The Imperial March

"The Imperial March" "(Darth Vader's Theme)" is a recurring musical theme of the Star Wars movies. It was composed by John Williams and first appeared in the film The Empire Strikes Back. The theme is based on the well known funeral march from Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B minor and on "Mars, the Bringer of War" by Gustav Holst.



One of the best known symphonic movie themes, it is a classic example of a leitmotiv, a recurrent theme associated with characters or events in a drama. The Imperial March is the theme music that represents the authoritarian Galactic Empire. As Anakin Skywalker is stripped of all individuality, he, in essence, becomes one with the Empire as Darth Vader; hence the reason the march is often associated with him as well. The Imperial March represents all that is the Empire; therefore, it is nearly equivalent to a galactic anthem. To the Galactic Empire, The Imperial March represents strength, order, and control. However, to the Rebel Alliance it is symbolic of tyranny, oppression, and hate.

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.

For the game Force Commander, the menu music was a March remix with a rock/metal flavor.

In the movies (except for A New Hope), the march is played when Darth Vader appears, or when he is mentioned.

On a few occasions, The Imperial March has been used to introduce Mr. Burns on the television series The Simpsons. 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. In some National Hockey League games, the music is used at the beginning of powerplay opportunities. The march is also used when an opponent enters the field at a Cleveland Browns, Indian or Caviliers game. The music is also played at home games of the New York Yankees when announcing the players of the opposing team (in contrast to music heard during the Rebel Alliance's Award Ceremony in A New Hope being played to announce the home players.)

Original Trilogy
The Imperial March is first heard in The Empire Strikes Back when Darth Vader is re-introduced as Death Squadron assembles. It is used in its most powerful form in Return of the Jedi, when the Emperor is seen arriving on the Death Star II. When Anakin Skywalker dies at the end of Jedi, the motif is heard one last time as a distant, melancholy tune on a harp.

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 are played in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in a scene between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda when they discuss the future of Anakin Skywalker on Naboo. It is also heard in Anakin's Theme, played during the end credits.

In the next film, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, The Imperial March is played subtly and so faintly that it's barely audible when Yoda senses Anakin's slaughter of the Tusken Raiders in revenge for them killing his mother. It's also played subtly after Anakin confesses the deed to Padmé. At the end of the movie, the full version accompanies the deployment of the Grand Army of the Republic, hinting at the eventual link between clone troopers and stormtroopers, and as Chancellor Palpatine is shown observing the deployment of the Army from a balcony, foreshadowing his becoming the Emperor.

In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, The Imperial March is first played when Anakin rebukes the Jedi Council for denying him the rank of Jedi Master, although being appointed to the Council. It is later played when Anakin is dubbed as a Sith as Darth Vader shortly after the death of Mace Windu. It is played more clearly during the Battle of the Heroes scene between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader at the movie's climax, and in the simultaneous battle between Yoda and Palpatine. It is also played when Darth Vader receives his armor and when he looks up at the first Death Star.

Uses in the Expanded Universe
The soundtrack to Shadows of the Empire by Joel McNeely samples a small part of the Imperial March in the Night Skies theme. Here, it is played as a contemplative piece, designed to show Darth Vader mulling over information about the Falleen, Prince Xizor and feeling that his son is close by in Imperial Center.

Uses in-universe
In A.C. Crispin's book The Paradise Snare, it's slyly hinted that the Imperial March is "the martial theme of the Imperial Navy".

In Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, during the level "The Great Pit of Carkoon," you come across a "disco room" where, after several steps, it will play a rock version of Imperial March, and Gamorrean guards will appear, pretending their axes are guitars. This is also seen in the level "Jabba's Palace", where if you create a radio, it will play the same rock version and all Gamorreans will start "playing their axes". This version was initially featured in Star Wars: Force Commander.

In Star Wars: Battlefront II Imperials occasionally whistle the Imperial March.

Leonis Murthé hums "Dum Dum Dum, Dum-te-Dum, Dum-te-Dum" as he uses his lightsaber on a "patient" in Boba Fett: Agent of Doom.

In "Star Wars: Republic Commando" the March can be heard as a cheery elevator tune in an elevator.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: Republic Commando
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * "Chapter 1"
 * "Chapter 25"
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith video game
 * The Paradise Snare
 * Star Wars: Empire at War
 * Star Wars: X-Wing
 * Star Wars: Rebellion
 * ''Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars: Force Commander
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter
 * Shadows of the Empire Soundtrack
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
 * Boba Fett: Agent of Doom
 * Soulcalibur IV
 * Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy