EXTRA footage from 1977 REVEALS Darth Vader’s Backstory

Star Wars: A New Hope - Deleted Scene
1977 original Star Wars - rare deleted footage

In this exclusive footage from the original Star Wars movie (1977), we would hear some critical dialogue that answered some of the mysteries surrounding Darth Vader...

Checkout my lightsaber shop:

0:00 Deleted Scene Pt 1
1:14 Deleted Scene Pt 2
2:33 Deleted Scene Pt 3
3:42 Deleted Scene Pt 4

Instagram: @StarWars_Analyst

I do not own any material shown.

All images, clips, and music used are property of The Walt Disney Studios.

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

[StarWarsAnalyst]

✋🛑 Full collection of rare Original Trilogy Deleted Scenes 👇👇

[HandofOmega]

I remember the toys at the time having Vader's title as "Dark Lord of the Sith", but we didn't know what that meant, it just sounded kinda cool...It took us awhile, but we finally got the full story!

[stellijer]

As I recall, as of the original movie's scripting, "The Emperor" was more a politician, who used Vader and his power as a tool for his own ends, than being a Sith Lord in his own right... but when Lucas expanded the plot, which also included making Vader Luke's father, he also made the Emperor into a supreme paragon of the Dark Side...

[CliveO]

I actually knew Vader was a Sith before ever seeing A New Hope. It’s how he is described on the Burger Chef promo poster, which I had even before seeing the film. I remember asking my Mom what a Sith was. As you might imagine, my Mom hadn’t a clue. In 1977 we had to try to figure out a lot of backstory on our own.

[nervchemnitz]

Found my copy of the 1976 novel last night and it mentions Vader as a Sith Lord almost immediately when describing him. What is interesting is when it desribes Vader's general appearance, the wording implies *all* sith lords looked/dressed the same as Vader. As in he was but one of many who wandered about wearing black and a face mask.

[The_Bad_Guy.]

Technically the word sith wasn't said on screen until episode 1 but Darth Vader was always referred to, even so in writing, as dark lord of the sith. And not just in books but on his action figures and other star wars media

[superitgel]

I used to mock Cassio Tagge, but now I realize. He was one of the most dedicated, capable and level headed imperial officers out there. I am truly humbled by his integrity and courage in that corrupt, hostile office environment.

[scottmccrea]

I was 6 in 1977 and my parents got me out of school early to go see it. It was the star destroyer in the opening scene - not Vader's entrance later - that has always stuck with me. The sense of _size_ Lucas was able to convey with models.

[melvinloyalist]

It still amazes me that over 40 years later and Star Wars is still the biggest franchise in history. So much depth, so much lore, and so much passion. Thank you George Lucas for everything.

Wizard.

[RobbanSten]

I agree that ”Sith” should have been a part of the story all along, but who could honestly have anticipated such a huge success?

[antigonish]

This has always been one of Star Wars's greatest strengths and weakness. There is so much material outside of the movies that you can deep dive into whatever through the comics and books. But on the other hand, it's really annoying that they have to constantly patch the plots holes with them.

[redveinborneo]

The opening crawl of the a new hope originally had the phrase "dark lords of the sith" in it as well. I think it remained for the first couple drafts before it finally got cut out. The crawl made it sound like there were a bunch of sith that were the enforcers for the emperor (it didn't mention the emperor being one) and that Vader was the biggest and baddest of them all.

[miked]

Vader was referred to as “The Dark Lord of the Sith” from the beginning. It’s mentioned in the novelization that was published before the film’s release and Vader was described as Dark Lord of the Sith in the Scolastic published Star Wars Storybook that coincided with the movie’s release.

[charles-antoinedubois]

I find it also interesting to hear General Tagge criticizing the enormous budget used by the Death Star project. Throughout the series and novels, we've seen the Navy criticize the misuse of budget that should instead be used on star destroyers (Catalyst and Thrawn: Treason novels) or better and more durable fighters (Rebels). It's interesting to see that the Imperial Army is also feeling the pressure, and that Lucas was already envisioning the internal disagreement around the Death Star within the Imperial forces from the very beginning (1977).

[pangaeawriter]

I remember the original Kenner action figures of Darth Vader describing him as Lord of the Sith. So the word was out there, but not widely known. Anyone who read the novelization of A New Hope would also have seen General Tagge's line about Vader being a Sith lord. I remember thinking the word Sith felt very sinister and evil. And this was before Return of the Jedi came out.

[davidpumpkinsjr.]

Even in the theatrical cuts, they managed to convey that Tagge was the smartest (or at least most pragmatic) man at the table and Jerjerod's loyalty clearly lies with the Emperor and not Vader.

Tagge is an underrated character. Unlike most Imperial officers, he is smart and cautious and even willing to question Imperial tactics and priorities but not in a manner to get himself Force-choked. The only one who comes close to his sensibility is Adm. Piett, though he's more of a "if I keep my head down, don't make wave and do my job, I might keep living" type.

[HardlyQuinn]

It's beautiful to see how much thought is put into this even if its cut out

[zoso]

I had the Lucas-written novel that I bought in 78 and it mentions Palpatine, the Sith, etc. Lucas was a great filmmaker but an even greater creator.

[YeoYeo]

Years before the prequels came out, there was a rumor going around that Lucas’ original outline for the first film was going to be the story of the rise fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker all in one film, but that Lucas decided it was too much for one film and he decided to break it up into at least six films, but possibly as many as nine movies with Luke taking Anakin’s place in parts 7-9. Hence why toys released years before the prequels came with backstories on the back of the box that said things like “Obi Wan and Vader had an legendary duel on a volcanic planet that left Vader crippled and in need of a robotic suit”

[transformersrevenge]

Kinda cool how this deleted footage lines up perfectly with modern characterization that Tarkin has in Rebels and Rogue one - a man who wants recognition, and who wants to take over the illogical super weapon, for his own ego. And his use of the weapon, ultimately makes the rebellion more popular, thus his actions escalate the conflict.