The line we all know and love and repeat, “Luke, I am your father,” is a misquote. Darth Vader never says that.
Darth Vader Said, “Luke, I Am Your Father” myth
That Famous Line From The Empire Strikes Back is Actually a Misquote
Darth Vader never actually says, “Luke, I am your father.” Vader instead says, “No, I am your father.” In other words, this is just one of those misquoted movie lines.[1]
So why does everyone think he says, “Luke, I am your father?” I’ll submit to you that it is not the Mandela effect. Instead my theory is that it was on some TV show or movie comedy along the way said, “Luke, I am your father,” and that was the version that got stuck in the lexicon.
The full quote from the famous scene in The Empire Strikes Back is featured below (in script form and clip form).
Notice Vader doesn’t say the word “Luke” until the end of this exchange. Previously in the exchange he calls him “young Skywalker” and “Skywalker”… which is a little strange since that is his last name too.
“Luke, I Am Your Father”VADER There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. You do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy. LUKE I'll never join you! VADER If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. LUKE He told me enough! It was you who killed him. VADER No. I am your father. Shocked, Luke looks at Vader in utter disbelief. LUKE No. No. That's not true! That's impossible! VADER Search your feelings. You know it to be true. LUKE No! No! No! VADER Luke. You can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son. Come with me. It is the only way.
Article Citations
- Empire Strikes Back Script. IMSDB.com.
Conclusion
Author: Thomas DeMichele
Thomas DeMichele is the content creator behind ObamaCareFacts.com, FactMyth.com, CryptocurrencyFacts.com, and other DogMediaSolutions.com and Massive Dog properties. He also contributes to MakerDAO and other cryptocurrency-based projects. Tom's focus in all...
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Jesse M R Danyluck Supports this as a Fact.
In the original theatrical release he actually does say no luke, I am your father. It wasn’t until it was released outside of theatre that it got edited. Why it got edited I had no idea but I have a video taken from inside the original screening where this is what he says
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
Wow! Ok, that is interesting.
TERRELL HODGE Supports this as a Fact.
Just watched a clip from the 1980’s with crowd reaction and he days no Luke…i am you father.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
That is crazy. How are there conflicting versions of this? George Lucas edits maybe?
Michael Powers Did not vote.
This is the most pathetic excuse for journalism I’ve seen in a long time.
A) “Does Darth Vader actually say ‘I am your father’?”
B) “Darth Vader never actually says, ‘Luke, I am your father.'”
Where’s the contradiction or myth??? He still says, “I am your father,”
You are probably so stupid you don’t realize that, “Luke, I am your father”, “I’m your father, Luke”, or Luke saying, “You’re not my father!!!” are variations on a meme, the point of which is to exaggerate the melodrama and reduce the tension produced by the scene.
The writers for this site are overpaid — FACT
Scott Supports this as a Fact.
How come James earl jones quotes his line from the movie Luke I Am your father on the Big Bang theory? Did he forget his own line? I don’t think so.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
My guess is he was reading the Big Bang script and not the Star Wars script at the time.
Timothy L Carmichael Did not vote.
I have evidence to the contrary. You will find that it is you who are mistaken about a great many things. Message me if you want to hear James Earl Jones say, “Luke, I am your father.”, and see where it is admitted by Lucasfilm 2005 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
Very interesting, going to research this. Feel free to drop a link.
Pisce Supports this as a Fact.
I remember “Luke, I am your father” and i watched Star wars back in the 80s as a young boy