin comes charging in and takes the staircase 2 steps at a time, he's in such urgency...what provoked that?...
we have the surreal visual ballet that's such a departure for a star wars scene - and actually everything about this chapter is surprising. i love the editing, the close-up cuts from ian to hayden and back and then ian turning to face the camera with "and the jedi don't?- responding to anakin's assertion that the sith only think of themselves. notice how palapatine is weaving - weaving the web...he notes that the jedi and sith are alike in almost every way..... and just keeps pounding away in subtle understated, persistant darkeness. when anakin is still not convinced, notice the briefest of hints of frustration from palpatine...he pauses, sort of draws back in his throat there and then begins the ultimate seduction, "did the jedi ever tell you about....... " and "of course they wouldn't" already implying the jedi are keeping things from anakin, things he needs and should know. and the the coup de grace - "he could even keep people from dying" - i love that shot from behind the chairs, looking at the strange ballet and that haunting music... ahhh.. poor anakin. he never stood a chance against the master manipulator. and as dark as the implications are in this scene, it is beautiful.


and the line this is one of the most quoted, "not from a jedi"
perfect

 

I think the visuals could have been more dark and serious. Like shadows telling the story that Palps was explaining to Anakin.

It is powerful and interesting dialouge but sometimes I find myself zoning out while watching the scene now.

 

One of the best scenes in the entire Saga, and Ian's finest acting moment, I would say.

I think Hayden's underrated in this scene as well - when Palps tells Anakin the Jedi asked Anakin to spy on him, I love Anakin's "I....don't know what to say."

He's so obviously trying NOT to get excited talking to Palps, trying not to get his hopes up. Great work.


This scene of course also sets off two of the biggest debates in the Saga:

(1) Did Plagueis or Sidious create Anakin using midichlorians? and

(2) Did Plagueis actually find the power to save people from death?


I would say No to #1 and Yes to #2.

A pet theory of mine is that both the Jedi and the Sith find the way to eternal life in ROTS.

The Will of the Force, speaking through Qui-Gon Jinn, sets Yoda and Obi-Wan on the right path. The path to true immortality.

And Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One, finds through extensive use of the Dark Side, that he has the ability to extend life indefinitely.

This is how he survives Obi-Wan's slice-and-dice, and the lava burns. And this is why Sidious is so very relieved when he sees Vader is still alive.

 

To think that this scene almost took place in Palpatine's office. I'm so glad it was changed to an opera house.

The opera house itself is wonderful looking. The visuals are stunning. The play itself is visually perfect with it's sperm and egg type stuff that reflects the discussion about creating life.

The music is very good and creepy.

It's strange that the Supreme Chancellor wasn't sitting in the middle seat though. Then when Anakin arrived, he could have just sat down next to the Chancellor. But I guess that wouldn't suit the Dark Lords plan. Plus he was probably being polite by giving the female (Sly Moore) the best seat. Well he was polite until he told her and everyone to leave. lol

Darth Plagueis. I didn't think we'd hear so much about Palpatine's past or former Master. So this was a great surprise. Great name too. I love how Ian McDiarmid acts out Palpatine's recollection of killing his master in his sleep. Just wonderful. I also agree that Hayden did a great job with Anakin here too. Great quotable lines in this scene.

Do I think Darth Plagueis knew how to cheat death? Yes.

Do I think Darth Plagueis passed that secret to Darth Sidious? Yes. I think it's clear in ROTJ that Sidious planned to live long past the age of 85. He showed no signs of stopping and just needed a new apprentice to do his bidding for the next 20 plus years. I think he knew the secret, but lied to Anakin later about not knowing it. I mean after Plagueis taught Sidious the secret, Sidious went and killed him. No need to risk that so early in the Empire.

Do I think Darth Plagueis had a role in creating Anakin Skywalker? No. Anakin was 10 years old in TPM. Darth Maul was the apprentice of Sidious for the last 25 years. Thus if Plagueis was still alive, the rule of 3 would have been broken. So no. He wasn't around to create Anakin.

