# In which a remake, or new version, is better than the original **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115 "2019-08-23T16:22:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Vic\_Parrish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Vic\_Parrish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vic_Parrish)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/61 "2019-08-26T14:30:15Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > I know I’ll get bashed for saying this, but I think the Coen Brothers’ version of _True Grit_ is arguably better than the 1969 Henry Hathaway film. > > But they’re both very good westerns. No argument from me - the remake is superior in every way, especially the acting. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/62 "2019-08-26T14:41:53Z")
I agree about True Grit. The new version was better. As for songs, I like Disturbed’s version of The Sounds of Silence better than Simon and Garfunkel’s. Also like the Bangles’ Hazy Shade of Winter better than the S&G version. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/63 "2019-08-26T15:37:35Z")
My father could spend hours arguing with himself about which one was better: [Ball of Fire](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033373/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1) or [A Song Is Born](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040820/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_23). The original had the pluses of Barbara Stanwyck, Barbara Stanwyck and Barbara Stanwyck, plus that guy Cooper doesn’t do a bad job either (but is not as pleasing to look at as Ms. Stanwyck). The remake had the pluses of having reused a lot of the same cast (but not Ms. Stanwyck), of musical numbers (it’s a good thing nobody informed my Dad that liking musicals made him gay, as he would have been terribly surprised) and of being in color so you get to enjoy Virginia Mayo in full Technicolor. Often he’d just watch them back to back. Dude was just such a movie nerd… ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/64 "2019-08-26T16:38:52Z")
Blade Runner (esp. the director’s cut) was deeper, creepier and generally more awesome than the story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” on which it was based. Similarly, the movie version of “The Martian” was tighter and even more fun than the (very good) book on which it was based. Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies were extremely well done, and great adaptations of the plots and characters of the books. The books have another element, let’s call it “poetic” that’s not as well covered by the movies. That is, actual poetry, singing, much use of the Elven languages, more on the history, etc. And Tom Bombadil. For the poetic stuff, you had best go to the books. I think some people find the poetic aspects so vital to them that they don’t like the movies so much. I just say I like both for different reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken_1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/65 "2019-08-26T19:09:47Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Any song written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan. Most notable example: “All along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix. Even Bob says so. ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/66 "2019-08-27T20:03:50Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Pit me if you must, but the film _Battlefield Earth_ was an improvement on the book of the same name. I’m not saying it was good, mind you, just gooder. The book at least contained a helping of honest satire, and a good romping adventure if you were willing to switch of your mind while reading it. Completely. And never think too deeply about it. The movie \.// the movie was jus… \ The mo. vie. waaaaas… “Cleanup in aisle 4, and someone call the paramedics. Looks like he’s having an epiliptic fit!” ---
**Author:** ![bionic\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@bionic\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bionic_man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/67 "2019-08-27T22:55:51Z")
Rod Sterling"s screenplay of Planet of the apes IS Better then the book./ ---
**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/68 "2019-08-27T23:00:57Z")
“Chandelier” by Postmodern Jukebox ft. Puddles Pity Party is better than Sia’s original. I’m a little surprised at the “Hazy Shade” opinions, but I admit the Bangles’ version is very good. Music is kinda low-hanging fruit, though. I have a soft spot for the original 1980s _DuckTales_, but the new series may just be better. I can think of a number of movies (mostly Disney Animated Classics) that are almost certain to be better than their source material, though I haven’t personally read the originals. Same with _Airplane!_ and _Zero Hour!_, but I doubt I could find anyone who thinks the original is the better version. Powers &8^] ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/69 "2019-08-28T02:23:37Z")
