I read somewhere that the in-canon reason why this fight was so slow was because of Obi-Wan's style, which is extremely defensive by nature, while at the same time Vader was being excessively cautious and timid in his offense; which is completely understandable, because who _wouldn't_ be excessively cautious fighting the same guy who amputated three of your limbs and left you roasting alive the last time you saw him?
Darth Vader: Hey Obi-Wan, remember when we fought on that volcano through the pool of lava and death, surfing on tiny little machines and doing flips and kicks everywhere? Obi-Wan:Yup. Sure do. Darth Vader: ......We got so old. Obi-Wan: Preach.
It's funny to hear Kenobi calling him "Darth" like it was his first name, and not a title for a Sith lord. Just a sign of how things evolved differently from Lucas' original intent.
0:50 "Your powers are weak, old man." When he started the prequels, George must've been really glad he planted that line in there. Otherwise, he'd have no real way of explaining how such a badass like Obi-Wan could become so....senile.
Just watched the duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan from Episode III, then I watch this... Films had come a long way between 1977 and 2005... I still think Ewan McGregor was the perfect young Obi-Wan.
It still has its charm though, for the time it was filmed and being the first movie of the series (which for what I've read had some budget problems at first) it still looks entertaining.
One of the reasons for the slower movements in this fight is also that lightsabers were originally conceived to be very heavy. As explained in the special features on the 2004 dvd box set. That's why there are white flashes during the fight, to represent the enormous energy clash of the sabers. In the next two movies, the actors and fight coordinators were given more leeway (like briefly using one hand to fight) but it was still mainly a two-handed weapon. It is also worth remembering, that the actual fighting is a lot less important in the original trilogy than the dialogue and the character dynamic. Yoda didn't even train Luke with a lightsaber. Understanding and mastering the Force was the really important thing for a Jedi Knight.
And this my friends, is why Obi Wan was the best Jedi in history, followed by Yoda and Mace. How many Sith Lords did this guy defeat without even getting scratched by a light sabor? Never lost a limb. Never defeated. Yoda get's props for the only Jedi to pass in bed, peacefully. But nobody could defeat Obi Wan, in the end..not even old age. Obi Wan defeated Obi Wan. That's a master
The real reason the fight its "slow and restrictive" is because at the time George Lucas was unsure if he could pull off the fight with the technology they had at the time during editing, So he kept it short and sweet just in case he had to cut the whole scene out. He also wanted to make it easier for them to add the effects just in case he could pull it off. People tend to forget that the light effect was done with manual color tracking, that why you see the light sabers color twitch around a lot in the original cuts. Now its done by computers, so the actors can twirl around all they want and the computer stays right on them.
"if you strike me down i will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine" could this be in reference to that fact that when obi-wan kenobi himself witnessed his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, killed by darth maul he went on to kill darth maul. symbolically taking over his masters roll the same way he hopes luke seeing him killed will strengthen him? i don't know a lot about starwars so maybe i'm missing something?
When Darth Vader stroke down Obi wan he didn't perished, instead he became one with the force and became a force ghost, as a force ghost he's more powerful than Darth Vader, obi wan can guide luke anywhere he wanted to, his old age will no longer weaken him, this is what obi wan was talking about
Well, maybe. But actually, I think it's a reference to the very end of ROTS when Yoda said to Obi Wan that he found the way to immortality. When Vader killed Obi Wan here, he just became immortal, which is why he says that he would become more powerful than ever, because this power is very strong when you think about it (that's why only him and Yoda are ghosts in the original trilogy... And well Anakin too, but I don't really have any explanation to that)
***** Actually, in RotS, Anakin had lost that fight before it began. He was reckless, angry, clumsy, unfocused and expended far too much energy. Because Obi-Wan is a master of Soresu and has at least rudimentary knowledge of all other lightsaber forms, he was able to tire Anakin out to the point where his defense was weak and he couldn't even jump high enough to go clear over Obi-Wan's head and avoid getting sliced to pieces. Anakin would have eventually tired out, no matter what, and Obi-Wan would have won. It was inevitable.
Simple but powerful scene.This is more than just a sword fight I cant help but to get a bit emotional when the music cues in, Obi Wan looks towards Luke and smiles humbly back at Darth Vader. Such a powerful scene.
