Apocalypse Now and 4 Other Unexpected Movies That Inspired Paddington in Peru

The Paddington films are not only heartwarming stories about the hilarious adventures of a very polite bear, but also a collection of movie references.

In the first two films, the creators parodied both Mission Impossible and Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times. The third movie, Paddington in Peru, continued the glorious tradition and presented several unusual references to the classics of world cinema.

1. Kind Hearts and Coronets, 1949

Kind Hearts and Coronets is one of the most brutal comedies in the history of British cinema. The son of a duchess, deprived of her titles, decides to avenge his poverty and restore justice: the man wants to kill eight relatives and take possession of the family inheritance.

In addition to the biting story, the movie has another interesting detail: all eight targets on the list of future victims were played by Alec Guinness.

In Paddington in Peru this trick was repeated by Antonio Banderas – the actor played not only the role of the greedy treasure hunter Hunter Cabot, but also several of the main character's ancestors, who demand that the family dream come true and find El Dorado.

2. Steamboat Bill, Jr., 1928

In one of his later masterpieces, comedian and stuntman Buster Keaton staged one of the most famous stunts in movie history. The facade of a house falls on the man, but Keaton remains unharmed because he is standing right under the open window.

The stunt has been repeated at various times – it was only a matter of time before another modern star, Paddington, was added to the list.

In the movie, the facade of a stone house falls on him, Paddington raises his umbrella for protection, but the accessory proves useless – the hero walks right through the window, just like Buster Keaton.

3. Apocalypse Now, 1979

A less obvious but confirmed source of inspiration: Cinematographer Erik Wilson re-watched tense scenes from Apocalypse Now where Willard and Chef wander through the rainforest and fight off a tiger.

All to create a similarly oppressive atmosphere in the scene where the bear and the evil-minded Cabot are left alone.

4. The Sound of Music, 1965

The scenes with Olivia Colman as the singing nun were influenced by the most famous movie about… a singing nun. This is The Sound of Music – a Broadway classic whose Hollywood adaptation became the highest-grossing film in history in the mid-1960s.

The plot revolves around an Austrian woman from a convent. She agrees to become a governess for a military man who is raising seven children alone after the death of his wife.

5. Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981

The Indiana Jones adventure films have inspired generations of filmmakers, including the two directors of the Paddington franchise.

The first part of the franchise referenced the iconic scene where the hero manages to grab the hat while escaping from a trap with a golden idol: the bear runs away from the museum and at the last moment grabs a red Panama hat.

In the new movie, the creators went even further and recreated one of the iconic action scenes – the one where Indiana Jones runs away from a boulder.