Can anyone find me some movie trailers that say “In a world”? This is such a well known cliche, but I’ve never been able to locate one that says it, except when it’s making fun of the cliche itself.
I’m almost starting to wonder if it’s like the “Beam me up, Scotty line”, the most famous line from Star Trek, quoted and parodied all the time, but NEVER actually spoken in Star Trek.
That’s why I ask the question. To confirm the authenticity of this cliche and it’s origins. Try to find links to legitimate trailers that start with “In a world” where they’re not saying it as a parody.
This is mostly a curiosity thing, but also research for a possible Cinemassacre video. Thanks in advance, I’ll be checking the comments.
February 8, 2013 at 5:16 am
I remember hearing “In a world” in several trailers as a child, I’m trying to remember what movies……. *puts on thinking cap*
February 8, 2013 at 5:26 am
I was unable to find any trailers, but I hope this well help, Don Lafontaine is the man who said it, so i hope that narrows down the search for anyone who tries after me , or for you James!
February 8, 2013 at 7:07 am
Hal Douglas is the other, less famous “In a world” guy. His trailer for “Comedian” is one of the parodic uses of the phrase:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIILUKJ74r0
February 11, 2013 at 10:17 am
goodfellas has it
February 8, 2013 at 5:20 am
Here ya go James, Mad Max 2 trailer. it is not the first line of the trailer but it is actually said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVDzuT0fXro
February 8, 2013 at 5:24 am
One more for ya
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/caramel/31050/video/caramel-trailer-no-1/2037766
February 8, 2013 at 6:44 am
Maybe in the trailer of “The comedian”, the Jerry Seinfeld’s movie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVDzuT0fXro
February 8, 2013 at 6:50 am
Goodfellas! (Towards the end of trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5jJpHtI1Y&sns=em
February 8, 2013 at 7:15 am
Movie the movie
February 8, 2013 at 7:16 am
In other media … aw … countries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derrick_(TV_series)#.22Harry.2C_hol_schon_mal_den_Wagen.22
February 8, 2013 at 9:28 am
Look for trailers voiced by Don LaFontaine, he’s the guy that started that phrase.
February 8, 2013 at 7:21 am
Planet of the Apes (2001) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1lZ3un-kcg
February 8, 2013 at 7:35 am
Also: if you are looking for that “in a world” stuff you want to take look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QPMvj_xejg (around 2:20).
February 8, 2013 at 7:51 am
I know you spoke about only finding it in parodies, yet I have to share this one. It’s from Mr. Show, a sketch called “Coupon: The Movie.”
February 8, 2013 at 8:20 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_LaFontaine This is the guy who made the quote famous. Acording to the article, the quote has been used in alot of trailers. “He became identified with the phrase “In a world…”, which has been used in movie trailers so frequently that it has become a cliché.”
February 8, 2013 at 8:46 am
You’ll find a whole list here http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InAWorld Television Tropes is a wonderful site. Check it out sometime guys, it has all the clichés and tropes covered haha
February 10, 2013 at 7:36 pm
I’m fairly certain James is aware of TV Tropes. The Ghosts ‘n Goblins AVGN episode used several tropes by name.
February 8, 2013 at 8:54 am
i know it’s offtopic but U should check this out James:)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121062811693
February 8, 2013 at 9:29 am
Look for trailers voiced by Don LaFontaine, he’s the guy that popularized that phrase.
February 8, 2013 at 9:50 am
I don’t know if this counts but the first trailer for Batman Forever says “In an uncertain world”
It’s pretty damn close if you ask me.
http://youtu.be/oGytaGTK7j8
February 8, 2013 at 10:05 am
Knights Of Badassdom Official Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyougFDZ7zU&list=UUi8e0iOVk1fEOogdfu4YgfA&index=35
February 8, 2013 at 10:38 am
Here’s one for the Ed Harris movie “Radio”. Though, it says “In a town…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gca8-s097jA#!
