It's not intended as a ripoff. Tv movies were often shot with overseas markets in mind, as it's a good way to make the money back. (Ironically, the third proposed Ewok film was scrapped because they were getting too expensive to make!) It can be good or bad depending on the film in question. Gene Roddenberry did a tv movie pilot called "Spectre" in the 1970's that is supposed to be a lot more steamy and gory in it's European theatrical cut! The original Battlestar Galactica three-hour pilot was recut and shown in theaters. (In Sensurround!) In the wake of Bruce Lee mania, several Green Hornet episodes were recut into movies. The Man From UNCLE actually shot new footage to make some two-parters into movies. And wasn't "Das Boot" originally a miniseries for German televison?
The old SW fan club had "Caravan of Courage" posters for sale back in the day, so it wasn't a big secret or anything.