In the turbulent social and political context of the 80s in the USA, a movie was born that would become an icon of science fiction and action cinema: RoboCop. This 1987 film by Paul Verhoeven arrived at a time of uncertainty and change in the American nation, as much as it may seem almost prophetic to us today. Society was torn between a tremendous increase in crime and a growing corporate influence through the privatization of basic social services, in this case, the Detroit Police Department.
Although it may now be seen as almost customary cinema, RoboCop offered a dark and dystopian vision of the future, where a fallen policeman is reborn as a machine, facing homicidal robots and high executives who sow chaos in a decaying Detroit. While at the time the critics praised it for its blend of violence and satire, the film also raised profound questions about the nature of humanity and the advancement of our connection with technology.
What made RoboCop a truly influential movie was its ability to reflect the anxieties of the time
At the time of its release, RoboCop was a box office success, grossing over $50 million in the United States. However, what made RoboCop a truly influential film was its ability to reflect the anxieties of the time. The 80s were marked by the paranoia of the Cold War, the crack epidemic, and the proliferation of crime in cities. RoboCop encapsulated these concerns in a plot full of violence and dark humor.
A Hidden Easter Egg in the Credits
Beyond its social impact and invitation to reflection, the true final surprise of the film was not in its main footage, but in its credits. After the shootouts and chases, many viewers would get up and leave the movie theater before the credits finished. However, those who had the patience to stay until the end discovered an ingenious and dark hidden Easter egg. Amidst the copyright warnings and legal disclaimers that appear in all films, director Paul Verhoeven inserted a small joke that we retrieve today.
“Non-compliance with these rules may result in criminal prosecution by police droids”
In a play that combines good humor and criticism of piracy, Verhoeven added an additional warning in the credits: “Non-compliance with these rules may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution by police droids”. This unusual phrase indicated that if someone ignored the film’s copyright, they could face not only legal penalties but be pursued by machines in pure ED-209 style from the movie. A touch of irony and a subtle reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and how disproportionate the penalties of this kind can be in some cases.
This clever Easter egg remained virtually unknown for over three decades. Most viewers never noticed this reference in the credits. While the digital world and social media have facilitated its rediscovery, this final nod went unnoticed by most. The irony is not limited to the presence of the Easter egg, but to the movie itself: RoboCop became the most pirated film of its time, highlighting once again the contrast between its warning and reality.
Where to Watch RoboCop on TV
We wanted to bring back this topic not by chance, but taking advantage of today, October 18th, you can watch several movies from the RoboCop saga starting at 21:26 (Peninsular time). Specifically, they will show the original, the second, and the third as we can read in the programming of the Mediaset channel. A good marathon. The three films can also be found in the Filmin cinema catalog.
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