Star Wars: 50 Greatest Moments - Ranked

6. Vader Saves Luke (Return Of The Jedi)

Star Wars Return of the Jedi Darth Vader Luke Skywalker
Lucasfilm

While the lightsaber fight is epic, it actually gets better when Luke puts his blade away, refusing to join the Dark Side. Palpatine does not react well to this rejection, and shows once again how much POWAH he has, torturing Luke with strike after strike of Force lightning.

A conflicted, agonised Vader watches on as his son writhes in pain, before finally snapping. He turns, picks up the Emperor, and throws him to his death, saving his son and returning to the Light Side.

Luke takes off his father's helmets, as we say goodbye to Darth Vader and one last hello to Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi finally returning for one moment of pure poetry.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.