MovieChat Forums > Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) Discussion > '68 Version is Wonderful !

'68 Version is Wonderful !

posted 15 years ago by plwblj
4 replies | jump to latest

SPECIFICALLY,THE '39 version is really quite different from the 1968 one.

There is charm and warmth in the Donat film and i would not take a whit away from this original classic;

However the '68 film which is a musical is one of a different stripe.Essentially there is the core story but this one certainly has more of a contemporary feel.Aside from the colour,O'Toole's acting is commendable and perhaps more intense.Petula Clark is sympatico and frisky and quite a contrast from Garson's.

As a musical,this '68 piece works just fine...and is rather fun...it injects some real frolicking moments.
The visuals are striking : some nice scenes in Greece for example.

I think Sir Michael Redgraves does a nice turn as the headmaster.
That being said,i think the pacing,at times,suffers,but this is not a major point.

All in all,a quaint diversionary exercise,with Clark and O'Toole,COMPLEMENTING each other splendidly >

[–] g_dekok 15 years ago

I cannot abide the dumb musical version; it takes away from the lovely story of the REAL version, with Robert Donat and Greer Garson. It's more intense, the viewer has to actually follow along instead of hearing a musical,and in the REAL version, the boy who plays four different roles does a marvelous job of continuity.

[–] swlabr 7 years ago

Totally agree with you! The remake was awful.

[–] fnj-07126 7 years ago

Sorry; no, it isn't.

[–] joystar5879 7 years ago

The 1968 version SMELLED. I've loved the story for almost 50 years,and the film ever since I first saw it on TV. To see it turned into a musical vehicle for a Pop Star was an atrocity. Petula Clark was a lovely singer, and very enjoyable, but Kathie Ellis Chipping she was NOT.

That being out of the way, there IS a enthusiastic board here for the musical version, that appears to be quite enjoyable.

I do hope he won't upset Henry...