Your Favorite Renditions of The Force Theme?

[artguy360 1,843]

Another thread, I forget which, has sparked a nice little discussion about the Force Theme and fired up my curiosity. So, what are your favorite renditions of the Force Theme and why? It can be from across all media, the 8 saga films, Rogue One, video games, the tv series, etc. Please embed a video with timestamps if possible and write a bit to explain what makes this rendition memorable. 

 

To start things off, I love the slow, noble rendition that plays with Rey's theme in counterpoint from the end credits of TFA. It's a nice musical treat and signals the coda of the whole end credits suite:

 

[Josh500 1,615]

1. The melancholic, wistful version: The Binary Sunset (A New Hope)

 

2. The action-packed, militaristic version: at the beginning of the track "Revenge of the Sith," right after the Main Title (Revenge of the Sith)

 

[1977 1,743]

Any version where it's used to score anything other than the Force.

 

[Chen G. 3,944]

30 minutes ago, Josh500 said:

1. The melancholic, wistful version: The Binary Sunset (A New Hope)

 

2. The action-packed, militaristic version: at the beginning of the track "Revenge of the Sith," right after the Main Title (Revenge of the Sith)

 

 

That, and the regal, almost anthem-like variation at the Throne Room.

[Holko 9,499]

When Ben tells Luke to use the Force in The Battle of Yavin II, stopping for a religious moment then reigniting the determination, energy and rythm in place of the hopeless chaos that begins when Luke starts his trench run.

 

Here you go:

Even though a REAL Star Wars music fan would be able to recall all of the above mentioned ones in their head just based on the description

[artguy360 1,843]

Seriously, is no one going to link or embed their examples?

 

Although I didn't love every rendition, I did think it was interesting how in ROTS the Force Theme reverted back to being Obi-Wan's theme a bit. 

[Chen G. 3,944]

12 minutes ago, artguy360 said:

I did think it was interesting how in ROTS the Force Theme reverted back to being Obi-Wan's theme a bit. 

 

I've heard people say that, but I doubt it was intentional.

[artguy360 1,843]

6 minutes ago, Chen G. said:

 

I've heard people say that, but I doubt it was intentional.

I'm not fussed about intent and none of us can ask JW or GL. The force theme in ROTS accompanies a good portion of Obi-Wan's action in the middle of the film and is played with a pretty heroic and adventurous tone which is different from how it is used in most cases in TPM and AOTC. 

[tmarps 217]

 0:56 onward  love it - duel of the fates used to within the texture is genius!!

[Matt S. 493]

I’ve always really liked the quick quote of it at the opening of The Phantom Menace, when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are fighting the droids. Qui-Gon buries his lightsaber in the bridge’s blast door and there’s a quick snippet of the Force theme played by high French horns. I remember the excitement I had seeing the movie on opening night, and hearing that familiar melody really got me pumped even more. 

[Tallguy 3,380]

 

2:42.  I'm not kidding.

 

Also:  Almost anything from The Last Battle from Star Wars.  Oh, and when Luke calls Leia in Empire and it transitions into The Imperial March.

 

THE THRONE ROOM!

[John 2,032]

I've always really loved 0:57 of this:

 

 

That bit with the Force theme playing over the underlying DOTF rhythm just completely blows me away.

 

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

The distant rendition we get when the triumphant horns disappear followed by the haunting string rendition at 9:23 in the ROTS end credits, originally intended by Williams as the last time we ever hear the Force theme in a Star Wars film, has to be my favorite. 
 

 

[Breadstick Basilisk 108]

It doesn't get better than this. The actual theme hits at 1:03, but start with the build-up at 0:57. One of my favorite spots in any of the SW scores. It's only the beginning of the theme, but that brassy horn/trumpet unison combo with the offbeat trombones is incredibly addicting.

 

 

[Matt S. 493]

21 minutes ago, Breadstick Basilisk said:

It doesn't get better than this. The actual theme hits at 1:03, but start with the build-up at 0:57. One of my favorite spots in any of the SW scores. It's only the beginning of the theme, but that brassy horn/trumpet unison combo with the offbeat trombones is incredibly addicting.

 

 

 

That's exactly the quote I was talking about.  Thanks for embedding the link!

[Chen G. 3,944]

5 hours ago, Matt S. said:

Qui-Gon buries his lightsaber in the bridge’s blast door and there’s a quick snippet of the Force theme played by high French horns.

