A Thousand Stars: Episode III, Part 25

The montage is a tried-and-true filmmaking technique that plays with our perception of chronology and causality. Rather than a single scene presented as if occurring in real time, a series of scenes are cut together with the implication of either simultaneity or an accelerated passage of time. Now that I've bored you all with generic descriptions, let's look at how Lucas use a montage to devastating effect for Order 66.

It all starts in Palpatine's office after Anakin pledges himself to the Sith Lord, but the effects rapidly ripple outward. Even before the carnage begins, we cut to Yoda already sensing something horrifying.

Anakin/Vader begins his march on the Jedi Temple. (For those interested in film history, these shots of soldiers marching relentlessly up the stairs are undoubtedly inspired by the gruesome massacre scene from the 1925 silent film Battleship Potemkin.)

We have a brief interlude with Obi-Wan retrieving his lightsaber from Commander Cody, friendly banter and all that. But the moment Order 66 goes into effect, the mood descends into cosmic tragedy. Shot after shot of Jedi in far-flung locations, their confusion and shock as they realize their trusted allies are turning against them, and their inevitable deaths.

To drive home the anguish, we cut back to Yoda, who senses the deaths of his friends with the same physical gestures as Obi-Wan sensing the destruction of Alderaan. With his prescience, he's able to escape a similar attack on himself, but don't get too comfortable with this reprieve. The worst part is still coming.

Next time, a grief surrogate...