The People vs. George Lucas
A witty, participatory documentary puts George Lucas and Star Wars fandom on trial over who truly owns a cultural phenomenon.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- sardonic
- film club discussion
- pop culture marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the documentary smart, funny, skillfully edited, and impassioned, though some viewed its attack on Lucas as one-sided.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film organizes its exploration of George Lucas and Star Wars fandom around a courtroom-style debate.
Fan films submitted through the film's website are incorporated alongside interviews, making audience participation part of the production.
The central dispute concerns Lucas's authority over his creations versus fans' expectations and emotional investment in the franchise.
Interview testimony and fan reactions transform disputes over the franchise into humorous, impassioned cultural criticism.
Films like The People vs. George Lucas, and why
Trekkies
fan culture, filmmaker-focused documentary, and comic cultural criticism
The Final Member
playful documentary treatment of obsessive pop-culture fandom and participatory fan communities
Jodorowsky's Dune
self-aware examination of popular cinema, celebrity authorship, and fan expectations
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
witty documentary critique of Hollywood mythology and media spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Alexandre O. Philippe
- Release Date
- 2010-03-14
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (114)
Cast
- George Lucas
- Mark A. Altman
- John Barger
- Ahmed Best
- David Brin
- Matt Cohen
- Brian Comerford
- Michael Cornacchia
- Neil Gaiman
- Mark Reilly
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The People vs. George Lucas about?
- A witty, participatory documentary puts George Lucas and Star Wars fandom on trial over who truly owns a cultural phenomenon.
- What is The People vs. George Lucas like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The People vs. George Lucas as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The People vs. George Lucas violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The People vs. George Lucas.
- What did critics think of The People vs. George Lucas?
- Critics generally found the documentary smart, funny, skillfully edited, and impassioned, though some viewed its attack on Lucas as one-sided.
- Which films are like The People vs. George Lucas?
- Films with a similar feel include Trekkies, The Final Member, Jodorowsky's Dune, and This Film Is Not Yet Rated.
- How long is The People vs. George Lucas?
- The People vs. George Lucas runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch The People vs. George Lucas?
- In United States, The People vs. George Lucas streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
