In 1978 Star Wars was still all the rage. San Francisco filmmaker Ernie Fosselius created the most successful short film of the time.

Hardware Wars has the look and feel of a film trailer. In 11 minutes, Fosselius crams in more Star Wars gags than Mel Brooks could in Spaceballs. No joke is left unturned. "You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll kiss three bucks goodbye!"

In 1997, four months after the re-release of Star Wars, Hardware Wars Special Edition "with 20 new special defects added" appeared. This re-release was done without the consent of Fosselius. The 20 new shots do not add to the enjoyment of the original. In fact, the new shots don't fit. Fosselius originally shot his film in grainy 16mm film. The special edition's additives were computer generated then printed to 35mm film. The difference in film stock calls attention to itself.

The final added shot parodies a shot in the Star Wars Special Edition is quite clever, but see the original if you can.

No Suction!

Film Facts

Cast
• Frank Robertson
• Scott Mathews
• Jeff Hale
• Cindy Furgatch
• Bob Knickerbocker
• Ernie Fosselius
• Paul Frees
• Sonny Buddy Jr.
• Walt Kraemer

Directed by Ernie Fosselius

Released in 1978

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Reviewed by Mongo