Top 5 Lightsaber Duels
By Randy Guiles (@giggityguiles)
In the Star Wars universe there are mainstays that are considered signatures of the saga. From the dogfights to the hero’s journey, these are just a couple examples. However, there is no bigger signature mainstay than the lightsaber duel. These iconic battles between the Jedi and Sith tell a stories by themselves. So let’s take a look at what I perceive as the top 5 lightsaber duels of the saga. I will be utilizing the Original Trilogy, Prequel Trilogy, Clone Wars, and Rebels in this list.
#5 – Obi Wan Kenobi vs Darth Vader (Episode IV: A New Hope)
We start this list with the original duel that captured our imaginations as kids who grew up on the original trilogy. Even though this duel did not have the speed or grace we have grown accustomed to over the years, it more than made up for that by telling us a story. Obviously with the release of Revenge of the Sith the backstory leading to this duel is completely fleshed out. In the end Obi Wan sacrifices himself so Luke and the others can escape.
#4 – Yoda vs Count Dooku (Episode II: Attack of the Cones)
Since Yoda’s introduction in The Empire Strikes Back we have always wondered what it would be like to watch him wield a lightsaber. Once the Prequel Trilogy came about fans kept asking will Yoda fight or continue to be what we knew from Empire. In Episode II we finally got our answer. In a moment that had every Star Wars fan cheering we finally saw Yoda wield a lightsaber. With the power of the Force as his ally we saw him jumping and spinning in what can best be described as a whirling dervish. His former pupil, Dooku, was no match for him and chose to take the coward’s way out.
#3 – Qui Gon Jinn & Obi Wan Kenobi vs Darth Maul (Episode I: The Phantom Menace)
Probably the best thing to come out of Episode I was the emergence of Darth Maul. A new deadly enemy with the most dangerous lightsaber yet to date. This is what the fans were a for. To finally see the Jedi take on the Sith at the height of their abilities. It was a dance with death that was graceful and brutal. All 3 combatants showing vastly different styles. Ultimately we lose Qui Gon too soon in my opinion, but Obi Wan earns his Jedi Knighthood and wins (or loses depending on how you look at it) the right to train Anakin.
#2 – Ahsoka Tano vs Darth Vader (Rebels)
Honorable Mentions: You can’t have a small list like this without honorable mentions. It was hard picking 5 as it is. I could have easily gone top 10 or even top 15 but, that would have taken even more time and research. So here are some honorable mentions that I am sure you were wondering where these were. Vader vs Luke (Empire Strikes Back), Vader vs Luke (Return of the Jedi), Kanan vs Grand Inquisitor (Rebels), Anakin vs Asajj Ventress (Clone Wars Micro-Series), Obi Wan and Ventress vs Savage Opress and Darth Maul (The Clone Wars), Savage Opress and Maul vs Darth Sidious (The Clone Wars), Vader vs Ezra and Kanan (Rebels), Yoda vs Sidious (Revenge of the Sith)
#1 – Obi Wan Kenobi vs Anakin Skywalker (Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
This was the ultimate grudge match. Pupil vs Teacher part one if you will. This duel took live action duels to a whole new level with a speed and ferocity that had never been seen in a Star Wars film before. Stunt Coordinator, Nick Gillard, ranked the actors by their lightsaber skills during the filming. Obviously giving Yoda and Darth Sidious a 10 out of 10. He gave Ewan McGregor an 8 out of 10 and Hayden Christiansen a 9 out of 10. The speed and precision in the duel is all them during the filming, no stunt man needed. In the end Obi Wan does his best to reason with Anakin but it wasn’t in the cards as he is forced to cut down his former pupil and give one of the more emotional bits in all the movies.
So there you have it. My top 5 Lightsaber duels. Like I said before I could have easily made this a top 10 or higher. I know some of you won’t fully agree with my list. So chime in and leave a comment. Tell us what your top 5 duels are. There are so many great duels to choose from. May the Force be with you.
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