Like many people my age (mid 30s), the original Star Wars trilogy is the film franchise that impacted most heavily on my childhood. In between the cinema visits and TV screenings, I would either be playing with the brilliant toys, or acting out scenes from the movies (and creating new ones) with my mates. My nostalgia for the films hasn't really faded. Unlike most fans, I welcomed, and enjoyed the follow up trilogy, despite hating the indisputably awful Jar Jar Binks. After all, many of the flaws of the prequels also existed in the original films, which tend to be looked back on with rose tinted specs (remember the fucking Ewoks?).
I woke up this morning to the radio announcing the acquisition of Lucas Films by Disney, and excitingly a new trilogy of Star Wars pictures,the first instalment of which to be released in 2015. Brilliantly, if she will indulge me, my daughter and I can now experience the joy of the expanding Star Wars universe together on the big screen.
Now, it will not have escaped most people's attention that George Lucas rarely passes up an opportunity to exploit his back catalogue. However some people may not know that there is an existing trio of rarely seen Star Wars films already out there. The Star Wars Holiday Special, released broadcast just a year after the first film, is a misjudged television variety oddity. Chewbacca's wife Malla tediously shuffling around cooking dinner, a camp performance by Jefferson Starship and Boba Fett's first appearance are a few of the delights awaiting those willing to sit through it. Not exactly pleased with the first follow up to A New Hope, George, who had little involvement with the production, stated that "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." So it will come as no surprise that The Holiday Special has not as of yet surfaced as an official release since its original TV airing.
The two Ewok films, Caravan of Courage and Battle for Endor (both with direct input from Lucas), whilst still largely forgotten, have fared rather better, having a DVD release some eight years ago. Copies can currently be purchased on eBay/Amazon for £40-60.
I woke up this morning to the radio announcing the acquisition of Lucas Films by Disney, and excitingly a new trilogy of Star Wars pictures,the first instalment of which to be released in 2015. Brilliantly, if she will indulge me, my daughter and I can now experience the joy of the expanding Star Wars universe together on the big screen.
Now, it will not have escaped most people's attention that George Lucas rarely passes up an opportunity to exploit his back catalogue. However some people may not know that there is an existing trio of rarely seen Star Wars films already out there. The Star Wars Holiday Special, released broadcast just a year after the first film, is a misjudged television variety oddity. Chewbacca's wife Malla tediously shuffling around cooking dinner, a camp performance by Jefferson Starship and Boba Fett's first appearance are a few of the delights awaiting those willing to sit through it. Not exactly pleased with the first follow up to A New Hope, George, who had little involvement with the production, stated that "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." So it will come as no surprise that The Holiday Special has not as of yet surfaced as an official release since its original TV airing.
The two Ewok films, Caravan of Courage and Battle for Endor (both with direct input from Lucas), whilst still largely forgotten, have fared rather better, having a DVD release some eight years ago. Copies can currently be purchased on eBay/Amazon for £40-60.
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