# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/81 "2019-08-31T19:55:04Z")
The Ten Commandments. The first part of the silent film is excellent, the second half is blah. The remake is a perfect film from beginning to end. Ben Hur. This is a tough one, this silent film is excellent but the color talking version is just mind blowing. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/82 "2019-09-02T02:24:29Z")
I think the Harve Bennett/Nicholas Meyer reimagining of Star Trek for _STII-TWOK_ drastically improved the direction of the overall film-franchise/series, even if certain follow-on movies and TV shows couldn’t live up to it. I also think _Deep Space 9_ was far superior to _TNG_ and _Voyager_, due to the dark, twisty, sometimes morally compromised storylines. ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/83 "2019-09-02T02:38:16Z")
Normally you can’t go wrong with early-period Joni Mitchell, but her original version of **Both Sides Now** is surprisingly flat compared to the cover version by Judy Collins (or Anne Murray) ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/84 "2019-09-03T16:01:03Z")
I’m probably get creamed for this, but I think the 2016 version of **The Magnificent Seven"** better than the original 1960 version. (I haven’t seen **The Seven Samurai**.) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/85 "2019-09-03T16:16:56Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Perhaps you were thinking of _Istanbul (Not Constantinople)_ which was a novelty song from the 50s. The 1990 version by They Might Be Giants is far, far better than the 1953 original\*. **Victor/Victoria** - I haven’t read the book or seen the German original but I have seen the 1935 English language remake _First A Girl_. It’s better than you might think, given the topic and the time, but the Julie Andrews version is much better. I know others here disagree, but I thought the film **The Razor’s Edge** was better than the book despite Bill Murray’s dreadful star turn, in that the film cut out Maugham’s tediously pretentious narrator. \*Fun fact: 1953 was the 500th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/86 "2019-09-03T16:57:57Z")
Stanley Kubrick’s **Lolita** was a live-action dirty joke, with a full-fledged teenager cast as Dolores, no acknowledgement of Humbert’s backstory, and generally rushed through. Adrian Lyne’s **Lolita** had a gawky tween accurately portraying Dolores, included a flashback explaining Humbert’s arrested development, and was much better paced than SK’s version. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/87 "2019-09-03T17:41:26Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I know others here disagree, but I thought the film **The Razor’s Edge** was better than the book despite Bill Murray’s dreadful star turn, in that the film cut out Maugham’s tediously pretentious narrator. I’ve seen the Tyrone Power version, but not the Bill Murray version. Anyone have an opinion as to which film is better? ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/88 "2019-09-03T21:05:37Z")
The Creedence Clearwater Revival version of I Heard It Through the Grapevine is superior to Marvin Gayes’ version (which may be superior to the Glady Knight and the Pips version – I’m not very familiar with that one). OTOH the Ike and Tina Turner version of Proud Mary is superior to the CCR version. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/89 "2019-09-03T21:12:34Z")
Stephen King published a book called Different Seasons that was a compilation of four novellas. I’ve seen only 2 of the movies, but they both (The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me) were better than the novellas. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/90 "2019-09-04T11:08:23Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Stephen King published a book called Different Seasons that was a compilation of four novellas. > > I’ve seen only 2 of the movies, but they both (The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me) were better than the novellas. [Apt Pupil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apt_Pupil_(film)) was a bit uneven but the acting from the two leads was excellent. Call it a draw between the film and the book. The Breathing Method hasn’t had a film yet but apparently there’s one due for nexts year. IMHO it was the weakest story of the four and I’m not sure how they’re going to make a feature-length film out of it. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/91 "2019-09-04T12:42:43Z")
I shudder to say this, but I enjoy Nirvana’s version of _The Man Who Sold the World_ more than David Bowie’s (at least the MTV concert version). And I’m sorry, Kate Bush, but Pat Benatar did _Wuthering Heights_ much better.It’s just a touch out of your vocal range :o. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/92 "2019-09-04T13:22:44Z")
The 1940 film version of _Gaslight_ is good, but the 1944 version with Ingrid Bergman is great. Both are based on a stage play _Gas Light_ that I’ve never seen or read. I could barely finish the English translation of Pasternak’s _Doctor Zhivago_. It was confusing and not very interesting. Maybe the original Russian is better, but I don’t read Russian. The David Lean movie, however, is great. The films _Planet of the Apes_ (already mentioned) and _Bridge on the River Kwai_ are improvements over the novels by Pierre Boule. I’ve read both novels both in translation and part of Bridge in the original French. They’re not bad but the movies are better. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/93 "2019-09-04T13:39:45Z")
Nobody has put on a good stage show of Jesus Christ Superstar. I’m beginning to think that’s not even possible. But Norman Jewison’s movie is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/94 "2019-09-04T13:47:52Z")
The TV-movie made from Mark Twain’s **Puddin’head Wilson** was, I think , better than the novel. And I’m a big fan of Twain. > **["American Playhouse" Pudd'nhead Wilson (TV Episode 1984) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087954/)** > > Pudd'nhead Wilson: Directed by Alan Bridges. With Lise Hilboldt, Ken Howard, James Pritchett, Dick Latessa. A slave switches her light-skinned baby with her master's baby. The child grows up raised by whites. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/95 "2019-09-04T15:09:49Z")
Frank Darabont’s version of, “The Blob,” is light-years more fun than the Jello-poured-across-a-picture-of-a-diner version. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/96 "2019-09-04T16:12:00Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I shudder to say this, but I enjoy Nirvana’s version of _The Man Who Sold the World_ more than David Bowie’s (at least the MTV concert version). I would agree. In a similar vein, _Wild Is The Wind_ was written for Johnny Mathis who had a huge hit with it, and then recorded (twice) by Nina Simone, but it’s Bowie’s version (inspired by Simone’s) that absolutely tops them all. In a “cover by the same band” example, I much prefer the acoustic version of _Creep_ to Radiohead’s original. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/97 "2019-09-04T16:19:45Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > The Ten Commandments. [Best version of all.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13yFXim3PwU) ---
**Author:** ![Flip\_Pancake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f1d935/32.png) [@Flip\_Pancake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flip_Pancake)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/98 "2019-09-05T15:56:22Z")
Agree with Coens’ _True Grit_. Joe Cocker’s version of _With a Little Help From My Friends_ \> The Beatles’ original. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/99 "2019-09-05T16:26:55Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > I’m probably get creamed for this, but I think the 2016 version of **The Magnificent Seven"** better than the original 1960 version. > > (I haven’t seen **The Seven Samurai**.) Consider yourself creamed. Heretic. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115/100 "2019-09-05T16:29:31Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > I think the Harve Bennett/Nicholas Meyer reimagining of Star Trek for _STII-TWOK_ drastically improved the direction of the overall film-franchise/series, even if certain follow-on movies and TV shows couldn’t live up to it. Yes. My mind was blown, upon seeing ST2 - TWOK back when it came out (1982?). I even bought the vinyl record album of the soundtrack. I had long been a fan of ST-TOS and had seen “The Motion Picture.” But ST2 was something else entirely. Later on, I read something that rung true: ST2, with its heavy emphasis on emotion, style, color, battles etc. was Star Trek as space opera\* rather than science fiction. The TV versions continued being more like SF but the movies were henceforth more operatic. \*Space Opera…you know, like Star Wars in style (big, over the top events, heroic story lines, Wagnerian orchestral music…) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-a-remake-or-new-version-is-better-than-the-original/839115.md?page=4)