There's kitsch, there's camp, and then there’s… whatever is happening here. Even if you're someone who thinks the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special is delightfully bonkers, you gotta admit that there are a few aspects that are... rather nightmarish. Agreed? Before the opening credits, fans are treated to a brief scene in which Han Solo promises to get Chewbacca back home in time for Life Day.
After we're dazzled by the star-studded main title sequence, we get to meet Chewie's whole family. And that's when the dread sets in.
Sure, Wookiees are theoretically lovable… but they're just really grating here.
Suddenly, there's just a huge roomful of roaring Wookiees - each with a different vocal pitch, and continually moaning for several minutes straight. Is this not super-annoying to you?
The craziest part? Their conversations aren't translated for the audience. There are no subtitles whatsoever.
It's a welcome relief when Chewie's rambunctious son Lumpy settles down to watch some hologram acrobats do their thing. But even after this bizarre spectacle, you find yourself wondering, "What on Earth am I watching? What are they going on about? Why are the dancers wearing sparkle-bikinis?" It's very unsettling stuff on the best of days. It's also really aggravating.
Throughout the special, it's insanely obvious that the young Star Wars stars aren't too thrilled to be appearing in this special. Harrison Ford sounds particularly bored:
Meanwhile, Mark Hamill - caked in what appears to be several pounds of TV makeup - evidently has no idea where he is, or what he's supposed to be doing. At least he looks like he might actually be receiving transmissions from space.
"What's up?? Chewbacca…..?"
And Carrie Fisher - an actress who never shied away from discussing her prolific drug use during this phase of her career - is clearly… well, let's just say she's "coping" with the production as best she can. Keep watching the video to see the most disturbing moments of the Star Wars Holiday Special!
#StarWarsHolidaySpecial
A family affair | 0:17
Stars bored | 1:40
Gormaanda's Kitchen Nightmares | 2:25
Itchy's Life Day gift | 3:42
A grinding halt | 5:33
Krelman can't take a hint | 6:36
Bea Arthur's powerful pathos | 7:57
Yuletide fascism | 9:00
What even is Life Day? | 9:59
The credits and Kenny Baker | 11:12
That '70s show | 12:25
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