Ron Mia
With the recent controversy surrounding the GMA Network series Alyas Robin Hood, the term “public domain characters/story” has been brought to people’s consciousness. After the recently concluded Kapuso action drama series was highly criticized for allegedly being a rip-off of hit American TV series Arrow, its creative consultant and developer was quick to defend their story as an original spin-off of public domain character Robin Hood.
In an interview with an entertainment website and also through her clarification on her Facebook page, GMA Network’s Suzette Doctolero said Alyas Robin Hood is not a copy cat nor a rip-off of American TV drama Arrow because it was taken out of the story of Robin Hood which is a master plot or a public domain character.
This story has prompted The Dailypedia to look for characters or stories that fit the description “public domain characters/stories.” Here are 20 of the most famous public domain characters and or stories that we gathered.
1. Robin Hood
An English folklore, the earliest story of Robin Hood was dated back in the 1400s. His story is famous as the man who robs the rich to give to the poor. Known Pinoy-related stories include Titong Robin Hood (Movie) – 1965, Robin Good (Movie) – 1991, Robin Dude (TV Series – TV5) – 2013, Alyas Robin Hood (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2016
2. Zorro
The secret identity of Don Diego de la Vega, a fictional character created in 1919 by Johnston McCulley. Known Pinoy-related stories include Tulume Alyas Zorro (Movie) – 1983, Zorro (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2009
3. Dracula
Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker about the Vampire Count Dracula written in 1897. Known Pinoy-related stories include Darakula (Movie) – 1982, Huwag mong buhayin ang bangkay (Movie) – 1987
4. Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
The fictional character and protagonist in Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Known Pinoy-related stories include 12 Kuba (Movie) – 1963, Kampanerang Kuba (Movie) – 1974,Kampanerang Kuba (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2005
5. Sleeping Beauty
One of the oldest fairy tales written by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, it involves a beautiful princess, a sleeping enchantment, and a handsome prince. Earliest version of the story is dated back to 1330 – 1344. Known Pinoy-related stories include “Nahihimbing na Kagandahan” – Mga Kwento Ni Lola Basyang (movie) – 1985.
6. The Little Mermaid
Story of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her mermaid identity to gain a human soul. It was first published in 1837. Known Pinoy-related stories include Marina (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2004, Marinara (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2004, Mutya (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2011, Aryana (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2012.
7. King Arthur
A lengendary British King who got into possession of a magical sword known as Excalibur. The story was said to be written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1130’s. Known Pinoy-related stories include Panday (TV Series – ABS-CBN) -2005, Panday (TV Series – TV5) -2016, Panday (Movies) – 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1993, 1998, 2009.
8. Aladdin
A middle eastern tale about an impoverished man who got his fortune from a genie inside a magic lamp. It is one of the most popular tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights (“The Arabian Nights”), as was actually added to the collection in the 18th century by Frenchman Antoine Galland. Known Pinoy-related stories include Inday Bote (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2006, Inday Bote (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2015.
9. Romeo and Juliet
A tragic romance about two young lovers who belong to feuding families. It is one of the most popular works of William Shakespeare betweek 1591-1595. Known Pinoy-related stories include Got To Believe (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2013, Pangako Sa’yo (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2000, 2015, Villa Quintana (TV Series – GMA Network) – 1994, 2002 and 2013, Romeo and Juliet (Movie 2006), Imortal (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2010, Walang Hanggan (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2012.
10. Pinocchio
One of the most celebrated children’s story, it is about the mischievous adventures of an animated marionette named Pinocchio created by his woodcarver “father”. Pinocchio is popular as the kid whose nose become longer whenever he lies. It was written in 1883 by Italian writer Carlo Collodi. Known Pinoy-related story includes Honesto (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2013.
11. Lupin
A fictional gentleman thief, also a master of disguise created by French writer Maurice Leblanc in 1905. Known Pinoy-related stories include Lupin (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2007
12. Cinderella
One of the most popular fairy tales, it tells the story of an young girl who was oppressed by her step mother and step sisters and found her fortune with the glass slipper. The most popular version was first published by Charles Perrault in 1697. Known Pinoy-related stories include Tasya Fantasya (Movie) – 1994, Prinsesa ng Banyera (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2007, Tasya Fantasya (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2008, Grazilda (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2010, Be Careful with My Heart (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2012, Tasya Fantasya (TV Series – TV5) – 2016.
13. Beauty and the Beast
Another traditional fairy tale, it was written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. It is a story of a young beautiful lady who fall in love with a beast. Known Pinoy-related stories include The Last Prince (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2010, Moon of Desire (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2014.
14. Tarzan
A fictional character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first appeared in the novel Tarzan of the Apes in 1912. It’s about a man who grew up in the jungle under the care of apes. Known Pinoy-related stories include Starzan (Movie) – 1989.
15. Mowgli (The Jungle Book)
A fictional character in The Jungle Book story by Rudyard Kipling in 1894. The story focus on a child left by his parents in the jungle after a tiger attack. The kid was then taken care of by a family of wolf. Known Pinoy-related stories include Ula ang Batang Gubat (TV Series – IBC13) – 1990, Noah (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2010.
16. Snowhite
A German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm published in 1812. A story of a young girl who fall into sleep under the curse of an evil witch. It is also known for characters like the seven dwarfs and the magic mirror. Known Pinoy-related stories include Pinokyo and Little Snow White (Movie)- 1972, Snow White Lady and the Seven Ghosts (TV Series – GMA Network) – 2011.
17. Sarah (A Little Princess)
A children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett published in 1905. It is the story of Sarah Crewe, daughter of a wealthy widower who was enrolled in a boarding house in London under the care of Miss Minchin. Known Pinoy-related stories include Sarah Ang Munting Prinsesa (Movie) – 1995, Sarah Ang Munting Prinsesa (TV Series – ABS-CBN) – 2007
18. Rapunzel
A German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm first published in 1812. It is the story of a lady with long hair trapped in a tower. That long hair is the one she let down to let her lover climb.
19. Thor
A character based on the Norse mythology God Thor. He’s known for his magical hammer which he used in fighting his enemies. He also has the ability of flight and weather manipulation.
20. Frankenstein’s Monster
An English novel by Mary Shelley in 1818 about a young scientist Victor Frankenstein who created a grotesque but sapient creature/monster.
