The original Star Wars trilogy made Darth Vader one of the most feared and instantly recognizable movie villains of all time. Before he was a notorious Sith Lord leading the Empire’s iron-fisted rule over the galaxy, Vader was a promising Jedi apprentice named Anakin Skywalker who was believed to be the “Chosen One” prophesized to bring balance to the Force.
Both Anakin and Vader have a ton of iconic quotes throughout Lucas’ six-film Skywalker saga (and, in Anakin’s case, some terrible lines, like “I don’t like sand”).
Updated on July 31st, 2021 by Rhys McGinley: It is hardly pressing Star Wars news to say that Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker is one of, if not the greatest character in the beloved saga. When a character is of the complexity of the chosen one and has such a fleshed-out journey through the franchise, they are bound to have a good amount of iconic quotes. Between both the light and dark version of the Skywalker, there is a load of fantastic quotes. For all the criticism of the character in the prequels, Anakin does have a few good, important lines. Then there is Vader in the original trilogy, with his menace and iconic nature, who has a whole collection of memorable Star Wars quotes to choose from.
Vader: "If You Will Not Turn To The Dark Side... Then Perhaps She Will..." - Return Of The Jedi (1983)
For the most part, Luke and Vader's duel on Bespin in The Empire Strikes Back is considered the very best duel of the original trilogy. Their rematch in Return Of The Jedi, though, is also amazing and leads to awesome quotes.
Darth Vader, being as intelligent as he is, taunts Luke to lure him out, knowing how to do so, bringing Leia into the equation, threatening to turn her if Luke were to refuse. Not only is this quote sadistically delivered, but it is the catalyst for Luke's outburst of emotion and anger. After bombarding Vader and nearly killing him, he must control himself; he must be a Jedi, one of the trilogy's most iconic scenes, so full of hope and brilliance, with this quote kicking it off.
Anakin: "Someday I Will Be The Most Powerful Jedi Ever." - Attack Of The Clones (2002)
The death of his mother had an adverse effect on Anakin, kicking off his near-obsession with preventing death. He tells Padmé in Attack of the Clones that he will learn to defeat death and become the greatest Jedi.
So much of Anakin's dialogue is attacked for its writing and delivery, but some quotes and monologues are hugely important no matter the quality. Anakin's breakdown in this scene is a further look at how impossible it is for him to control his emotion, toying with the dark side. The Jedi Council is full of hubris-filled Jedi, but none who hold an arrogance or cockiness to claim they will become the greatest Jedi ever, that is reserved for those who fall.
Vader: "Impressive. Most Impressive." - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The duel between Luke and Vader in The Empire Strikes Back is so visually striking and impactful from a storytelling standpoint and has many great lines throughout.
After commenting on Luke's lack of skill, a quick maneuver from Luke earns this iconic praise from Vader, who knows he has Luke beat. There is something so memorable about the delivery of this quote, and over forty years after the movie's release, fans still use this quote, breathing and all.
Anakin: "You Underestimate My Power." - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
There is no questioning the fact that the majority of great and memorable Anakin quotes in the prequels come from Revenge of the Sith. The Battle of the Heroes is the setting for multiple of them.
There is such weight to this line, the final one Anakin says in Star Wars with all of his limbs. In reality, Anakin likely is a better, more powerful fighter at this point, but Obi-Wan is smarter, Obi-Wan is thinking clearly. Anakin is arrogant. Obi-Wan lures him into a false sense of security and deals with him. This quote is not only one of Anakin's best delivery and writing-wise, but knowing it is his last before he burns gives it weight and adds to the goosebump-inducing nature of the whole battle.
Vader: “I Find Your Lack Of Faith Disturbing.” - A New Hope (1977)
While Darth Vader is the supreme ruler of the Empire’s forces throughout the next two movies in the trilogy, he’s caught in a power struggle with Grand Moff Tarkin in the original 1977 film.
Admiral Motti pledges his allegiance to Tarkin during an Imperial board meeting and dismisses Vader’s mystical powers. So, Vader Force-chokes him from across the room and ominously says, “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
Anakin: “Now This Is Podracing!” - The Phantom Menace (1999)
The nine-year-old version of Anakin seen in The Phantom Menace was initially pretty controversial because Star Wars fans had a tough time accepting that Darth Vader was once a cute little kid, but Jake Lloyd’s performance has since been praised.
