Synopsis

As the Clone Wars near their end, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is celebrated as a war hero but increasingly troubled by visions of losing the woman he loves. Chancellor Palpatine exploits Anakin's fears and resentment toward the Jedi Council, drawing him toward the dark side. As the Republic becomes an Empire, Obi-Wan Kenobi faces his fallen former apprentice in a devastating confrontation that reshapes the galaxy.

Factoids & Trivia

• Released in the United States on May 19, 2005, the film was the final installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the last Star Wars feature written and directed by George Lucas.

• The film was designed around digital filmmaking. Lucasfilm used extensive digital environments, virtual production tools, and computer-generated characters to create locations and battles that would have been impractical to photograph traditionally.

• Principal photography took place between June 30 and September 17, 2003. Additional photography continued into January 2005, giving the production an unusually long post-production period for visual effects and sound work.

• One of the film's final scenes, in which Obi-Wan delivers Luke Skywalker to the Lars homestead, was first filmed during production of Attack of the Clones and later reshot for Episode III.

• The Mustafar sequences used background imagery connected with the eruption of Mount Etna in Italy, adding real volcanic material to the film's digitally created setting.

• The climactic lightsaber duel was performed at the speed at which it had been filmed rather than being digitally accelerated. The performers trained for months in fencing and physical conditioning to sustain the choreography.

• Revenge of the Sith opened with a $50 million Thursday gross in North America, setting several opening-day records in 2005.

• Its darker tone and emphasis on political collapse, moral compromise, and tragedy helped it become widely regarded as the most emotionally direct entry in the prequel trilogy.