I love this duel because I love it when there's a duel between two enemies who were once best friends, and how it has been 20 years since they've last seen each other. Obi-Wan sacrificing himself really got me when I first saw it as a kid. ;( And it perfectly sets up Luke's confrontation against Vader.
At the end of Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Obi Wan was told that his Old Master Quai gon Jin returned from the force to Continue his training. The training, to become "One with the force". So Ben Kenobi former known as Obi Wan Kenobi went into the Exile in Tatooine to learn to become one with the Force. In the fight against Darth Vader he used his knowledge to become "One with the Force" and literally Evade dying.
Vader didn't win this fight, he lost, as Obi Wan had more knowledge of the Force and once he sacrificed himself, he knew he would win, and would never be defeated.
Bear in mind that Lucas shopped the script for Star Wars around for a while before finding a studio to take a chance on it because it was so incredibly ambitious and different from any other movie being produced at the time. So they were feeling out new territory here in the early to mid '70s. If you weren't alive in 1977, I don't think you can fully appreciate the tremendous impact this one movie had on the collective conscience of every human being on planet Earth.
0:53 It's interesting how this iconic line that Obi Wan says was recorded with a different acoustic environment and closer to the microphone. It sounds more like a voice in your head than a dude with a hoodie down the hall.
the reaons these two are not doing acrobatics is because there older, less mobile and there so skilled that if they try such moves there opponent could cut them to ribbons.
this duel is awesome cause you can just see by the look on obi wans face during the battle that he was totally manipulating vader the whole time, right up to the point where he moves in front of the window to distract the army of storm troopers guarding the ships, and right up to the point where he allows vader to send him into eternity and make him more powerful
The funny thing is, even with everyone complaining about how this is the slowest fight in the SW saga, it actually isn't that slow. That little bit from 1:28 to 1:40 was actually some fairly fast-paced swordplay, it was just that the movements weren't exaggerated like they are in the rest of the duels.
The in-universe reason the fight is slower is that Vader was being extremely cautious. In the Death Star novel, he muses to himself that, despite being superior to Kenobi as a duelist and combative Force wielder, he needed to be very careful because he had been all of these things when he fought Kenobi before, and still lost. Also, Kenobi was still extremely formidable, to the point where Vader also mused that, if he became distracted, Kenobi could cut him to pieces in the blink of an eye.
theres no music, only vaders breathing and the humming and clash of sabers. the lack of music really helps with the intensity and emotion of this scene.
Vader: wish we could jump around and do awesome backflips and shit like in the old days lol Obi: yeah me to lol, im getting too old though Vader: yeah and im just a fucking robot and my limbs barely move anymore. Obi: i miss the old days... Vader: me too man
This fight scene is full of emotion, some people may find it hard to take this fight seriously because they take it at face value. However, think about the conversation and the motivations and realize that this fight is just a ploy, just a face for something deeper happening within the characters' minds. Obi-wan fought Vader in order to allow Luke to escape, to distract Vader and to keep his mind elsewhere, he prodded him with his mere presence. The moment Vader sees Obi-wan face to face he speaks " I've been waiting for this Obi-Wan we meet again at last" He knew his presence and this kept him away from Luke, Obi-wan used his pride in defeating his master to bide for time and taunted him to add to it, even telling him he could never win, even if he destroyed him obi wan would become even more powerful than he could even imagine; Because Vader had fallen from grace for his lust for power, taunting him by telling him he'll never be a true master, only of evil must infuriate him. At the beginning of the fight they're not really fighting, they're conversing, Obi-wan is simply toying with Vaders emotions, and Vader may have wanted to spark a real fight out of him before striking him down, perhaps even regretting the fact he must, " You should not have come back" and then this is where the fight begins to pick up, Vaders frustrations making him swing harder and with more effort but Obi wan parrying and keeping him at bay. By the end of the fight Obi-wan has Vader on his toes, has him breathing heavily and Vader hasn't had a single opportunity to strike at him without being parried. Then he sees Luke, He knows that he's done his job in saving him and must continue to guide him. He is not ready for Vader and thus must sacrifice himself to both become one with the force and to distract Vader with what he wanted in that moment the most; the power to defeat his old master.
