
LUKE SKYWALKER AND DARTH VADER NAMED MOST MEMORABLE ON-SCREEN RIVALRY
In a galaxy not so far, far away, the force-fuelled feud between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in classic sci-fi flick Star Wars has been named the most memorable on-screen rivalry of all time.
To mark tonight's UK premiere of Ron Howard's F1 rivalry-based drama RUSH' - of which Amazon's LOVEFiLM is a sponsor - the film and TV streaming service commissioned the research of over 1,100 entertainment fans to reveal the best rivalries from film and TV history.
The intergalactic father and son duo from George Lucas' 70's masterpiece received 22 per cent of votes, forcing wizarding rivals Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into second place (20 per cent). The world-famous rivalry between the boy wizard and his menacing opponent from the film based on J.K. Rowling's all-time best seller contributed towards the huge success of all seven movies.
In third place with ten per cent are British sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his genius arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty. Having featured in many movies and TV shows, the immensely intelligent detective has enjoyed huge success in recent years with hit BBC drama, Sherlock, but it was their exploits in 1943 classic Sherlock Holmes - Secret Weapon that struck a chord with entertainment fans.
Following closely in fourth is caped crusader Batman and his most menacing enemy ever The Joker (eight per cent) - both of whom feature in Tim Burton's 1980 superhero success Batman. The film sees The Dark Knight begin his war on crime against the homicidal clown in a rivalry so great that it was recently recreated with modern day Batman Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger.
Clicking her heels into fifth place is Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West (seven per cent) in fantasy film and two-time Academy Award-winner The Wizard of Oz. The story follows Dorothy, played by Judy Garland, as she embarks on a quest to find the famous wizard in the Emerald City in order to return home to Kansas, hindered in her journey by the wicked witch and her army of winged monkeys.
In sixth place is a rivalry of colossal proportions as Russell Crowe's Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus - a loyal Roman general and a treacherous Emperor - from Ridley Scott's epic historical drama Gladiator claim six per cent of the votes.
Also with six per cent and the second superhero rivalry to feature in the top ten is that of Krypton's favourite flying son Superman and long-time adversary Lex Luther in Superman. Close behind with four per cent is Neo and the ever-multiplying Agent Smith in sci-fi flick Matrix.
Bill and The Bride's fight for supremacy in Kill Bill Volume 1 prompted three per cent of viewers to vote them into ninth spot whilst Eric Bana and Brad Pitt in Troy as Achilles and Hector reeled in two per cent of voters to claim tenth.
The top ten most memorable on-screen rivalries are
1. Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader - 22 per cent
2. Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort - 20 per cent
3. Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty - 10 per cent
4. Batman and Joker - 8 per cent
5. Dorothy and Wicked Witch of the West 7 per cent
6. Maximus and Commodus - 6 per cent
=. Superman and Lex Luthor - 6 per cent
8. Neo and Agent Smith - 4 per cent
9. The Bride and Bill - 3 per cent
10. Achilles and Hector - 2 per cent
Other: 13 per cent
Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, said: The rivalry between the hero and the anti-hero is often what makes a film or TV show so compelling and in a lot of cases is one of the reasons we fall in love with the character in the first place. Batman wouldn't be what he is without the Joker and the same can be said of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader - and we love to watch these power struggles play out.
Film fans looking for a classic goody vs baddie battle can catch up with all of these conflicts on LOVEFiLM Instant.
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