Product Details

• Actors: John Barger, Roger Ebert
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: October 25, 2011
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005FUTCCM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,318 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There are plenty of film franchises with dedicated followings, but for pure fanaticism, it's hard to imagine Harry Potter devotees, swooning Twilight lovers, or even Trekkies surpassing the Star Wars enthusiasts seen in writer-director Alexandre O. Philippe's The People vs. George Lucas. Although there are other elements in this thoroughly entertaining documentary--a few details about creator-writer-director George Lucas's pre-Star Wars years, comments from some well-known talking heads, archival interviews with Lucas himself--it's the fans who provide the most amusing, frightening ("Get a life, people!" comes to mind), and occasionally insightful moments. These are folks who know every line, every scene, indeed every shot, of the first three films in the series (especially Episode IV, A New Hope, and Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back) by heart. The number and variety of fan re-creations of Episode IV in every conceivable medium (film, animation, Claymation, puppets, LEGO, and on and on) is staggering, but even more extraordinary is the kind of proprietary attitude these fans adopted. When Lucas, who'd said that he wasn't completely satisfied with the original version, released a slightly altered cut in 1997, the faithful responded as if the guy had pilfered their childhoods. Talk about obsessed: one viewer notes disapprovingly that in the newer edit, the theme music begins two frames sooner; meanwhile, a minor change in a scene in which Han Solo exchanges gunfire with a bounty hunter is examined as if it were the Zapruder film, earning Lucas nothing but scorn and derision. Forget the fact that Lucas owned the movie and was entitled to do anything he pleased with it. These objections weren't simply the result of "super-nerd nitpicking," but rather a reaction to what they saw as a deliberate betrayal, and from then on, the fans regarded Lucas with a mixture of suspicion and disappointment (don't even get them started on the three prequels that were released starting in 1999, and the easy target that was Jar Jar Binks, one of the most hated characters in all of filmdom). There's a good deal of ranting going on here, but there are some good points made as well. It's hardly coincidental that for the first three movies Lucas relied to some extent on various collaborators, while the next, inarguably inferior three were his responsibility alone; it may also be true that the astounding success of the franchise robbed Lucas of his creativity and turned him into the kind of big businessman he'd always vowed not to be. But in the end, the film is rather poignant, as all (well, most) is forgiven. After all, they wouldn't complain if they didn't care. --Sam Graham

Product Description

They gave him their love, their money and their online parodies. He gave them...the prequels. The passion the original STAR WARS trilogy inspires in its fans is unparalleled; but when it comes to George Lucas himself, many have found their ardor has cooled into a complicated love-hate relationship. This hilarious, heartfelt documentary delves deep into Lucas’s cultural legacy. Utilizing interviews taken from over 600 hours of footage, and peppered with extraordinary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES re-creations lovingly immortalized in song, needlepoint, Lego, claymation, puppets and papier-mâché, above all this film asks the question: who truly owns that galaxy far, far away—the man who created it, or the fans who worship it?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lot of fun with some truly deep and pointed questions lurking under its humorous surface October 21, 2011

By DVD Verdict

Patrick Naugle, DVD Verdict --The People vs. George Lucas is essentially one long rant for the fans. Although it certainly falls on the side of letting art stay as it was originally created--e.g. "George, stop mucking around with your movies!"--it also attempts to lend a sympathetic tone to Lucas and his revisions. Although the man has made fans furious with his tinkering (and become the one thing he always loathed: a businessman), moviegoers also wouldn't have their beloved Star Wars universe without his vision and filmic genius. On one hand, the Star Wars movies are owned by Lucas, and he should be allowed to do whatever he wants with them. But is it hypocritical for a man who stood up against Ted Turner for colorizing classic movies be allowed to rewrite his own cinematic history? Weighty questions, indeed.

Lest this sound like a downer of a film, The People vs. George Lucas is also a celebration of the entire Star Wars franchise; there are interviews with fans, fan films (some good, some...not so good), fan videos, fan writings (Wookie Poetry!), and fan appreciation for everything George has given us. Director Alexandre O. Philippe (in his first major film) has given a good portion of runtime to defending Lucas and his creations (well, except for Jar Jar Binks). Interview subjects run the gamut from writer Neil Gaiman (Neverwhere) and producer Gary Kurtz (The Empire Strikes Back), to casual fans and fan filmmakers, all offering their personal opinions on the subject. While I wouldn't consider this an exhaustive dissertation on the Star Wars universe, it's certainly a fun look at how fans feel about Lucas and the decisions he's made.

