The Inspirations of Indiana Jones

If you thought Indiana Jones was completely original, think again! Check out some of the serial films that helped inspire the classic franchise with these side-by-side comparisons.

Zorro Rides Again (1937), Zorro’s Fighting Legion (1939), Gunga Din (1939), China (1943), Secret of the Incas (1954), The Naked Jungle (1954)

ORIGINALLY AIRED: FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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[ramenramrod]

I was expecting James to narrate this video, but I guess the comparisons speak for themselves.

[BiotchProductions]

I've worked in the entertainment industry since my early 2000s. I went to film school and graduated in January 2020 to hone my craft and get my bachelors. We brought up a lot of these movies as inspiration to, not just Indiana Jones, but a whole slew of other movies, including Star Wars. It's so amazing how we can be inspired by the things we grew up watching to recreate them in a whole new light. I'm looking forward to seeing how the next generation of filmmakers make their movies by being inspired by films like the Indiana Jones franchise.

[CrusaderOfJersey]

Also forgot to mention The Stranglers Of Bombay (1959) Also the oldest influence for Indiana Jones is Alan Quartermaine when I say Alan Quartermaine I am talking about the original 1887 novel and the original films not the inaccurate 80's versions.

[DougUnfunny]

the names taken from them too. Gunga = Gungan, Din = Din Jarin. and so on...

[Novastar.SaberCombat]

Yup. The original posters for "Raiders" read: "Bringing BACK the great adventure". 🙂

Sadly, IJ4 & 5 have nothing to do with GL and SS's incredible work on the original, proper trilogy. Also, HUGE credit to the screenwriting on "Last Crusade" (especially Menno Meyjes).

[michaeldiaz]

I love Zorro's Fighting Legion! I have seen that serial so many times!

[sfighter]

Awesome! This is why I'll never hate "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". People see to forget that the Indiana Jones movies were more inspired by these B-Movie Adventure serials. Hopefully "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" keeps that same vibe.
Gonna need to give some of these movies and serials a look.

[lonelyone]

Seeing it side-by-side like that is undeniable. Can't wait to rewatch all these movies again in anticipation of Dial of Destiny.

[MariktheGunslinger]

Never be afraid to wear your inspiration on your sleeves, so long as you do enough to distinguish it. My good friend is working on a series that takes blatant inspiration from Dark Souls, which itself lifts things wholesale from various works of fiction, and it wouldn't be nearly as powerful without that inspiration.

[yovany]

I know it has no comment on the video but it speaks for itself, interesting, still indiana jones are great movies

[DrewskiYellowBuckets]

I live in Beloit WI, the hometown of the man that supposedly inspired Indiana Jones, Roy Chapman Andrews. His childhood home is right across the street from the home one of my friends grew up in.

[SuperCaleb]

Wonder what films Dial of Destiny will take inspiration from

[jonaldbarley]

This music sounds like Legions of Heroes by Grailknights.

[SegaSerge]

When people say "Hollywood never makes anything new nowadays", it's not a recent phenomenon...

[Hayseed]

I didn't see this coming but i saw it coming, no one has an original idea.

[lordcrayzar]

Where is the cutoff for inspiration and rip off. Some of these are really pushin it

[jdaywork]

Wow. Hey, we learn from the masters right? I do anyway.

[GkCulture]

Damn. They straight up ripped a lot of these scenes off.

[L_Train]

The name Indiana Jones was inspired by the movie Nevada Smith

[midwestmonster]

I just wonder who ever watched Zorro Rides Again and thought, "I know that clip! I know that exact shot of somebody getting thrown out of a vehicle." How do you ever find something like that?