B-Movie Review: The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Just like we had to go and see Episodes II and III even though the first of the new trilogy turned out to be mostly rubbish, so too does every Star Wars fan eventually need to sit down and endure the madness that is the Star Wars Holiday Special.  Showing up just a year after the first Star Wars flick, we can’t blame this one on old George Lucas losing his mind, for apparently he had little to do with the way it took shape.  Regardless of whoever was responsible for this mess, it is by far one of the worst productions ever put together in the history of mankind.

This general story (??) revolves around the Wookiee Life Day celebration, which is basically a big hairy version of Christmas.  Chewbacca is trying to get home to spend time with his family, including his very creepy looking son, but is being thwarted by all the rebel stuff that he needs to do.  And, naturally, the Empire becomes involved in everything and Chewie’s Wookiee family must cover up for him.

As the fiasco rages on, there are random ass appearances from various second-rate stars, strange skits having nothing to do with anything, weird gimmicks showing up left and right and, perhaps the most dreadful of all, music videos of the future that look very much like they come from the 70s.  What makes it even sadder is the fact that most of the main cast of Star Wars shows up to put in their own appearances.  I imagine that they were all very drunk or high so as to keep themselves from crying while shooting this.

There is one highlight of the Holiday Special, however.  There is an animated segment titled “The Faithful Wookiee” that presents to us the very first appearance of a certain Boba Fett.  So it’s almost kinda worth the watch to at least see that.  Heck, it’s actually not half-bad, that little, tiny piece of this terrifying vision of the Star Wars universe.

But, as I said before, it is every fan’s duty to sit down and make themselves watch this film at least once.  If the rating on Rotten Tomatoes is to be believed, it’s worth a 40/30%.  And while I don’t agree with that in any way, shape or form, I guess I can understand the pure novelty value of rotting garbage made into a film.  So go on Star Wars fans - take a watch.  You may have to DL it via torrent, however, as Lucas refuses to reissue this one, improved special effects or otherwise.

Photo Credits -           

Star Wars Holiday Special courtesy of therealnerdherd.com