Borrowing Blockbusters: The Best, Worst & Weirdest Die Hard Knock Offs (Part 1)

[@craigjay6820]

Glasses off, eyepaint on...I cried when I saw that... comedy gold.

[@KassFireborn]

Holy *crap* that Born to Fight near-miss woke me right up. Death was absolutely on-site just in case the coin toss went the other way there.

[@arri275555]

I worked with Eric Roberts on a project several years ago. He was so kind and down to earth.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Everyone's second favourite Master!

[@Panzerkampfpony]

@@TheSmart-CasualGamer More of a Sir Derek Jacobi fan but each to their own.

[@teejjames3173]

​@@TheSmart-CasualGamer😊

[@seewhativescene]

Hey! Come back! Can you tell the story about working with Eric Roberts again?

[@DonnieBrook69]

Hardest working man in show business.

[@hangonsnoop]

I think that I've watched this at least 3 times. It never gets old. Your editing and humor are consistently on point.

[@nignamedmutt7270]

Easily the best channel of the "so bad it's good" section of youtube. Redlettermedia is good, but my god does Rich Evans laugh get so fucking irritating, and anytime I find myself watching too much of them, they start to come across as pretentious(which isn't ENTIRELY their fault, but sometimes they do seem to take themselves too seriously)

[@nal101]

I loved Executive Decision as a kid. I was blown away that Seagal was killed off so early.

[@jeremyseaton4898]

Executive Decision is a great movie. Its one of the best action movies of all-time, IMO, because of how it keeps you guessing after killing off a big-name so early on.

[@gantz22ify]

So was Seagal.

[@BrainDamageComedy]

seagul was well liked even back then it seems. the writer/director were aware of his "legendary" status.

[@seewhativescene]

He was written out for being abusive and never allowed back into mainstream Hollyweird ​@@BrainDamageComedy

[@mirvjournal1693]

This is my third watch of this video The film analysis, depth of research and humor at off the charts. Great channel

[@thestokes91]

I can't believe Allison Pregler isn't the one to tell me that a David Hasselhoff Die Hard ripoff exists

[@Alucard-A-La-Carte]

And that Film Brain/Diamanda Hagan didn't tell us about the Steve Austin/Stephen Seagal crossover!

[@J0MBi]

Taking of Beverly Hills 41:51 - did that not get hurt by the collapse of Orion? The behind the scenes stuff on that movie is pretty interesting, the production built a huge chunk of replica city in the desert of Mexico - then just blew it up! The scene with Branscombe Richmond's mulleted bad guy chasing the hero around firing a flame thrower out a pick up makes it worth the effort to track it down alone.

[@harish1105]

Just want to point out that the guy who wrote and directed Baazi didn't make another movie for 6 years, but his next film 'Lagaan', was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won awards at the Berlin, European and Locarno Film Festivals. Moral of the story: if at first you fail, keep trying.

[@martinwright1358]

Lagaan is a great movie by any standard - and has a lot of English fans

[@jabrondestoroyah]

I'm sorry but isn't Lagaan a Mighty Ducks ripoff 🤔

[@brandonginsburg3120]

Thorough, organized, unique. Fantastic.

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

Sudden Death (1995) is a really good Die Hard rip-off. It has some great stunts.

[@venomous6593]

Because you said that I am going to watch it on dvd thank you I needed something to watch have a nice day man

[@WildFungus]

@@venomous6593 check out Space Ice the youtube channel while you are at it.

[@trouty606]

@@venomous6593 Jean Claude Van Damme fights a terrorist who's dressed in the Pittsburgh Penguins mascot costume. The movie is stupid as hell and super entertaining for it!

[@poppers7317]

That is the first movie that comes to my mind when I think at "Die Hard in/on an x".

[@greenkoopa]

Van Damme kicks an entire hockey team in the face at the same time while doing the splits between 2 trucks

[@simonhill5139]

Thanks

[@hellbenderdesign]

...it just now occurred to me that 'McGruber' is a combination of John McClane and Hans Gruber, and all it took was hearing the names McClane and Gruber said eight dozen times.

[@Hardworlder]

Hate to break it to you, but MacGruber is just McGyver.

[@macrograms]

14:14 - at which point the script is killing me but your breen joke restarted my heart.