Do I think Darth Sidious manipulated the force to create Anakin? The jury is still out for me. I think it would be very interesting if Sidious created his own destructor. But if he did, this would imply many things in TPM such as losing Maul on purpose. Forseeing Anakin save the day and become a Jedi. Not to mention the Jedi finding Anakin on Tatooine. Unless Sidious planned on picking the child up later. Which I doubt he'd have time for. So I'm leaning towards no. But I'm open to theories.

As a side note, I wish they had put Sate Pestage in the scene instead of the Vurk Senator (I think they're calling him Sweitt Concorkill now but not sure) sitting next to Mas Amedda. I mean it's okay to tell your aides and servants to leave, but a Senator? Ouch.

 

I think I remember reading in a set diary or something else that he's late to his meeting with Palpatine.

That's why he's running.

 

Well, what an awesome chapter! Without question the best single dialouge scene not only in the prequels, but in the entire Saga. So much information is given in this scene, and we're taken off in so many new directions, and yet its all done in such a compelling way. Ian Mcdiarmid is just stunning in this scene and he blows a huge raspberry at anybody who says Star Wars films can't have great acting. Hayden too is excellent, but its Ian who takes the scene to a new level to anything we've seen in a Star Wars dialouge scene, so far.

So, we begin the scene with Anakin arriving at the Galaxies Opera House.
Straight the way there's an uneasy and creepy feeling as Anakin rushes up the stairs, two at a time. I think it's the music, but it could also be the way the scene is shot, the lighting perhaps? Or maybe the red colour hue of the stairs and lobby? I'm not sure, but there's just something uneasy about the introduction to this scene.

The scene gets more creepy as Anakin introduces himself to Palpatine. Palpatine warmly greets Anakin and ask's his companions to leave (note the Emperor's Guards in the background) which they all do without question. At this point we're introduced to the giant blue blobs of light that are floating infront of Anakin and Palpatine, with the Mon Calamari dancers floating through the orbs of light. Is this a light show? An opera? Or a ballet? We never know, but the unusual nature of this show adds further to creepy feeling of the scene. Is this the most abstract/advent guarde effect Lucas has ever employed in the Saga? I think it is. It certainly make the tone poem between Anakin and Count Dooku in the lightsaber fight in AOTC pale by comparisson, IMO.

Now, the first half of the exachange between Palpatine and Anakin sets up General Grevious being "discovered" on Utupau. We know that Palaptine is selling Grevious out, and later it transpires that the reason is that he wants to seperate Obi-Wan from Anakin. We also set up the issue of the Jedi's "Betrayal" I LOVE how after Anakin protest's at Palpatine's belief that the Jedi will betray him, Ian says; "Anakin, search your feelings. You know, don't you?" Theres just something about that line thats so powerful and Ian says it so well. Then we get into a little political discussion about the nature of The Sith and The Jedi and their individual quest's for power and the way they use that power. The issue of good being a point of view plays into the "Point of View" issue that crops up throughout the Saga, especially with Ben and Luke.

The second half of the scene sees Palpatine weave his tale of Darth Plagueis The Wise. I must admit, I knew before I saw ROTS that we would be introduced to a little Sith backstory from Palpatine in this movie, and I was kind of worried about it, because by their nature The Sith should be mysterious. But I was blown away by how well Darth Sidious's backstory is interwoven into the fabric of this scene.

I love the way Palpatine use's the story to test the waters with Anakin and see which aspect of the story Anakin will react to. So, first we have him talking about The Sith "creating life" which Ian says just amazingly well, BTW. Anakin doesn't pick up that carrot, so Palpatine then moves on to the The Sith being able to "stop death" Which Anakin does respond to. How much of this story is truth and how much is lies, we will never know, but I find it hard to believe that either Palpatine or his Master are Anakin's farther. I do think it's more likely that The Sith can cheat death on the mortal coil, because in a way thats what Vader himself does. Ian is outstanding as he recounts Plagueis ultimate fate. The look on his face as he reveals how Plagueis's apprentice killed his master in sleep is stunning - Look at the evil smile, the looks of PURE satisfaction on Ian's face, you just KNOW that Palatine is talking about himself and how HE killed his master. Amazing! It also gives a HUGE payoff for ROTJ, because here we have Palpatine basically revealing his own fate. Just as as he was the apprentice and killed h

 

Great scene, maybe even my favorite of the entire PT.