In the movie's final act, Anakin accidentally flies a Naboo starfighter into a space battle and ends up unwittingly destroying a Trade Federation command station. “Now, this is podracing!”
Vader: “I Am Altering The Deal. Pray I Don’t Alter It Any Further.” - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
In the final act of The Empire Strikes Back, Han and Leia decide to hide out from Imperial forces with Lando on Cloud City. However, Lando double-crosses them and leads them right into Darth Vader’s grasp.
Lando learns the downsides of working with Vader when Vader keeps changing the terms of their agreement: “I am altering the deal. Pray, I don’t alter it any further.”
Anakin: “This Is Where The Fun Begins.” - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
The opening sequence of Revenge of the Sith is a visually stunning space battle over Coruscant. Flanked by clones, Anakin and Obi-Wan fly through the chaos of a Separatist fleet on the way to the cruiser where Palpatine is being held.
On their way to the cruiser, they’re attacked by buzz droids. While Obi-Wan is concerned about the attack, Anakin gleefully says, “This is where the fun begins.”
Vader: “When I Left You, I Was But The Learner. Now, I Am The Master.” - A New Hope (1977)
After Anakin and Obi-Wan’s explosive duel on Mustafar, the next time they encounter one another is on the Death Star. In their rematch, Anakin fares a little better than he did last time, as he manages to strike Obi-Wan down and comes out of the fight with all his limbs.
Upon their initial confrontation, Vader says, “I’ve been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now, I am the master.”
Anakin: “I HATE YOU!!!” - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
When Anakin starts to turn on Obi-Wan, Palpatine seizes the opportunity to badmouth Anakin’s other father figure to steal his spot in the young Jedi’s heart. The tragic thing is that, while Anakin thinks Obi-Wan looks down on him, Obi-Wan actually sees him as a brother.
Following their climactic battle on Mustafar, as Anakin lies on the molten ground, Obi-Wan tells him, “You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!” With Sith yellow in his eyes and a vicious tone in his voice, Anakin simply tells his former master, “I HATE YOU!!!”
Vader: “The Emperor Is Not As Forgiving As I Am.” - Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Every time an Imperial officer disappoints Darth Vader, the Sith Lord usually Force-chokes them. He has very little patience for mistakes, and he’s certainly not forgiving.
So when Vader tells one of his underlings, “The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am,” it sets up Palpatine to be an even more evil, more sinister villain than him.
Anakin: “His Fate Will Be The Same As Ours.” - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
In the opening set-piece of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent to infiltrate a Separatist cruiser hovering over Coruscant to rescue Chancellor Palpatine, who’s supposedly been abducted. The Jedi have to face Count Dooku before freeing Palpatine.
Obi-Wan is knocked unconscious during the scuffle. After Anakin saves Palpatine, Palpatine tells his young ward to leave Obi-Wan behind, or they won’t survive. Determined to bring his master with them, Anakin says, “His fate will be the same as ours.”
Vader: "Tell Your Sister... You Were Right." - Return Of The Jedi (1983)
The aftermath of Luke and Vader's duel on the second Death Star is one of the most emotional scenes in Star Wars as Anakin Skywalker returns and kills the Emperor before having a conversation with his son.
His final words in the saga, the last living words of Anakin Skywalker, are Vader talking to Luke about Leia. The faith in his father Luke had was beyond admirable, and Anakin's redemption was the reward for that faith. It is a wonderful moment beloved by so many fans. Hearing Anakin Skywalker's final words after his long, tragic journey in the franchise are emotional for fans of all eras of the saga.
Anakin: “I Have Brought Peace, Freedom, Justice, And Security To My New Empire.” - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
When Padmé flies out to Mustafar to try to bring Anakin back to the light, to bring back happiness for them, Obi-Wan sneaks aboard her ship. He confronts Anakin after he Force-chokes Padmé, but it’s clear that he’s too far gone.
Anakin tells his master, “I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new empire.” Obi-Wan, who needs a little catching up after spending the movie’s explosive middle act on Utapau, incredulously replies, “Your new empire?!”
Vader: “No, I Am Your Father.” - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
This just might be the most iconic plot twist in movie history. It’s easy to take it for granted now that it’s been parodied countless times, but the revelation that Darth Vader is the biological father of Luke Skywalker blew audiences away in 1980.
After besting Luke in lightsaber combat, Vader says, “Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.” Luke snaps back, “He told me enough! He told me you killed him!” Then, Vader reveals, “No, I am your father.”