This in my mind is the greatest lightsaber battle from the films. I put this one #1 over the Darth Vader vs. Luke Skywalker Empire battle because this battle was so equally matched. Plus the bonus of cutting back and forth between Yoda vs. Darth Sidious/Emperor battle.

#1  Obi-Wan vs. Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Yes this battle is by far the longest of all the battles, but Obi-Wan and Anakin know each other so well and are equally matched on lightsaber skills, it makes for the best battle. This battle starts off great, Obi-Wan draws his lightsaber first. Obi-Wan doesn’t want to fight, but he will do what he must. Obi-Wan knows he has no choice but to kill Anakin. They start with a barrage of lightsaber swings, it’s hard to tell which is which. Anakin is angry and just gets madder as they fight. Obi-Wan keeps his feelings in check the entire battle. This battle can seem to dull down a bit during the middle of the battle because they are equally matched, so cutting back and forth with the Yoda vs. Emperor battle cranks up this entire sequence. During the Yoda battle Yoda stands his ground against the Emperor. I love how the Emperor is just laughing and cackling during this battle, he is having a ball with Yoda. Yoda finally concedes this battle for another day. Yoda realizes he won’t gain anything with this battle so he gets out.

Back to Obi-Wan and Anakin with them fighting down the lava river coming to a stop on the shore line. Obi-Wan leaps to the shore and gains the high ground. Obi-Wan is calm and Anakin is consumed with the dark side and can’t think clearly. Anakin simply thinks his power will win the battle and Obi-Wan shows him he was wrong. The ending of this battle is so gut wrenching with Obi-Wan…. “You were my brother Anakin… I loved you” and Anakin childish I’m not gonna get my way line “I hate you”. Obi-Wan takes his lightsaber and leaves him for dead. Can’t get much better than that.