The force was strong with these lines: 10 best Star Wars: Episode one – Phantom Menace quotes

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, is the first movie in the prequel trilogy that origins before the original Star Wars in 1977. Released in 1999, this movie takes 32 years before the original trilogy. The movie features Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and others. The film is about a young Anakin Skywalker, who shows tremendous abilities in the Force and revolves around Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master, who try to contend with the Sith and protect Padme of the planet Naboo. The movie is a foundational movie that sets the stage for Anakin, who eventually becomes Darth Vader. It has some memorable quotes and here are 10 of them.

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Darth Maul's threat, Yoda's wise words, and other iconic quotes from Star Wars Phantom Menace

1. “Wipe them out, all of them”

Spoken by Darth Sidious who is portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, this threatening dialogue is spoken in Star Wars Phantom Menace. As the ultimate villain, Darth has some of the best lines. For example, when he is in disguise as the Senator Palpatine and when he discovers that he will be made the successor to the present Chancellor, he says, “A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.” This line is also chilling as Palpatine ultimately wanted that and knew that he would become the successor. Darth Sidious acts as if he is guileless and naïve, but his ambition knows no limits. He says the above lines again as a testament of his ruthless nature when the Trade Federation representatives inform that a Gungan army has been formed as part of a rebel force. Darth Sidious, says the lines with a chillingly calm demeanor and gives an insight into how depraved the character will become in the future installments.

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2. “Always two there are. No more. No less. A Master and an apprentice.”

These wise lines are spoken by Yoda, played by Frank Oz in Star Wars Phantom Menace. The character is the wise sage in the franchise and whenever he utters something, those lines always hold deep meaning. Even though Yoda or the Jedi Master is one of the most intelligent characters in the Star Wars universe and has an incredible mastery over the force, he still fails to recognize the extent of the evil that Palpatine has within him, which ultimately leads to the fall of the Jedi order. However, failure and its overcoming is an important theme in the franchise and Yoda speaks the above lines when Mace Windo asks Yoda about Sith. The Jedi Master then says these lines in response, which begs the question whether the defeated Maul was the Master or the apprentice. The next shot then shows Palpatine, which foreshadows a hint to the question that Yoda poses.

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3. “You can’t stop change any more than you can stop the Suns from setting.”

These wise lines are spoken by Shmi Skywalker to her son, Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Phantom Menace. These lines occur at a time when Anakin Skywalker is going through much change. He is freed from slavery under Watto and visits a host of planets that are in stark contrast to the desert of Tatooine that he spent his childhood in. All these changes also mean that his path is different than his family’s and he will not be able to see his mother who is still a slave on his home planet. Therefore, when Anakin says to her that he does not want things to change, she imparts these important pearls of wisdom. As a mother who wants the best for her son, Shmi says that her son must embrace change as she wants a better life for him, one where he would be guided under Jedi and not be a slave under Watto. The film has a lot of wise lines and this is one of them.

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4. “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

These lines are just another example of a quote that is spoken by Yoda and is full of wisdom and forewarning. While most of the times, Yoda speaks in a manner that is sometimes difficult to decipher. There are times when he speaks in a clear and comprehensible manner, which has led to the creation of many iconic quotes in Star Wars Phantom Menace. Almost all the lines that Yoda speaks imparts wisdom. The above important lines come at a time when Yoda speaks among the members of the Jedi Council and talks about the fear residing in young Anakin’s heart. Yoda explains that the presence of fear is the beginning of turning one’s hearts towards the dark side. He notes the immense fear that Anakin has of losing his mother. This fear in Anakin foreshadows how he will kill many people when his mother is taken away from him in Attack of the Clones. Therefore, Yoda’s words come true.

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5. “You were right about one thing, Master. The negotiations were short.”

There are some hilarious moments in Star Wars Phantom Menace and most of them come from the sarcastic dialogues of Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor. Throughout the prequel franchise, he makes a lot of jokes about the situations he finds himself in and makes any scene humorous. His sarcasm also showcases that he has a bit of a comedic streak within him. These lighthearted lines are spoken by Obi-Wan Kenobi when he and Qui-Gon visit the Trade Federation for negotiations but they are quickly trapped. However, they both break out and begin to explore, finding out about the plans that are against the planet of Naboo and the legion of droids that will be sent. Even in such a tense situation, Obi-Wan says this iconic line, which has now become a classic quote from the movie. Once again therefore, he shows off his comedic personality with this dialogue.

