Some things are truly meant to remain lost and I think if George Lucas had his way this would never be played again anywhere. Actually, I think he'd probably go back in time and tell himself not to have anything to do with this shameless piece of crap televised dribble. In his defence he didn't direct it and has ensured that it has never been shown on television again since its original broadcast in 1978. It has also never been sold in any form...not even on Laserdisc.

This is truly painful to watch, and doubly so if you are actually expecting to be marginally entertained by characters you are familiar with (such as say Bea Arthur....yes, Bea Arthur is in this.)

Anthony Daniels, C3PO, actually refered to this slop as, "The horrible Holiday Special that nobody talks about." Lucas has reportedly stated, "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." It has also been called, perhaps accurately, "The worst 2 hours in television history."

But, seeing as how it is almost Christmas, feel free to treat yourself to this 2-hour long slow motion train wreck. It truly needs to be seen to be believed. The positive side? Attack of the Clones is going to look like a masterpiece compared to this.

The video can be viewed via Google Video (above), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

The Star Wars Holiday Special

Permalink    Labels: Space, Google Video, Science Fiction

Here's your chance to learn everything you needed to know about the past and present situation in modern Tibet. This award winning documentary, released in 2003 after 10 years in the making, shows through interviews and news footage the true grimness of what Tibet has gone through over the last five decades.

After watching this nearly two hour long documentary you will probably feel compelled to attend a Free Tibet rally or at least buy a bumper sticker...

The video can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Tibet - Cry of the Snow Lion

Permalink    Labels: Asia, Tibet, Documentaries, Google Video

Made for the BBC in 2000, this is a kicked in the teeth documentary focused on why the Challenger disaster happened and how it could have been avoided. It features interviews with key players in the decisions that were made - and not made - that led to the explosion.

Not entirely pleasant to watch, but something that is important to understand in hindsight. If you aren't familiar with o-rings and minimum temperatures than this will be 50 minutes of enlightenment.

The video can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Challenger, Go For Launch (BBC)

Permalink    Labels: Google Video, History, Documentaries, Space

Terry Jones, of Monty Python fame, takes a look at the different types of people and their lives during the Middle Ages. Includes eight episodes of about 25 minutes a piece. Entertaining, educational, and at times quite funny, these were done to debunk the way must of us think about the way life was during this period of time. The series was actually nominated for an Emmy in 2004.

The first part can be viewed via Google Video (right). It, and the other 7 parts, are also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone via the following links:

Part 1 - The Peasant
Part 2 - The Monk
Part 3 - The Damsel
Part 4 - The Minstrel
Part 5 - The Knight
Part 6 - The Philosopher
Part 7 - The Outlaw
Part 8 - The King

Permalink    Labels: History, Documentaries, Middle Ages, Google Video

Classic, somewhat low budget horror film made in 1967 involving the famous Professor Bernard Quatermass. The IMDB description can be found here.

From IMDB:
"While digging a new subway line in London, a construction crew discovers first: a skeleton, then what they think is an old World War II German missle. Upon closer examination the "missle" appears to be not of this earth! This movie examines the age old question of how we came to be on this planet. It is suprizingly scary."

Actually quite an entertaining film despite the absurd plot.

The video can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Quatermass and the Pit

Permalink    Labels: Movies, London, Science Fiction, Google Video

YES! Snow! I love snow (otherwise I wouldn't live in Europe's Attic) and here we've got a documentary all about it.

Modern Marvels takes a 45 minute look at how snow forms, snowflakes, blizzards, snow removal and even how to build an igloo! Everything you ever wanted to know about the best weather in the world...

The video can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Modern Marvels: Snow

Permalink    Labels: Documentaries, Google Video, Snow, Weather

Made in 2001 this is a one hour documentary that gives a rare (and somewhat frightening) glimpse into what life in modern North Korea is like.

It was made by Dutch filmmaker Peter Tetteroo and received the International Emmy for Best Documentary. It was filmed over the period of one week.

Even after watching this you'll find yourself perplexed with the paradox that is the DPRK. In fact probably more so than before you saw it...

The video can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Welcome to North Korea by Peter Tetteroo

Permalink    Labels: Documentaries, Google Video, History, Asia

This is, for the most part, a documentary about Cyrus Field who laid the first transatlantic cable more than 150 years ago. Despite accomplishing something that was considered ridiculous (like putting a man on the moon) he has been left out of most history books.

Considered at one time to be the "greatest American" Field is given some oft forgotten credit in this documentary done by Modern Marvels. If anything it certainly proves you can accomplish something through determination no matter what the odds.

The video, which is about 45 minutes long, can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Modern Marvels - Transatlantic Cable (Cyrus Field documentary)

Field, incidentally is actually a distant relation of Stockgnome....

Permalink    Labels: Documentaries, Google Video, History, The Ocean