Bespin Duel Analyzed

I've always liked the way that it quickly became obvious that Luke was out of his league, even before Vader began using the Force. Vader's size and strength were too much for him, he was driven backwards with every blow struck with the red light-saber, and size and strength were the least of Vader's weapons!

Brilliant bit of filmmaking, that duel.

I also like that despite being completely outclassed by Vader, Luke still manages to get a few solid licks in on him. First this shows how much raw talent Luke has, just like his father did, and why he was so highly sought by both sides. And it also further illustrates how tragic it was for Luke to leave Dagobah when he did, with his training not complete. That talent with proper physical and mental training, could have been enough to defeat Vader, and would be in ROTJ. Instead he rushed in unprepared for the physical and mental toll a duel with Vader would bring upon him.

It's a good duel, but I think that the bit in the carbon-freezing chamber when Vader deliberately whacks his saber into that pipe with the sound effect was deliberately set up in the preceding hits, like they wanted to show that sabers can cut through anything.