Luke Skywalker: Come with me.
Darth Vader: Obi-Wan once thought as you do. You don’t know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master.
Luke Skywalker: I will not turn, and you’ll be forced to kill me.
Darth Vader: If that is your destiny.
Luke Skywalker: Search your feelings, Father. You can’t do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate.
Darth Vader: It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.
Luke Skywalker: Then my father is truly dead.
Where does this quote come from? (Source)
This quote is from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983), also known as Episode VI. Produced by Lucasfilm, the film is a part of the Star Wars universe.
- Movie: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Movie Number: Episode VI
- Production: Lucasfilm
Why we collected this quote
This long exchange between Luke and Vader is one of the most dramatic and emotionally layered dialogues in the trilogy – covering obedience, destiny, conflict, and hope all at once. Luke’s final line – “Then my father is truly dead” – is devastating, and the whole scene is a turning point that sets up Vader’s eventual redemption.
What does this quote mean? (Meaning & Context)
Luke urges Vader to come with him, sensing the conflict inside him. Vader acknowledges that Obi-Wan once thought the same way Luke does, but insists the dark side’s hold is too strong – and that he must obey the Emperor. Luke’s “I feel the conflict within you, let go of your hate” is the closest he gets to reaching Vader here. Vader’s “It is too late for me” is heartbreaking because the audience – and Vader – already sense it isn’t entirely true.
Fun facts & Trivia
Behind the scenes: This scene was filmed with James Earl Jones recording Vader’s lines while David Prowse performed on set. Prowse was again given different dialogue on the day, meaning the emotional beats between the two actors were partly built in post-production.
