MovieChat Forums > Gambit (1967) Discussion > Remake horror!?

Remake horror!?

posted 16 years ago by ownsomething
20 replies | jump to latest

Having watched Gambit again i thought i'd take a look at the IMDB details. Imagine my horror when i read about a remake AND involving the Cohen brothers!

The Cohen's produced one of the all time worst remakes with The Ladykillers, and I can't believe they would have the audacity at producing another film version of Gambit when there's nothing wrong with the first film. Are the Cohen's truly dried up for new writing? They've made some very good original films in the past. why do they want to make another Gambit?

I feel sorry for Michael Caine. Having seen at least four of his films remade (The Italian Job, Get Carter, Alfie and Seluth) he must be wondering why there has been a need to remake some of his best his work. I know sincerity is the best form of flattery but Mr Caine must feel a little anoyed. When recently interviewed about the new Seluth he seemed not to mind (even with a starring role and a total script change), but let's not forget Mr Caine is a very good actor.

Certainly Mr Caine can pick a good script and i'm sure it's one reason why filmakers feel the need to "hav' a go themselves". I, on the other hand, like the originals and will keep on watching only them.

Can anyone honestly say that the remakes are better or even interesting?

[–] brockie77 16 years ago

I totally agree with everything you say. Sadly, the Coen's who once showed so much potential appear to have lost it.

First they 'sell out' by hiring tired Hollywood 'A-list' actors, then they decide to do re-makes that don't need to be made.

They are quickly losing any credibility they once had...and I used to be a huge fan. Very sad state of affairs.

[–] ownsomething 16 years ago

It's good to hear someone else feels the same.

I have a history of day dreaming...

[–] dathaler 16 years ago

Console yourself with the fact that sooner or later, someone's gonna remake one of THEIR original films like "Fargo", "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" or "The Hudsucker Proxy." Then there'll be a new generation of people outraged at that idea.

Personally, I wouldn't go see any film with Aniston given her track record thus far, but I give her props for wanting to follow in MacLaine's footsteps. Too bad the shoes are too big (metaphorically speaking) and she'll land flat on her face tryin' to walk in 'em.

Besides, who's gonna wanna steal a statue with Aniston's nose?

[–] ownsomething 16 years ago

I'm going to have to eat a little humble pie here since the Cohen's have won a Golden Globe for there latest film but I will still stick to my disapointment with their remake choices. I never thought about the idea that a remake of their work could be on the cards sometime in the future. I rather like the idea...

I have a history of day dreaming...

[–] FrameXFrame 16 years ago

I agree that no one should remake this. And the Cohens need to go back to doing original scripts. Their remake of "Ladykillers" was a travesty.

[–] FrameXFrame 16 years ago

I agree that no one should remake this. And the Cohens need to go back to doing original scripts. Their remake of "Ladykillers" was a travesty.

[–] ed_metal_head 16 years ago

I somewhat disagree. I'm opposed to remaking classics, but 'Gambit' isn't exactly Casablanca. To me it was just a very entertaining heist movie. And let's not forget that there are also good remakes: Ben-Hur, Ocean's 11 and The Departed are some examples.

I agree that The Ladykillers was a pretty poor remake, but given the strength of the Coen's other efforts I'm prepared to excuse that and give them another shot at a remake. Besides, they aren't (currently) even slated to direct or "produce"...they just wrote the script.

Adversus solem ne loquitor

[–] lotsofwordz 11 years ago

Ocean's 11 was a GOOD remake? ROFLMAO.

I cannot think of ANY remake of a 1960s/1970s classic (and Caine/Maclaine's Gambit IS a classic) that isn't a complete doodoo.

Cameron Diaz? Cameron DIAZ?????!!!!!!!

Good grief.

[–] evolume 16 years ago

Remake of The Itallian Job is better than the original. The original is convoluted and boring offering little beyond the end caper/chase scene. The remake, though very different in a lot of ways, is at least entertaining all the way through.

[–] shushens 13 years ago

The Italian Job is not a remake. The name of the film and the names of a few characters are same, but the two films have absolutely nothing else in common. It is pretty much like two different heist films having the same name as a coincidence. Other than Wicker Park, which is a remake of the French disaster (and much critically acclaimed, I might add) named L'Appartment, I can't think of any other remake that's better than the original.

It does not require a film to be Casablanca to stand the test of time. There was a certain flavour in those films that men of 21st Century cannot seem to recreate. It is that flavour that makes those films special, not just the quality of acting or the story.

[–] Rick-34 12 years ago

If The Italian Job is not a remake, then The Ladykillers is not a remake.

Where does one draw the line?

As for the Coen brothers, they did a pretty good job remaking True Grit.

[–] Thetruthisinhere 11 years ago

you miss the point of remakes. It is not about recreating the flavour of those films,it is the exact opposite which is the goal with remakes. It is the rehsaping and giving it a NEW flavor,for a NEW generation of people. What makes the originals special are their own unique flavor,and making just another movie with the same flavor is pointless. To make a NEW flavor for a NEW generation,or even for the same generation who can appreciate the remake in its own unique way,that is the point.

[–] waxdart 11 years ago

What.....?!!!

[–] lotsofwordz 11 years ago

Better than the original?

LOL.

The original has style, with effortlessly charismatic actors.

The remake is a pile of &^$&^%^&.

[–] hall3145 13 years ago

I agree that the recent remakes of the Michael Caine classics are total wastes of time & effort, not to mention money. And, as a general rule, I am not in favor of remakes of any film, classic or not.

However, there are exceptions, and I thought the Coen brothers did an excellent job on last year's "True Grit". I saw the John Wayne original in the theaters in 1969, and enjoyed it then; but I much prefer the remake. Not everything is better, but on the whole, the remake's story and characters are more satisfying, and certainly more faithful to the Charles Portis novel.

With regard to "Gambit", I'll just have to wait and see. The Coens could provide an excellent script, only to have the pic ruined by poor casting or direction. And at the risk of losing any cred at all, I am going to confess to enjoying the Coen's version of "The Ladykillers". No, it is not the classic that the Alec Guinness original is, and it certainly did not need to be remade, but -on its own- I thought it was pretty clever and amusing.

[–] smithhedgehog 12 years ago

The only time a remake is justified is when the original had a great screenplay but for some reason the execution went awry in production - ie, it's ok to make failed masterpieces

[–] Cal Hawks 12 years ago

It's interesting how things have gone since this thread was started. People were complaining about how the Coens had sold out and didn't make good movies anymore. They have since went on to make one of the best movies they've ever done and later did one of the best remakes of all time.

I also disagree with the hate The Ladykillers got. Though to be fair, were it not for Tom Hanks I would likely agree 100%.

Anyway. I have no feelings one way or the other about remakes. Many are poor, but the ones that are great make them all worth it in my mind. Also, Colin Firth should do well in the role of Harry.

[–] 12 years ago

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