Ewoks Invade!

Ewoks: Love ‘em or hate ‘em… never mind, hate em. Why hate the cute and cuddly creatures from Endor’s forest moon? Simple. Ewoks should have been Wookiees. By all rights the final battle in Return of the Jedi should have been the Battle of Kashyyyk. We could have seen Wookiees tearing imperial troops apart… limb by limb. Instead what we got was fracking Ewoks. 

Ewoks: A Caravan of Courage

Ewoks were actually my first introduction the Star Wars galaxy. I guess I was probably five or six when I first saw the film “Caravan of Courage” which came out in 1984. I have seen the film many times since and I really love it! It’s a kids movie- to be sure- but it is a real study into the culture of the furry little creatures. The film is a grand journey, like the Hobbit. It has some sad Ewok deaths and is quite thrilling at times.

Ewoks: Battle for Endor

A sequel to the film came out in 1984 called “The Battle for Endor”, but it ceased to impress me, even as a small child. This time Endor was under attack by some alien-beasts and some sort of witch (I’d say Force-User, but she could turn into a raven, so….) Also there was a little annoying creature that could run really fast (like the Jedi in Phantom Menace). The movie isn't great, but ultimately the witch would provide the basis for the Witches of Dathomir, who many of you know from the EU. 

The two movies aren’t rated very high by audiences, but if you have young children they are worth the watch. Warwick Davis reprised his role of Wicked W. Warwick. Also, Lucas came up with the story for both films so I guess for all you Canon-Nazis, these are just as important as any Star Wars film. (Rolling Eyes).

Ewoks Cartoon

        In only two years since “Return of the Jedi”,  Star Wars fans (the ones who cared, anyway) had been subjected to two Ewok films. Yet the fury tirade was far from over. Later in 1985 a cartoon series called “Star Wars: Ewoks” premiered on ABC and ran for about two years. I can remember watching re-runs very early in the mornings before elementary school. It was far worse than the preceding movies and the Ewoks spoke in English. This actually makes them more annoying than when they are Yub-Nub-ing.  “Quite Bad” would be a good phrase to in describing the series.


Yet things got worse still.

Ewoks on Ice

In late 1986 the Ice Capades capitalized on the TV series by creating a segment called “The Ewoks and the Magic Sunberries”. That’s right folks, “Ewoks on Ice”.  Does this all still fit in with your “Canon”?

Here is a poem that was printed on the program of the show:

On the mystic moon of Endor,

Where enchanted forests grow,

There dwells a furry fellowship,

The Ewoks, don't you know!

The Ewoks live in giant trees,

They're busy all the day,

But around the bonfire every night,

They sing and dance and play!

The story teller is Logray,

An Ewok old and wise,

He now begins a classic tale

Of Life Beyond our skies.

You'll need a course in "Ewokese",

To help you understand

The glories and the triumphs

Of this hardy, happy clan!

Sit back, relax, enjoy yourself,

Bravo! You're on your way!

Presto! Chango! "Be-che-wa-wa",

You're an Ewok for the day!

*Just saying: Wookiees could have been so much cooler.