I’ve never seen Star Wars

Saturday 1st August 2009, 8:30AM BST.

We take for granted the fact that we’ve all heard certain songs, read certain books and seen certain films, so it’s a shock when you hear someone admit: “I’ve never seen Star Wars”. Here, Shropshire Star sub-editor Colin Illingworth confesses…

Colin Illingworth. Thirty one years on this planet and this DVD box is all he has seen of Star Wars

Colin Illingworth. Thirty-one years on this planet and all he has seen of Star Wars is this DVD box.

“My name’s Colin and I am a freak.

I’m 31 years old and I’ve never had a kebab or a curry, I can’t swim, I support Aberdeen FC and I was into my 24th year on this planet before I had my first pizza.

However, apparently my biggest crime to society is the fact that I have never seen Star Wars.

Yes, I’ll repeat that, I have never seen Star Wars.

Apparently George Lucas’s creation is one of the greatest movies ever made and millions of people around the world are fanatical about it.

But to be honest it just doesn’t interest me.

I mean, why would I want to watch a film with a person dressed in black with a deep voice, a creature that jumbles up its words and a beast covered in hair when I can go for a night out in Cannock and see the same characters – and that’s just the women.

It’s not that I don’t like movies or anything like that, it’s just that science fiction doesn’t really appeal to me. Give me a good horror movie to watch, or ideally a game of football, any day.

And it doesn’t help that everyone I meet who is obsessed with Star Wars tends to be, dare I say it with my earlier admissions, somewhat freakish.

However, I’m not going to bash people just for liking a film, in much the same way that I don’t expect to be mocked for not having watched it.

I’m sure that Star Wars is a fantastic film, it wouldn’t have so many devout followers otherwise, but when something’s been hyped so much can it really live up to expectations?

Maybe one day, when I’m absolutely bored out of my skull, I will go to Blockbuster and get Star Wars out, just to see what all the fuss is about.

However, with the new football season just around the corner I know what I’d rather do with my time – much to my wife’s annoyance.

Also, if I watch Star Wars I’d then have to catch up on all of the James Bond films and the Godfather trilogy.

Yes, now I can hear you all saying ‘What a freak.’”

  • Are you one of the few people who has never seen Star Wars? Or is there something else that your friends have done that you have never tried? Email your confessions to starfeatures@shropshirestar.co.uk, or enter a comment in the box below


  1. 1
    Lee

    Ooh, controversial! ‘Seriously’, though, Star Wars is massive fun and NOT your average science-fiction movie….oh yeah, and it’s got HARRISON FORD. What’s not to love?

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Jake

    Why rent it from Blockbuster? It’s likely that almost everyone you know has a copy they can lend you!

    I think you should be made to sit down and watch Episodes IV, V and VII back to back. Don’t bother with I, II and III though.

    Report abuse

    • Andrew Owen

      I think that’s a bit harsh on Episode III – the last fight between Obi Wan and Anakin was quite good, I thought.

      Shropshirestar.com editor (aged 35)

      (Mind you, Episodes I and II were rubbish, I can’t argue with you there)

      Report abuse

  3. 3
    George Lucas

    Things I’ve never done? I haven’t made a decent film for more than 20 years. Does that count?

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Russ

    Oh No, I thought I was unique. Never seen any of them and it has got t the stage now where I don’t want to just to be bloody minded!!!

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Never had a curry?

    or a kebab?

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    novacane

    I have also never seen a Star Wars film. Big deal.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    winja

    Never had a curry? And you like watching football?

    You are clearly not to be trusted on any level.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    tim

    You like watching football, yet you support Aberdeen? Hmmmmmmm!

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Brucey

    He has a wife?

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  10. 10
    A Sith Lord

    never had a curry or kebab? This level of deviance is to sickening even for us. Maybe you should try politics?

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    Peter

    Never seen Star Wars? Fair enough – neither have I – it’s for kids.

    But never had a curry? That is deeply worrying.

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Jeff

    don’t bother trying to watch it as an adult. this is a film you see as a child and fall in love with, you’ll just hate it if you watch it now and then write about what a load of fuss over nothing.

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    screemer

    I have never seen Star Wars, ET or Close Encounters of any kind. Now i have got a complex….

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  14. 14
    abbie

    never had a curry? thats just wrong.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    Onlyme

    I’ve never saw The Beatles or tried a Dom Perignon ’64

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    Onlyme

    or even get my tenses sorted out :-(

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Joe Kerr

    It is crucial for everyone to know the history of what literally happened a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Everyone MUST watch all 6 films. That anyone could have not seen these films clearly demonstrates the rapidly declining standards in the teaching of history.

    Report abuse



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