Star Wars Is Based on Nazi Germany and the Viet Cong
Everyone knows Star Wars and the iconic characters of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia. The film was released in 1977 and has become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon ever since. Since the release of the first film, it has spawned eight sequels, three prequels, a few spin-offs, toys, games, and even amusement rides. But a long time ago, in a war far, far away, there is an underlying tone to the film. We know that the premise of the film is the Rebels are trying to stop the takeover of the Empire. A Jedi is the only one who can stop a Sith Lord.
The creator, George Lucas, took some inspiration in creating this world from Nazi Germany. Lucas confirmed the historical references and the conflicts are shown in both the original trilogy and the prequels. The Empire, which Darth Vader is a part of, is based heavily on the Nazi regime. Lucas has also stated that the Vietnam War is a source of much of the plot in Return of the Jedi. In this case, The Viet Cong inspired the Ewoks and their ability to use knowledge of the terrain to defeat a larger technologically advanced force.
Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most iconic fantasy series to date. Many writers draw their inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien spent years creating his world and new languages before he started writing the series. The Lord of the Rings series is actually a sequel to Tolkien’s The Hobbit, written in 1937. The film adaptation of these novels, specifically The Two Towers, takes inspiration from both World Wars. Tolkien himself refuted the claims that the books were allegories for World War I and World War II, stating that they were not meant to be taken that way.
Peter Jackson, the film series director, had other thoughts. Jackson states that he specifically took inspiration from WWII and the Nazi regime. They were a key component for the depiction of the Uruk-hai forces. The threat of the Uruk-hai forces looms over the entire film with their black garb and scenes reminiscent of the Nuremberg rallies. Although the film is a classic fantasy book adaptation, the ominous presence of the Uruk-hai is made more powerful by Jackson’s portrayal and inspiration from Nazi Germany.