I recently watched all 6 films together, first time I did that, and really this duel was fine. They all tend to look slower when you just view them on there own, when watched as part of the film you get used to that film's pacing so this one was fine. Yup, it's probably the slowest of the main duels, but it still does its job well. I still love Obi-Wan's little flick deflection while talking at 0:59.
"Now I am the master." "Only a master of evil, Darth." Isn't it interesting how the sith think of themselves as so similar to the jedi and the jedi think of themselves as so different from the sith?
in my opinion this is the greatest lighsaber duel ever! And it should be the most respected. Because this is the first Lightsaber duel that came to the screen in 1977. It is classic..and always will be!
Ppl sayn the original fights are better than the prequels because the prequels look make believe. You are referring to what a fight should be between two normal people. You are forgetting Jedi and sith are supernaturals. It is feasible that supernaturals should be able to flip, shoot lightning, and jump and land safely hundreds of feet below. the same could be said for superman. Supernatural abilities should not look like common ppl fighting.
I love this fight scene. The hipsters complaining that it's too slow remember this was the first lightsaber battle seen in any of the movies. Plus Vader and Obi-Wan are old men they wouldn't fight like the way they would as younger men.
I think it's the emotion behind a Lightsaber battle that make them good. This is a great example as Obi Wan and Vader were once Apprentice and Master and both ended up becoming mortal enemies in a very tragic way, now the two of them are meeting for the first time in many years, imagine how you would feel in that scenario. The fact that Obi Wan is aware he failed as a master makes this one really tragic. That is why this is my favourite Lightsaber Battle in Star Wars. :)
Ironic how this scene has all of the things the OT Elitists pretend the fights in the prequels had. Awful dialogue? (And yes, the dialogue in the prequels was pretty bad too, but no worse than this) "Only a Master of Evil, Darth!" Check. Horrible choreography with overly flashy and impractical moves? 0:35, check. Bad acting? Check, Alec Guiness even admitted he phoned in his wooden performance. Lack of emotion? You bet your ass. Looking at this scene makes me feel good for loving the prequels. If the majority of people think THIS fight is better than the exciting and emotionally heartbreaking Anakin v.s Obi Wan, I'm glad to be in the minority.
You know, looking back on all the fights in the series, this was probably the most realistic in terms of how you'd fight with the unstoppable sword of destruction that is a lightsaber. Not much flashiness, patiently waiting for an opening, carefully defending, etc. I just wish that if they went for a sorta near-fencing style that it would be faster and movie-appeal quality like the mark of zorro (the 1940 movie)
people say the prequel fights were unrealistic but what about that spin. any idiot would know to cut the old man in half if he did that spin real life.
My take on this fight is that Vader actually was more skilled than Obi-Wan, but intentionally wanted to drag this fight on as long as possible to torture the old man. Vader is a 7 foot 2 cyborg who has been training since Obi-Wan's fight with him on Mustafar, whereas Obi-Wan was hiding on Tatooine to avoid attracting attention. Vader was just angry at Kenobi and wanted to make this fight agonizing, which is why Obi-Wan sacrificing himself was the biggest "screw you" he could give to Vader.
Keep in mind that when they did 'Episode 4' they wanted to make the impression that the lightsaber weight was that of a regular sword. After the movie they rethink the lightsaber concept because it wasn't fit that the blade of the lightsaber would weight something like an iron blade. I think that's why the fight was after after 'A new hope'.
I definitely like the duels in ANH and ESB. They're arguably the more realistic in terms of pace and technique, but even with it they have their fair share of fancy bladework.
After seeing the fight scene Obi-wan and Anakin in "Revenge of Sith", I can't believe that same character is fighting in this film. Is it because they are too old to move fast??
I know that at this point in the production, Darth Vader was supposed to be his real name, but seeing how the story is written now, Obi-Wan calling him Darth doesn't feel right to me anymore. It would be more consistent with the story if he was calling him Anakin.
"Remember when we fought on a world of lava on droids and bridges doing flips and tricks?"
because that spin at 0:35 is so necessary!
Wow that must have been insanely unsatisfying for Darth haha. All those years and Obi-Wan just disappears into thin air.
I read somewhere that the in-canon reason why this fight was so slow was because of Obi-Wan's style, which is extremely defensive by nature, while at the same time Vader was being excessively cautious and timid in his offense; which is completely understandable, because who _wouldn't_ be excessively cautious fighting the same guy who amputated three of your limbs and left you roasting alive the last time you saw him?
i love how at 0:34 vader just let him slowly spin around
Anyone ever thought what happened to Obi-wan's lightsaber?
