Did Star Wars Copy Another Movie?

Star Wars is one of the biggest movie franchises in the world, loved by millions of fans across the globe. However, over the years, there have been rumors and allegations that Star Wars copied another movie. Let’s dive into this topic and explore whether these claims hold any truth.

What Are The Accusations?

The most significant allegation against Star Wars is that it copied Akira Kurosawa’s 1958 film ‘The Hidden Fortress.’ Some critics claim that George Lucas borrowed heavily from Kurosawa’s movie and used several plot points and characters in Star Wars.

The Similarities

There are undoubtedly similarities between Star Wars and The Hidden Fortress. For instance, both movies feature two bickering peasants who get caught up in a grand adventure while assisting a princess.

Additionally, both movies feature a climactic battle on the enemy’s fortress, which involves sneaking through secret passages.

The Differences

Despite these similarities, there are several differences between the two movies as well. Firstly, The Hidden Fortress is set in feudal Japan, while Star Wars takes place in a galaxy far, far away.

Secondly, The Hidden Fortress focuses more on the two peasants’ journey rather than the princess’s story. In contrast, Star Wars centers around Luke Skywalker’s quest to save Princess Leia from Darth Vader.

George Lucas’ Inspiration

George Lucas has always been open about his love for Akira Kurosawa’s work. In fact, he once said that he was “obsessed” with The Hidden Fortress and watched it over 100 times while writing the script for Star Wars.

Conclusion

While it’s clear that George Lucas drew inspiration from The Hidden Fortress when creating Star Wars, it’s also apparent that he made significant changes to the story. The similarities between the two movies are undeniable, but so are the differences.

Therefore, it’s safe to say that Star Wars did not copy The Hidden Fortress but instead used it as a source of inspiration.

Final Thoughts

It’s common for movies and TV shows to draw inspiration from other sources. In fact, most of the great works of art are built on the foundations laid by those who came before.

Therefore, instead of focusing on whether or not Star Wars copied another movie, we should celebrate the fact that George Lucas created a masterpiece that changed cinema forever.