Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, directed by George Lucas, is the third prequel installment and the sixth film released in the Star Wars saga. Released in 2005, it bridges the gap between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode IV: A New Hope. The film delves into the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into the iconic villain Darth Vader and the rise of the evil Galactic Empire.

The film begins with a space battle above the planet Coruscant, where the Republic is under attack by the Separatist forces led by Count Dooku and General Grievous. Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are sent to rescue Chancellor Palpatine, who has been kidnapped by the Separatists. During the rescue mission, Anakin kills Count Dooku at Palpatine's urging, a glimpse into Anakin's vulnerability to the dark side.

Upon returning to Coruscant, Anakin reunites with his secret wife Padmé Amidala, who reveals she is pregnant. Troubled by visions of Padmé dying in childbirth, Anakin becomes more susceptible to Palpatine's influence, who manipulates his fear to lure him further into the dark side of The Force.

As The Clone Wars come to an end, Anakin is appointed by Palpatine to be his representative on the Jedi Council, causing tensions with the other Jedi. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is sent to the planet Utapau to confront General Grievous, ultimately defeating him and signaling the end of the Separatist movement.

Palpatine, revealed to be the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, finally seduces Anakin to the dark side by promising him the power to save Padmé. Anakin becomes Darth Vader and, on Palpatine's orders, leads an attack on the Jedi temple, effectively wiping out the Jedi Order. Concurrently, Palpatine manipulates the Senate into granting him emergency powers, allowing him to execute Order 66—a command compelling the Clone armies to turn against their Jedi generals, thus further decimating the Jedi ranks.

In a final confrontation, Obi-Wan battles his former apprentice and friend, Anakin, on the volcanic planet Mustafar. Obi-Wan emerges as the victor, severely injuring Anakin and leaving him to die. However, Palpatine intervenes and saves Anakin's life by encasing him in the iconic black armor and respiratory mask that create the terrifying figure of Darth Vader.

Padmé, heartbroken by Anakin's betrayal and transformation, dies after giving birth to twins, Luke and Leia. Fearing for their safety, Obi-Wan and Yoda decide to separate the children and hide them away from the Empire. Obi-Wan takes baby Luke to Tatooine to be raised by Anakin's stepbrother Owen Lars, while Senator Bail Organa adopts Leia. The film thus sets the stage for the Next Generation's struggle against the Empire in the original Star Wars trilogy.