I think the whole movie comes down to this scene, I've seen ROTS in theatres for four times, and everytime Palpatine said "...to keep the ones he cared about, from dying" I heard an "ah!" from somewhere in the room.

Ian is just great, but Hayden's good too: I like how he is not just going along with everything Palpatine says. At first he's reluctant to admit that the Jedi asked him to do something "that made him feel dishonest", and later on, he refuses to believe that the Jedi and the Sith are similair: "...the Jedi are selfless, they only care about others" sounds very resolute. Anakin also seems a little offended by Palpatine's suggestion.
I like how later on, Anakin does get sucked into the story Palpatine tells him, and he's too intrigued to wonder how Palpatine could know all this.

I myself never thought Palpatine was Plaguice's apprentice, neither did I believe that the Sith created Anakin. But HookLineAndSinker has a great point too, and it's proven by Anakin in the movie later on: he IS planning to overthrow Palpatine once he knows what he needs to know. It's great though that this scene leaves us in the dark, makes it extra creepy for me.

The visuals of the scene are great. Having Palpatine at an opera adds so much to his character, the whole chapter reminded me a bit of the opera scene from Hannibal.
The music is great too, very creepy.

 

It is a fantastic scene. And I love the way Lucas tosses out those bombshells and refuses to tie them up. I don't think that the Sith created Anakin, although if either of them did it was probably Palgueis. As to whether the sith know how to cheat death. Possibly. They know how to hold onto life unnaturally perhaps. I don't think they really understand it though. Palps certainly doesn't know it. I think Plagueis told him everything he knew but he didn't know that. I think the "one" he refers to is QGJ. But I could be wrong. Either way he has no intention of spilling the secret to Anakin. He knows that if he does he's a dead man. What I really love is how this all ties in to Obi's line in ANH - if you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. I only wish they'd had the QGJ scene with Yoda at the end to emphasise this properly. Still, an awesome scene, with probably some of the finest acting in the saga. And I've ragged on GL loads for his writing but the writing in this scene is mostly excellent. Good job!

 

You see, I'm differant to you. I thought it was absoluelty obvious that Palaptine was Plaguesis apprentice, and when he says that Plagueis was killed by his apprentice he's basically confessing to Anakin what he murdered his Master. Look at his face, the look of satisfaction - Its obvious. In this conversation we don't know where the truth ends and the lies begin, but I'm 99% sure that this aspect of the conversation is the truth and Palpatine was the apprentice that killed his Master - Just as he will ultimately be the Master thats killed by his apprentice.

 

Certainly one of my favourite scenes of the entire Star Wars saga!
Which also means that I always view this with a very critical eye.

The introduction is great. We see this place with all the lights and colors, and we are not quite sure what it is. When we see the patrons, and also the "boxes" where we have our discussion, we assume it's an opera/theater/some form of show. Also that red Twi'lek in the white dress... Hrm...

Anyway! The music is brilliant here. I always feel like one is not entirerely sure if it's "movie music" or if it's source music from the ballet going on. It's very, very evil of course, and yet it has a quality that suggests it's within the movie itself so to speak. It swells up at just the right moments!

I love the shot right after Palpatine says "Leave us" to his comrades. The camera is placed behind the chairs, and we see Sly Moore and the two (I think?) others get up from the chairs, thus leaving Anakin alone with Palpatine. It always struck me as being very creepy.

Ian is wonderful here, and I think that here he really finds the right tone between over-the-top and subtle acting. It's obvious that something is very odd about this man, we as an audience see it, but it's not enough to make us think it is silly. It's great stuff, and it's just so much fun to watch!
I think Hayden could've been a bit better in this scene. He delivers the lines just fine, but I think when Ian is speaking, Hayden seems a bit... I don't know. Just not "there". Then again, your eyes naturally go to Ian while he is talking, so it's no big problem at all.
I do like Haydens look when he says "at last we'll be able to capture that monster and end this war". He looks completely... evil!

