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 leitmotif, 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 foreign Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

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 after Anakin confesses to his slaughter of the Tusken Raiders to Padmé. At the end of the movie, the full-blown version accompanies the deployment of the Grand Army of the Republic, hinting at the eventual link between clone troopers and stormtroopers.

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 at the first Death Star.

Behind the scenes
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".

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.

Bands Metallica and No Doubt are known to play the Imperial March at some of their live events.

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"

In Star Wars: Battlefront II during the Battle of Naboo (Imperial Era) story mission, Imperials occasionally whistle the Imperial March.

Appearances

 * 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
 * The Paradise Snare
 * Empire at War
 * Battlefront
 * Force Commander
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Shadows of the Empire Soundtrack (sample only)
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Boba Fett: Agent of Doom