 

I remember Doug Adams saying something to the effect of “that’s the imagery to which The Force theme is first introduced? A Jedi pushing a laser sword through a door?!”

 

I don’t really mind that. It’s just the opening. When’s the first full statement?

[Loert 2,510]

I always loved that rendition in The Last Jedi & Steps where Williams employs canonic imitation: https://picosong.com/weZ97/

 

Seriously though I'm actually quite impressed how well this turned out...

 

5 hours ago, John said:

I've always really loved 0:57 of this:

 

That bit with the Force theme playing over the underlying DOTF rhythm just completely blows me away.

 

I might prefer the original, where the strings play double notes instead of single:

 

 

[Brundlefly 2,385]

12 hours ago, Josh500 said:

1. The melancholic, wistful version: The Binary Sunset (A New Hope)

 

2. The action-packed, militaristic version: at the beginning of the track "Revenge of the Sith," right after the Main Title (Revenge of the Sith)

 

I take that too.

[Josh500 1,615]

0:17

 

Wow. Just wow. 

 

 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

 

[DominicCobb 194]

5 hours ago, Chen G. said:

 

I remember Doug Adams saying something to the effect of “that’s the imagery to which The Force theme is first introduced? A Jedi pushing a laser sword through a door?!”

 

I don’t really mind that. It’s just the opening. When’s the first full statement?

 

Don't know, but this makes me wonder, which film has the longest amount of time before the Force theme shows up (not necessarily the full statement)? I feel like it's probably TFA.

[King Mark 3,626]

some other great ones:

 

At the end of Anakin is Free in TPM

Goodbye Old Friend RotS

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

22 hours ago, DominicCobb said:

 

Don't know, but this makes me wonder, which film has the longest amount of time before the Force theme shows up (not necessarily the full statement)? I feel like it's probably TFA.

 

By my rough calculations (and I could most certainly be wrong or have missed one), the Force theme first shows up in...

The Phantom Menace at 6:50 when Qui-Gon Jinn shoves his lightsaber back into the, um, blast door.

The Attack of the Clones at 30:49 when Anakin and Padme arrive on Naboo.

Revenge of the Sith at 2:10 right after the opening crawl when the Jedi starfighters come into view.

Rogue One at 17:03 when Bail Organa first appears.

A New Hope at 4:53 into the movie when Leia programs R2.

The Empire Strikes Back at 9:29 when Luke reaches out for his lightsaber in the Wampa cave.

Return of the Jedi at 26:15 right before the Rancor picks up Luke. 

The Force Awakens at 42:27 when Han tells Rey and Finn that he knew Luke.
The Last Jedi at 11:42 when we get Leia's reaction after the Dreadnought is confirmed to be destroyed.

 

The films in order of shortest amount of time to the longest amount of time for the Force theme to show:

ROTS, ANH, TPM, ESB, TLJ, RO, ROTJ, AOTC, TFA. 

 

So you are indeed correct! It takes the longest amount of time to show up in TFA, with almost 3/4ths of an hour passing before it graces the film, and obviously the shortest amount of time to show in ROTS, with it showing up just over 2 minutes into the film. 

[artguy360 1,843]

The big statement of the theme towards the end as Luke calls out to Leia is another one of my favorites. I love how the strings soar above the clouds and how the music quiets down just as Luke concentrates with the force before the big statement kicks in.

 

[looohhk 27]

I always thought this version from Anakin is Free (TPM) was very beautiful, beginning at 4:44. (King Mark mentioned it as well, here is the snippet)

 

 

[DominicCobb 194]

15 hours ago, Cerebral Cortex said:

 

By my rough calculations (and I could most certainly be wrong or have missed one), the Force theme first shows up in...

The Phantom Menace at 6:50 when Qui-Gon Jinn shoves his lightsaber back into the, um, blast door.

The Attack of the Clones at 30:49 when Anakin and Padme arrive on Naboo.

Revenge of the Sith at 2:10 right after the opening crawl when the Jedi starfighters come into view.

Rogue One at 19:44 when Jyn and company leave the Rebel Base to go see Saw. 

A New Hope at 4:53 into the movie when Leia programs R2.

The Empire Strikes Back at 9:29 when Luke reaches out for his lightsaber in the Wampa cave.

Return of the Jedi at 26:15 right before the Rancor picks up Luke. 