Darth Vader: Hey Obi-Wan, remember when we fought on that volcano through the pool of lava and death, surfing on tiny little machines and doing flips and kicks everywhere?
Obi-Wan:Yup. Sure do.
Darth Vader: ......We got so old.
Obi-Wan: Preach.
I think this fight was more about the result/dialogue than the actual fight.
It's funny to hear Kenobi calling him "Darth" like it was his first name, and not a title for a Sith lord. Just a sign of how things evolved differently from Lucas' original intent.
0:39 purple Lightsaber :3
"Your powers are weak, old man."
One of my all-time favorite lines.
0:50 "Your powers are weak, old man."
When he started the prequels, George must've been really glad he planted that line in there. Otherwise, he'd have no real way of explaining how such a badass like Obi-Wan could become so....senile.
Just watched the duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan from Episode III, then I watch this... Films had come a long way between 1977 and 2005...
I still think Ewan McGregor was the perfect young Obi-Wan.
"When I left you I was but a whiner, now I have an accent"
"Only an accent of evil, Darth."
Anakin developed a British accent over the years, must have been all those years in the Empire.
Vader: *I can't see a damn thing in this helmet*
Lets face it, guys, this fight is terrible! lol.
It still has its charm though, for the time it was filmed and being the first movie of the series (which for what I've read had some budget problems at first) it still looks entertaining.
still people try to find things that makes it ''good''. Emotions according to people, LOL. THis was terrible, plain and simple.
true, u gotta remember that this is 1977!! the story is awesome tho.
no
some old people fighting ollol
"If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine" said Pirate Bay to the MAFIAA..
Darth Vader: "When I left you, I was the worst character. Now I am the best character."
Ben Kenobi: "Only the best character of evil."
Really made my day
he was pretty good in episode 3, but still not even near Vader
Vader was always the best character.
Genius!
Shut up meg
First lightsaber duel _ever_ on screen in the Star Wars universe!
The duel on Mustafar makes this seem like a kids' fight in the sandpit! :(((
*****
What, do you have a problem with me commenting all over TH-cam? :))
One of the reasons for the slower movements in this fight is also that lightsabers were originally conceived to be very heavy. As explained in the special features on the 2004 dvd box set. That's why there are white flashes during the fight, to represent the enormous energy clash of the sabers.
In the next two movies, the actors and fight coordinators were given more leeway (like briefly using one hand to fight) but it was still mainly a two-handed weapon.
It is also worth remembering, that the actual fighting is a lot less important in the original trilogy than the dialogue and the character dynamic. Yoda didn't even train Luke with a lightsaber. Understanding and mastering the Force was the really important thing for a Jedi Knight.
And this my friends, is why Obi Wan was the best Jedi in history, followed by Yoda and Mace. How many Sith Lords did this guy defeat without even getting scratched by a light sabor? Never lost a limb. Never defeated. Yoda get's props for the only Jedi to pass in bed, peacefully. But nobody could defeat Obi Wan, in the end..not even old age. Obi Wan defeated Obi Wan. That's a master
"When i left you I was the learner.. Now I am the master..."
Didn't Obi-Wan leave him roasting in his own arrogance on Mustafar?
The real reason the fight its "slow and restrictive" is because at the time George Lucas was unsure if he could pull off the fight with the technology they had at the time during editing, So he kept it short and sweet just in case he had to cut the whole scene out. He also wanted to make it easier for them to add the effects just in case he could pull it off. People tend to forget that the light effect was done with manual color tracking, that why you see the light sabers color twitch around a lot in the original cuts. Now its done by computers, so the actors can twirl around all they want and the computer stays right on them.
That spin
At least they didn't get their schwartz twisted.
"if you strike me down i will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine" could this be in reference to that fact that when obi-wan kenobi himself witnessed his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, killed by darth maul he went on to kill darth maul. symbolically taking over his masters roll the same way he hopes luke seeing him killed will strengthen him? i don't know a lot about starwars so maybe i'm missing something?
