5 Iconic Characters Based on Public Domain Stories

Some of the most memorable characters in film history are rooted in classic literature and stories that have entered the public domain. These characters have been reimagined in ways that make them unforgettable, from twisted villains to eccentric figures that have captured the imagination of audiences for generations. Let’s take a look at five iconic characters based on public domain works, and how filmmakers have brought them to life in extraordinary ways.

In Apocalypse Now (1979), Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando, is a chilling character whose descent into madness reflects the horrors of war. The character of Kurtz is actually inspired by another dark and enigmatic figure: Mr. Kurtz from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1899), a novella that has long been in the public domain.

In Conrad’s story, Kurtz is an ivory trader in the Congo who becomes unhinged in the depths of the African jungle. In Apocalypse Now, director Francis Ford Coppola relocates the setting to the Vietnam War, transforming Kurtz into a rogue officer who commands his own army deep in the Cambodian wilderness. Both versions of Kurtz embody themes of power, isolation, and moral corruption, making him one of the most haunting characters in literature and film.

Tony Montana, the ambitious and ruthless drug lord from Brian De Palma’s Scarface (1983), is one of the most iconic characters in crime cinema. However, Montana’s character is rooted in an earlier public domain story. The original Scarface (1932), directed by Howard Hawks, was itself an adaptation of Armitage Trail’s 1930 novel of the same name, which was inspired by the life of notorious gangster Al Capone.

While the 1983 Scarface updates the story to Miami’s cocaine trade, the themes of ambition, power, and downfall remain consistent with the public domain gangster archetypes that have long captivated audiences. Tony Montana’s rise and fall is a modern twist on these classic crime narratives, making him a larger-than-life figure rooted in public domain inspiration.

The Mad Hatter, one of the most whimsical and eccentric characters in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), has been reinterpreted countless times since the original novel entered the public domain. Known for his nonsensical speech and tea party antics, the Hatter has been portrayed in a variety of ways in film, television, and art.

Perhaps the most famous recent portrayal comes from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010), where Johnny Depp’s version of the Mad Hatter is equal parts quirky and melancholy. Whether he's serving tea or speaking in riddles, the Mad Hatter remains one of the most enduring characters to come out of public domain literature, symbolizing the absurdity and wonder of Carroll’s original work.

King Kong, the giant ape who scaled the Empire State Building in the 1933 film King Kong, is one of cinema’s most iconic monsters. Although the character was originally created for the film, many aspects of King Kong’s story draw inspiration from public domain tales and myths, particularly Beauty and the Beast.

The basic premise of a giant, misunderstood creature in love with a beautiful woman has deep roots in folklore and classic literature. Over the years, King Kong has been reimagined in countless films, including remakes and sequels, but the original 1933 version remains a landmark in film history. Kong’s tale continues to captivate audiences with its blend of action, tragedy, and adventure.

While not directly mentioned in the prompt, it’s impossible to talk about iconic characters based on public domain works without mentioning Long John Silver from Treasure Island (1883). The pirate captain, with his parrot companion and treasure map, has become the archetypal pirate character in popular culture.

In many ways, Long John Silver laid the groundwork for the swashbuckling antiheroes we see in modern pirate films and stories. His cunning, charisma, and ruthless ambition make him one of the most complex and enduring characters from public domain literature.

These characters, all born from public domain stories or inspired by timeless archetypes, have been reinvented in modern cinema to captivate new generations of audiences. Whether they are climbing skyscrapers, hosting mad tea parties, or leading armies into the jungle, these figures remind us of the enduring power of storytelling. Public domain works continue to offer filmmakers, writers, and creators the opportunity to breathe new life into legendary tales.