February 8, 2013 at 10:42 am
Oh, here’s a video with Don Lafontaine that parodies the whole thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB_hAVZLKE8
February 8, 2013 at 10:45 am
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy trailer did a hilarious parody of “In a world”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbGNcoB2Y4I
February 8, 2013 at 11:19 am
Hey James check the “Good Fellas” trailer. About 1 minute into the trailer ..In a world where violence blah blah blah”. A ton of Don Lafontaine trailers have it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRuljYL0hA8
February 8, 2013 at 11:21 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ5_1cXSh-w this is Clockstoppers from 2002, he technically starts it right off with a “In a world”
February 8, 2013 at 11:21 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ5_1cXSh-w
February 8, 2013 at 11:25 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_LaFontaine
That guy is famous for doing the voices in movie trailers, and you can see on the side one of his famous lines is “In a world where…” so I’m sure some of the movies you see at the bottom have trailers that begin like that
February 8, 2013 at 11:50 am
Jakob the Liar (At about 0.27)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCYSRcBt9wg
February 8, 2013 at 12:06 pm
In the Rat Race (2001), sort of like a remake of you’re favorite movie It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World trailer they say “in a city” (about 20 seconds in)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2gkAke_Zkk
February 8, 2013 at 12:37 pm
In a world… where man eats man, and dogs are treated more or less ok, where handshakes are accepted legal currency, a virus was born, with enough power to knock out 10 city blocks in a single blast.
With only skin on skin contact as a means if survival, one family must handshake their way to freedom, in a desperate game of germ transference. Can they reach the Purell factory across town before it’s too late?
Michael Winslow is…
Hand Shaker
February 8, 2013 at 12:38 pm
wait, what were we supposed to do here?
February 8, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Alien 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vnjQPcrcZI
February 8, 2013 at 12:43 pm
oh hey James, as a bonus you should gather the ones the start the second half of the summary with “NOW… (dude must fight to… whatever)”.
i’ma bet you about 75% of these will go this way.
February 8, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Trailer for Angels and Insects begins with “In a world with wealth and privilege…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBBab1eOKxA
February 8, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Thanks everybody, great research! Seems so far, the line was a real cliche that was probably most prominent in 90′s trailers. Today, it’s mostly used in parodies. Here’s some of the serious uses of the line found so far.
Mad Max 2 (1981)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBrAh3OyYnI
0:23 “In a world without gas.” (not the first line)
Caramel (2007)
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/caramel/31050/video/caramel-trailer-no-1/2037766
0:30 – “In a world bound by tradition.”
Goodfellas (1990)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5jJpHtI1Y&sns=em
2:40 – “In a world that’s powered by violence.” (near end)
Planet of the Apes (2001)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1lZ3un-kcg&noredirect=1
0:37 – “In a world where freedom is history.” Has a female voice over that comes before the cliched male voice over.
Alien 3 (1992)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vnjQPcrcZI&noredirect=1
0:07 – “HERE, in a world, where the sun burns cold.”
Jakob the Liar (1999)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6SSbtbH2qg&noredirect=1
0:22 – “In a world where owning a radio was strictly forbidden.”
Great short doc about Don LaFontaine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QPMvj_xejg
February 8, 2013 at 1:56 pm
I guess spaces don’t work?
February 8, 2013 at 2:04 pm
I posted a link to the Angels and Insects trailer on the last page, which also begins with “In a world”. Here’s a link for the trailer to Heavenly Creatures which features the line about 50 seconds in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-vUl-1FJ9E
February 8, 2013 at 2:24 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_R7-eCEU60
South Park the movie. Maybe you can count it as a parodie.
February 8, 2013 at 2:26 pm
And James. There’s also the ‘in a not so disant future ‘ and ‘In this town/city’ -cliché.
I think I’ve haerd these multiple times.
February 8, 2013 at 3:44 pm
I found one in the trailer for Goodfellas. Apparently Mad Max and Mad Max 2 has the phrase as well. Hope this helps!
February 8, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Do you have a link to that? the only Goodfellas trailers that I could find all had narration by Ray Liotta. @_@
February 8, 2013 at 4:01 pm
You should look for trailers where a deep-voiced narrator says [i]“THIS SUMMER…..”[/i]. xDDDDDD!!!!!
February 8, 2013 at 4:07 pm
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InAWorld
February 8, 2013 at 4:07 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
February 8, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Maybe this can help… although I don´t know the names of the movies from the scenes in this mash up. I think it proves that Don Lafontaine said the phrase a couple of times…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjWKE-IJ4R8
February 8, 2013 at 4:30 pm
I’ve got you James. Goodfellas. Don Lafontaine did the trailer, and he says this in it..
‘In a world that’s powered by violence, on the streets where the violent have power, a new generation carries on an old tradition’.