When Darth Vader stroke down Obi wan he didn't perished, instead he became one with the force and became a force ghost, as a force ghost he's more powerful than Darth Vader, obi wan can guide luke anywhere he wanted to, his old age will no longer weaken him, this is what obi wan was talking about
Obi Wan simply learned the ways to live on as Qui Gon did
Well, maybe. But actually, I think it's a reference to the very end of ROTS when Yoda said to Obi Wan that he found the way to immortality. When Vader killed Obi Wan here, he just became immortal, which is why he says that he would become more powerful than ever, because this power is very strong when you think about it (that's why only him and Yoda are ghosts in the original trilogy... And well Anakin too, but I don't really have any explanation to that)
He was talking about Qui-Gon Jinn teaching him to become one with the force and live on after death during his solitude on Tatooine.
When they first cut to Vader at 0:05 holding his lighstaber it was the biggest "OH SHIT" moment ever.
Darth Vader: When I left you-
Obi-Wan: Sorry, say that again? 'When I left you?' I'm pretty sure I left YOU on fire next to a river of lava.
***** Actually, in RotS, Anakin had lost that fight before it began. He was reckless, angry, clumsy, unfocused and expended far too much energy. Because Obi-Wan is a master of Soresu and has at least rudimentary knowledge of all other lightsaber forms, he was able to tire Anakin out to the point where his defense was weak and he couldn't even jump high enough to go clear over Obi-Wan's head and avoid getting sliced to pieces. Anakin would have eventually tired out, no matter what, and Obi-Wan would have won. It was inevitable.
0:25 my favourite Star Wars quote :D
Simple but powerful scene.This is more than just a sword fight
I cant help but to get a bit emotional when the music cues in, Obi Wan looks towards Luke and smiles humbly back at Darth Vader. Such a powerful scene.
NOOOOOO! BENNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
two old men with arthritis.
i like the plot but the acting and the fighting of the original trilogy makes me wanna dig my eyes out
I'm new to this films and I just fell in love for them
At the time Luke has no personal vendetta to fight the empire...Obi made sure he would now.
I love this duel because I love it when there's a duel between two enemies who were once best friends, and how it has been 20 years since they've last seen each other. Obi-Wan sacrificing himself really got me when I first saw it as a kid. ;( And it perfectly sets up Luke's confrontation against Vader.
At the end of Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Obi Wan was told that his Old Master Quai gon Jin returned from the force to Continue his training. The training, to become "One with the force". So Ben Kenobi former known as Obi Wan Kenobi went into the Exile in Tatooine to learn to become one with the Force. In the fight against Darth Vader he used his knowledge to become "One with the Force" and literally Evade dying.
Seeing this scene now it's kind of strange hearing Obi Wan calling Vader Darth, since now Darth is considered a title and not a name.
"Wanna touch swords?" This whole fight xD
Vader didn't win this fight, he lost, as Obi Wan had more knowledge of the Force and once he sacrificed himself, he knew he would win, and would never be defeated.
I love how the stormtroopers round up to witness the fight as public... instead of being doing their job!
Bear in mind that Lucas shopped the script for Star Wars around for a while before finding a studio to take a chance on it because it was so incredibly ambitious and different from any other movie being produced at the time. So they were feeling out new territory here in the early to mid '70s. If you weren't alive in 1977, I don't think you can fully appreciate the tremendous impact this one movie had on the collective conscience of every human being on planet Earth.
I like what them stormtroopers were doing. Once they saw the duel
"Hey guys! Look there's a fight going on!"
"FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!"
obi wan : c'mon anakin! do the spin thing!
darth vader : ....
0:53 It's interesting how this iconic line that Obi Wan says was recorded with a different acoustic environment and closer to the microphone. It sounds more like a voice in your head than a dude with a hoodie down the hall.
the reaons these two are not doing acrobatics is because there older, less mobile and there so skilled that if they try such moves there opponent could cut them to ribbons.
What the fuck is that turn at 0:36 for?
this duel is awesome cause you can just see by the look on obi wans face during the battle that he was totally manipulating vader the whole time, right up to the point where he moves in front of the window to distract the army of storm troopers guarding the ships, and right up to the point where he allows vader to send him into eternity and make him more powerful
This was pretty low-key compared to the one in Episode III haha. Old dudes
the "slow fight" makes it 99 x more epic
I still get goose bumps when watching this. Amazing even after 36 years!!
