This cartoon special is based on a series of one-page sketches called "The Smurfic Games," including an element taken from the 1973 comic story "Schtroumpf Vert et Vert Schtroumpf" (lit. "Green Smurf and Green Smurf") where the Smurfs feud over the "proper" use of the word "smurf" in compounded words and phrases. Here, though, the village is divided into East and West instead of North and South, and Smurfette is also present in the cartoon version whereas she was absent in the original comic book story. The idea for this language war comes from the still-ongoing "taalstrijd" (language war) between French- and Dutch-speaking communities in Belgium, Peyo's home country.
A portion of Vangelis' 1982 "Chariots Of Fire" theme music is used in this special.
Parts of the Season 4 introduction sequence were latter used in the "Smurfs Adventures" (syndicated title) introduction sequence, including where Gargamel says, "ravage the land as never before, total destruction from mountain to shore," came from this cartoon special.