Do the Right Thing (1989)

Drama
→ Influenced 3 films ← Inspired by 5 films

Salvatore "Sal" Fragione is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

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Connections

← Inspired By

The Night of the Hunter
The Night of the Hunter (1955)1
 La Chinoise
La Chinoise (1967)2
 Bye Bye Birdie
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)3
 A Matter of Life and Death
A Matter of Life and Death (1946)4
 The Third Man
The Third Man (1949)5

→ Influenced

Clerks
Clerks (1994)6
 Inside Man
Inside Man (2006)7
 Malcolm X
Malcolm X (1992)8

Sources

Influenced By

  1. The Night of the Hunter (1955)
    "In *Do the Right Thing*, the character Radio Raheem delivers a monologue about love and hate, reminiscent of Robert Mitchum's portrayal of a preacher in *The Night of the Hunter*. Both characters use their hands to symbolize the struggle between these opposing forces." Do the Right Thing Wikipedia
  2. La Chinoise (1967)
    "Lee's film employs a conflict between discourses, a technique traced back to Jean-Luc Godard's *La Chinoise*. This approach presents various perspectives without explicitly endorsing any, encouraging viewers to engage critically with the material." Say the Right Thing | Jonathan Rosenbaum Jonathanrosenbaum
  3. Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
    "The opening sequence of *Do the Right Thing* features Rosie Perez dancing energetically to Public Enemy's "Fight the Power." This scene was inspired by Ann-Margret's title sequence in *Bye Bye Birdie*, where she performs a dynamic dance number." Do The Right Thing Rubin Safaya Cinemalogue
  4. A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
    "The visual style of *Do the Right Thing* was influenced by the vibrant colors and stylized cinematography of films like *A Matter of Life and Death*. Lee and his cinematographer, Ernest Dickerson, studied these classics to create the film's distinctive aesthetic." On the 30th Anniversary of Do the Right Thing (1989) by Raquel Stecher Tumblr
  5. The Third Man (1949)
    "The cinematography in *Do the Right Thing* features sharp camera angles that are extreme and disorienting, reflecting the heightening drama. Lee and his team drew inspiration from classics such as *The Third Man* for these visual techniques." On the 30th Anniversary of Do the Right Thing (1989) by Raquel Stecher Tumblr

Influenced

  1. Clerks (1994)
    "Spike Lee's film influenced *Clerks*' structure, focusing on a single day in a specific neighborhood." Far Out Magazine source
  2. Inside Man (2006)
    "Spike Lee's own film is referenced in "Inside Man" through the use of "Sal's Pizzeria" on the pizza boxes delivered to the bank, connecting the two films thematically." Watch Turner Classic Movies on TCM.com Turner Classic Movies
  3. Malcolm X (1992)
    "While not directly about Malcolm X, Spike Lee's film addresses racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood and includes references to Malcolm X's teachings, reflecting his enduring influence on discussions about race and justice." Do the Right Thing Wikipedia