The Super Network

The Star Wars Saga, its the greatest franchise of all time and has some of the most iconic images in cinema history. With the release of the new trailer for The Force Awakens last Friday, which was filled with some very exciting new images, I thought I’d take a look at the previous six films (which I think all are fantastic) and select my all time favourite images from each film and what they mean to me.

I hope you enjoy my selection.

Favourite Shots From Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace

When it comes to The Phantom Menace for me it’s all about Darth Maul. I love this film and it has some amazing moments in it but the scenes that stay with me the most are these three of the great Sith Lord

This was one of the first images I ever saw of The Phantom Menace and it has remand in my head since that day back in early 1999. I had no idea who this cloaked figure was, all I knew and cared about was that he was a Sith.

I have a very fond memory associated with this image when I first saw the film, the reaction from a woman in front of me was priceless the moment Darth Maul stood in front of Padme and her troops before he faced off against the Jedi. She flipped out when he looked up and then freaked out when she saw his horns. That menacing look is gold.

The moment when the lightsabers clash in this duel of the fates is one of my favourite duels in the entire saga. This image remains iconic for me because you see all three blades strike as Darth Maul snarls at his opponents.

Favourite Shots From Episode 2 – Attack Of The Clones

I’m probably the only person I know who’ll defend Attack of the Clones, but regardless what the rest of the galaxy thinks I love it!!

This is the moment we get our first full look at the Mandalorian warrior, Jango Fett. I love this character and Tamuera Morrison played him brilliantly.

The Battle in the Arena and of Geonosis is spectacular but it is this moment when the Jedi are cornered in the arenas centre that skicks out most for me. A horde of Drone troopers have surrounded the remaining Jedi who have come to the rescue of Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan.  A final stand.

Whilst it may not be the most iconic lightsaber duel in the saga but it is this shot of the blue and red blades shining through the dark in this duel that I remember the most, partly because all you could really see was Anakin and Dooku’s blades shining bright.

Favourite Shots From Episode 3 – Revenge Of The Sith

Of all the films in the Star Wars saga non have destroyed me emotionally then Revenge of the Sith. These images are testament to why.

The final duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan is the most spectacular moments in the entire saga, but is this moment when both Jedi strike against the other and a wave of lava crashes against the bridge they are fighting on the moment they strike the other. Put me on the edge of my seat.

Whilst all openings are spectacular it is this shot of a lone Battle Cruiser above Coruscant that I find to be very memorable as it is the calm before the storm in one of the most spectacular dogfights since the Battle of Yavin.

This is a haunting image as Anakin, now Darth Vader marches into the Jedi Temple to slay what Jedi be in there.

I struggled to breath the moment the mask was placed on Anakin’s burnt face, it was the moment that Anakin truly died and Darth Vader was born.

It was only fitting that the saga end with a recreation of one of the most iconic scenes in the entire saga, and this final shot from the film is the best way to end the prequel trilogy.

My heart sank the moment I saw this scene and I burst into tears.

Favourite Shots From Episode 4 – A New Hope

This is the ultimate Star Wars film and I have so many fond memories watching it for the first time.

The moment I first saw the Star Destroyer glide across the screen my life was changed forever. This is how you open a film.

When you think of Star Wars this is the image that comes to mind, it gives you goosebumps as John Williams’ score plays and you watch Luke look out over the horizon not knowing that his life is about to change.

Now whilst this scene is actually a reference to John Ford’s The Searches, I’ve always preferred how it appears in Lucas’ film. This shows us the true destructive force of the Empire, as they are willing to burn people alive to find their prey.

The first time we see lightsabers clash, it will always be a moment to remember and this is the moment that we get our first iconic image from one of the greatest duels in the saga.

The moment when the X-Wings fly by as they ready themselves for the battle against the Death Star is truly an awe inspiring moment.

Favourite Shots From Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back is in my opinion the greatest sequel of all time and still provides the ultimate plot twist that still shocks to this day if you have been able to avoid it all these years.

Vader reaches out to Luke in a bid to persuade him to join the dark side of the force is one of the most emotional moments in the entire saga as it builds up to the ultimate reveal.

Yoda reveals the true power of the force as he raises Luke’s drowned X-Wing from the swamp.

The lighting in this scene is simply beautiful and it is the perfect location for the beginning of the films final duel.

This is one of those moments when you go “Wow”, the arrival of the AT-AT’s puts fear into the Rebels and the audience as you known that this is a threat that seems more threatening than the Death Star itself.

Favourite Shots From Episode 6 – Return Of The Jedi

The Return of the Jedi is a personal favourite of mine mostly because it is in my opinion the perfect closure to the original trilogy and has some of the most emotional scenes in the entire saga.

Darth Vader searches for his son as he hides from his father during their final duel is just gutwrenching to watch.

Luke now a Jedi knight stands in the light as he approaches Jabba the Hutt in a final bid to have the vile gangster release Han Solo

Along with the Binary Sunset scene on Tatooine in A New Hope, Vaders funneral pyre is my other all time favourite moments in the entire saga. I always shed a tear when I watch this scene.

The moment the mask is peeled away, you actually feel Darth Vader die as the scared face of Anakin Skywalker is finally revealed. He only manages to share a few moments with his son as his former self before he too slips away. A truly emotional scene that gets me every time.

Whilst we got our first official look at the Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back, but this was the moment that we truly meet the man that rules over the entire galaxy. It was also the moment we were introduced to one of the greatest performances by an actor in the entire saga, the devilishly amazing Ian McDiarmid, who I always thought should have won an Oscar for his brilliantly evil performance.

The final moments in the final duel between Vader and Luke is my favourite moment in any of the lightsaber duels in the saga. The scene is made even more emotional by John Williams’ haunting score that plays over the scene.