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The well-known saying “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” can be extended to various aspects of life. While this sentiment holds true in many cases, the film industry presents a more complicated scenario due to the prevalence of copyright issues, which can be both real and costly. Filmmakers often acknowledge their sources of inspiration, drawing ideas from other films, actors, and directors.
In an era where genuine originality is becoming increasingly rare, and many narratives have already been explored, there is a noticeable trend of movies emulating classic titles in terms of both plot and filmmaking techniques. The most recent example of such emulation is found in the film Saltburn, which goes beyond mere inspiration. Let’s delve into a list of the ten most significant instances of movies blatantly copying others.
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The 10 Biggest Classic Movie Ripoffs
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) Rips Off The Hidden Fortress (1958)
Star Wars has often been criticized for its lack of originality, but it can be argued that the film draws inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s 1958 masterpiece, The Hidden Fortress. Kurosawa’s film, set in 16th-century Japan, features two peasants on a mission to safely escort a princess. While Star Wars, especially Episode IV – A New Hope, incorporates elements from The Hidden Fortress, it is essential to acknowledge the various other aspects that have contributed to the iconic status of the Star Wars franchise.
Saltburn (2023) Rips Off The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Emerald Fennell, known for her impactful debut with “Promising Young Woman” in 2020, returned with a new film in 2023, set in Saltburn. Premiering at the Telluride Film Festival, the movie garnered predominantly positive reviews. The story revolves around Oliver Quick, a student played by Barry Keoghan, who is invited to indulge in a summer of excess and revelry at the Catton family estate, hosted by his classmate Felix Catton, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. This tale of escapades and debauchery marks a stark contrast to Oliver’s otherwise mundane life. Drawing comparisons to Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” the film explores themes of an anti-hero yearning for a different life and unfolds with similar narrative twists.
The Departed (2006) Rips Off Infernal Affairs (2002)
The 2006 crime thriller “The Departed” by Martin Scorsese, arguably the most acclaimed director on this list, has secured its position among the greatest thrillers of all time. The movie revolves around the intricate plot of a mafia mole within the police force and an undercover cop embedded in the mafia, engaged in a high-stakes race against time to uncover each other.
Despite its brilliance, some viewers, especially those familiar with the Hong Kong classic “Infernal Affairs,” were quick to highlight Scorsese’s seemingly borrowed storyline. Although it was later confirmed that Scorsese had obtained permission to create an English-language remake, the release of this almost identical version just three years after the original raised eyebrows as being perhaps a bit too hasty.
Nosferatu (1922) Rips Off Dracula
While the vampire concept has ancient roots, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” stands out as the most iconic tale of these bloodsucking creatures. Stoker’s 1897 novel became a literary masterpiece, influencing numerous works in literature and film. In 1922, the German film “Nosferatu,” directed by F.W. Murnau, essentially replicated the Dracula story, changing names but offering a clear and unlicensed adaptation. Stoker’s estate sued, leading to a court order to destroy all copies of the film. Despite this, some copies survived, turning “Nosferatu” into a cult classic. Now, filmmaker Robert Eggers is set to release a remake in 2024, continuing the legacy of this unauthorized but enduring adaptation.
Lockout (2012) Rips Off Escape from New York (1981)
In the 2012 film “Lockout,” starring Guy Pearce as the falsely accused protagonist Snow, parallels with John Carpenter’s “Escape From New York” are striking. Snow is given a chance at freedom by rescuing the President’s daughter, mirroring the storyline of Carpenter’s 1981 thriller. This similarity led to a French court ruling that Luc Besson and his team had plagiarized “Escape From New York,” resulting in a guilty verdict and a fine of €450,000. The court found “Lockout” to be essentially a mirrored version of Carpenter’s classic with only minor alterations to the plot.
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Kill Bill (2003) Rips Off Lady Snowblood (1973)
Undoubtedly one of the most impactful filmmakers of his era, Quentin Tarantino has established his films as significant industry occurrences over the years. Despite the frequent brilliance of his works, the maestro behind Pulp Fiction has faced criticism for drawing heavily from classic films. In the case of Kill Bill, his samurai-sword-wielding masterpiece bears striking similarities to the 1973 Japanese samurai film, Lady Snowblood.
Both films revolve around revenge-seeking titular characters pursuing men who have committed grievous crimes against them, laying the foundation for a comparable premise. While differences exist, the resemblance between the two is undeniable. It’s worth noting that Tarantino has openly acknowledged his deep inspiration from Lady Snowblood, giving him credit for being transparent about the influence.
Reservoir Dogs (1992) Rips Off City on Fire (1987)
Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, is a low-budget cult classic that served as a precursor to his illustrious career. The crime thriller follows six criminals attempting a daring diamond heist, only to face police interference. Drawing inspiration from various sources like A Clockwork Orange and Kansas City Confidential, Tarantino’s primary influence for Reservoir Dogs is Ringo Lam’s 1987 hit, City on Fire.
While the film is essentially an uncredited remake of City on Fire, Tarantino has openly acknowledged and paid homage to its roots over the years. The Hong Kong feature, known for its depiction of both a robbery and a shootout, played a pivotal role in shaping Reservoir Dogs and is a significant influence on Tarantino’s cinematic style.
Miller’s Crossing (1990) Rips Off The Glass Key (1935)
The Coen Brothers, destined to be a major source of inspiration for future filmmakers, were themselves influenced by external factors during their early years in the film industry, particularly evident in their 1990 film, “Miller’s Crossing.” This noir thriller, praised by critics, follows Tom Reagan (played by Gabriel Byrne), whose advisory role to a prohibition-era mob boss entangles him in a gang war. Despite its excellence and underappreciated status, “Miller’s Crossing” shares significant similarities with the 1935 and 1942 film adaptations of Dashiell Hammett’s novel “The Glass Key.” Both movies provide slightly different interpretations of Hammett’s literature.
The Meg (2018) Rips Off Jaws (1975)
Jason Statham has frequently taken on roles in movies that appear to face significant challenges from the beginning. One such film is “The Meg” from 2018, an action flick that performed well with a box office gross of $530 million. The movie revolves around a deadly Megalodon causing chaos off the coast of China, bearing striking resemblances to Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1975 classic, “Jaws.” Beyond the location, the similarities extend to the film’s poster, creating an almost interchangeable genetic makeup between the two films, despite some differences.
Triassic World (2018) Rips of Jurassic World (2015)
Arguably the most blatant imitation in this lineup is Triassic World, clearly drawing inspiration from a well-known film that’s easy to identify. Released in 2018, this movie earned a mere 27% on Rotten Tomatoes and an even less impressive 3.1/10 on IMDb. The plot revolves around a group of adventurous scientists who employ genetically engineered dinosaurs to harvest organs for human transplants.
Unsurprisingly, chaos ensues as the dinosaurs break free and wreak havoc on everything in their path. If you haven’t figured it out by now, the storyline closely mirrors that of Jurassic World. While Jurassic World explores the concept of genetically modifying these ancient creatures for tourist attractions, both films inevitably follow a similar pattern when the dinosaurs inevitably escape.
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