[@glenharper3875]

Jesus u must have one hell of a movie collection, I’ve only seen Air Force one , passenger 57 & executive decision oh and die hard obviously great work mate

[@TheBadMovieBible]

Thanks, Glen!

[@mtank30]

Oliver Harper turned me on to this channel... and I now have a new drug. I can't get enough. Highly entertaining. I love the dry cheeky humor and I looooove the nostalgia feels I'm getting. I worked in video stores all through the '90's so I was familiar with most of these D-grade titles (which were very popular rentals with our customers, believe it or not), but had not thought of them in so long. Now I have tons of new flicks added to my Must Watch (again) list. Thank you so much for such a great fun ride. Cheers!

[@TheBadMovieBible]

Thanks for the kind words, Mike!

[@DeathMetalDerf]

Gary Oldman just makes everything he's in that much better. It usually takes me a minute to recognize him, given he looks wildly different in each film. Sure, some are easier than others to suss out, but seriously, I always enjoy whatever he does, even if I don't the rest of the movie that much.

[@BadWebDiver]

Same.

[@murciadoxial8056]

Reading this comment after watching oppenheimer

[@juniorjames7076]

Gary Oldman is the Boris Karloff of our era.

[@briansinger5258]

Well, this channel is undervalued. Is the stock public? I want in.

[@jussing]

What an absolutely amazing video, thank you. I want to see all of these. My wife ran into the room and asked what I was so cracked up about.

[@rahulthekkedath8923]

What a great discovery !! 😁 Thank you Oliver Harper!!

[@TheBadMovieBible]

Thanks, and I'd also like to thank Oliver Harper.

[@mclovin6829]

I've seen that shot of Leguizamo talking smack 100x, and still laugh out loud every time.

[@bonvoyageauLSD]

Panna Rittikrai had quite a long history of doing crazy stunts by the time he got involved in Ong Bak. He headed a stunt team in the 80's and 90's who made a lot of ultra low budget action movies. One of the members of his team was Tony Jaa, who he put in Ong Bak and also recycled a lot of his old stunts and ideas into that movie. If you want to see some raw and crazy stunts I recommend his "original" Born to Fight from the mid 80's.

[@tommylakindasorta3068]

Everything about your videos is so well thought out and so elegantly constructed. You're a consummate professional.

[@marcsmith285]

Fantastic! I worked at a cinema when Turbulence was released and it sold 26 tickets, all of whom clearly walked away with the memory of watching Ray Liotta do whatever he fancied.

[@keyaamabrahams7984]

I can remember Turbelance being very popular on video.

[@Usernameisavailabe]

Ray Liotta just doing Ray Liotta things is worth the price of admission alone tbh.

[@reptongeek]

I bought one of those tickets! My memory of that film was nobody warned me about the strobe lights, when they did before I saw Titanic earlier in the year

[@Lucky_Chase]

37:18 That chick just ambles toward the door!!🤣🤣😂😂

[@ACab05050]

I have met Steven Segal before but the funny thing is it was when I was getting Danny Trejo"s autograph. They were sitting at the same table in a bar. I walked up to both told Danny I was a huge fan of his work. I asked for an autograph (which I stiil have) Trejo thanked me; we shook hands and I walked away barely acknowledging Segal. Funny but true story.

[@toolbag-sy9ij]

That makes you cooler than Segal!

[@alecb8509]

@@toolbag-sy9ij It doesnt take much to be cooler than Segal.

[@jesseowenvillamor6348]

Nah these "making fun of Segal" jokes are just getting old

[@ACab05050]

@@jesseowenvillamor6348 Nah he deserves it. The reason I didn't care about meeting Segal was because I had learned what type of person he is. Just Google "Steven Segal s*xual misconduct" and see what I mean. He is also a bully to co-stars and stuntmen behind the scenes. A legendary stuntman named Gene LeBelle once guillotine choked Segal until he passed out and pissed himself because Segal was not pulling his punches while choreographing a scene. Also his martial art aikido is useless in an actual fight and his "acting" skills suck. Bullies and women predators SHOULD be ridiculed and exposed, in my humble opinion.

[@ACab05050]

@@toolbag-sy9ij Gene LeBelle was the cool one for choking that POS out and not putting up with his crap!😎👏👍

[@mikes5637]

Just to clarify: none of us cared that Anna Nicole Smith couldn't act.