The Force Awakens at 53:43 when Han tells Rey and Finn about the Force and the Jedi being real.
The Last Jedi at 11:42 when we get Leia's reaction after the Dreadnought is confirmed to be destroyed.

 

The films in order of shortest amount of time to the longest amount of time for the Force theme to show:

ROTS, ANH, TPM, ESB, TLJ, RO, ROTJ, AOTC, TFA. 

 

So you are indeed correct! It takes the longest amount of time to show up in TFA, with almost an hour passing before it graces the film, and obviously the shortest amount of time to show in ROTS, with it showing up just over 2 minutes into the film. 

 

Awesome breakdown... but doesn't the Force theme first appear in TFA when Han says he knew Luke? https://youtu.be/bdrErkGQPB0?t=2m21s

Should still keep the film in its position though.

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

25 minutes ago, DominicCobb said:

 

Awesome breakdown... but doesn't the Force theme first appear in TFA when Han says he knew Luke? https://youtu.be/bdrErkGQPB0?t=2m21s

Should still keep the film in its position though.

 

Ah, shucks. You're right. Sorry about that. Good catch. So that means it shows up at 42:27 and not 53:43. I'll fix my first post accordingly.  

[mrbellamy 6,272]

My favorite one in Last Jedi

 

 

[Faleel 5,340]

17 hours ago, Cerebral Cortex said:

 

By my rough calculations (and I could most certainly be wrong or have missed one), the Force theme first shows up in...

The Phantom Menace at 6:50 when Qui-Gon Jinn shoves his lightsaber back into the, um, blast door.

The Attack of the Clones at 30:49 when Anakin and Padme arrive on Naboo.

Revenge of the Sith at 2:10 right after the opening crawl when the Jedi starfighters come into view.

Rogue One at 19:44 when Jyn and company leave the Rebel Base to go see Saw. 

A New Hope at 4:53 into the movie when Leia programs R2.

The Empire Strikes Back at 9:29 when Luke reaches out for his lightsaber in the Wampa cave.

Return of the Jedi at 26:15 right before the Rancor picks up Luke. 

The Force Awakens at 42:27 when Han tells Rey and Finn that he knew Luke.
The Last Jedi at 11:42 when we get Leia's reaction after the Dreadnought is confirmed to be destroyed.

 

The films in order of shortest amount of time to the longest amount of time for the Force theme to show:

ROTS, ANH, TPM, ESB, TLJ, RO, ROTJ, AOTC, TFA. 

 

So you are indeed correct! It takes the longest amount of time to show up in TFA, with almost 3/4ths of an hour passing before it graces the film, and obviously the shortest amount of time to show in ROTS, with it showing up just over 2 minutes into the film. 

Interestingly the first statement for AOTC was originally during the conversation with Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Mace, but it was replaced with tracked music.
Doesn't the Force Theme show up earlier than that in Rogue One?
Doesn't something similar to the Force Theme appear during the Jakku Battle?

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

Not to my knowledge, but I could certainly be wrong. I'll edit my post accordingly if that is indeed the case.

 

Edit: Fuck, yeah, you're right. It shows up when Bail Organa first appears. Don't know how I missed these. I tried to be thorough but I guess I wasn't thorough enough. I'll fix that when I get home. Thanks. 

[mrbellamy 6,272]

1 hour ago, Fal said:

Doesn't something similar to the Force Theme appear during the Jakku Battle?

1

 
Closest I can think of is this, but I wouldn't count it.

 

 

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

On 4/11/2018 at 7:07 AM, Matt S. said:

I’ve always really liked the quick quote of it at the opening of The Phantom Menace, when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are fighting the droids. Qui-Gon buries his lightsaber in the bridge’s blast door and there’s a quick snippet of the Force theme played by high French horns. I remember the excitement I had seeing the movie on opening night, and hearing that familiar melody really got me pumped even more. 

 

I agree. Aye.

 

The PT is Force Theme porn. It's never sounded better. Too many great renditions to really narrow it down. Some other standouts are when Anakin leaves home and that really poignant appearance in Padme's Funeral which segues rather incredibly into the tragic funeral motif and the Imperial March. Some top notch JW "Holy Shit" moments, to be sure, and welcome ones.

[Chen G. 3,944]

On 13.4.2018 at 2:54 AM, Batman's Diet Coke said:

really poignant appearance in Padme's Funeral which segues rather incredibly into the tragic funeral motif and the Imperial March.

 

Yeah, that's a great piece of music.