The funny thing is, even with everyone complaining about how this is the slowest fight in the SW saga, it actually isn't that slow. That little bit from 1:28 to 1:40 was actually some fairly fast-paced swordplay, it was just that the movements weren't exaggerated like they are in the rest of the duels.
"The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but a learner, now I am the Master"
The in-universe reason the fight is slower is that Vader was being extremely cautious. In the Death Star novel, he muses to himself that, despite being superior to Kenobi as a duelist and combative Force wielder, he needed to be very careful because he had been all of these things when he fought Kenobi before, and still lost. Also, Kenobi was still extremely formidable, to the point where Vader also mused that, if he became distracted, Kenobi could cut him to pieces in the blink of an eye.
theres no music, only vaders breathing and the humming and clash of sabers. the lack of music really helps with the intensity and emotion of this scene.
That spin at 0:35 is legendary. Lmao
Vader: wish we could jump around and do awesome backflips and shit like in the old days lol
Obi: yeah me to lol, im getting too old though
Vader: yeah and im just a fucking robot and my limbs barely move anymore.
Obi: i miss the old days...
Vader: me too man
This fight scene is full of emotion, some people may find it hard to take this fight seriously because they take it at face value. However, think about the conversation and the motivations and realize that this fight is just a ploy, just a face for something deeper happening within the characters' minds.
Obi-wan fought Vader in order to allow Luke to escape, to distract Vader and to keep his mind elsewhere, he prodded him with his mere presence. The moment Vader sees Obi-wan face to face he speaks " I've been waiting for this Obi-Wan we meet again at last" He knew his presence and this kept him away from Luke, Obi-wan used his pride in defeating his master to bide for time and taunted him to add to it, even telling him he could never win, even if he destroyed him obi wan would become even more powerful than he could even imagine; Because Vader had fallen from grace for his lust for power, taunting him by telling him he'll never be a true master, only of evil must infuriate him.
At the beginning of the fight they're not really fighting, they're conversing, Obi-wan is simply toying with Vaders emotions, and Vader may have wanted to spark a real fight out of him before striking him down, perhaps even regretting the fact he must, " You should not have come back" and then this is where the fight begins to pick up, Vaders frustrations making him swing harder and with more effort but Obi wan parrying and keeping him at bay. By the end of the fight Obi-wan has Vader on his toes, has him breathing heavily and Vader hasn't had a single opportunity to strike at him without being parried.
Then he sees Luke, He knows that he's done his job in saving him and must continue to guide him. He is not ready for Vader and thus must sacrifice himself to both become one with the force and to distract Vader with what he wanted in that moment the most; the power to defeat his old master.
Amazing fight, Obi-Wan losing on purpose. He sacrificed himself.
I recently watched all 6 films together, first time I did that, and really this duel was fine. They all tend to look slower when you just view them on there own, when watched as part of the film you get used to that film's pacing so this one was fine. Yup, it's probably the slowest of the main duels, but it still does its job well.
I still love Obi-Wan's little flick deflection while talking at 0:59.
1:57 Luke yells "noo!" with a very manly voice.
This duel is not action packed, exciting and flashy, but it is just as intense, dangerous and deadly; where a single error will cost you your life
"Now I am the master." "Only a master of evil, Darth." Isn't it interesting how the sith think of themselves as so similar to the jedi and the jedi think of themselves as so different from the sith?
I STILL don't get why he just let himself die.
If you ask me, Obi-Wan is the greatest Jedi that ever lived. He was lively and comical, compassionate, he's like the living Jedi Code.
Fight is terrible because it has to be terrible: Obi Wan is REALLY old and Vader misses both legs and one arm.
If you look at their fight in star wars episode 3 and compare it to this fight then... yeah
in my opinion this is the greatest lighsaber duel ever! And it should be the most respected. Because this is the first Lightsaber duel that came to the screen in 1977. It is classic..and always will be!
Ppl sayn the original fights are better than the prequels because the prequels look make believe. You are referring to what a fight should be between two normal people. You are forgetting Jedi and sith are supernaturals. It is feasible that supernaturals should be able to flip, shoot lightning, and jump and land safely hundreds of feet below. the same could be said for superman. Supernatural abilities should not look like common ppl fighting.
I love this fight scene. The hipsters complaining that it's too slow remember this was the first lightsaber battle seen in any of the movies. Plus Vader and Obi-Wan are old men they wouldn't fight like the way they would as younger men.