When the dust finally settles, The People vs. George Lucas doesn't really provide any rock solid answers.... Some think Lucas is the devil, while others hold him up as a film God to be revered for all eternity. While everyone seems to want the original movies as they remember them, the idea of art vs. its creator muddies the issue. Fans will find this love/hate relationship core of the film fascinating, no matter what side you fall on.

The People vs. George Lucas is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer looks good, but is understandably uneven; some footage is reference quality (like some fun animation sequences), while others look mediocre (mostly the off-the-cuff interview segments). Considering the genre, fans won't likely have a problem with the image quality.

The audio is presented in Dolby 5.1 Surround and, much like the video transfer, the mix is neither exceptional nor poor. Dialogue, music, and effects are all easily heard without any defects or interference. Also included are English and Spanish subtitles.

Bonus materials are slim, but should satisfy fans. The best is a screen-specific audio commentary with director Philippe, cinematographer Robert Muratore, and editor Chard Herschberger; the three presenting a lively discussion of the production. We also get bonus interviews with producer Gary Kurtz, deleted poetry slam footage (yawn), a comment on the forthcoming 3D versions, and a music video for the subtly titled song "George Lucas Raped Our Childhood."

-Full review at dvdverdict.com Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An extremely entertaining for-the-fans movie about what people thought of the prequels. Very funny. I say A October 18, 2011

By Tony Heck

"I love/hate George Lucas, I love/hate him hard." A documentary that deals with the "Star Wars" saga. Unlike most other movies about this subject this one is a series of interviews with people telling about their love of the original three movies, and the hatred of the prequels. It begins with people telling about how their childhood was shaped by the movies and the extremes they go to to show it. Not only do the people have all multiple copies of all the movies but the merchandise they have is amazing to see. This movie is worth watching just to listen to and watch the passion the fans have and how they almost crucify Lucas for what he did with the prequels. Interviews mixed with homemade tribute movies make the movie very funny and very interesting. Much like "The Captains", this is a movie that will appeal to more then just fans of the series. The most amazing part of the movie is that there are points where you feel like you should defend Lucas against the things people are saying about him. Overall, this is an extremely entertaining documentary that will appeal to all viewers, not just "Star Wars" fans. One of the best for-the-fans movies I have ever seen, and a very worth while watch. I give it an A.

*Also try - Captains & Fanboys

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars More then fair October 31, 2011

By Harrison A

Amazon Verified Purchase

I missed seeing this when it came to a few select theatres in my neck of the woods. The main movie is broken down into 4 segments or "episodes" as the authers did it. With a mix of fan reactions, interview footage with Lukas at various points in history.

Darkwater, HIRAM & thetraveler333 have the more in-depth reviews. Anything else I would write would echo most of what they wrote.

I did like the easter egg extras more then another reviewer did, particularly the fan reaction to the 3D versions. If there's one thing I would say that I would've liked the makers of this movie to delve into, possibly as another easter egg, is the expanded STAR WARS universe (Tales of the Jedi, the various novels, Legacy era, & soon the upcoming MMO) & how it relates to what Lukas has been doing. Hows the reaction on peoples ends on that equasion?

Regardless, if you're a STAR WARS fan, particularly if you're old enough to remember even 1 of the original movies (long) before Lukas began with the changes then you do yourself a disservice by not seeing or having this film in your collection.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fellow Nerf Herders rejoice. November 21, 2011

By Brian Nallick TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this film.
Would it be a "bash Lucas" fest or would it defend him?
I was surprised it managed to do both very well.
For all of us who grew up with the original trilogy who feel betrayed by George's constant tinkering this movie is justice.
That said the film also paints Lucas in a sympathetic light somewhat.
I do kind of feel bad for him that the Star Wars universe has become somewhat of a prison for him.
No matter what he does, it will never be good enough for some diehards.
I would really like Lucas to say "heck with it" and just start making movies again that are separate from the "Wars" universe.
Even if they bomb, who cares?
He really needs to free himself as a director and an artist and just go for it again.
In this movie there are TONS of interviews.
Both pro and con for what George has done over the years.
I think the criticism lobbed at "Menace" was a tad overdone.
I would have saved that for "Clones" lol.
All in all.
Funny.
Entertaining.
A must watch for Nerf Herders everywhere.
Recommended.