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6. “I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee.”

Spoken by Queen Amidala, who is portrayed by Natalie Portman, these lines showcase the strength and resolve of the Queen towards her people and her might and confidence in Star Wars Phantom Menace. The character of the Queen Amidala is stiff and majestic and her stiffness is important as it later reveals that the Queen was also the handmaiden Padme. Her stiffness also makes her a regal politician who does not wait upon others to make her decision. Therefore she speaks the above lines when she initially asks for support from other leaders but gets none. When the Senate decides that they will not help her planet in the trade war by the Trade Federation on behalf of Sith, she says this line with a ferociousness. She then denounces the Chancellor Valorum, which leads to a no confidence vote and makes Senator Palpatine his successor.

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7. “The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.”

Spoken by Qui-Gon Jinn, who usually is one of the patient characters in the movies, these lines are not only a bit funny but also iconic because they convey the sentiment that a lot of viewers have had about the character Jar Jar Binks. While Jar Jar was added in Star Wars Phantom Menace as a comedic relief, his antics border on the line of annoyance, which has always made his character controversial. Therefore, as the prequel trilogy went on, he made fewer appearances. However, these lines are spoken by Qui-Gon to Jar Jar when he meets him along with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Qui-Gon is irritated by Jar Jar’s antics and he calls him dumb and orders him to go away. These lines stand out as Qui-Gon is a model of patience and virtue in the franchise. However, these lines also underscore the controversial nature of Jar Jar Binks.

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8. “And you, Young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest.”

These lines are extremely important as they are prophetic and underscore the entire crux of Star Wars Phantom Menace and the prequel trilogy movies. Said by Sheev Palpatine to Anakin Skywalker, these lines foreshadow the latter’s turn to the dark side. The whole of the prequel franchise is about the grooming of Anakin, who ultimately becomes evil in Star Wars Revenge of the Sith. But all this begins in this one small scene when Palpatine meets Anakin and immediately knows that he is special and will be a strong person in the force. These lines by Palpatine show that he was always watching over Anakin and that the fall from grace of Anakin is foreshadowed in this small instance. This one small incident is a core part of the movie’s central plot that revolves around Anakin and his fall. Therefore, this moment between the two and these lines are some of the most important dialogues in the movie.

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9. “At last, we reveal ourselves to the Jedi.”

Even though Darth Maul, who is played by Ray Park, is an apprentice to Darth Sidious, he is still one of the most interesting and villainous characters in Star Wars Phantom Menace. His formidable face and looming figure is intimidating and is the opposite of everything that the Jedi Knights stand for. He has an ominous presence as he stalks the Jedi throughout the story and is behind all the machinations playing out on Naboo. The character seethes for revenge and therefore these lines by him are said when he reveals the plan he and Sidious have been working towards in simple terms. His silent yet ferocious need for revenge is chilling and makes him a seriously villainous character and adds depth to the story. It is during this revenge that the iconic lightsaber face-off happens between Maul, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan, which results in the death of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan training Anakin as a Jedi.

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10. “I will train Anakin. Without the approval of the council if I must.”

These important lines are said by Obi-Wan Kenobi in front of the Jedi Council and is an important moment in Star Wars Phantom Menace. While Obi-Wan has always been humorous and one to stick by the rules, all of this changes when his master, to whom he is so devoted, Qui-Gon, is killed by Darth Maul in Naboo. Even though Qui-Gon would be more willing to bend the rules, Obi-Wan did not want to do that. However, with his master now dead, Obi-Wan seems to have lost all humor and wants to show some of the rebellion that his master had. Therefore, when the Jedi Council is resistant to training Anakin as the Jedi because of his age and attachments, Obi-Wan steps up and says these lines. This leads to Yoda changing his mind, even though he is hesitant. These lines and this moment is important for the whole prequel trilogy as this marks the start of Anakin’s path towards becoming a Jedi, until he falls to the dark side and also marks a shift in Obi-Wan’s character.