The 1975 reboot of the X-Men was better than the original 1963 series. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/70 "2019-08-28T04:05:25Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > IMHO, _The Hunt for Red October_. John McTiernan and the screenwriters did a great job tightening up Clancy’s tediousness. Agreed, and I’d add the movie version of _Patriot Games_ to that, too. > [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > I know I’ll get bashed for saying this, but I think the Coen Brothers’ version of _True Grit_ is arguably better than the 1969 Henry Hathaway film. > > But they’re both very good westerns. Yep. > [@CalMeacham](#): > > Peter Jackson’s **Lord of the Rings** trilogy is much better than Ralph Bakshi’s carton version (and the Rankin-Bass _Return of the King_)… Definitely! > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > …I’d argue that Brendan Fraser’s **The Mummy** is the superior version. Likewise. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > …The book \*Rebecca \*by Daphne duMaurier was okay, but the Hitchcock film tightened up the plot timeline, got rid of some extraneous characters (and one too many dogs), trimmed out some unnecessary detours, and just streamlined the whole thing into a very good movie… Now there, I’ll have to disagree with you. The book is a masterpiece, and the movie, while good, just isn’t in the same league IMHO. > [@Limmin](#): > > Blade Runner (esp. the director’s cut) was deeper, creepier and generally more awesome than the story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” on which it was based. > > Similarly, the movie version of “The Martian” was tighter and even more fun than the (very good) book on which it was based… Also agreed. I will add: The American remake of _The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo_ is better than both the book and the first Swedish film adaptation. The movie _Cold Mountain_ is quite a bit better than the book. _Manhunter_ isn’t as good as its remake, _Red Dragon_, which was generally truer to the book. ---
**Author:** ![2ManyTacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3da27b/32.png) [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/71 "2019-08-29T01:47:05Z")
The 1999 remake of House on Haunted Hill is miles better than the 1959 William Castle original, which IMO is trash. Now, I know that most people would probably argue that neither film is objectively “good,” but I saw the former version as a kid with my parents and to date it was one of the best “experiences” I’ve ever had watching a movie, so I will always love that version. The direct-to-video sequel Return to House on Haunted Hill is terrible, however. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/72 "2019-08-29T02:24:45Z")
wow i must be the only one that thought for early 80s sci fi the book was pretty good and didnt think the movie was too horrible and wish they’d make a part 2 to finish it (Travolta was horribly miscast tho Keith David should of had the role ) ---
**Author:** ![uncle\_squeegee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5e925/32.png) [@uncle\_squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uncle_squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/73 "2019-08-29T04:07:53Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > IMHO, _The Hunt for Red October_. John McTiernan and the screenwriters did a great job tightening up Clancy’s tediousness. I feel the same way about _Patriot Games_. ---
**Author:** ![uncle\_squeegee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5e925/32.png) [@uncle\_squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uncle_squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/74 "2019-08-29T04:12:53Z")
Devo’s cover of _Satisfaction_. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/75 "2019-08-29T14:24:26Z")
> [@uncle\_squeegee](#): > > I feel the same way about _Patriot Games_. See post 70. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/76 "2019-08-29T14:39:47Z")
> [@uncle\_squeegee](#): > > Devo’s cover of _Satisfaction_. OK? You are probably in the minority on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/77 "2019-08-31T08:23:55Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > I know I’ll get bashed for saying this, but I think the Coen Brothers’ version of _True Grit_ is arguably better than the 1969 Henry Hathaway film. I think you are right, The Coen’s version is far superior and mainly due to the attention to dialogue, which shouldn’t surprise us…oh, and Roger Deakins. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/78 "2019-08-31T13:42:12Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Battlestar Galactica So say we all! ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/79 "2019-08-31T14:22:56Z")
> [@uncle\_squeegee](#): > > I feel the same way about _Patriot Games_. Totally agree. The book sucked. Clancy took an analyst with guts and little training from the first book and turned him into an action hero in the second. The scene when Ryan is giving Prince Charles advice on courage is just eye-rollingly bad. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/80 "2019-08-31T19:41:09Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > My father could spend hours arguing with himself about which one was better: [Ball of Fire](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033373/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1) or [A Song Is Born](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040820/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_23). > The original had the pluses of Barbara Stanwyck, Barbara Stanwyck and Barbara Stanwyck, plus that guy Cooper doesn’t do a bad job either (but is not as pleasing to look at as Ms. Stanwyck). The remake had the pluses of having reused a lot of the same cast (but not Ms. Stanwyck), of musical numbers (it’s a good thing nobody informed my Dad that liking musicals made him gay, as he would have been terribly surprised) and of being in color so you get to enjoy Virginia Mayo in full Technicolor. > > Often he’d just watch them back to back. Dude was just such a movie nerd… _Ball of Fire_ for the win! I adore Barbara Stanwyck (she also looked a LOT like mom at that age). She made the movie. I’m not a huge Gary Cooper fan, but I agree…he wasn’t bad here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115.md?page=5)