I always find it interesting that George Lucas, judging from the of the audio commentaries of the films, always seem nervous about having these lengthy dialogue scenes in Star Wars. And yet I almost always find that they are very, very well done. The camera work/placements are always good I think, and they just seem to flow very nicely.
The dinner scene in Anakins house in Episode I is a great example I think. I just love the sombre tone, and the nice acting. Even Jar-Jar is really good there, and keeps it more interesting when he eats the fruit in the bowl or whatever it is.

Anyways, fantastic chapter!

 

As much as we all enjoy critcizing GL at times for heavy-handed dialogue amd awkward scene construction, you have to admit that in this scene, the most important in ROTS and possibly of the entire PT, he nails EVERYTHING. After three viewings, the first thing I'd like to point out is the music, or rather the deep-throated 'HUM' of the opera. Not sure if you'd call it music, or background ambience, whatever. From the moment Anakin races up the stairs, that music/sound sets the tone of the scene. We could pick this apart line by line, as Ian McD. is flawless in his delivery and facial expression throughout, but I'll hit only a couple of points.
After Palpatine outs the Jedi asking Anakin to spy on him, Hayden has such a great mood and expression during the "I don't know what to say" line. Very Mark Hamillish (that's a compliment.) Very nice job.
As Palpatine asks Anakin if he's heard of Darth Plagueis, he then follows this up with, "...It's not a story the Jedi would tell you." The inference being there are many things the Jedi know, but are witholding from you. Just another seed of distrust planted in Anakin's mind. This is immediately followed with the infamous "The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural." Perfect. Anakin has always wanted to be more than an average Jedi, and Palpatine here hands him the key to do just that.
Then the kicker as things wrap up, "Is it possible to learn this power?" "Not from a Jedi." Typed words do not do the delivery of this line justice. One of the top five lines of the entire saga. Absolutely perfect.

 

I have to admit this is one of my favorite scenes in all 6. It's wonderfully creepy with evil overtones.

It's Ian's best moment. I just love that look of satisfaction as he tells how Plagueis died. (Yes, I too believe Plagueis was Sidious's master--and, while I know mentioning the EU here can be suicidal--the novel and Labyrinth of Evil confirm this).

Throughout the early scenes, Palpatine sometimes speaks using his *Sith* voice. "Leave us" is one of those lines--and because of that, it is a downright creepy moment.

Was Anakin created by midichlorians or by the Sith? Not explaining it works best for the audience and as a way to control Anakin. The explanation/truth wouldn't be as satisfactory as not knowing.

I do believe Palpatine does know how to extend life--he keeps Vader alive after all. But only a foolish Sith Master would tell his apprentice everything so early in the relationship.

But what is the sacrifice for *extended* life? Palpatine is grotesque looking, Vader is more machine than man...

 

qui gon: Hayden seems a bit... I don't know. Just not "there"

actually i think hayden played this right - your perception that he's not "there" is just what's needed. look what he has to consider: he's weighing his options here - palaptine is saying the jedi can not be trusted, he's comparing them to the sith in a favorable way. whatever anakin's issues are with the jedi, he certainly didn't consider them evil or selfish.


and g-fett - yes the point of view....everything is conditional, isn't it?


and i too agree that plagueis was palpatine's mentor/master. and that palaptine killed him but i wonder if either of them learned the secret of eternal life - i think this is the biggest fish story told to anakin.
i still believe, or want to, that the force created anakin.

 

The sperm and egg imagry of the opera is brilliant and fits into the theme of the scene.

People comment on the score in the scene to be dark and creepy, but when the music swells when Palpatine says the line...

Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create life...

I literally got chills up my spine.

Also, what did people think of George Lucas' cameo in the opera scene?

