Rebel Briefing

Next week marks 40 years since Return of the Jedi was released in US cinemas. By the Maker, haven’t the decades flown by like an out-of-control Speeder bike!

The movie had a lot to live up to following the success of The Empire Strikes Back. It also had to tie up all the loose ends and bring the original trilogy to a satisfying close. Jedi wasn’t everyone’s cup of Jawa Juice in 1983, yet four decades on, it’s stood the test of time.

Here’s five reasons why Jedi is my favourite film of the Skywalker Saga.

5: Jabba’s Palace

A lot is going on at Jabba’s Palace. It’s a feast for the eyes. The slug-like Huttese gangster is great and grotesque, and his menagerie of creatures and crooks hooked me from the beginning (I was six years old when Jedi was released).

Jabba’s desert home brilliantly kicked off the action to come. We saw Han Solo escape from his carbonite prison to reunite the gang for the first time since Hoth, while Luke’s smackdown with the Rancor monster is still exciting 40 years on. The explosive battle above the Great Pit of Carkoon neatly closes the movie’s opening act as the vile Jabba gets his comeuppance at the hands of Princess Leia.

We’re also introduced to a darker, more sombre Luke. Stepping out of the misty shadows below Jabba’s Palace, the mysterious and cloaked Jedi is dressed in black like his father – a symbol of the growing acceptance of his shadow side and Vader as his dad.

The once idealistic farm boy has an edge to him now, hammered home by his Force choking of the Gamorrean Guards who dare to block his path. Luke’s shadowy introduction sets up conflicts both internal and external, as he takes his final steps to becoming a Jedi. His green lightsabre is badass, too!

4: Yoda’s death

When we meet Luke in A New Hope, his life has been beset with the death of his loved ones. Stormtroopers kill Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, and Vader slays Obi-Wan. In time, he must also come to terms with his father’s death and Yoda’s demise.

The old Jedi’s death is a crucial moment for Luke – having said goodbye to his diminutive master, Skywalker is now truly alone.

I still marvel at the puppet’s performance. Despite the advancements in CGI in the 40 years since Jedi was released, the believability of this scene takes some beating as Yoda imparts his last words of wisdom (and final confession) to Luke.

“Twilight is upon me, and soon night must fall,” says the powerful Jedi master. These are beautiful and poignant words because, after 900 years, Yoda accepts the inevitability of death and his willingness to let go of his corporeal form – something Anakin Skywalker could not do.

Frank Oz’s brilliance pulls us deeper into the moment as we witness Yoda’s anguish and failing strength. We feel his sadness and distress towards Luke for the burden he must now carry.

Mark Hamill’s performance is just as impressive as he heeds Yoda’s last words. Just like in The Empire Strikes Back – where he had little to react to – Hamill’s acting on Dagobah is outstanding. As he watches, his master passes away. The look of compassion and acceptance on Luke’s face is heartbreaking.

So too, is the music and sound design. The score is emotional – we feel sad (but part of us rejoices) as Yoda fades away to become one with the Force. The rumble of thunder punctuating the moment of Yoda’s death feels profound. It’s as if the universe and nature are mourning his death, almost like a tremor in the Force. 

3: The Death Star Battle

The climactic Death Star battle above Endor had to rival the spectacle down on the surface. It doesn’t disappoint.

With the SFX (as it was in 1983) more advanced than the technical wizardry of a New Hope and Empire, Lucasfilm left it all out on the (battle) field to give us one final treat before the saga when into hiatus for 16 years.

The full scale of the attack – intercut with the operatic scenes in the Emperor’s throne room – is awe-inspiring as the movie (and trilogy) moves towards its dramatic climax. I still love the ships’ movement and energy as they pass through the screen. The prequels are fantastic, but the space battle in Rogue One is the only one to rival Jedi’s.

Admit it – who didn’t jump for joy as General Calrissian, piloting the Millennium Falcon, led the Rebels to victory! Yee ha!

2: Endor

My favourite Star Wars planet (yes, it’s technically a moon). Just like Jabba’s Palace, a lot happens on the forest world. Not only are the Rebels attempting to destroy the shield generator that protects the Death Star in orbit above, but we also meet the Ewoks.

The fur nuggets (or murder bears) are a great Vietnam analogy of a primitive tribe bringing down a technologically superior invader. Importantly, they’re just as adorable 40 years later. Yes, I was 6 when Jedi was released and precisely in George Lucas’ toy target demographic. I still have my Nippet plush today!

Combining the Ewoks with the rebel’s sabotage mission, Endor gave us some of the best battle scenes of the saga. The furry fiends’ savagery against the Imperials and thrilling Speeder bike chase is still stunning and awesome.

Luke’s confession to Leia about their shared bloodline also takes place on Endor. So does his surrender to Vader, which beautifully sets up the dramatic finale.

This brings me to…

1: The Final Showdown

I love Return of the Jedi because of the three-way showdown between Luke, Vader and the Emperor. It had everything a fan could ask for, to brilliantly and conclusively wrap up (for me, at least) the Skywalker Saga.

There’s so much to unpack as Luke fights his father to become a Jedi and redeem the soul of the fallen Anakin Skywalker.

For me, it’s the greatest, most cathartic moment of George Lucas’ grand opus.

Here, Rebel Briefing takes a deep dive into why the final showdown is the greatest moment in Star Wars. Check it out here…

What better way to celebrate Jedi’s 40th birthday!

By Anthony Murphy (Editor at Rebel Briefing)