May 4, 2012

Jacob’s Ladder, Brazil, Donnie Darko: same idea?

Several popular films seem to share a common influence, in a certain way at least. Cineleet uses plot *spoilers* to explain how Carnival of Souls, Jacob’s Ladder, Brazil, Donnie Darko, Stay, and other Films were Inspired by 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge', a short story by Ambrose Bierce originally printed in William Randolph Hearst's The San Francisco Examiner in 1890.

The Wikipedia entry for the story lists other more direct and indirect adaptations, including one from Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The adaptation below by director Robert Enrico won the 1963 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short, and appeared as one of the last episodes of The Twilight Zone in 1964.

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