February 8, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Not really a legitimate trailer, but it was Don LaFontaine who did the voice over and they parody that line http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyAHmIesMlk
February 8, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Ransom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mebIhXK8srA
February 8, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Don’s pretty well known amongst the general public for both his distinctive speaking voice, as well as his extensive body of movie trailer voice-over work. He had been interviewed many times both on TV and in print, and when he died back in 2008 it was all over the media. The dude was a minor celebrity in his own right.
So…suffice it to say that James is most likely already aware of the dude and his work.
February 8, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Oh, and as far as the request goes, I do think it’s very much like the “Beam me up, Scotty.” line. The only time I can recall it being used was when LaFontaine himself used it in a Geico commercial…
February 8, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Not a movie trailer, but I figured I’d post it. Mega Man Legends intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhbtUossIDo
February 8, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Mad Max at about 2:27. The sentence doesn’t start with it though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti6rG4NmsyM
February 8, 2013 at 9:20 pm
The Simpsons used in in their movie trailer couch gag a few weeks ago. I was surprised they would use the phrase when trailers haven’t used it in several years. Then I remembered that this is the same show that waited until ALL of the Star Wars prequels came out before doing a Phantom Menace parody.
The modern day equivalent is that annoying BRAAAAAA sound. It makes me miss “In a world…”.
February 8, 2013 at 9:38 pm
“In a World…” is contained within the trailers of: Alien3, Goodfellas, Ransom, Mad max and Jakob the Liar. I found these after a cursory search and I am sure there are more. Hope this helps. Here is a link to a video where these are contained: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
February 8, 2013 at 9:41 pm
My bad, Mad max 2.
February 8, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Who can forget buddy lee’s ad. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk35-g2Kg5Y
February 8, 2013 at 10:38 pm
The source for a lot of people might be comedian Pablo Francisco who does a bit around it.
February 8, 2013 at 11:10 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5jJpHtI1Y
I believe this is Hal Douglass, but it’s said here. you’ll have to wait 2:40 seconds
February 8, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Here’s one for you, James: The trailer for PLANET OF THE APES (2001).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1lZ3un-kcg
February 9, 2013 at 12:06 am
I found an In A World Compilation. I believe it’s legit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
Also, I could be mistaken but I believe that Beam Me Up Scotty was said in The Animated Series. I’ll double check this.
February 9, 2013 at 4:06 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
There ya go, a compilation of several trailers!
Like 50 of them!
February 9, 2013 at 4:28 am
God help us all..
February 9, 2013 at 9:51 am
Here is a compilation of a bunch of trailers that say “In a world” or “One man”! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ !!! Hope you enjoy James!!
February 9, 2013 at 12:17 pm
You could always ask pablo fransisco to do that funny impression he does.
February 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm
You should totally do a 2nd trailer for the AVGN Movie witth all the popular trailer cliches:
In a world… One man… but there’s one thing he didn’t count on… *cue the action music from “Aliens”*… This time, it’s war!
February 9, 2013 at 2:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
it has a few…goodfellaws, etc.
February 9, 2013 at 3:37 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XtOHQYb7YE Don says “in a world…” at the point, 5:21, almost the last thing he says in this video.
February 9, 2013 at 5:51 pm
There’s a Geico commercial where Don LaFontaine does say “In a World…” here’s link to the commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJMGS7l0wT8
February 9, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Romeo Must Die – The original trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R7O2A8R63A
Come on guys, its a classic trailer, no one else remembers this ?
February 9, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Why don’t you just use Pablo Fanciscas voice over from his comedy,…you would have to make your title card, but I’m sure you could handle that.
February 10, 2013 at 6:01 am
Maybe, Jerry Seinfeld’s Commedian, but i think he’s sayin’ it as a parody
http://youtu.be/fVDzuT0fXro
February 11, 2013 at 12:33 am
The man who coined the phrase “In a world” in movie trailers is known as Don LaFontaine. That might be your start of your research, buddy.
Here’s filmography of movies he did the trailer voice-over for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_LaFontaine#Selected_filmography
February 11, 2013 at 1:04 am
Just watch this collage of “in a world” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
February 11, 2013 at 3:11 am
There have been some games that’ve started with “In a world…”
http://youtube/M4dY0yA1Dy0
February 11, 2013 at 3:23 am
http://youtu.be/M4dY0yA1Dy0
February 11, 2013 at 12:33 pm
MATRIX XP, from 2003, starts with this line
——#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNdpvNH1yi8
——#
February 11, 2013 at 12:55 pm
what about the intro to Mega Man Legends?
