PopHorror Let's Get Scared
As much as I am a horror nerd, my other Nerddom lies with Star Wars. Star Wars was released the same year I was born. I am a little envious of people who got to experience Star Wars for the first time in 1977. Star Wars changed not only the movie-making world but the marketing world as well. There were some definite bumps in the road to marketing compared to what we see now. In the 70s, it was still a newer concept with a lot of trial and error.
Cue in the Star Wars Holiday Special, which just celebrated its 45th anniversary. The Star Wars Holiday Special was sort of an urban legend when I was a kid in the 80s. It was hinted at, but no one at school actually saw it. If you had an older brother or sister, they may have seen it and talked about it. But c’mon, really a Star Wars Holiday Special? No way!
As we got older and the internet became more of an integral part of our lives, we soon learned that ‘Oh my gosh! there is a Star Wars Holiday Special!’ I’ll admit, I only saw it for the first time, very recently, before I watched this documentary. I’ll just say, the holiday special is, um, unique. It’s not terrible terrible, it’s not remotely great or even good, but it exists and should be included as part of the Star Wars canon. I mean sure there is Bea Arthur (Dorothy from The Golden Girls) singing. And an awkward virtual reality hologram of Diahann Carroll which is risqué. So many odd scenes happening and you are thinking where is Han? Luke? Leia? There is however, a Boba Fett cartoon in the middle of this special, it is awesome and that makes it worth the watch.
There was no doubt I wanted to see A Disturbance in the Force (2023). What did I think? Read on to find out.
Let’s take a look at the trailer!
Film Synopsis
In 1978, filmmaker George Lucas is persuaded to turn over Star Wars to the world of the ’70s variety hour, culminating in The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978), often cited as one of the worst forms of entertainment of all time.
From the filmmakers behind Napoleon Dynamite and Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made, comes A Disturbance in the Force, the documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. In 1977, “Star Wars” became a cultural phenomenon that single-handedly revitalized a stagnant film industry, and forever changed how films were sold, made, and marketed. In 1978, filmmaker George Lucas was talked into cashing in on the Star Wars craze by producing a holiday variety TV special. What could possibly go wrong? ANSWER: Everything…
CBS aired the two-hour Star Wars Holiday Special during the week of Thanksgiving and it was watched by 13 million people. It never re-aired. While some fans of the franchise are aware of this dark secret, this bizarre two hours of television still remains relatively unknown among the general public. Simply put, the documentary will answer how and why the “Holiday Special” got made.
Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak directed the film.
My Thoughts
If you are a Star Wars fan, this is a must-see. If you aren’t a hardcore fan, this film is still a must see. For the Star Wars fans, it gives so much insight about the special. It is presented in a fun way with A LOT of interviews with such fun people as Seth Green, Weird Al Yankovic, Kevin Smith, Patton Oswalt to name a few. I loved learning about not only the holiday special but also 70s television. I was born in the late 70s, so I didn’t get to experience it firsthand. Variety shows were such a thing back then. I had no idea that both Bob Hope and Donny and Marie Osmond had also performed Star Wars spoofs on their shows.
There is a lot of television history for the non Star Wars fan, that makes it worth a peek as well. A statement I get a lot as a Star Wars fan, ” I just don’t get it” Why Star Wars? What’s so great about it?” This documentary not only gives plenty of television history but also the historical and cultural significance and social impact of Star Wars. Answering the question, “What is so great about it.”
This documentary without a doubt, kindles the excitement and passion that is prevalent in the Star Wars fandom. A true love letter to this beloved and most influential franchises in our lifetime.
Final Thought
The force is strong with this film. Worth a watch. You won’t be disappointed. An informative documentary and the ultimate love letter to Star Wars.
A Disturbance in the Force (2023) is now available on both VOD platforms and on Blu Ray and DVD on Amazon.