[@mihalekhale2590]

there were only two reasons anyone ever watched a movie with her in it

[@frankowalker4662]

True dat !!! :)

[@DNOstalgia]

She can't act? Huh! I never noticed 😜

[@bigbearkat2010]

@@mihalekhale2590 the producers seemed to figure that out too

[@J.S.3259]

She serves a purpose in The Hudsucker Proxy (still the best film from the Coen Bros.)

[@4Everlast]

7:27 Best window dive I've ever seen. Looks like a hard landing to pull off safely.

[@oragamiowl5031]

Brilliant. Can’t believe this doesn’t have more views!

[@VERMISIMILITUDE]

Sent here from Oliver Harper!!! Amazing channel!!!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@Belgand]

The takeaway I have from this is that Jurgen Prochnow really got around in this particular sub-genre.

[@emitindustries8304]

WoW! That's 100 points for the win!

[@Arrowsmith86]

This is the greatest channel, pure gold, I wish we blasted this into space as a message to future aliens, what humans are all about

[@seveneyedlamb]

the gymkata reference 45 min got ya my sub.

[@erika8214]

Several years ago, My mom and I were on the same flight as Jurgen. She was so happy. Of course, we didn’t bother him. Thanks for this review of movies. I’ve seen many of them. I’m thinking about looking some of them up for rewatch for fun.

[@kw9172]

"Which isn´t how embassies usually work" made me spill my tea!

[@MalachiLamb]

This channel deserves so many more subscribers, the Borrowing Blockbusters series is one of the best on youtube. Appreciate the content!

[@SCLStuntFan]

26:10 - After the first two or three films, all the Bloodfist movies are completely unrelated to each other. XD Oh and I agree, The Taking of Beverly Hills was a LOT of fun. I felt as much excitement as when I watched Commando. ^^

[@larshansson1953]

it's really funny to me how Craig Sheffer is in both Turbulence 2 and Turbulence 3 but in different roles.

[@theeflake]

Man I always felt Ken Wahl should of been way bigger. Every time I watch The Wanderers I always think he just has that leading man vibe about him. Haven't seen the The taking of Beverly Hills however but I will be now. Thanks for showing that.

[@i.m.evilhomer5084]

Hehehe... Mock McClane. Can't wait to see Part 2!

[@kurtfranklin2680]

In the opening of the “active war“ segment; the line about “the embassy is located in the heart of the country, which isn’t usually how embassies work.“ part got me good.😂😂😂

[@TheBeird]

Good stuff dude, you got a subscriber

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

This has quickly become one of my favorite channels and I can't wait for part 2!!

[@cen7ury]

Fun fact: the F-117 Nighthawk isn't actually a fighter jet, despite the "F" designation. The Nighthawk is strictly a bomber, as it has no onboard radar, and no capability to carry air-to-air missiles, and no cannon or gun, either. Definitely a minor detail in an otherwise brilliant video. Love your work, man!

[@RipOffProductionsLLC]

They labeled it a fighter officially because the design made it more fitting to be piloted by fighter pilots, who's egos couldn't handle being told to fly a bomber. Or something like that.

[@cen7ury]

@@RipOffProductionsLLC I had heard that as well.

[@ThreadBomb]

Why would any combat plane not have radar?

[@EICKonaHIKE]

This is important work documenting these films. Thank you for doing this.

[@youtubeletmeintoyoutube4580]

“It wants to be disaster 🦐 but can’t afford it” 😂😂

[@damienstegman5667]

Love your videos! Incredible that you mentioned whiteout and born to fight. Really good ones.

[@devekut2]

43:53 - I literally gasped. There must be no unions wherever they were filming.

[@qbatmobile]

DMN mate! Your channel is awesome! I had to sub. GJ!

[@owie4070]

Oliver Harper sent me here 😊

[@archangel1of7]

Likewise.

[@FILMCANPRODUCTIONS]

Same here.

[@JoeChillton]

Same.

[@RB-qh7ix]

Same here!

[@TheBadMovieBible]

Thanks for heeding is advice! (Also thanks to Oliver himself... not for the first time.)

[@matthewstoneback9]

38:00 WHOA! WHOA! Eric Roth, the same Eric Roth who would go on to write Forrest Gump, The Insider and Dune.....wrote Airport 79?😂

[@VorpalDerringer]

4:25 If I had a nickel for every time Brion James was an albino bad guy, Id have two nickels. That's not a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

[@martinwright1358]

you would have had 15 cents - yu forgot Tango and Cash

[@VorpalDerringer]

@@martinwright1358 I guess I need to rewatch Tango and Cash, then, thank you!

