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In 1977 George Lucas vision of a universe where war, mysticism, despair, and hope
was made a reality by 20th Century Fox studios. Instrumental to the shaping of a complete
universe was the musical language created by John Williams. Williams orchestration, thematic
motifs and understanding of the emotional context of the story propelled the film to legendary
status, and now, in 2005 we reach the climax of the six feature film series with Episode III
Revenge Of The Sith.
Lucas, never having been a conventional filmmaker, completed the Star Wars
(Original) Trilogy (OT) with Return Of The Jedi in 1983 (see Appendix: Synopses). However the
original Star Wars premise was of a 9 episode epic. The OT was the middle three films (Episode
IV A New Hope, Episode V The Empire Strikes Back , and Episode VI Return Of The Jedi)
and many fans thought that with Return Of The Jedi the saga was complete. However, in 1999
Lucas released Episode I The Phantom Menace. This began the Prequel Trilogy (PT) which
culminated in 2005 with Episode III Revenge Of The Sith1.
Working in this way has not only meant that the look and design elements of the film
(2005 costumes and sets maintaining continuity with 1977 counterparts) have had to be carefully
monitored, but have given John Williams a wealth of previous themes and styles in which to work
in. Personally, I believe this to be the best Star Wars score; both as a stand alone piece of film
scoring (as it complements the film excellently) but also acts as the shining jewel within the six
film crown.
Through the recommendation of their mutual friend Steven Spielberg, Lucas and
Williams union resulted in the resounding, nearly unheard-of success of the Star Wars
soundtrack. Yet Lucass use of an operatic score in A New Hope caused some to raise their
eyebrows. When George started A New Hope, in the mid-1970s, sound designer Ben Burtt
remembers, the trend was not to have densely scored movies. Music was used sparingly by
todays standards. Lucas nevertheless went on to order a soundtrack that played for much of the
1
http://www.imdb.com The Internet Movie Database
2
The Making of Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith -- The Final Chapter by J.W. Rinzler (2005).
3
http://www.dlynnwaldron.com/JohnWilliamsbio.html - John Williams biography.
4
Revenge Of The Sith Soundtrack CD liner notes.
5
http://www.lso.co.uk/aboutus/ - The London Symphony Orchestra.
This is a very important trend with the Star Wars films even more so than in Williams
canon as a whole: there is a lot of scoring in Star Wars. The majority of the film is scored;
6
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029843/ - IMDB / The Adventures of Robin Hood
7
http://www.jwfan.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=7383&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=100 The
Official Film Review Thread (John Williams Fan Network)
Animator Shawn Kelly then plays a rough animation of a scene outside the Jedi Temple
when Obi-Wan and Yoda are attacked, with Yoda throwing his lightsaber through a
stormtrooper, jumping on the troopers chest, and pulling it out. They do this a lot in
video games, Kelly says.
I like it, Lucas responds, but in theory . . .
Darth Vader throws his lightsaber on the walkway [in Episode VI], Knoll chimes in.
Yeah! Lets do it, Rick interjects.
You want to think about it? Rob asks.
I hate to say it, but it seems very un-Jedi, Lucas says.
But these are difficult times, McCallum counters.
A good Jedi does not let go of his sword, Lucas protests, but adds, If Yoda swings
around, he could end up on his chest . . . The matter is left hanging.
8
Attack Of The Clones DVD Feature Commentary.
9
http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=723&reviewer=20 The Phantom Menace review (eFilmCritic)
As they go up the stairs, heading for the dining room, Lucas explains that after the
spotting session, This is it. I wont hear the music until I step onto the stage at
Abbey Road Studios. Thats always the most exciting part. Usually, I love ninety
percent of what Johnny has done. Of the other ten percent, I might complain about
five percent of it, and Johnny rewrites it during the weekend. The other five percent
I stay quiet about.
Im sure much of Lucas faith in Williams comes not only from the wealth of
experience that he brings with his compositions, but also that Williams scores are
tremendously popular.
