What's different about this one, you ask?
For one thing, it's dubbed in French! By the same voice actors who dubbed the French version of Star Wars, apparently, which lends it more authenticity. And the title logo is different: it's called "Au Temps de la Guerre des Etoiles" (In the Time of Star Wars). You haven't heard anything until you've heard a French voice sounding EXACTLY like Art Carney speaking French.
But even more odd: it's been heavily edited compared to the US version. In fact, it's FAR BETTER than the US version!
Here is the list of segments that were cut:
- Diahann Carroll introduction during the intro sequence
- Lumpy flying his ship around Itchy, stealing a cookie, taking the garbage out, walking the railing, Malla looking at Chewie's picture, Itchy comforting her, Itchy taking a tape for Lumpy down from the shelf
- Saun Dann giving Itchy his gift, Itchy sitting in the Mind Evaporator, Diahann Carroll as Mermeia singing
- abrupt edit of Jefferson Starship video from beginning to "What are they watching us for?"
- from beginning of Ackmena's song to the end - cut to Leia and Threepio on viewscreen in Wookiee house
- the entire end ceremony set with Leia singing, Chewbacca's flashback
Basically, they trimmed all the most painful parts of the film, making it much more watchable. All the edits are done well, except the inexplicable jump cut in the Jefferson Starship segment (most of it is still there).
Was this done for the original broadcast, or was it done later by an ambitious fan? I can't say for sure. It sure seems like it was broadcast that way. In any case, who knew the French could recognize bad comedy when they saw it?
--SKot