[@stevegeorge6880]

I think one of the great mysteries will forever be what happened and what could have happened with Ken Wahl. He was also in a movie shot around the same time but released later called The Favor where he was the sexy alternative to the quiet safe option of.. Brad Pitt. That's how high the higher-ups in Hollywood were on his potential at one point. My summary theory is that he coasted on natural ability and metabolism as long as one could before injury and alcoholism took him down without hope of a Brad Pitt style comeback. But I'm sure there's a deeper dive to be made.

[@MrPolicekarim]

He did his back in, didn't he? Slipped outside a female friend's house. He didn't want to name her, I seem to remember.

[@r_jd279]

These are great, gotta say. Sadly, this is the second to the last "Borrowing Blockbusters" I could find. What's a little more sad, but a bit heartwarming at the same time is thanks to my older brother and stepmom. I've seen at least 2/3rds of everything you threw at us in most of the BBs and it brings back memories. Thank for that and for the vids.

[@arashimiyazawa8165]

34:49 Right at this time-stamp I said "GET OFF MY PLANE!" and then that exact scene popped up and I cheered like the easy mark I am :D

[@Duggy123]

One of the few times these days that KZbin actually recommends me a channel that's quality. Great stuff, man, really enjoying all these videos and insights to some of these films that went below my radar.

[@alecb8509]

If you watch a lot of sub par content, that is what will be recommended to you. Watch better content and it will suggest better content.

[@alexr4208]

35:32 That's when movies could still surprise you. I was in the theater thinking "Did Stephen Seagal just die?"

[@danweber6972]

The air force 1 transition is gold. 🎉

[@serrisvalentine6225]

Lol i had this on in the background and the Seagull shade made me laugh 😂

[@JoseBronxRican]

5:48 - I started wondering why this lady looked familiar to me, but then Rob brought up director Wong Jing, and it hit me: Chingmy Yau! I suspect I'll see her again in Part 2 when it covers "City Hunter", where she played the top babe in Jackie Chan's "babe-a-rama".

[@chriscornelious8393]

These videos are incredible. Kudos to you for watching so many Try Hards. Wow.

[@ThatPurpleGirl81]

I know it really had nothing to do with the main video, but I had completely forgotten about Beastmaster 2! (42:11) 😅 I must have blocked it out bc of the crappy time portal thing...is ____ through-a-time-portal a sub genre worth your, well, time? Seems like there might be a video in there somewhere... 🤔

[@MegaCunnie]

‘What’s the matter piss eyes, you need a fresh jump start ?’ Hahahaha

[@Wes_Snipes]

You said "fist pumpery." HAHA! I enjoyed this YT video so much I might watch it again, which says a lot. Freakin well done man!

[@perchr.halling772]

Great video, John. It was so nice to hear about your journey with Aliens. I don't have any of my 8mm reels back, so it's a joy watching your videos the take me back to where I started collecting movies. Keep up the great work 👍🏽 👏🏼

[@WillKeaton]

3:50 That voice sounded very familiar. Took me ten minutes to place it. it's Fuji Hakayito from _Super Dave_ as played by Art Irizawa.

[@Vertabreaker3]

Another amazing video my man, keep up the great work!

[@jeanlouisbaugnon]

This is an exceptionally funny episode. I want to find that John Leguizamo interview.😅 Cheers!

[@johns8369]

I watched The Taking of Bev Hills late on TV one night, and years later stumbled across the VHS. Love it to bits - though have never found anyone else who has seen it. Nice mention!

[@akumaswrath6663]

Touchdown asshole!

[@repugnus]

Great video thank you

[@EurDawg]

Another fantastic video! Nobody researches these movies like you do!

[@brandonhinrichs4393]

When he said "that'll do" i busted out laughing and everybody started staring. Im in the library supposed to be studying lol

[@sodadrinker89]

You know in Star Trek First Contact the A plot was Die Hard on a Starship.

[@wyldemusick]

TNG also did a straight up Die Hard On A Spaceship episode.

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

I saw "Turbulence" at a cinema in Mexico for the equivalent of around 75 US cents. I still regret paying that much!