Part of the popularity of Williams scores is that an audience can understand it and
relate to it. If they went into Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and were delivered a post-
modern diatribe in atonalism, they would be severely disappointed. Although mostly diatonic in
origin, Williams is not afraid to use extreme dissonance (particularly to create tension with some
of the more horrific Dark Side moments of Vaders actions in Episode III) when the emotional and
semiotic context of the film requires it. It is his knowledge of how far to push the dissonance that
makes all the difference. Certainly the degree of dissonance increases as the film works towards
Anakins fall to the Dark Side.
Williams brass parts in Episode III can be highly charged, such as in the opening
space battle, or mournfully solemn such as during Padms final words to Obi Wan before her
death. Ostinati within the brass is prevalent for much of the action sequences, Williams either has
an innate knowledge of how to create exciting action music, or over 46 years-worth of experience
(if you are cynical). Brass ostinati with either woodwind and strings, or full orchestral melodies
have been his trademark, and in Revenge Of The Sith they are no disappointment.
Melodic focus is vital to Williams scores. Upon viewing Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana
Jones), Superman, or Jaws, I defy anyone to not be able to whistle the main themes melody
whilst leaving the screening. It is the balance of melody and accompaniment that makes Williams
relevant. This is not to be completely sycophantic, there are some times where a lack of either
discernable melodic strands or driving bass rhythm can just take the edge off the film, but they
are rare moments in this picture.
10
http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/2005/05/revenge_of_the_sith_takes_165m_opening_night.html - The Movie
Blog
Appendices:
Synopses
Star Wars Thematic Material
Graphic Score: Padms Destiny / Rise of the Death Star.
Cue Sheet
1
http://boards.theforce.net/Star_Wars_And_Film_Music - Revenge Of The Sith score discussion
2
http://www.jwfan.net John Williams Fan Network
3
http://www.jwfan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=688 - REVENGE OF THE SITH: The
Score in the Film by Elvisjones
4
http://www.jwfan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=688 - REVENGE OF THE SITH: The
Score in the Film by Elvisjones
5
http://www.jwfan.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=7383&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=100 - The
Official Episode III Film Review Thread
6
http://www.jwfan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=688 - REVENGE OF THE SITH: The
Score in the Film by Elvisjones
7
http://boards.theforce.net/Star_Wars_And_Film_Music - Revenge Of The Sith score discussion
8
http://www.jwfan.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=7383&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=100 - The
Official Episode III Film Review Thread
In the scene Padms Destiny / Rise of the Death Star, previous Star Wars cues are
reintroduced in a climactic, emotional scene that had a few in the cinema in tears on the opening
night.
Padms Destiny is a reintroduction of Qui-Gons Noble End from Episode I The
Phantom Menace. Its use here is not as forceful as in that film, here it beautifully scores Padm's
funeral procession. The piece opens with a low brass (horns and trombones ) introduction of the
themes harmonic progression. This is then reinforced by the strings and woodwind once Padm
is seen lying in state.
This scene marks the finale of the film emotionally, with Padms death juxtaposed
against the birth of Darth Vader in his new form. It also introduces Governor Tarkin, and the
Death Star to the audience, both of which will become much better known in A New Hope.
In this respect Williams saves his most bombastic use of thematic motifs for that film,
and only makes subt le brass and string references to the Force Theme (reflecting that there is
still good in Vader) and the Imperial March (showing him to be in the clutches of the Emperor).
***
(Shape vertical alignment in regions indicates respective pitch. Horizontal alignment reflects
time.)
Woodwind
Brass
Choir
Tubular Bells x x
Percussion
x x x x x x x
Vader Imperial staff Tarkin leaves Sidious Vader and Wipe to Tantive flying
Action walking onto look at Vader. and Vader to look at Sidious together. towards Alderaan.
the bridge the Death Star.
The Force theme in Celli. Imperial March theme in trombones. Imperial March motif
Padms Destiny theme in violins. in brass and Celli.
Harp arpeggio
Tantive IV engine roar.
Other / Darth Vaders breathing.
