Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) is a science fiction, adventure, fantasy, and action film written and directed by George Lucas, released on 20 May 2005. The production depicts the final stages of the Clone Wars, detailing Anakin Skywalker’s transformation from a Jedi Knight to Darth Vader, the fall of the Jedi Order, and the establishment of the Galactic Empire in place of the Galactic Republic.

George Lucas served as both director and screenwriter, with Rick McCallum co-producing the film. David Tattersall was the director of photography, while Roger Barton and Ben Burtt handled the editing. As with the other films in the series, the score was composed by John Williams. The film was made with a budget of approximately 115,000,000 US dollars^【1】, with production companies including Lucasfilm, Mestiere Cinema, and Pandora Films. Distribution was carried out worldwide by 20th Century Studios (in Türkiye during its initial release by Özen Film, and later by UIP Türkiye). The film was re-released in 3D format in cinemas on 25 April 2025.

In the film, Ewan McGregor portrays Obi-Wan Kenobi, Natalie Portman plays Padmé Amidala, Hayden Christensen portrays Anakin Skywalker, and Ian McDiarmid portrays Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Samuel L. Jackson appears as Mace Windu, a key member of the Jedi Council, while Frank Oz provides the voice and motion capture for Yoda. Jimmy Smits portrays Senator Bail Organa and Christopher Lee portrays Count Dooku. In the film, Matthew Wood provides the voice for General Grievous, and the cast also includes James Earl Jones, Genevieve O'Reilly, Bai Ling, Rena Owen, and Bruce Spence. The Turkish dubbing cast includes Yekta Kopan.

^{A scene from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (}IMDB⁾

The story takes place approximately three years after the beginning of the Clone Wars. General Grievous, commander of the Separatist Droid Army, has captured Supreme Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi launch a mission to rescue the Chancellor. During the rescue, the pair encounter Sith Lord Count Dooku. Incited by Palpatine, Anakin kills the disarmed Dooku. Palpatine is rescued while Grievous escapes from the ship.

^{A scene from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (}IMDB⁾

Upon returning to Coruscant, Anakin learns that his wife Padmé Amidala is pregnant. However, Anakin begins having nightmares and premonitions that Padmé will die in childbirth, just as his mother did. The fear of losing her drives him into deep despair. During this time, the Jedi Council grows increasingly distrustful of Palpatine, who is accumulating more power, and asks Anakin to spy on him. The Council appoints Anakin as their representative to the Chancellor but, contrary to tradition, does not grant him the title of Jedi Master—a decision that fuels anger and disappointment in Anakin. Palpatine attempts to lure Anakin to the dark side by recounting Sith legends, particularly the tale of Darth Plagueis, who allegedly had the power to prevent death. Eventually, Palpatine confesses to Anakin that he is in fact Darth Sidious, secretly orchestrating the war on both sides.

While Obi-Wan Kenobi tracks down and kills General Grievous on Utapau, Master Yoda fights the Separatists on Kashyyyk. Anakin informs Jedi Master Mace Windu of Palpatine’s true identity. Windu attempts to arrest Palpatine and overpowers him. However, Anakin, believing he needs Palpatine’s wisdom to save Padmé, intervenes by severing Windu’s arms, causing Windu to be thrown into the abyss and killed by Palpatine. With this act, Anakin fully surrenders to the dark side and assumes the title of Darth Vader, Palpatine’s new apprentice. Palpatine issues Order 66 to all clone troopers across the galaxy, commanding them to exterminate the Jedi on charges of treason. Vader massacres all Jedi in the Jedi Temple while Palpatine proclaims the establishment of the Galactic Empire.

After his actions at the Jedi Temple, Darth Vader travels to the volcanic planet Mustafar to eliminate the Separatist leaders. Padmé, having learned of the situation, secretly boards a ship with Obi-Wan and arrives on Mustafar. Devastated by her husband’s transformation, Padmé accuses Vader of bringing Obi-Wan, and in a fit of dark side rage, Vader uses the Force to choke her. A violent lightsaber duel ensues between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. At the end of the duel, Obi-Wan severs Vader’s limbs and leaves him to burn on the banks of a lava river. Meanwhile, Yoda confronts Emperor Palpatine on Coruscant but fails to defeat him and goes into exile. Palpatine travels to Mustafar, rescues the severely injured Darth Vader, and places him in the iconic black armor that serves as a life-support system. Padmé gives birth to twins, Luke and Leia, on the asteroid Polis Massa and dies shortly after. To protect the children from the Empire, they are separated: Leia is adopted by Senator Bail Organa and taken to Alderaan, while Luke is entrusted to relatives on Tatooine and placed under the distant watch of Obi-Wan, who settles into the desert.

The film earned a worldwide total of 905,595,947 US dollars^【2】. In the United States and Canada, it grossed 108,435,841 US dollars during its opening weekend, with a total regional gross of 414,378,291 US dollars. In Türkiye, it was watched by 107,571 viewers during its first weekend and by a total of 354,602 viewers over 24 weeks, generating 8,906,349 Turkish lira in revenue^【3】. The production won 29 awards and received 64 nominations across various categories^【4】. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup, shared by Dave Elsey and Nikki Gooley^【5】. Additionally, it won the Saturn Award for Best Music with John Williams and received nominations for Best Science Fiction Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Hayden Christensen), and Best Actress (Natalie Portman)^【6】.