10 American remakes that are as good as their international counterparts
While not always cast, there are actually plenty of American remakes that are just as good as the international films they're based on.
CODA has taken the world by storm and won the Academy Award for Best Picture last year. However, by now all viewers probably know that this is actually an American remake of an international film, a Belgian-French production called La Famille Bélier.
In fact, there are many excellent examples of American remakes that somehow manage to be as good as their international originals. These types of films are able to capture something of the source text while also leaving an undeniable imprint on the original story.
The Birdcage (1996)
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For many, The Birdcage's place in history makes it one of the best LGBTQ+ movies of all time. The film follows a gay couple, Armand (Robin Williams) and Albert (Nathan Lane), as they try to impress their son's fiancée's conservative Republican parents. Through the zany lives of straight people.
Of course, this is a remake of the classic French farce La Cage Aux Folles, and the story told is essentially the same. Known for its broad range of humor, the French version leans toward slapstick, sometimes with a little edge that the American version usually lacks. there is one The warmth of The Birdcage keeps it going at almost 20 years old. These are characters that people are invited to love and, just as importantly, to laugh with instead of being laughed at by them.
Insomnia (2002)
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Already regarded as one of Christopher Nolan's best films, Insomnia is also remarkable for forging its own path while staying true to the original. As audiences know, the original is a brooding and sinister film noir that delves into the complex and painful psychology of its protagonist. Among other things, the American version was notable for strong performances from Al Pacino and Robin Williams.
The film is one of Williams' best dramatic performances. As always, he makes Walter Finch an evil man, certainly evil, but fundamentally, perhaps even tragically, human.
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
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The Magnificent Seven is one of those films that helped set the standard for American remakes internationally. A remake of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai film, it succeeds because it is able to evoke its source material while also forging its own path. this The original film is a true masterpiece of filmmaking, filled with rich characters, breathtaking action sequences and well-developed characters.
As such, the film has a reputation as one of the best Westerns ever made. It's also an embarrassment of fortune in terms of a cast that includes screen titans like Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Robert Vaughn, and it deftly shifts the original's Japanese setting into the rough world of the American West.
Twelve Monkeys (1996)
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As most of you know, " Twelve Monkeys, based on the short film La Jetée, tells the story of a man who tries to travel back in time to prevent a terrible plague from wreaking havoc on the planet and bringing civilization to its knees. What's especially striking about this adaptation is the extent to which it captures the basic framework of the original story, while also fleshing it out in a few key areas. While the short is largely composed of still images—which give the story a haunting and staccato sparseness—the American remake is more of a traditional sci-fi thriller.
In particular, the film is notable for its villain played by Brad Pitt. He is both charismatic and deeply disturbing, providing a powerful foil to Bruce Willis' hero.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
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Billy Wilder is considered one of the best directors of classic Hollywood. Those films include "Some Like It Hot," which focuses on a pair of musicians who dress up as women to avoid being killed by mobsters. In the years since its release, it has truly become a classic of its own.
Few people realize that it is actually a remake of the German film Fanfares of Love, which contains many of the same plot elements as the American film, but lacks the punch and dazzling dialogue. In fact, Wilde's version offers all the snappy words one would expect from the acclaimed director, along with live performances from Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe.
Victor/Victoria (1982)
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Victor/Victoria is a fascinating film, not least because it reveals how the categories of sex and gender are constructed and malleable. It tells the story of a woman who dresses up as a man and a woman, and it's hilarious and very funny at the same time.
More notably is a remake of the 1933 German film "Victor and Victoria", which has all the transgressive and funny elements expected from a film of this particular period of German filmmaking. Given the stellar performances of the cast, especially Julie Andrews, this is a genre of film that can stand on its own that retains the power to make audiences laugh.
The Ring (2002)
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The Ring has become one of the best horror movies of the 2000s. Somehow, it managed to generate the idea of the cursed videotape, which took the life of anyone who watched it, was deeply, viscerally disturbing, and has the power to scare even today.
Obviously, the film owes much of its plot to its Japanese predecessor, which is excellent at distilling many of the anxieties that permeated the discourse of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, especially regarding humanity's relationship to technology. What makes it work in its own way, however, is its tense atmosphere — which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout — and a truly inspiring performance by Naomi Watts.
Funny Games (2007)
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In both the Austrian and American editions, Funny Games is Truly disturbing and scary movie. Focusing on a pair of young men who take their family hostage and terrorize and torture them, it's the kind of film that goes deep into the audience's heart and stays there.
The American version was successful in part because it was directed by the Austrian version's Michael Haneke. The remake, in particular, forces viewers to confront their own accomplices in order to enjoy the horror genre currently on offer. If anything, the nihilism is more pronounced in the original, which is really disturbing to watch.
Gaslight (1944)
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The 1944 version of Gaslight is a true cinematic masterpiece. With its gorgeous set design, powerful performances and George Cukor's steadfast direction, it still delivers all the fun associated with classic Hollywood films even now.
However, even its most ardent fans may not realize that it is a remake of a European film of the same name made in the UK, which is actually closer to the original book on which all the various adaptations are based. Cukor Films retains its ability Chill, its story of a man determined to drive his wife crazy makes more sense than it did when it was released.
Three Men And A Baby (1987)
Stream On Disney+
Three Men and a Baby is one of the movies of the 1980s and remains one of the best comedies of that era. It tells the story of three men learning about the risks and rewards of parenting, sometimes surprisingly movingly.
Its basic story is based on the French film "Three Men and a Cradle", released a few years ago, which has an equally broad sense of humor. There's undeniable chemistry between the three leading men, and it's their banter that really helps anchor the film and ensures it's still considered one of the best American remakes.
