I Watched Revenge of the Sith in Iraq—And Its Message Hit Harder Than Any Theater Experience

This anniversary of “ ” holds a unique significance for me, as it marks two decades since my deployment to Iraq. After serving six years in the U.S. Army Reserves and being deployed to Bosnia in 2000, I was placed on inactive reserve status for a short while. However, then-President George W. Bush mobilized the Individual Ready Reserve (I.R.R.) to deploy to Operation Iraqi Freedom. While my fellow “Star Wars” fans watched Anakin’s descent into darkness in cinemas, I experienced it on a small television screen inside a containerized housing unit alongside other soldiers.

My first vivid memory of a movie is when I watched “Return of the Jedi” in the cinema at around four years old. To this day, whenever I hear the original ending music, which includes the “Yub Nub” Ewok song and the final fanfare, it triggers a strong sensory memory from that initial viewing. I recall the mixture of joy and sadness I felt – the joy of witnessing something extraordinary and the sadness because it was coming to an end. Despite some criticisms of the prequel trilogy shared by my peers, I never developed a dislike for those films. In fact, any new addition to “Star Wars” was cherished by that little boy, including the Original Trilogy Special Editions, which unfortunately removed the musical cue that marked my personal “Star Wars” history. Interestingly, I had only seen “Episode III” on a smaller screen. Watching George Lucas’s film about the Iraq War while being in Iraq myself was equally impactful.

George Lucas Made Star Wars for Children, but They Were Always ‘Political’ Movies

The Prequel Trilogy Was Deliberately More Complex and Anti-Authoritarian

The initial “Star Wars” movies are timeless interpretations of the “hero’s journey,” yet they also carry profound political undertones. Among them, my preferred one is “Return of the Jedi,” which made a bold statement. The Ewoks, once viewed as adorable creatures created primarily for merchandise sales, symbolize anti-colonialist rebellions, such as the Viet Cong. Similarly, Lucas conceived Palpatine as a political figure reminiscent of Nixon, had he not resigned in disgrace under the weight of his corruption.

Although I hold a fondness for both realms, they often find themselves at odds. Star Trek presents a future where humanity (and other species) strive to create an ideal “system.” However, according to Lucas’s portrayal in the prequels, every system, regardless of its noble intentions, will eventually disappoint those it was intended to help. In the making-of documentaries, Lucas elaborated that these films depict how Palpatine manipulated the Republic and the Jedi Order through political maneuvers to bring about their downfall.

In crafting the framework for the prequel movies, Lucas delved into history, spanning from ancient Rome to contemporary times. Yet, due to the prolonged post-production phase, it was only “Revenge of the Sith” that was written and produced following September 11, 2001, and subsequent conflicts. This became particularly clear upon release, but for those skeptical, these events served to underscore this connection even further.

A Leaked Workprint Copy of Revenge of the Sith Brought the Film to the Front Lines

Watching Star Wars Episode III While In Iraq Made Its Political Influence More Obvious

Regardless of the criticism my generation’s fans levied against the prequels, Revenge of the Sith can be seen as a film where Anakin Skywalker transforms into Darth Vader, a character who later kills children, attempts to kill his wife, and becomes the formidable menace from the original films. However, what makes this film stand out in the prequel trilogy is its overtly political nature. In contrast to The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, which intentionally left viewers questioning who were the good and bad characters, Revenge of the Sith presents a clearer distinction between them.

Despite internet piracy being relatively new, a complete workprint copy of the movie, marked with time-codes at the top, surfaced online. During my time on Forward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk, Iraq, local vendors often visited the base to sell items ranging from intricate rugs to unauthorized DVDs. These DVDs were highly sought after by us as they provided a temporary escape from our surroundings. I can’t recall who bought the DVD, but approximately ten of us convened in my containerized living quarters to watch the latest Star Wars installment, and much like a popular meme suggests, it was undeniably about our experiences.

Through the initial two prequel movies, George Lucas’s political allegory, depicting how fear can transform decent individuals into authoritarians, remained symbolic. This is because Lucas drew inspiration from a specific real-life event. The corruption of power exemplified by Palpatine and the questionable nature of the war were vividly portrayed. Anakin’s motives for betraying the Jedi were personal but he justified them to Obi-Wan on Mustafar using an authoritarian argument. In 2004, the war was a significant topic in the presidential election, with George W. Bush winning by emphasizing his dedication to “win” these wars.

The Political Allegory in Revenge of the Sith Caused Controversy at Home

Even Back Then, Many Fans Missed the Central Message of Star Wars

At that point in time, “Revenge of the Sith” was generally well-received and critically acclaimed among the Star Wars prequel trilogy. While many appreciated the action sequences and Anakin’s personal storyline, the political narrative sparked controversy, even leading to calls for a boycott. In that piece, a self-proclaimed conservative Star Wars fan argued that the movies were intended as children’s entertainment rather than vehicles for expressing liberal ideologies. This claim, however, is illogical, albeit not entirely uncommon.

• Anakin’s line: “If you’re not with me, you’re my enemy” was seen as a direct parallel to President Bush’s post-9/11 declaration: “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”
• The Clone Wars were based on a lie, which drew comparisons to the faulty intelligence that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
• Palpatine’s plot to give himself more centralized power, while established in Episode II, seemed to reflect both the blanket authorization Congress gave to Bush to wage war and the Patriot Act.

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but draw comparisons between my military experience with my fellow inactive reservists during our deployment that coincided with the 2004 election, and the narrative themes in some of my favorite series. The reason fans appreciate such stories is because they boldly express their political undertones.

The first two films in a popular prequel trilogy were quite subtle about their politics, and even the third installment, “Revenge of the Sith,” can be misunderstood by those who refuse to recognize its anti-authoritarian allegory. The protagonist’s choice to embrace the Dark Side, driven by his fear of losing his love Padmé, is a political commentary in itself. It suggests that those who abandon fundamental moral and ideological principles often end up causing the very outcomes they feared.

In the current series “Andor”, Padmé, previously seen in a cut scene from “Revenge of the Sith”, takes a stand against the ongoing conflict and Palpatine’s growing power. She unites with Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and other Senators to challenge this power grasp. However, Anakin supports Palpatine’s consolidation of power, arguing that it would enhance the Chancellor’s ability to manage the Clone War more effectively. Unlike the later struggle against the Empire which is clearly a battle between good and evil, the Republic versus Separatist conflict was not as straightforward.

Just as subsequent Star Wars stories, such as The Clone Wars, revealed, the efforts of soldiers like those I served with in FOB Warrior often backfired despite our intentions to improve local communities. Our larger mission was problematic due to decisions made by higher-ups that we had no control over. The political message in Revenge of the Sith gave us a fresh perspective on how this could happen, and the truth was even more heartbreaking. Instead of a triumph, it seemed real-world tragedies stemmed from ignorance and overconfidence.

You can now own a copy of “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” in DVD, Blu-ray formats, or digitally. Additionally, it’s available for streaming on Disney+ alongside the entire Star Wars (Skywalker) saga.

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2025-05-05 16:06