Re-make or no?

Movie Buff · Post by **Movie Buff** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:43 pm

Ive just been stunned on hearing of the re-make of that wonderful old Brit film "The Ladykillers" starring the great Alec Guinness,Peter Sellers etc....
now been Americanised starring Tom Hanks..only seen clips..god what are they trying to do to some of the lovely 'Classics'?!
Haven't seen the new 'Alfie' yet..somehow do not think it'll match the Cain one(Tho I do admire some of Jude Law's work)..and of course entirely different aspect in the way women are thought of today..which is all to the good!
But for instance..compare the great black& white version of 'Cape Fear' starring Greg Peck/Bob Mitchum...you didnt need the gratuitous violence of DeNiro's version( Much as I admire some of Robert's work)..the fab acting & atmosphere of the original was enough.
"The Postman always rings Twice"...much as I love /admire Jack Nicholson...couldn't touch the atmosphere brought about by John Garfield& Lana turner in old black & white version,far as Im concerned!
There are many others I expect..such as 'Ocean's11'...Mutiny on the Bounty..etc
But maybe you think differently?..............Ellie

Rampage · Post by **Rampage** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:38 am

I am in full agreement with you Ellie, there are classic films which are timelessly excellent and shouldn't be re-made or ones that just can't be re-made with the same excitement, humour or panache of the original

Other examples of classics that have been re-made with bog awful results:
Get Carter, The Italian Job, The Manchurian Candidate are just three that spring to mind. There are exceptions though: I remember seeing the Sinatra Rat-Pack original of Ocean's Eleven years ago and thinking it enjoyable, but I also really liked the Clooney/Pitt version.

I think a film maker really has to love and understand the original before he can produce a successful re-make.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:52 am

Why are they rehashing so many old movies? We're all reading new books from some talented authors which would make great movies- so is it down to budgets etc., greedy actors, lack of ideas. inmho I haven't really seen a decent US made film in years-always been left with a feeling of disappointment and 'was that it'? Personally I feel as if we are being patronised and the US film industry is producing waferthin, lightweight rubbish because the Industry is run by people like that? Films that have been made in Europe/elsewhere have been better and some drama on UK tv is still superior to anything Hollywood churns out? In fact low budget Coronation Street would get an Oscar nomination from me

digger · Post by **digger** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:55 am

RIP OFF! INSULT!

I refuse to watch any of the above mentioned remakes…..except The Postman Always Rings Twice with Jack Nicholson, because I didn’t know it was a remake..

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:21 pm

Well,you are very young Digger dear and we would not expect you to know the old black&white version (would we folks?)

Rampage I wasn't aware that they'd re-made Manchurian candidate!

Whos starring? Not that it would make any odds to me..the '62 version with wonderful 'Laurence Harvey' (boy did I have a schoolgirl crush on him!

)..and Sinatra of course.cant recall who else

Can't be beaten..
Ive never seen the orig. old 'Bounty' film with Laughton& Gable..and wasn't too impressed with Gibson's one..I thought Trevor Howard was magnificent as Bligh in the 'Brando' version..
and I totally agree with Guests post..Im a fan of Kate Blanchette and enjoyed her 'Elizabeth' ..but all the time I had in my head the image of our Glenda Jackson as the Tudor queen(a BBC 1 70s series)..Guest your words are so true!
Did you know that before filming of the Harry Potter films(American dollars) they were insisting on an American boy for the lead?But J K Rowlings insisted he remain English/British!
H reckons the last film he really enjoyed out of U.S. was 'Marathon Man' with L.Olivier & D.Hoffman..how long ago was that?!!

eci/spider · Post by **eci/spider** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 2:30 pm

A couple of H G Wells books were made into films they were the TIME MACHINE which wes an excellent view, a sequal made later was rubbish in abundance,(thats note the film title).

They also made WAR OF THE WORLDS, which although moved the storey from the south of England(UK) to the states, was reasonable attempt at 'sticking to the book, I am led to believe that Spielsberg is making a new version of this, the trouble is that like most remakes contain a great deal of graphics in an attempt to make the film more exciting, and trying to cover up crap acting,

and please tell me why there has to be the obligatory 'bonk' whatever the story.
To me Alec Guiness was one of the finest actors of his day, and to see Tom Hanks and cast trying to remake LADY KILLERS is a step to far for HOLLYWOOD, leave these classics alone, and do what you are best at, pretending.

swingdingin · Post by **swingdingin** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:27 pm

one of the worst holywood remakes i`ve seen is a remake of an old french film , the vanishing , starring gerard depardieu....in the holywood version they even changed the ending to make it more appealing to the american market....however for the sake of balance , they have come up with some rare gems by the coen brothers and quentin tarantino..!

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:37 pm

There are quite a few French films which Hollywood has remade.

True Lies is one example and has obviously been tailored to the American market.

Wicker Park is another one. Remake of a French film called L'appartement.

The Ring which was originally a japanese movie.

Tut tut! They think they can pass these off as novelties eh!