 

regarding the baron P. - i'm glad george agreed to do it - but it was only through the coaxing of katie. those who don't know about the cameo never recognize george. he's unobstrusive as is both katie and amanda. and alfred hitchcock had a cameo in every one of his films... plus if rick, john, pablo and so many others are included, george just has to be there in RotS, the final chapter of star wars.

 

I knew people would be coming out of the woodwork for this, and rightly so. I think it's Ian's best work and definitely one of the most powerful and compelling scenes in any of the films. For all the ragging on Lucas' dialog, when he gets it right, he knocks it out of the park. I immediately thought that Palpatine was Plagueis' apprentice, that slight smile of remembrance gave it away. It was as if he rehearsed this speech in his head for years, waiting for the right time to tell Anakin. And Hayden was great, he defended the Jedi but clearly was listening to Palpatine's words. He cautiously weighs his options, and is tantalized about the prospect of saving Padme, despite himself.

I think one of the very best parts of this scene is the music. It's stunning and totally unexpected, like a omniscient 3rd character that brings a sense of doom that only we can understand.

 

Great scene. Wasn't able to enjoy it the first time I saw it, though. The whole movie actually. Had a horrible premiere experience. It was a charity premiere and everyone talked through the movie and worse.

Anyway, my favourite part is Palpatine's "Ironic, he could save others from dying, but not himself." The way he gets a close-up when saying "Ironic" and moving his jaw in such an evil manner. This is only topped off by the word "himself". He's looking down upon the mistakes his former master made. Love it!

Anakin's performance is great too- never had a problem with Hayden Christensens performance. You can see him thinking through the possibilities and the power one could posses. Maybe he is also thinking about who his father is?

P.S.: I believe in Darth Plagueis being the creator of Anakin. It's also fun imagining what young Darth Sidious and Darth Plagueis looked like.

 

Ah, Billy, I remember your German premiere experience - I felt so bad for you.

I love it when Palpatine says "but not himself" - FINALLY we get a hint of the Emperor's voice!!!


I never believed Palps had the power to extend his life - that was why he wanted to get Anakin so badly - Anakin was the strongest Force user anyone had ever seen! Which is also why Palpatine is oh so relieved when he finds Vader still alive on Mustafar.


I agree that whether or not you believe the Plagueis story really depends on how much foresight someone like Sidious has through the Force.

 

lovelucas- It may very well be that I just don't "see it" in Haydens performing there. I just don't think he looks haunted/on the edge enough in this particular scene. Which I might add, is something that I think he does really well through the rest of the film.
I think I might be watching it to "closely" though, hehe. Sometimes I tend to get stuck on little details in scenes I really like, thus making it hard for me to sort of take it all in at once!

One thing he does in this scene that I love is a little look just before he says "The sith rely on their passion for their strenght". I think that's the moment anyways... He kind of looks upwards a bit, and just seems really confused, and there is an expression of "I can't believe this" on his face.

It's also nice that Anakin actually defends the Jedi to the point where Palpatine has to change the subject a bit. We see him being unhappy about the Jedi a lot, and it's nice to see that he still feels that the Jedi are the "good guys" so to speak.

 

Wow, I don't know if everyone else noticed that play of imagery already and I just missed it or what, but that is an amazing connection. This is why I love Star Wars! It just gets better and better.

 

I think Plagueis plan was to take over the galaxy so he created Anakin, Sidious leanrned of his plan and killed him after he created Anakin. Thats just my opinion though.

 

The movie up until this point wove multiple plot-lines through intense action sequences. Nowhere else did a scene between two actors have such a powerful degree of depth and intensity. Imagine if Anakin's scenes with Padme or Obi-Wan's were are just as gripping! GL mastered this scene -- flawless!

The film took a sharp, discernable yet artfully directed dark turn as Anakin passed by the 'oh so blue' GL and his daughter. When Anakin passed through the opera theater doors he was symbolically the moth and Plapatine the black flame, Anakin the fly and Palps the spider -- Anakin knew right from wrong, good from evil, yet the intricate web of deception that Palps masterfully wove was beyond Anakin's power to resist. Once entered, Anakin's fate was inescapable. Ian McDiarmid's facial expressions, the timing of his delivery and the intonation of his words added so much more power to the scene.

