This is the first time in my 28 years that I’ve even seen it suggested that Luke could’ve been doing anything other than choking the guards. I had no idea there was any disagreement at all about that.
Yeah this is the fascinating aspect of interpretation. I never once questioned this as a kid, but I’m glad we can still be reevaluating ROTJ after all this time.
I’m sure the guard on the left actually reaches for his throat, so it seemed obvious to me back then.
But as I got older it seemed more likely it could just be the guards reaction to a force impulse to ‘back off’, or a perceived pressure to back up.
I don’t believe Luke would choke someone for no reason, not sure why I was so quick or happy to accept that he did in '83.
A google search reveals debate on the subject on this site in 2004, and on many other sites over the years. The predominant view appears to be that he was choking them, but a number of people haven’t found it so clear cut. The reaction of the guard on the left is very fleeting. The guard on the right doesn’t reach so high. Luke’s gesture doesn’t indicate very much. We can read a whole lot into that scene or not very much at all. I think you offer a very reasonable suggestion about a ‘back off’ reaction. Hard to read tone online but the seeming disdain for contrary views is unfortunate. And that is very relevant to the discussions regarding TLJ. You’re right that it is great we can still argue points all these years later!