Comparing The Departed and Infernal Affairs

While most people have seen or at the very least heard of the movie The Departed (2006) few probably know that it was a remake of a Hong Kong produced movie called Infernal Affairs (2002). Each movie follows the plot of a cop undercover in the mob while another individual is undercover for the mob in the police department. While each plot is very similar the main difference is that the Irish mob is who is depicted in the American version while the Triads are depicted in the Hong Kong version. The Departed was full of a star studded and well respected class and the Hong Kong version was no different in that respect because a very prominent cast of well known Hong Kong actors were seen in Infernal Affairs. Each movie was well respected with Infernal Affairs being credited as the revival of Hong Kong film, and The Departed achieved great success at the Academy Awards garnering the Best Picture for 2006.

The Departed and Infernal Affairs each received critical acclaim from their respective audiences, but the great difference lies in the amount of money each made at the box office. According to imdb.com The Departed made a earned $289,835,021 worldwide, while Infernal Affairs made less than $5 million in total profit. Each film was a critical success, but the power of Hollywood changed the film into a commercial success worldwide when it was made into The Departed in 2006. It just goes to show the power of Hollywood because a film that was already regarded as successful was taken from Hong Kong and reproduced for an American market with essentially the same plot intact and the film sky rocketed to well known acclaim.