The Classic Confusion: First-Time Watching ROTJ and Anakin's Ghost

When first watching the original Return of the Jedi, some viewers were confused by the appearance of Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost. However, not everyone felt the same way. In this article, we will explore various perspectives on this common confusion and the reasons behind it.

Was Anakin's Force Ghost Confused with Uncle Owen?

Was there a moment in the very first viewing of Return of the Jedi when one got so confused that they thought Anakin's Force Ghost was Uncle Owen? Interestingly, not everyone was initially mistaken. For many, it was immediately clear that it was a reunion between Anakin and his old friends, Yoda and Obi-Wan. However, the specific case of using Hayden Christensen in the Special Edition versions raised some eyebrows.

Obi-Wan and Yoda Rejuvenated

One viewpoint is that some viewers might have been mistaken when they first watched Return of the Jedi with the Revised Edition featuring Hayden Christensen. In these versions, Obi-Wan and Yoda reappeared as "Force ghosts," which may have led to confusion. However, it's worth noting that in the original Return of the Jedi, Obi-Wan and Yoda did not appear as Force ghosts in a similar manner, as Sebastian Shaw did not change to Hayden Christensen's face until later versions.

Early Theaters and Confusion

Back in the theater, the confusion was more about Anakin's identity. There was a momentary confusion because of the recent death of Anakin, and many viewers assumed it was indeed him. The change from Sebastian Shaw to Hayden Christensen in the Special Edition versions might have caused some doubt. The question remains: how could Luke recognize what his father would look like in his youth, seeing two completely different versions of Anakin in the films?

Primary School Viewing

For those who watched the original trilogy in primary school, the experience was quite different. I, for example, watched the original trilogy around the time when I could barely comprehend what was going on. My first exposure to Return of the Jedi was with the Sebastian Shaw version, and it wasn't until later that his face was changed to Hayden Christensen.

During my first viewing, I saw this old man, whom I thought was Uncle Owen, standing beside Yoda. The presence of a ghost was strange, and I had no concept of his burnt corpse or the fact that it was Luke's father. I thought Luke simply left and went on his adventures, leaving his aunt and uncle to continue their life.

The Role of Uncle Owen and the Ghost

The scene that sparked confusion was when Anakin's Force Ghost appeared before his old friends. Since they all looked similar, I and many other young viewers might have initially mistaken Uncle Owen for Anakin's ghost. This confusion is understandable because:

The scene happened shortly after Anakin's death, making it plausible for Anakin's Force Ghost to Uncle Owen character in Return of the Jedi looked much older, which might have added to the viewers like me were aware of Luke's adventures but not detailed background stories, so the sudden appearance of an old man could easily be mistaken for Anakin's ghost.

In conclusion, the appearance of Anakin's Force Ghost in Return of the Jedi led to a common confusion among many young viewers. The older versions and the younger versions with different actors played a crucial role in this confusion. While it might seem trivial now, it was a significant moment in many hearts back then.