Three truly amazing scenes had me glued to my seat each time I viewed the film and now as I watch the DVD (in my order of impressiveness):
- The opera
- Padme's rumination
- Anakin's immolation

The rumination and immolation scenes artistically and symbolically conveyed so very much with so few words (actually none in the rumination scene). Both scenes moistened my eyes, but just a bit

 

Quite possibly the single greatest scene in Revenge of the Sith.

It's around this scene that Anakin's seduction, if not the tragedy itself, really hinged. Lucas had to get it right - well, he got it right and THEN some. This is action adventure taken to drama taken to mythology taken to art.

Much has been said, and will continue to be said, about the acting, scripting, art direction etc. Much has also been said, and will also continue to be said, about the implications of Palpatine's dialogue. That Lucas slowed the tale down to incorporate this scene and let it play out with deceptively simple timing and language is quite interesting; Ian McDiarmid has called it a lightsabre duel of the mind. But there are various nuances and subtleties in this scene that suggest more - much more - than a simple "sit down and talk" sequence between two characters. This ain't just exposition!

Perhaps what makes this scene so good are the various disciplines and quirks of filmmaking it draws on. On the one hand, the revelations of the scene and the actual dialogue were rigorously plotted and planned in advance, yet on the other, Lucas' decision to switch locations (from Palpatine's office to a theatre of some kind) only came later, and most of all, the raspy tones of Palpatine's dialogue was the result of a "happy accident" - Ian McDiarmid had a throat infection at the time! You couldn't ask for more out of filmmaking than what's on display here.

Lucas uses simple touches to MAXIMUM effect. Take Anakin running: it's a small detail but it instantly creates a sense of urgency and unease - as does the simple scoring of Williams (unusual for him) that amplifies the tone all the more. Another interesting little detail are the red lights on Palpatine's chair. The visual metaphor is simple: danger. Again, with the music surging in the background, one cannot help but feel perturbed. The visual arrangement of Anakin initially crouching at Palpatine's side, and only being granted permission to sit, as it were, just as Palpatine orders his entourage to leave, is also interesting: visually, we know that Anakin is in Palpatine's pocket (running TO him, crouching BESIDE him, sitting down on INSTRUCTION etc), and that Palpatine is literally master of all he surveys. Someone here pointed out another fascinating metaphor: Palpatine tells his greatest set of lies here, secluded away from the Clone War and mounting political concerns outside, whilst watching another fantasy unfold in front of him, the light of which is reflected in his face. Yet the fantasy that Palpatine is watching has a measure of reality to it: it's the "natural" dance of the sperm and egg, as opposed to Palpatine's "unnatural" designs on Anakin, on the galaxy and the tale he tells to gain dominion over the two. Surreal stuff.

My favourite shot here is the one that immediately follows Palpatine's now-infamous question: "Did you ever hear of The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise"? The camera hangs BEHIND the two characters, its "eye" poised intently on the rippling globule in front of them, making us voyeurs as we wait for Anakin's answer: "no". For a moment, we are co-conspirators in this lie, as eager to hear it - but also pretending, as he is, to be transfixed by the globules - as Anakin. The surging of the music again adds to the seduction and insidiousness of, well... Darth Sidious and his endless malevolence. It's delicious.

What's also peculiar here is the nature of Palpatine's tale. He literally deems it: "The Tragedy Of Darth Plagueis The Wise". The Tragedy Of...? It sounds just like the title of a Shakespeare play! Indeed, Revenge of the Sith is a tragedy, and the immediate tragedy to be had is Anakin's, but in the long term, for anyone that might prefer the Dark Side, the tragedy is inherently Palpatine's - undone by his own complacency and misguided passive-aggressive faith in his apprentice. Palpatine's greatest lie literally comes back to swallow him whole. Like a spider caught in its own web - a concept echoed by the window behind Palpatine in Return of