Sound FX
Woodwind
Very quiet flutes
Violins
Strings Celli
Celli
Trumpets and
Trombones Trombones French horn leading
Brass to Leias theme...
Choir
Percussion
{
JOHN WILLIAMS
Star Wars (Main Title) / Luke's Theme
>
Majestic, steady march
>
3 b 3
q = 108
b
& b 44
b J
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? b4 3
j j
3 3
b4 R
J
{
> >
&b
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etc...
b b
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3 3 3 3
{
Lento The Force Theme
q = 70
b
& b b 44
j
3
n J
j
legato
? bb 44
b n
Steve Beaty Star Wars Thematic Material
{
2
b
&b b j
3
? bb n
b
{
b bb
etc...
&b b
3
w
?b
b b n bb
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March
The Imperial March
q=100
b
&b
n
b b
? bb 3
{
b
b
& b
b n
b
? bb
# n
b n # n # j
n
&b #
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# n # n # # n
b j
#n
&b #
? bb
#
{
b
b
& b bb j b
b
? bb
b
b
{
Slowly and gently Across The Stars (Love Theme)
q=76
34
3
& b
? b 34
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
{
P
& b
#
3
3
3
?b #
3 3
3 3
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3
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etc...
## 4
3
b
& 4
?b b ## 44
3 3
b 3
3 3 3
{
Princess Leia's Theme
Gentle Flow
## 4 j
q = 72
& 4 b
b
? ## 4
4
{
## b b n # #
b b
& b n n # #
? ## b b b n
{
## b b b b b n b n j
etc...
#
& b b b n b
b b J
? ## b
b b n #
{
Maestoso Yoda's Theme
q = 70
#
& w
#
&
{
# n w
etc...
& w b 44
#
& n w
w b 44
w
{
Battle Of The Heroes / Anakin vs Obi Wan
Presto
& b 44
? b 44
{
etc...
#4
&b w 4
? w #4
b 4
{
Maestoso, Duel Of The Fates
with great force
b3
j j
#
& 44
Choir
J
b 3
_______ _______ _______
? # 44 J
Kor ah, Mah tah. Kor ah, Rahtahmah_____
J J
{
Allegro
q = 152
# Woodwind
&
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
?#
#
&
. . . .
. .
?#
{
etc...
# n
&
?# n
{
Dirge Padm's Destiny / Qui- Gon's Noble End
q = 60
& # j
j
Choir
? ## j j
Ma dhu rah sweh pna, go
# ##
# #
{
etc...
& # j
# # w
w
? ##
sweh pna.
j
rah do mah
# w
# w
# w
Steve Beaty Star Wars Thematic Material
Star Wars Episode III
Revenge Of The Sith
Appendix: Synopses
Whilst the Jedi and Sith duel, Anakin finds himself on a Naboo fighter ship on autopilot,
and subsequently uses his Force-induced skills to destroy the Trade Federation control ship and
incapacitate their droid army.
In the ensuing lightsaber duel, Qui -Gon is killed by the Sith, and Obi Wan has to destroy
his Masters killer. As he dies, Qui-Gon makes Obi Wan promise to train Anakin as a Jedi, as Qui-
Gon believes that the prophesy of the one who will bring the Light and Dark Sides of the Force
back into balance refers to Anakin.
As Naboo is freed from the Trade Federation, padawan Anakin Skywalker and Jedi
Knight Obi Wan Kenobi begin the training together.
Obi W an and Anakin face off against Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus), but Anakins
impulsiveness enables Dooku to render Obi Wan unconscious and Anakin to have his arm
removed. Yoda arrives in time to save them both, but is unable to defeat the Sith apprentice
Dooku.
Dooku escapes to Coruscant where he meets his Master Darth Sidious, handing over
the plans for a battle station known as the Death Star.
Unaware of this, Anakin (compet e with new robotic arm) meets up with Padm on
Naboo and their love for each other is finalised with their marriage.
