The Imperial March
"The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" is a musical theme recurring in the Star Wars films. It was composed by John Williams, and first appeared in the film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
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One of the best known symphonic movie themes, it is a classic example of a leitmotif, a recurrent theme associated with characters or events in a drama. "The Imperial March" is the theme music that represents the totalitarian Galactic Empire. It is best connected to Episode V: Empire Strikes Back for its dark and oppressive theme, especially in the beginning of the movie with Vader's fleet searching for the Rebel Alliance. Darth Vader is stripped of all individuality by the time of The Empire Strikes Back, with the removal of all military and political rivals next to the Emperor, and has become the "iron fist" of the Empire. He, in essence, has become one with the Empire; hence the reason the march is many times associated with him as well. "The Imperial March" represents all that is the Empire; therefore, it is nearly equivalent to a galactic anthem.
Although played by an orchestra on the movie soundtrack, it is often played by brass bands; military bands are particularly effective in delivering the theme's martial stance. "The Imperial March" was also played by No Doubt at some of their live concerts. An urban legend states that the heavy metal band Metallica also recorded a version of "The Imperial March" with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, this is untrue.
Two remixed versions of the theme were produced by Dave Levison for the video game Star Wars: Force Commander: a "Rage" mix and "Leviathan" mix. Both versions were made available for download on the Lucasarts website [1].
The Imperial March is sometimes referred to simply as "Darth Vader's Theme". In the movies (except for A New Hope), the march is played when Darth Vader appears, or when he is mentioned. It is also played for the arrival of Emperor Palpatine on the Death Star in Return of the Jedi.
On a few occasions, "The Imperial March" has been used to introduce Mr. Burns on the television series The Simpsons (not suprisingly, it is believed that Mr Burns was actually modelled on The Emperor). Additionally, it has been used as a background musical piece by radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh when discussing subjects relating to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The music is also used to introduce the character of radio executive David G. Hall on the syndicated radio program, The Phil Hendrie Show. The music was modified by Sal the Stockbroker on the syndicated Howard Stern Show, whenever producer Gary Dell'Abate fails to complete a task that Howard Stern himself asked to be done. The music is laced with his "Ba Ba Booey" nickname. The punk-rock band Green Day played their own variation of the piece as an opener to one of their concerts.
The Imperial March, being widely recognized by world pop culture, is used to symbol oppression, tyranny, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism, usually in reference to a particular government (be it fascist, communist, military junta, imperial, and all forms of tyranny) or specific person/leader. The theme was used on several occassions by late night and other comedy shows when referring to presidential candidates.
The Imperial March is also played prominently by sports teams. The Oakland Raiders claim it as one of their anthems. It is commonly played by college marching bands while their team is on defense, and is used by professional sports teams to represent the visiting team. In the 2003 World Series, the New York Yankees played the theme as the starting line up for the Florida Marlins was being announced.
Usage in the Star Wars films
Original Trilogy
"The Imperial March" is first heard in The Empire Strikes Back in low piccolos as the Empire sends the probe droids across the Galaxy. Its major opening occurs as the Star Destroyers mass and the Executor, Vader's flag ship and the first Super Star Destroyer, flies over them. It is used throughout Empire and its sequel, Return of the Jedi. At the end of Jedi, the motif is heard one last time but is very different as it is now a distant sounding melancholy tune played on a harp as a reedemed Anakin Skywalker dies after having gazed at his son just once with his "own eyes". In the special edition of 'A New Hope', a small bit of it was added to some scenes, just so it could appear in all of the series.
Prequel Trilogy
The "Imperial March" theme appears scarcely in the prequel trilogy, but is often used to hint at Anakin Skywalker's future as Darth Vader. Its usage increases through the trilogy.
A few notes of "The Imperial March" were played in The Phantom Menace in a scene between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda when they discussed the future of Anakin Skywalker.
It is also interesting to note that the last few notes of the theme appears occasionally in "Anakin's Theme" in the soundtrack for The Phantom Menace. (Also, at the end of the credits, Darth Vader's breathing is heard.)
In the next film, Attack of the Clones, "The Imperial March" is played subtly sometimes when an event forshadows Anakin's dark future. It is very recognizable though during the scene between Anakin and Padme where he confesses to slaughtering a tribe of Tusken Raiders: "I killed them, I killed them all. And not just the men, but the women, and the children, too. They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals! I hate them!" As Anakin says the line and moves to sit on the ground the Imperial March theme is heard very loudly and very clearly. It is finally played full-blown during the final sequence when the clones assemble and depart Coruscant. This foreshadows the fact that the clones are the predecessors to the stormtroopers of the Galactic Empire.
In Revenge of the Sith it is played as Anakin rebukes the Jedi Council for not being given the rank of Jedi Master despite being appointed to the Council, when he reveals to Mace Windu that Palpatine is a Sith Lord, when Anakin receives his new name, as the Clone Troopers on Kashyyyk search for Yoda after failing to kill him as per Order 66, as Darth Vader prepares to assassinate the Separatist leaders, when Padme turns down Vader's offer to join him and rule the galaxy, during the duel between Yoda and Palpatine, and as Darth Vader takes his first breath through the infamous mask. In addition, a stunning cue based on Qui-Gon's funeral dirge plays as Vader and Palpatine brood over the construction of the Death Star; three key notes of the Imperial March can be heard in counterpoint.