Why Try To Improve On Perfection?

[sandyRoe]

I'm thinking of two films, 'The history of Mr Polly'(1949) and Dr Zhivago(1965). Each in their own were perfect.
Mr Polly, starring John Mills, was a gentle British comedy, while Zhivago was a star studded spectacle.
They've both been remade. Why?

[Old_Geezer]

Because they're there ?

[maggiebee]

Remakes rarely live up to the original.

[Prudie]

Not those 2 films particularly but I would agree with several choices of my own (The Railway Children for example) however sadly I think younger people would find those old films boring and very dated. I think they remake them to draw in a newer generation who will prefer a modern version.

[naomi24]

I agree generally, but there are some exceptions to the rule. The new version of West Side Story is one, and although I haven’t seen the original All Quiet on the Western Front, I suspect the remake is better.

[sandyRoe]

I guess the stars from 1965 wouldn't mean much to cinema audiences of today.

[davebro]

I don't think I've seen a remake better than the original. Some say "True Grit" is but not to me it isn't.

[MissTerious2]

I would totally refuse to watch a new Dr Zhivago. Its the best film ever. Well, on a par with Schindlers List actually.

[MissTerious2]

Naomi, is the new West Side story on Netflix yet or anywhere else. I loved the old one but keep hearing how good the new one is. It's one of the very few musicals I like. I can't face cinemas!

[naomi24]

I doubt I could bring myself to watch a remake of Dr Zhivago either, lottie. There can only ever be one Dr Zhivago.

[youngmafbog]

Why?

Because the writer isnt capable of thinking up a good story I suspect.

Easier to bastardise someone elses and live of the back of their glory. Easier to sell too.

[naomi24]

I think it’s on Amazon Prime, lottie. It’s slightly different from the original and I wasn’t sure at first but by the end it really had taken my breath away. A beautiful, beautiful movie.

[MissTerious2]

Thanks Naomi. That's something to look forward to this weekend if it's on Prime.

[naomi24]

I hope you find it. I can’t remember where I watched it but it wasn’t Netflix. Now I’m wondering if it was Sky? Sorry lottie, I’m not being much help.

[naomi24]

Lottie, My husband has just checked and it’s available on sky store. That’s where I must have seen it.

[MissTerious2]

I'm not sure if we've got Sky. We have a Package deal with BT which does include some sky stuff.

[naomi24]

Check Amazon Prime, lottie.

[The Builder]

I think it's a case of putting a different interpretation on something, Sandy.
Take Grand Opera for instance. There was probably a good take on Mozart's Don Giovanni sometime in the past 250 years, and we could have left it there.
A good story will always be a good story. Every now and then someone comes up with a new way of telling it.
It doesn't mean the original being surpassed, just re-thought.
Davebro mentioned "True Grit". I love the original. I'll watch it anytime, but the Coen Brothers' remake was quite different, much truer to Charles Portis' book.
I'd gladly watch either version.

[andy-hughes]

I imagine that film makers look at old films and see strong storyline that they think will appeal to a new audience.

History demonstrating that they very very rarely see this notion play out in renake success, does not seem to deter them from still doing it, and still failing.

[ladybirder]

Oooo TB talking about opera. Made my day.

[The Builder]

Hiya Lady B.
Just like The Blues Brothers, I'm on a "mission from God" ;o)

Actually, there's another film where the remake/sequel wasn't as good as the original.