I think it's the emotion behind a Lightsaber battle that make them good. This is a great example as Obi Wan and Vader were once Apprentice and Master and both ended up becoming mortal enemies in a very tragic way, now the two of them are meeting for the first time in many years, imagine how you would feel in that scenario. The fact that Obi Wan is aware he failed as a master makes this one really tragic. That is why this is my favourite Lightsaber Battle in Star Wars. :)
Alternate Ending
Vader: What are you doing?
Ben: Kill me, you're ruining the moment. *slice*
Not very high octane compared to the prequels.... Lightsaber duels are definitely where the prequels shined.
they actually moved faster than i remembered
R.I.P Alec Guinness
"... you never call, you never write"
this is hilarious when you look at it now 2014, but i guess its ok since it was filmed a LOT of time ago
Ironic how this scene has all of the things the OT Elitists pretend the fights in the prequels had. Awful dialogue? (And yes, the dialogue in the prequels was pretty bad too, but no worse than this) "Only a Master of Evil, Darth!" Check. Horrible choreography with overly flashy and impractical moves? 0:35, check. Bad acting? Check, Alec Guiness even admitted he phoned in his wooden performance. Lack of emotion? You bet your ass.
Looking at this scene makes me feel good for loving the prequels. If the majority of people think THIS fight is better than the exciting and emotionally heartbreaking Anakin v.s Obi Wan, I'm glad to be in the minority.
They dont even look like they are trying to kill each other like Anakin vs Obi Wan
And besides, if you think that the choreography is what makes the fight, then you missed the point ENTIRELY.
i love how the storm troopers leave their post once they see them. it's like they were thinking "aw sweet, a saber fight. let's check this shit out."
The most underrated and forgotten duel of the series.
I wonder how good this would have been if made in 2014
You know, looking back on all the fights in the series, this was probably the most realistic in terms of how you'd fight with the unstoppable sword of destruction that is a lightsaber. Not much flashiness, patiently waiting for an opening, carefully defending, etc. I just wish that if they went for a sorta near-fencing style that it would be faster and movie-appeal quality like the mark of zorro (the 1940 movie)
people say the prequel fights were unrealistic but what about that spin. any idiot would know to cut the old man in half if he did that spin real life.
My take on this fight is that Vader actually was more skilled than Obi-Wan, but intentionally wanted to drag this fight on as long as possible to torture the old man. Vader is a 7 foot 2 cyborg who has been training since Obi-Wan's fight with him on Mustafar, whereas Obi-Wan was hiding on Tatooine to avoid attracting attention. Vader was just angry at Kenobi and wanted to make this fight agonizing, which is why Obi-Wan sacrificing himself was the biggest "screw you" he could give to Vader.
1:50
"Now it's Luke's business to cut his arms, my job here is done"
My old Time Fav.Tysm
"Only a master of evil darth"
OOOOOOOOH BURN!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep in mind that when they did 'Episode 4' they wanted to make the impression that the lightsaber weight was that of a regular sword. After the movie they rethink the lightsaber concept because it wasn't fit that the blade of the lightsaber would weight something like an iron blade. I think that's why the fight was after after 'A new hope'.
I definitely like the duels in ANH and ESB. They're arguably the more realistic in terms of pace and technique, but even with it they have their fair share of fancy bladework.
Prequel haters: The original trilogy fights are soooooooooo much better.
*So one hit from a lightsabre means disintegration.........mhm...
no, obi-wan transforms in a phantom of the force, a little moment before the lightsaber touch him (sorry for my bad english)
After seeing the fight scene Obi-wan and Anakin in "Revenge of Sith", I can't believe that same character is fighting in this film.
Is it because they are too old to move fast??
First ever Lightsaber Duel. I'm geeking out.
0:50, That's the most offensive speech I have ever heard in Star Wars!
This fight always makes me cry :'(
I love this fight, mainly because it's actual sword fighting.
I know that at this point in the production, Darth Vader was supposed to be his real name, but seeing how the story is written now, Obi-Wan calling him Darth doesn't feel right to me anymore. It would be more consistent with the story if he was calling him Anakin.
0:35 useless twist
I like how they remasterized the whole thing (scenes, sound, the blades!)