MovieChat Forums > The Champions (1968) Discussion > copying plot ideas

copying plot ideas

posted 17 years ago by a-carlton
10 replies | jump to latest

You know what always gives me giggle is to think that the person who wrote The Running Man (Arnold Swartznegger film - no I cannot spell that) was obviously a fan of The Champions because the same exploding neck collar that was worn by prisoners in the opening Running Man sceen was the very same idea as used in one of the Champion episodes (sorry I have forgotton the episode name) where Richard is made to wear one when they try to infiltrate this group of white coated scientists in some sort of underground bunker complex and both collar (Arnolds & Richard Barretts) are removed with some sort of wire cutter in a similar way. I am glad that neither lost their heads.

[–] Hazzer_99 16 years ago

Well considering it was based on the book by Stephen King, one of the most legendary modern writers of our time with films like Shawshank Redemption, Carrie, Children of the Korn, IT and dozens of others, I find it doubtful he needs to reply on others to think up cool ideas. And besides, the exploding collar has been in sooooo many things I've seen it's impossible to credit it to only one source.

Go to the loo, 'cause all the *beep*'s coming out your mouth instead of your a-hole...

[–] gordofett 16 years ago

Wow, that's a bit defensive. And redundant.

Yes, the Running Man film was based on the book by Stephen King. Based on. The exploding collar isn't even in the book. So while your vehement defense of King is touching, it is also a bit misplaced.

Why don't you have a crack a defending the *screenwriter* of the film: Steven de Souza. (Street Fighter, Beverly Hills Cop 3 and Judge Dredd, to name 3 of his worst...) I know you're going to throw Die Hard back in my face - it's alright though, I can take it.

Mind you, while I'm not saying that Mr. Hudson Hawk couldn't have had a brain-flash one day and come up with the exploding collar routine - believing himself to be the first. You have to admit it's equally possible that in the intervening 19(!) years between the Champions episode and The Running Man that he may have caught that episode. Or been told about the idea it by someone.

Or heck, maybe he just flashed forward 4 years to Wedlock and took the idea from there..?

"And besides, the exploding collar has been in sooooo many things I've seen it's impossible to credit it to only one source"

Out of curiosity, how many of those many things you have seen it in were made before 1968?

Just saying is all...

--
"Can't you tell an argument for argument's sake when you see one..?"

[–] Hazzer_99 16 years ago

Wow, touché. I'm really quite tired right now and can't be bothered to try a defence, but even if I did I probably couldn't top that - you've written a pretty damn good argument. I'd probably just read a King novel and was full of love for the man. So yeah, I concede, you're right on all counts. However... DIE HARD!! I mean, COME ON!!!! LEGENDARY!!!! Lol

Go to the loo, 'cause all the *beep*'s coming out your mouth instead of your a-hole...

[–] gordofett 16 years ago

I know! Die Hard, man!!! Such a great film - almost makes up for many of those other sucktacular films he's had a hand in!

--
"Can't you tell an argument for argument's sake when you see one..?"

[–] Hazzer_99 16 years ago

Lol, too true man. I wonder if he had a ghost writer...

Go to the loo, 'cause all the *beep*'s coming out your mouth instead of your a-hole...

[–] trebor_trancheplanete 14 years ago

Hazzer_99
However... DIE HARD!! I mean, COME ON!!!! LEGENDARY!!!!

Ah yes, Die Hard... great movie. 50% of the ideas from that come from the film "Kings and Desperate Men" starring Patrick McGoohan. :-D

[–] krasnegar 15 years ago

And besides, the exploding collar has been in sooooo many things I've seen it's impossible to credit it to only one source

Out of curiosity, how many of those many things you have seen it in were made before 1968?

Dunno about movies, but it - or similar - was around in SF stories long before 1968. (And the film "The Running Man" owes a lot moe to Rober Sheckley's "The Prize of Peril" (http://tinyurl.com/7tnn3b)

[–] wildfire160 14 years ago

The Running Man Film verus the book is very very different the whole reasoning behind them is completely opposed to each other,also the book has one of the best endings ive ever read and after 9/11 would be almost impossible to put into a film

[–] grendelkhan 11 years ago

At the same time, there are plenty of plot points and ideas in King's book that appeared elsewhere, years before his books were written. I'm not faulting his style, but his stuff isn't that original. Like any other writer, he was influenced by others.

"Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!"

[–] knight_sentinel 11 years ago

Well they used the the plot with the collar on several series, including an episode of "Star Trek" in the episode "The Gamesters of Triskelion", the film "Wedlock". As well as when it was used in real life by those idiots in a failed bank robbery plot to get money for a hit, that resulted in the death of Brian Douglas Wells.

Minds that have withered into psychosis are far more terrifying than any character of fiction.