One of the greatest villains ever created for the big screen, Darth Vader's first appearance in A New Hope instantly establishes the character as an imposing force of nature. Even before we heard him imbued with James Earl Jones' signature baritone, an act as trivial as entering a corridor conveyed that this was one bad dude. With the smoke from a laser battle still hanging in the air, John Williams' orchestral score signals the arrival of Darth Vader. The Stormtroopers stand to attention, their pristine white armor contrasting with their black-clad master. Vader surveys the bodies on the ground, his jet-black armor and cape standing out against the background, as we hear the signature heavy breathing before he strides out of shot. In just 20 seconds, cinema had been given an iconic villain. Of course, the effect is enhanced when we hear Vader speak, his voice dripping with pure evil as he interrogates a rebel before casually choking him to death. The costume, the breathing, the voice and the physical presence all combine to create the personification of evil in the briefest of introductions, something that has yet to be replicated in the 37 years since. We'll just forget how the prequels cack-handedly dealt with his backstory, of course.
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