There are some films that will never be forgotten and will go on to inspire future film makers and directors. While it is difficult to name just a few, we have compiled a list of some that have had an undeniable impact on modern entertainment and culture.
The 1981 classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark is an excellent film to start with. This was the first instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise and has since inspired sequels as well as prequels. A television series called The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles was created by George Lucas and aired on ABC between 1992 and 1993. There is even an Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, proving the character can still appeal to all age groups. The impact that Raiders of the Lost Ark has had is obvious from the many television references and even parodies it has inspired. It’s been claimed that Family Guy alone has referenced Indiana Jones 10 times across their seasons. Even Marvel has referenced Indiana Jones in some of their comics; for example The Uncanny X-Men #268 shows Wolverine in an Indiana Jones get up before fighting some Nazis. Raiders of the Lost Ark was ranked the second on Empire’s list of the 500 Greatest Movies of all time, beaten by The Godfather.
The Godfather trilogy has seen worldwide fame. The original film was released in 1972 and it was adapted from a screenplay. While there were many gangster films released prior to The Godfather, it was the first to show the gangsters as people with deep psychological complexity, as opposed to the two-dimensional roles they were usually given. The Godfather, therefore, inspired mobster films as we know them today. Even George Lucas was deeply influenced by The Godfather, having come out and said that the interwoven scenes of the Separatist leaders being killed by Anakin Skywalker, as well as Palpatine announcing the introduction of Galactic Empire, were a homage to The Godfather’s christening and assassination scenes. References to The Godfather in modern TV and films are endless. Furthermore, there is merchandise like a plush horse head to scare your loved ones with!
The last film we will look at in this article is Psycho, which has arguably been one of the most controversial films of all time. This was mainly due to director Alfred Hitchcock really trying to push the boundaries after the demise of the Production Code. The film sparked outrage after showing a scene showing Marion flush a toilet filled with paper. This was the first time a toilet had been flushed on mainstream film or television in the United States. Moreover, the film featured explicitly sexual and violent scenes. Psycho has maintained its popularity over the decades, even if its shock value is not the same these days, and has been the basis for the recent TV show Bates Motel. Bates Motel is a series that looks at Norman Bates as a child and his relationship with his mother. Similarly to The Godfather, Psycho merchandise is widely available for purchase, and the film has made its way to a number of industries; on Betsafe’s online casino site, you can play a Psycho-themed video slot, which lets you play a classic video slot with Psycho-themed icons and imagery. If you are feeling fancy, you can head to Redbubble to invest in themed clothing like T-shirts with the classic image of Marion Crane screaming in the shower.
Of course, there are many more films that have had an undeniable impact on modern day film and TV, but the effects of these three films continue to be enormous. What’s more, these films will be sure to continue to inspire young film makers and have further influence on the industry, as their popularity is as solid now as it ever was.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=C_zu6XuI_g4
Originally published October 11, 2015. Updated November 8, 2019.
