Originally Posted by
tableplay
The new version of Nightmare Alley - the movie takes on deeper meaning for those of us on the margins (hits very close to home for anyone that has felt dead-ended, marginalized or utterly alone at some point(s) in their life) and it will be easy for me to remember this movie in detail without having to watch it again . . . . Maybe the original version also had those qualities. With regard to the new version - it actually makes me wonder if the writer had personal experiences with dead-endedness. If not they are truly a genius.
I think if you ever have the time and nothing else to watch you should watch the original version since its free on YouTube anyways.
Basically the same story but I think the original story flows better and develops the characters more as they focus on them and the story more so than long winded speeches like the new version.
Both versions conclude with the same clichéd message in the end I just feel that the original black and white version does it better.
You have to give the original more points on the sheer fact that this story was more edgy to tell on the big screen in 1947 compared to 2021.
Since I viewed the original first I was able to easily fill in the gaps that the new version left out.
I was hoping for some new inventive twist at the end but was disappointed.
Obviously, the new version was going for a more dark dramatic approach with the music and cinematography.
But I think it fails in comparison to the story telling of the original which gives us plenty of darkness without the bells and whistles.
Usually the Black and White version wins out when compared to more modern versions but this isn't always the case.
One movie that we recently discussed was Sorcerer 1977 and that movie clearly crushes its original rival The Wages of Fear 1953.
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