ALFIE (1966 vs. 2004)
Which is the prefered? I watched both of them back to back, not having previously seen them. My favorite of the two is the remake
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Nail. Hammer. Head. Alfie 2004 was feminist revisionism.
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MovieChat Forums > Alfie (2004) Discussion > ALFIE (1966 vs. 2004)
The Michael Caine Version, I felt was far superior.
share1966 of course. The remake is very blah, not even Jude can save it.
It's a mooooooooooooooovie!
The remake was unremarkable.
Remakes should add something. Be more or be different. It shouldn't be made just because the latest Hollywood star signed on. It took away anything contraversial from the orignial, and splash on a whole lot of flash. Meaningless tripe.
2004 Version ALL THE WAY, JUDE Is So AMAZING in This Movie, Old One Wasw Ok, But Did'nt Have The Essence Of The New One !
So My Pick The 2004 Version !
I think the 1966 version is better. I like the twist on Annie that Sienna Miller brings - making her into a crazy party girl instead of a shy, love lorn girl (although that red headed actress is stunning in the original).
Perhaps it is the 1960s feel of the original, but I think it is just a lot more poignant than the remake. Both are pretty good, though.
I like both, I love both. I'm one of those rare people that loved the 2004 version to pieces.
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Just a bit of trivia...that "red-headed actress" was Jane Asher, Paul McCartney's girlfriend at the time. In Michael Caine's autobiography, he says that Paul insisted that a shirt (and supposedly, wearing nothing else) that she had on in a scene, be lengthened for modesty's sake. Apparently, it was, nobody being able to say no to a Beatle.
shareI like film, movies and good storytelling. There's no doubt in my mind that the original version is the superior film BUT I just prefer the remake. It's a guilty pleasure. It helps that I'm a Jude Law fan, but it's also lighter, breezier and more fun.
Shallow, I know; I like the clothes, the style, the music and just find it more entertaining. The Michael Caine version is a rather dour affair in comparison. I can admire its craft, the slow reveal of Alfie's weaknesses and the way it's a critical and yet compassionate character study... all that, but it's pretty grim viewing. If I want simple entertainment, I'd rather watch the Jude Law version. The only times I don't enjoy it is when I get frustrated seeing the glimpses of a better film in there that were never fully realised.
hated the remake loved the original
share1966. No question.
shareI just saw the 2004 version and will see the 1966 one later this week because I rented it through Netflix. I always like to see the original whenever there's a remake. Never saw either one. People always seem to like which everone they saw 1st better. I'll see if that's the case with me.
I liked Jude in this..can't think of an actor that would have done a better job. I'll have to see how he fans against Michael Cain who is great in his own right. The 2004 version sounds to be more of light comedic..in todays terms..Romantic comedey.
Ok.. I just saw the 1966 version and I have to go with the 2004 version! The 1st Alfie was more cold hearted and belittling of the women IMO! He talked to them any kind of way and referred to them as birds and 'it's'..things and not real people! In the 2nd Alfie though he was a play boy.. he didn't insult the women.
In the 1st one I didn't like how he enpregnant the sick man's wife ..taking advantage of her the making her have the abortion! Then stealing the young girl from the other guy ..only to end up treating her like crap once he got her..referring to her as an 'it'! His punishment in the end didn't even fit his crime! his punishment should have been much more harsh!
In the 2nd Alfie he didn't do any of that degrading stuff. I guess it's the difference in the 'times'! The women in the 2nd version at least spoke up to him.
i felt that the 1966 version was far more realistic, in the end of the '04 version alfie has like this huge a-ha moment and feels that what he has been doing all along was wrong to these girls, and the i got the sense that he was interested in changing...in the 1966 version alfie definitely mulls over a few things that happened the good times and the bad, but it's not life altering which in my opinion is more realistic and therefore better...girls you'd be kidding yourself to think that guys change like that, doesn't happen...well usually especially if you're tagging fine chicks like alfie was in the '04 version
share"Awww... It's in love!"
shareThe remake is surprisingly good. The cinematography is wonderful, the color, lighting, and camera movements are very artistic. In fact, it seems much more pop-arty and like swinging London than the original. Jude Law is wonderfully scoundrel-esque.
I agree with the comment in this thread that the original is very dismal, and so achingly sexist that it can barely be tolerated. The technique of the character speaking to the camera, big in English drama at the time, is very overused to little effect, except for the novelty. And the sudden slapstick of the bar fight scene is jarringly stagey and off-putting, considering the sad, brutal realism of the rest of the movie.
I prefer 1966's version, it touches my heart. I almost fell asleep while seeing 2004's.
It is interesting to see Michael Caine's image at the end credit of 2004's version, which has very similar styles as 1966's.