[@powercage]

This one finally did it. Subbed. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@impossiblefunky]

I'm sure people have already pointed out that Tango & Cash ripped of Police Story. I LOVED the picture of Ellis in your Die Hard re-cap.

[@TacoJack]

@25:27 I think one of the Air Force officers being diverted by the rabbits is the former LA Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey. (on the left)

[@bradleydahlgren6632]

Klaus what are you doing here ? lol single funniest movie line ive ever heard

[@thatpart]

I suspect that a recent dive into recent Seagal movies and knockoff mob movies with Sopranos folks brought me this in the algorithm. Happy it did. 😂 Your narrative style is like buttah. 🙏

[@Yaksniffer2]

Excellent video as always! Can’t wait for part 2, I want to check out a ton of the movies you mentioned here!

[@doctornonsense4726]

Hilarious that you used Ben Stiller clip. I immediately thought of it when I saw the video title.

[@kenjiurban]

That image of Trump Jr as Ellis is GOLD

[@hanoc101]

I laughed so hard at that. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisperry7963]

Oh man, this is fantastic!

[@Crazy_Borg]

Charles M. Huber playing a card carrying villain in a Die Hard Knockoff? Never knew that, now I have to watch Skyscraper. Same goes to Heaven's Fire, there aren't many movies with Eric Roberts as the good guy. Thanks for bringing all these obscure movies we never knew existed to our attention.

[@Mkpryor12]

The fact I’ve seen all the Bloodfist movies makes me realize I have an addiction to watching bad martial arts/movies movies.

[@MatadorShifter]

A pre Die Hard Die Hard in a building: an episode of The Equalizer made and released over 2-3 years prior to Die Hard. A terrorist group led by Detective Monk's Tony Sholboub take over a building during a wedding ceremony. Among the guests is McCall - a retired spec ops commando who doesn't show his cards and plots on eliminating the terrorists and liberating the building. One of the best episodes of The Equalizer

[@jeremyseaton4898]

Wow! That's awesome! I've gotta check that out.

[@ES_Glenn]

I just fell in love with this channel

[@Janika-xj2bv]

I love it when you see actor about to spin kick the other guy, and then what you actually see is a foot hitting his face because actor can't really do it him/herself.

[@RB-qh7ix]

Skyscraper is awesome! My vhs tape is worn out in a few places though.

[@3baxcb]

I would guess it would be the clips where the star displays her Junoesque features. Only a guy who's really married to his job would not want to spend a lot of time with a body comparable to hers. I also suppose Skyscraper is due for a special Blu-ray release by now as with other Die Hard-inspired features. .

[@DrWhom]

@@3baxcb Juno? Was she the hottie of the pantheon?

[@3baxcb]

@@DrWhom The definition is described as "Beautiful and imposing, like the goddess Juno." Hope that explains ti a bit better.

[@jkb2016]

4:35 No matter how bad or boring it gets, you know that at least Bryon James will deliver! R.I.P.!

[@ivanlyutiy7437]

OH FINALLY I FIND THIS MOVIE!!!!! (high risk) THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CapntSpankey]

So glad i found your channel. This video was amazing! You nailed everything. Excited to see more!

[@SammEater]

Turbulence 3 is hilarious, they really want us to believe a plane has concrete floors? lol

[@marilynknepper1953]

Wow I think I have found my new favorite channel. I'm a long time action movie fan . I have seen some of these and definitely want to track down some of these to watch. Thank you

[@thethinkingcatakaneonormie3527]

Actually my 2 favourite Die Hard copycats are the Peter Hymes Sudden Death and the Star trek the next generation episode Starship Mine which is really fun and kinda showed where Patrick Stewart would go in the films as an action man.

[@TheBadMovieBible]

At one point I had a bit on that Trek episode. Big fan. Always having to pull back from wandering into TV and doubling the runtime!

[@FlyingHeadbutt100]

Trilithium Resin...

[@djmobman1727]

Most relaxing movie review channel love the suggestions kind of want to watch all these riffed and unriffed

[@DaboooogA]

Excellent series, and I must commend the breadth of your film knowledge!

[@markandrewpaul4233]

43:30 This movie is insane crazy. If you don't care about plots and love action this movie is for you!

[@connorbrennan4233]

Great to see you back with another one of these!

[@robertseddon2512]

This must have took ages to edit, very informative and funny.