[Jay 37,322]

On 4/11/2018 at 11:42 PM, Cerebral Cortex said:

 

By my rough calculations (and I could most certainly be wrong or have missed one), the Force theme first shows up in...

 

You might find this interesting:

 

http://www.jwfan.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20264-score-theme-the-force-theme/

[Chen G. 3,944]

Wow, 96 statements in the sextet.

 

How much would that add up to with the two sequels?

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

51 minutes ago, Jay said:

 

You might find this interesting:

 

http://www.jwfan.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20264-score-theme-the-force-theme/

 

I appreciate you sending this my way, bud. Thanks. 

[Drew 590]

 

[artguy360 1,843]

The use of the Force theme in RO to score the appearance of Bail Organa seems like a really poor choice to me. I suppose the intent is to tug at nostalgia but it is thematically inappropriate to the point of making me think "wait, he's not a Jedi!" Maybe the intent was to suggest an air of destiny and fate?

[Chen G. 3,944]

Yes.

 

That's what I'm going on about with The Force Theme becoming less of a narrative device and more of a dramatic gesture; to the detriment of the Star Wars scores, I should add.

 

And even regardless of that, the sheer number of times its been quoted by now (often with little variation) comes to trivialize the theme. Its something to be savored, not indulged in.

[MikeH 768]

Surprised this one hasn’t been mentioned yet! I love the herald-like Trumpets and the way Rey’s Theme and Poe’s lead up to this big statement. It feels joyous and bittersweet at the same time. 

 

0:45

 

 

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

The ending of The Arena AKA Padme Falls.

[Tom 4,640]

The scene in Solo where young Han sees Luke in the distance on Tatooine. 

[King Mark 3,626]

thanks for the spolier

 

I hope it was a joke

[Tom 4,640]

34 minutes ago, King Mark said:

thanks for the spolier

 

I hope it was a joke

I hope it is a joke as well. 

[Ludwig 1,120]

 

@9:08. This is the first time in the saga and the only time in the film that the theme's first phrase ends with this particular major chord (the Neapolitan, or flat-II). Instead of having the usual chord (major IV, which has a raised note) to sound optimistic the way most Force theme statements do, this one (which has a lowered note) is infused with a feeling of tragedy even though it's a major chord - something that normally sounds positive. And what a time for it to be used - just as Vader tosses the Emperor to his death, in turn sacrificing himself as well. It wonderfully captures how this act of heroism is carried out unexpectedly by the villain.

 

This harmonization of the theme becomes a regular facet of ROTS, where it has the reverse effect because of Anakin's status as a "good guy" - it suggests his darkening deeds as he plunges towards the Dark Side.

[Nick Parker 3,040]

On 5/19/2018 at 3:15 PM, Batman's Diet Coke said:

The ending of The Arena AKA Padme Falls.

 

That's a great one!

 

 

 

Jay, Incanus, Ricard, can we get a lock on this thread? We're done here.

 

This one, especially after the long repetitive build-up, is one of the most haunting moments in any piece of music I've listened to. It's for such a short moment, but the music transcends way beyond the confines of the scene. I hear a forlorn call that speaks of a pair of eyes that has seen countless things in life, and has weathered much suffering. 

 

 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Often overlooked, but Arrival on Utapau from RotS is pretty darn good, with a simply sweeping rendition of the Force theme around 11s. Obviously not my first choice, but nobody's mentioned it yet.

 

 

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

It's not overlooked by me. The prequels feature most of the best renditions of the force theme in my opinion.

[Bellosh 3,398]

One of my favorite renditions of the Force Theme and I feel it's overlooked as well, often because the Binary Sunset cue wins all the time in ANH, is the rendition @1:29 in 'Burning Homestead'.  Lots of emotion tied to this cue.

 

It's also, IMO, the darkest scene in all of the movies.  No scene in any Star Wars movie is as grim or dark.

 

 

[Nick Parker 3,040]

1 hour ago, Bellosh said:

One of my favorite renditions of the Force Theme and I feel it's overlooked as well, often because the Binary Sunset cue wins all the time in ANH, is the rendition @1:29 in 'Burning Homestead'.  Lots of emotion tied to this cue.

 

It's also, IMO, the darkest scene in all of the movies.  No scene in any Star Wars movie is as grim or dark.

 

 

 

Growing up this was always my favorite cue. I would listen to this track and look up at the stars in the night sky, wondering what the future held.