Watch Siskel and Ebert Defend STAR WARS from Bashing by Critic Who Hated It

When Star Wars was first released in theater in 1976, not everyone liked what George Lucas made. It just didn’t connect with everyone, and when Return of the Jedi was released in 1983, there was an old cranky critic by the name of John Simon who tore the movie and the trilogy as a whole apart. He was so enraged by it that he decided to go head to head with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert during a news broadcast to debate the quality of the Star Wars trilogy.

Simon insists that the Star Wars films are “completely dehumanizing,” that they make “children dumber than they need to be,” and that the films were so damaging they will “keep children stupid forever.” He went on to complain about the special effects, terrible dialogue, characterization and plotting.

Siskel and Ebert stick up for the film franchise like champions, though, and even after 30 years this still makes for a compelling debate. They really put Simon in his place. At one point Siskel says that he feels sorry for Simon because he wasn’t able to get any enjoyment out of seeing Return of the Jedi. This is a fascinating and entertaining interview that I hope you take the time to watch. 

1983

GeekTyrant Homepage