A Disturbance in the Force

Name: A Disturbance in the Force
Genre: History, Documentary
Released: November 17, 2023
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Bonnie Burton, Bruce Vilanch, Craig Miller, Donny Osmond, Gilbert Gottfried

2023

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Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: November 17, 2023 | Not Rated

Starring: Bonnie Burton, Bruce Vilanch, Craig Miller, Donny Osmond, Gilbert Gottfried, Jason Lenzi, Kevin Smith, Lenny Ripps, Mick Garris, Miki Herman, Paul Scheer, Seth Green, Steve Binder, Taran Killam, Weird Al Yankovic

Summary: 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. Movies would never be the same again. A year later, neither would television. In 1978, CBS aired the two-hour “Star Wars Holiday Special” during the week of ThanksgivingIn 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. Movies would never be the same again. A year later, neither would television. In 1978, CBS aired the two-hour “Star Wars Holiday Special” during the week of Thanksgiving and 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, we will answer how and why did the “Holiday Special” get made.… Expand

Director: Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak

Genre(s): History, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Chris Knight

Dec 20, 2023

Despite its gloomy name, A Disturbance in the Force is in fact a celebration, one to rival an all-night Ewok rave. Read full review

100

Jason Delgado

Dec 14, 2023

A Disturbance in the Force covers everything about the Star Wars Holiday Special in such a hilarious and entertaining way that it would make even Darth Vader chuckle. The Force is strong with this one. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Dec 5, 2023

Over the course of a brisk 86 minutes, the filmmakers do a stellar job of providing context and explaining just how the special came to be. Read full review

Joe Leydon

Mar 17, 2023

To be sure, the fans will appreciate it a lot more than casual viewers. But it’s also an irresistible hoot for anyone with fond memories of star-studded 1970s musical/variety TV specials. Read full review

Daniel Fienberg

Mar 17, 2023

Some of its mockery and many of its nerd-friendly celebrity talking heads — Seth Green! Kevin Smith! Paul Scheer! — are predictable, but when it isn’t poking fun at moments of iconic trash, it offers an insightful exploration of the production and context of the special. Read full review

Collider Ross Bonaime

Mar 16, 2023

Even though it is a fairly straightforward, surface-level doc at times, A Disturbance in the Force is a worthwhile look at accepting the flaws of the past, the media of the 1970s, and a period when the biggest franchise in the world could do some weird-ass shit that would still (mostly) be embraced by the fans. Read full review

Slashfilm Rafael Motamayor

Mar 17, 2023

A Disturbance in the Force succeeds at telling the full story of how the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special" was made. And yet, it doesn't really make the special look that bad in context. Read full review

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