Which 1977 epic space opera film directed by George Lucas introduced the character Darth Vader? The answer is Star Wars.
The film was released in 1977 as Star Wars and was later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. It follows Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and their allies as they battle the Galactic Empire and attempt to destroy the planet-destroying Death Star.
Darth Vader appears as one of the Empire's chief enforcers, a masked figure who serves the Emperor and commands Imperial forces. Although later films reveal that Vader was once Anakin Skywalker, the original 1977 film introduces him simply as the intimidating Sith antagonist Darth Vader.
The film was written and directed by George Lucas and became the foundation of the Star Wars franchise. The title can cause confusion because later releases added the subtitle “Episode IV – A New Hope”; both names refer to the same 1977 movie. It is also distinct from later prequel films that explore Anakin's transformation into Vader.