How the Sith Stole Christmas

{{More citations needed|date=December 2008}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = How the Sith Stole Christmas | image = HTSSC.jpg | director = Ted Bracewell | producer = Ted Bracewell | writer = Ted Bracewell | starring = Ted Bracewell<br>Nick Marchetti<br>Angela Duke<br>Ben Fletcher | music = [[James Horner]]<br>[[John Williams]] | studio = Bracewell Films | distributor = [[TheForce.Net]] | released = {{Film date|2002|12}} | runtime = 17 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = }}

'''''How the Sith Stole Christmas''''' is an animated short [[fan film]] from that made its debut on the [[internet]] in December 2002. It was written, produced, and directed by Ted Bracewell, who also stars in the film.

==Plot== The film tells the story of the [[Palpatine|Emperor]]'s plans to invade the [[North Pole]] and take [[Santa Claus]] prisoner. Melvin the Elf ends up in the thick of things, and must help rescue Santa. [[Darth Vader]] is sent on a separate mission to destroy [[Christmas]] for the [[Ewok]] inhabitants of [[Endor (Star Wars)|Endor]], but when an unexpected chain of events leaves him stranded on the planet, Vader is confronted by a vision from the past and sent on an incredible journey through [[spacetime]].

==Parody== The film parodies [[Dr. Seuss]]'s ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas!]]'' by mixing it with elements of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films, as well as parodying elements of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas]]'', and ''[[Citizen Kane]]''. The film has a very distinct and lush look, as Bracewell animated the film himself using a combination of painted backgrounds, painted cutout characters, and 3D animation.

==Planned sequels== The released film is subtitled "Jingle Far, Far Away", and is the first part of a trilogy. A trailer has been released for Parts Two and Three ("Silent Night, Jedi Knight" and "A Very Vader Christmas"), but the finished episodes have yet to be released.

==Reception== Part One has proven to be a popular download at TheForce.Net, and has screened at the DragonCon film festival and the 2004 Microcinema Fest. The film was highlighted as a "post-modern" fanfilm in an article on the genre in ''The Weekly Standard''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/083mvybq.asp?pg=2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105062920/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/083mvybq.asp?pg=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |title=The Fan Films Strike Back |author=M.E. Russell |date=14 May 2004 |magazine=The Weekly Standard |accessdate=15 June 2011}}</ref> The film was featured prominently in the September 2004 issue of ''Movie Magic Magazine'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theforce.net/fanfilms/images/stuff-moviemagic2.jpg |title=The Fan Films Strike Back |author= |date= |publisher=TheForce.net |accessdate=15 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://theforce.net/fanfilms/images/stuff-moviemagic3.jpg |title=The Fan Films Strike Back |author= |date= |publisher=TheForce.net |accessdate=15 June 2011}}</ref> which called the film a "standout" in the genre.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.tedbracewell.com Filmmaker's website] * [http://www.theforce.net/fanfilms/shortfilms/howsithstole/index.asp ''How the Sith Stole Christmas''] at [[TheForce.net]] * {{IMDb title|id=6587300}} * [http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2458633 ''How the Sith Stole Christmas''] at [[iFilm]] * [http://www.runleiarun.com/fanfilms/howthesith.html ''How the Sith Stole Christmas'' review] at ''The Fan Film Menace'' * [http://www.runleiarun.com/fanfilms/tedbracewell.html Ted Bracewell interview] at ''The Fan Film Menace''

{{DEFAULTSORT:How The Sith Stole Christmas}} [[Category:2002 animated short films]] [[Category:American animated short films]] [[Category:2002 independent films]] [[Category:American independent films]] [[Category:Fan films based on Star Wars]] [[Category:Parody films based on Star Wars]] [[Category:American Christmas films]] [[Category:Animated films based on works by Dr. Seuss]] [[Category:Parodies of works by Dr. Seuss]] [[Category:Santa Claus in film]] [[Category:Animated films about elves]] [[Category:2002 English-language films]] [[Category:2002 American films]] [[Category:English-language short films]] [[Category:English-language independent films]] [[Category:Films set in the North Pole]]