Here we go again. Anytime a new film by Quentin Tarantino surfaces, the hunt begins to find the various influences and elements he’s borrowed from other movies and television shows to put together his work. The filmmaker has always been candid about his influences, and is voluble on his inspirations. That said, Cowboys & Indians does point out some striking similarities between "The Hateful Eight" and a vintage TV series probably only your grandpa remembers watching.
**SPOILERS AHEAD** To start off with, the article’s author, Joe Leydon, wants to make it clear: "Please don’t misunderstand: We’re not accusing Quentin Tarantino of plagiarism." He cites the long tradition of stories being "borrowed" and recycled, particularly during the days of ’50s and ’60s television. However, with that caveat out of the way, he points out the very, very close similarities between an episode of the short-lived, two season series "The Rebel," and Tarantino’s upcoming western. Here’s a breakdown of the episode in question, "Fair Game":
READ MORE: Watch: First Gun-Toting, Blazing Trailer For Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’
The entire setting, the manner in which some of the characters are trapped in the way station, an accused murderer among them, and somebody dropping dead via poison….even if you believe in coincidences, it’s a rather remarkable number of similar plot points.
Tarantino has previously named "The Virginian," "Bonanza," and no shortage of western TV shows where the characters would be taken hostage as helping to shape his new film. It might be time to add "The Rebel" to the list of shows he names as having watched. All that said, as we know from his other movies, Tarantino may sample and borrow, but what he conjures is usually distinctly his own. Either way, we’d like to hear what you think, so hit up the comments section below. [via Hollywood Elsewhere]
Tarantino has always been candid about his influences? Like when he claimed he\’d never seen "City On Fire?" Don\’t make me laugh. Look, I like QT\’s movies, but he bends the distinction between "homage" and "rip-off" until it snaps. On the other hand, he has probably been responsible for bringing attention to some unheralded films because of this. That having been said, I watched that episode of "The Rebel" on YouTube, and I noticed three different plot points that were common to both it and "Hateful Eight." What\’s more, at least one bit of dialogue (The bit about hangmen having to make a living, too) is a bit too similar to have been plucked from thin air, especially when viewed within the context of the other commonalities But anyone who has paid more than superficial attention to QT\’s career will recognize his Modus Operandi here. But, hey, John Carpenter freely admitted that "Assault on Precinct 13" was basically a homage/remake/rip-off of "Rio Bravo" so what are you gonna do?
There is a massive difference between homage, casual referencing and plagiarism. This is the latter aside from the finals. The episode is on You Tube and its a startling just how much he used.
Dear Tarantino attackers: There was a certain writer you may or may not have heard of, who repeatedly "stole" from other writings and sources to tell his stories. His name? WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE!!!
George Lucas built the foundation of his career doing essentially the same thing, and the list could likely span the stretch of the earth multiple times over if one were to compile every instance of alleged "idea thievery" perpetrated by people.
anyone want a fried baloni sandwhich?
that\’s actually a nice shot there,Stockton County Detention,case didn\’t want to ctach very technical "yes" the image the black skeleton with the red beam eyes,you must read who pulled the case the image man,nothing . . .
As the original article points out, this episode of The Rebel (not The Rebels as stated in the title) owes a big debt to Agatha Christie\’s And Then There Were None which had been filmed by NBC in 1959 so would have been a clear influence on this episode which aired the following year.
Does LA2000 think the producers of The Rebel gave Agatha Christie a credit? I think not. TV writers stole plot ideas all the time back in those days (the amount of episodes that were produced per season practically necessitated it) so it\’s a little poetic justice if now the roles are reversed.
I’d be very surprised if when we see The Hateful Eight is bears much resemblance to The Rebel even if it was influenced by it.
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to."
Small correction: The show was titled "The Rebel," not "The Rebels."
Dear Tarantino apologists:
When leaving the drugstore with a bottle cough medicine, it\’s only stealing if 1) it wasn\’t acknowledged or presented at the cash register AND/OR 2) it wasn\’t paid for.
Tarantino apparently did neither.
More money for Tarantino. Bupkis for the guy who thought it up.
It is Tarantino, at this poont you have to accept that he ripped off something to do his newfilm.
He probably did steal the premise of that Rebels episode but it\’s really not that big a taboo. He took something that was probably pretty good and not a lot of people saw, and he made it into something great that millions of people will enjoy with better actors, and better dialogue. Do people complain when directors like David Fincher completely redo a movie like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Come on get over it.
Did Tarantino rip something off to call his own? Is that seriously a question?