Influence Of Anakin In The Film Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith

The scene from the film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith that I am choosing to analyze is when Anakin officially takes on the role as Darth Vader. This scene takes places towards the middle of the film and is the climax. Throughout the film Anakin finds himself growing closer and closer to chancellor Palpatine. They were comfortable enough with each other that Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he is in fact the sith lord Darth Sidious. Having the chancellor reveal this information puts Anakin in an awkward position. The Jedi Council refused to promote Anakin from a Jedi Knight to a Jedi Master due to his adolescent and immaturity. Anakin has some resentment for the Jedi Council after this but ultimately decides to inform Mace Windu

When Anakin arrives mid-battle Palpatine immediately addresses him and pleas for his help. Palpatine plays the victim “Palpatine: Anakin! I told you it would come to this. I was right. The Jedi are taking over.” (George Lucas 2005). Here we can see that Palpatine is trying to play into his friendship that he has with Anakin. He knows that if he can convince Anakin that the Jedi are attempting to take over the republic, he will be able to manipulate Anakin even more once he fully believes the Jedi are planning a coup d'etat. Palpatine let himself get into a tight corner so that when Anakin arrived it created this ‘It’s not what it looks like’ scenario with Mace having his lightsaber in the face of a beaten down, up against the wall Palpatine. “Palpatine: I am your pathway to power. I have the power to save the one you love. You must choose. You must stop him.” (George Lucas 2005). With this specific sentence now we can see that Palpatine is prying at what Anakin wants the most. Earlier in the film we see sequences where Anakin has visions of Padmé dying during child birth. Anakin is seeking the power to stop death; Palpatine and the power of the Dark Side are Anakin’s only hope. “Anakin: You can't kill him, Master. He must stand trial… He must live…I NEED HIM!”

Mace Windu is different from other Jedi which is distinguishable through his uniquely colored violet lightsaber. This is indicative of Mace’s ability to harness and utilize the Dark Side while still remaining a true Jedi. The theme of Mace Windu is that he is able to always follow his true intentions. Even though he is able to utilize the Dark Side he simply does not because his drive and will is Jedi. Anakin Skywalker is on the fence. He does not know what his intentions are, whether they are Jedi or Sith. This scene helps convey the notion that Anakin’s true intentions are indeed Sith. He chooses power, selfishness, and passion with the manipulation of Palpatine. The Theme of Anakin Skywalker can be analogized to the stereotypical little angel and devil on the shoulders. The angel has taught Anakin everything he knows about what to follow, while the devil is offering him the power to save his loved one, Padmé. We can see that Anakin is motivated by what will satisfy his wants. Chancellor Palpatine has a unique theme and character development just in this one six minute scene. At the beginning when Mace first enters his office declaring he is under arrested, Palpatine is playing the victim, acting as if he has done absolutely nothing wrong. But by the end of the scene when he dubs Anakin to be Darth Vader we can see the true evil that is Darth Sidious