MovieChat Forums > Kei zik (1989) Discussion > Plagiarism?

Plagiarism?

posted 18 years ago by Blauer_Engel
6 replies | jump to latest

When I watched this movie, I recognized pretty quickly that it was a Hong Kong-style remake of the movie "Pocketful of Miracles" from the early 1960s (as was also pointed out by one or more IMDB reviewers). So far, so good. Many such remakes have been produced in the past, but none of them so blatantly avoided giving credit to the original writers, especially since the plot is so similar. I carefully checked the end credits for any such reference, I checked the IMDB entry. Nothing! Did I just miss it or did he really not give credit? I must say that I was pretty annoyed about this. As likable as Jackie Chan is, that is just plain plagiarism. What do you all think?

[–] Dustbowler 18 years ago

Jackie has given credit to the makers of the original. He mentioned in his book what a big fan of the movie(Lady For A Day, which was remade as Pocket Full Of Miracles) he was. Thus he was inspired to make his own version. He's always up front about where he takes insperation from.

Who says violence is not the answer?

[–] freshflapjax 16 years ago

He did give credit as the previous reply states, but I agree that something more should be said in the opening credits or end credits. Same for all of the Hong Kong remakes that the U.S. does. When Scorsese won that award for the Departed... I couldn't believe there were so little comments made for Infernal Affairs.

[–] luciengrey24 15 years ago

jackie never hides his admiration for early Hollywood stuff(Buster Keaton,Harold Lyodd) influences. If you want to be mad about copying Tarantino, did so in Reservoir Dogs , from the Hong Kong movie CITY ON FIRE, amost shot for shot, i could not believe it. Aside the pop culture additions and his fast paced dialogue ,It cinematographically the same movie.

[–] btm1 13 years ago

As of May 2011, the IMdB lists "Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Hal Kanter 1961 screenplay "A Pocketful of Miracles"
Robert Riskin 1933 story "Lady for a Day"
Damon Runyon 1933 screenplay "Lady for a Day"
Edward Tang written by
Harry Tugend 1961 screenplay "A Pocketful of Miracles""

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Cognoscente (2463) 2 years ago

I also think that Jackie was inspired by Sammo Hung's Pedicab Driver which came out earlier. Both movies have the same setting and are primarily romantic dramas with sparse martial arts action.