Return of the Jedi is a great ending for the Original Trilogy. In this case, i will analyze the scene when Luke Skywalker confronts his father, Darth Vader/Anakin on Endor, and why is one of the best moments in the movie, going in depth with both Vader and his son.
The base was "fully operational" hehe, very guarded.We first start with the "capture" of Luke, and him being delivered to Vader. The dark lord is surprised by this, as he acepted the new lightsaber that Luke built. In the entire movie, one of the main plots is how Vader started to "act different" than in ANH and TESB, being more forgiving rather than killing at first failure, showing how Anakin was still there, there was still good in him.
Note: In this scene, if Glover was available (Veers), i think it makes more sense that him delivers Luke to Vader, as a continuation of TESB and Vader rewarding him of the rank of Commander.Luke started adressing Vader as his father, but not to the Dark Lord, the slave of Palps and the Dark side; to what he was before, Anakin Skywalker, jedi Knight, hero of the Republic. Vader only replied that that name has no longer any meaning for him. After this, while Luke talked back, Anakin started to come back, the long pause of remembering previous events, Padme saying the same words that his son is saying... he is speechless, out of words... so only then he sees Luke's new weapon and tries to change the conversation.
Vader ignites the lightsaber, also starting to remember other painful and forgotten memories, Qui Gon's lightsaber, his lost "father" figure, his own first lightsaber, and the one we see in AOTC. "i see you have constructed a new lightsaber", words of a proud father complementing his son's work.
Luke looking at the landscape of Endor, and his father not knowing at that point what to say.Luke: "Come with me". Now at this point i wonder how close was Vader in not rejecting the offer, and leave with his son; instead of negating the statement and remainingas Palpatine servant/slave of the dark side. Luke: "i feel the conflict withing you, let go of your hate", once again a great line, trying to break though the armor and break his father free from the pain and suffering. "It is too late for me son", pain in Anakin's voice as he accepted his fate, staying with the Empire and remains a servant forever.
Padme: "There is still good in him". Luke being one of the only ones who believed that, and fullfills the prophesy bringing his father back while he restored balance killing the Emperor and removing himself.Luke still tried to bring his father back, but Vader was full in control again, ordering his troops to escort Luke out so he can serve the Emperor as his new apprendice. The jedi left with his last words being : "Then my father is truly dead". A very strong line that hits like a truck.
Interesting that the Storms heard that line as well, maybe even thinking about what the jedi just said.... is him Vader's son?Finally, with his son being transported to the 2° Death Star, the Chosen one stays thinking about what happened, and how that last words hurts him deeply in his heart, no words needed, just his feelings of sadness and pain inside the helmet. Anakin will be redeemed, not yet.
A truly masterpiece of scene, George and the crew delivered.Let me know what were your thoughts on this scene and the movie. For me, even though it is my 3rd in ranking the OT, moments like this makes me appreciate even more as time goes on.