The Most Incredible Film Rip-offs... Ever

"Good artists borrow, great artists steal" is a quote often attributed to Pablo Picasso.

Whether he was the first to say it remains debatable, but regardless, what does statement mean?

Something along the lines of incorporating another style (borrow) and make it your own (steal), thus distancing yourself from primary influence.

Okay, let's rock and roll.

Léon: The Professional (1994) vs Golgo 13 (1983)

Although two live action efforts of Takao Saito's manga were brought in the 70s, I grew up with Osamu Dezaki's anime.

Side by side.

According to Luc Besson, idea originated from La Femme Nikita (1990), which also starred Jean Reno.

My beef is obviously not with story, but with character.

Come on, how the fuck can this be coincidence?

Predator (1987) vs Without Warning (1980)

A year before John McTiernan adapted Roderick Thorp's 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever as Die Hard, he sent Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke et al to the jungles of South America, where they are stalked by one ugly motherfucker.

Concept of trophy hunting alien killing humans for sport was far from original.

Extra-terrestrial tosses fanged parasitic frisbees which suck on prey's blood.

Even dialogue mentions 'hunter coming back for bodies'.

For fuck's sake.

Baddie isn't physically seen until the last knockings and ultimately blown to kingdom come.

Of course, we all know that Kevin Hall (as Kevin Peter Hall) would go on to play crab face.

Did Greydon Clark receive any recognition?

Next joke.

Did he file a lawsuit?

No.

Why?

Pass.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) vs Escape from Alcatraz (1979)

Don Siegel's fifth and final collaboration with Clint Eastwood (before they fell out), is a dramatization of J. Campbell Bruce's non-fiction book of same name.

On the flip side, Frank Darabont's much loved film was drawn from Stephen King's 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.

The amount of parallels is embarrassing.

Andy vs Frank

Red vs English

Brooks vs Litmus

Both own pets they secretly feed.

Jake vs mouse

Warden Norton vs The Warden

Bogs vs Wolf

Miscellany

Library

Welcome back note

Just... WHAT?

Rock hammer vs nail clippers

Wall remnants dumped outside

So not much then.

(Laughs).

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) vs Secret of the Incas (1954)

Indiana Jones vs Harry Steele

If fedora and leather jacket wasn't enough, over-the-shoulder bag and revolver seals the deal.

In fact, the only item unique to archaeologist is iconic bull whip.

Forty winks

Not convinced?

Temple of Doom (1984)

You are now, right?

René Belloq vs Ed Morgan

Indy and Marion vs Harry and Elena

Map room vs tomb

Costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis admitted that Raiders is pretty much a 'shot for shot remake'.

Unbelievable.

Jerry Hopper ceased making films in the late 50s and concentrated on the small screen until 1970.

He died in 1988, so it still begs belief why he (or estate) never sued.

The Evil Dead (1981) vs Equinox (1970)

Each are feature length remakes of shorts Within the Woods (1978) and The Equinox... A Journey into the Supernatural (1967) respectively.

A group of friends search for Dr. Waterman, and creepy old man hands over his book in a cave.

Let's take a peek inside.

Unique text is a variable bible of evil witchcraft and demonism.

Cabin in the woods

Flashback reveals that Waterman dabbled in demon summoning rituals and Cthulhu-esque creature destroyed wooden structure.

Co-director Jack Woods plays villain Asmodeus.

Determined to get book back, bastard summons monsters from I guess, another dimension.

Asmodeus (true form)

Stop-motion effects earned praise from Ray Harryhausen.

If that's not a compliment, then I don't know what is.

How did Sam Raimi sleep at night?

Presumably like a Deadite.

28 Days Later (2002) vs Primal Rage (1988)

Now you can associate title with something other than 1994 Atari arcade.

Anyway, here's the deal.

While experimenting on restoring dead brain tissue in baboons, Professor Jenkins inadvertently creates a 'Rage virus'.

After student trespassing inside school laboratory is bitten, all fucking hell breaks loose.

Chimpanzee vs baboon

Frank initially displays no symptoms, so naturally just carries on as normal.

But as time goes by, virus transforms campus journalist into a homicidal maniac.

Don't worry, others are infected too.

I declare myself brilliant, and find all defendants guilty of plagiarism in the first degree.