February 11, 2013 at 2:27 pm
My personal favorite trailer idiom would have to be the good old “He’s a cop who plays by his own rules.” The infinitely inept “Snake Eater” (1989) is a perfect example of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPsGmu333cM
February 11, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Check out the trailer for “The Road Warrior” with narration which uses that exact phrase very early in the trailer. Also check out the trailer for “Nemesis” (1992) and “Logan’s Run” which uses that phrase, or a close variation of. I hope this helps.
February 11, 2013 at 10:16 pm
“In a world called the Bronx…”
http://youtu.be/z50PjmZYS4A
February 12, 2013 at 1:37 am
Here is LaFontaine’s final movie trailer for Call and Response where he uses the phrase. Interesting how its his last one ever and he uses the phrase. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vTbtKjTU0
February 12, 2013 at 8:40 am
It’s not a trailer, but a poster instead. The Usual Suspects, at least one of the posters, has that line on it.
February 12, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Here’s a compilation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
February 14, 2013 at 1:04 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ it’s been done alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 14, 2013 at 11:40 pm
Here you go James 13 minutes and 12 seconds of “In a world…” trailers! http://youtu.be/AGNqI6RYBrQ
February 15, 2013 at 8:29 am
The Batman Forever trailer has a voiceover (Don LaFontaine?) where he says “In an uncertain world…in a chaotic time…” and it sounds as brilliantly clichéd and cheesy as what you’re after.
February 15, 2013 at 12:56 pm
The moast simular use of this cliche would be “In a time….”
But i guess there’s several “world”‘s aswell.
February 15, 2013 at 4:54 pm
here you go, this is the deal. Solid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIILUKJ74r0
February 16, 2013 at 8:55 pm
the anime Berserk. Maybe not “In a World…” But at the beginning it says “In This World..” very sinister. Amazing anime too.
February 16, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Mad Max 1 and 2 trailers both had “In a World”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBrAh3OyYnI
a link to mad max 2 trailer
February 17, 2013 at 2:37 pm
The Glass Shield (1995) with Ice Cube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnkiLC5BuRU
February 21, 2013 at 12:58 am
Here you go, James! This is the Vampirella trailer. I’m working on finding others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=gYxU8bfwB-U
February 21, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Youtube has a 13 minutes of “In A world” Compilation… So you were not hallucinating hehe .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNqI6RYBrQ
February 21, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Just watched it completely … Only the first minute or so has “In a world”…
February 22, 2013 at 1:22 am
Of Mice and Men trailer (the 1992 version)
February 22, 2013 at 1:35 pm
It’s not a trailer but how about the Knight Rider intro.
“In a world of criminals who operate above the law”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo8Qls0HnWo
jump ahead to 32 seconds
March 3, 2013 at 1:07 am
The Crow: “In a world without justice one man was chosen to protect the innocent…” They never say it, but the text appears on screen. I joined Cinemassacre just to relay this message to you. Come to think of it, it took me five years to register, a process which took me under a minute…
March 4, 2013 at 2:09 pm
BASEketball
March 4, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Southpark. Bigger longer uncut
March 4, 2013 at 2:26 pm
jakob the liar has an “in a world” moment…..
http://youtu.be/h6SSbtbH2qg
March 6, 2013 at 3:47 am
Predator has “In a part of the World”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrDsvVKY_d4
March 23, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Towards the end of the Goodfellas trailer they say it.
April 7, 2013 at 1:43 am
*In Don LaFontaine’s voice* “In a world” where an evil organization, plans to dominate the world into total darkness. From all over the world, 15 Fighters compete in a 2 on 2 Fighting match. And if one succeeds, He or She will take down the greatest threats to ever know, Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and Bison. Paramount Pictures (Gulf+Western Company) and Capcom presents a movie based on the fighting game you ever played before. “Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie” The ultimate anime fighter, uncut & unleashed! Coming Soon to Theaters everywhere.
April 23, 2013 at 10:16 am
Witchcraft 7 @ 53sec:
In a world…
of sexual rituals.
and supernatural powers
…will he save the world from destrucion? or die!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLnhfpz2JQ4
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