The Internet Movie Database reports:
Moviemaker George Lucas wants his first Star Wars sequel banned, as he is so disappointed with its quality. The one-off, two-hour-long The Star Wars Holiday Special was originally screened on the CBS network in 1978 and tells the story of Chewbacca’s journey home with Hans Solo to celebrate Life Day with his family. During the course of the much-maligned movie, Carrie Fisher’s beautiful Leia is seen reducing Hans Solo and Luke Skywalker to tears with a song. A contributor on the Star Wars website comments, “The Holiday Special has always been the red-headed step child of the Star Wars family.” While a source at LucasFilm adds, “The Holiday Special was the biggest f***-up ever. The Force was definitely not with Mr. Lucas the day that doozy was born.”
I had to laugh when I read this. I clearly remember seeing the Star Wars Holiday Special when it screened on Australian television (I do not recall if it screened in Australia in 1978 or afterwards, but given that it aired only once in the US and then quickly disappeared, chances are that I also saw it in 1978). I remember enjoying it – but, then again, I was only 4 years old!
Here is a special website dedicated to this forgettable movie. Star Wars fans should especially get a kick out of the video caps from the Boba Fett cartoon.
I’ll leave you with this comment by a disillusioned SW fan, which accurately sums up this blot on the Star Wars map:
And I remember being crushed, feeling cheated. It was horrible. This was the worst thing I’ve ever seen on television. I think I nearly cried. It was like waiting weeks for some wonderful Christmas present, only to get socks and underwear.
