Although both movies are based on the original novel by James Hilton (of "Lost Horizon" fame) they are, as is any movie (or other type re-creation) the creation of the directors, actors and sundry human ingredients attempting to re-tell the original storyteller's tale in a different medium, in this case, sight & sound, as well as what the moneybackers think they can deliver to a paying public at the moment of release.
I really find it quite ridiculous for peops to drum this version is better over that. These are 2 different attempts at telling the same story in 2 very different audience settings. I don't think retelling the 1939 attempt 60 years later in the same way would have tugged as many people's hearts as this one did.
One likes whatever version one likes and there is no accounting for taste, whether we like it or not.
The 1939 version, 5 years after the novel's publication, is not a musical and is not trying to convey the easy-going romance of the 1969 version, but it is truer to the 'form' of Mr Hilton's story. ( I do wonder what Mr Hilton really thought of his novel-turned-to-cinema, though I suspect he relished it since he was of that busy Hollywood novelist-screenwriters cadre back then. )
However, if you want true allegiance to the original story then watch the Oscar award-winning Donat 1939 version. But if you want to experience a lighthearted romance with wonderful singing and delightful acting (from the major actors and some of the minor) wonderfully using the GMC story as a solid base then you just might enjoy this 1969 version.
By the way, the 1969 GMC was one of the last big musicals to come across the moviehouse scene.
I detested musicals way back then. Still pretty much do. (In fact I only like this GMC and the Oscar winning "Oliver", coming out the same year.) But I took my date to see this one in one of my most kindlier moments as a 'know-it-all' college student then. But it turned out we both loved what this movie offered, and all experienced in a grand old large movie hall (few of those left also).
We received a program, if you can believe it, and I purchased the soundtrack later as keepsake for my date.
Not likely to see that kind of production anymore these days.
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