Whilst Obi Wan finds and kills General Grievous on Utapau, marking the end of the
Clone Wars, Anakin is further taught by Palpatine. Palpatine tells Anakin of a Sith power to
prevent people from dying. After pleading with Anakin to use his knowledge of the Dark Side of
the Force, Anakin realises that Palpatine is in fact the Sith Lord Darth Sidious the Jedi have been
searching for for over thirteen years. Anakin resolves to tell Mace Windu and the Council of this
but Palpatine tells Anakin that if he dies then all knowledge of how to save the life of his wife will
die too.
Mace Windu, and a number of other Jedi attempt to arrest the Chancellor, who shows
his true Dark Side self and after a battle with Windu bides his time until Anakin arrives. Once
Anakin is there, Sidious fires Force lightning at Windu who reflects it back. Sidious pretends to be
beaten and Windu goes to finish him off, despite Anakins protestations that he should stand trial.
As Windu strikes, Anakin comes to the defence of the scarred Sidious, and through that action
alone his fall to the Dark Side is complete. Sidious finishes off Windu, and Anakin realises that
through his actions all he can now do is pledge his allegiance to Sidious, and become his new
apprentice Darth Vader.
Sidious instructs Vader to take the Clones to the Jedi Temple and exterminate all the
Jedi. Every single Jedi, including your friend Obi Wan Kenobi, is now an enemy of the Republic.
As Vader kills all in the Temple, including the Younglings, Sidious activates Order 66,
making all Clones kill the Jedi they were serving. Only Obi Wan and Yoda manage to escape.
As Vader travels to Mustafar to kill the Separatist leaders, Sidious reorganises the
Republic into the Galactic Empire, to the disgust of Bail Organa and the heavily pregnant Padm.
Bail Organa manages to rescue Yoda and Obi Wan on his ship the Tantive IV, and they
learn of Anakins fall to the Dark Side. Yoda tells Obi Wan he is not strong enough to fight Sidious
and so must go after Vader. Obi Wan tells Padm of Anakins betrayal but she will not believe it.
Obi Wan discovers that Padm is pregnant with Vaders child. Padm goes after Vader on
Mustafar and Obi Wan hides aboard her ship.
Yoda is unable to beat the Emperor despite a valiant attempt, and resolves to go into
exile until the time is right.
On Mustafar Padm realises that Anakin is now Vader and consumed by the Dark
Side. After Obi Wan shows himself, Vader believes Padm betrayed him and led Obi Wan right to
him. Vader confronts Padm, and uses the Force to choke her until she falls unconscious at his
feet.
Obi Wan and his friend and student must then battle for the good of the galaxy, and
after an emotional confrontation Obi Wan removes Vaders arms and legs and takes his
lightsaber from him. Vader is immolated on Mustafar and Obi Wan leaves, believing his old friend
to be finished.
However, the Emperor finds Vader still alive and builds him into a robotic suit that
enables him to move and breathe. The Emperor tells Vader that in his anger he himself killed
Padm, so Vader has nothing else to live for except his service to the Emperor. As the Emperor
consolidates his Empire with the construction of the Death Star, Vader joins him on the bridge as
The Falcon escapes, and with the plans for the Death Star in their possession the
Rebellion can mount an attack on the station.
In the ensuing battle, Vader destroys a number of Rebel craft but is bested by a Wedge
Antilles. This leaves Luke free to (under Obi Wans ghostly tutelage) fire the missile that would
destroy the Death Star once and for all.
Once at Bespin Luke and Vader engage in a dramatic lightsaber duel that culminates in
Vader slicing off Lukes arm. It is at this moment that Vader reveals to Luke the true identity of his
father, that Vader is Lukes father.
Luke is rescued from certain death by Lando, Chewie and Leia aboard the Falcon, and
they resolve to rescue their friend Han from Jabba the Hutt.
It is too late for Anakin, the force of the lightning affords him only fleeting moments with
his son before he dies, and Luke escapes just before Lando destroys the Death Star.
With the Emperor and Vader gone, and the Empire in tatters, a new dawn arrives for
the galaxy, and the New Republic gives hope to those across the galaxy