http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/index.html

This mini-site from the online entertainment magazine, Jitterbug Fantasia, explores the possible origins of Star Wars phenomena. Playfully compiled by Kristen Brennan, the site offers a selection of original material that may have inspired George Lucas to create the series, including the serial Flash Gordon, Kurosawa movies, the Lord of the Rings, Dune, 2001: Space Odyssey, Ben-Hur, The Wizard of Oz and so forth.
Brennan attempts to explain how Lucas borrowed from these diverse sources with "such intelligence, insight and compassion" to create his enormously successful series. Brennan isn't accusing Lucas of plagiarism, rather she offers an insightful look at the how the creative process works.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue