Original vs. Remake: Cinderella

Welcome to another addition to my Original vs. Remake series. Today's comparison is between the original Cinderella, released in 1950 and starring Ilene Woods and Eleanor Audley, and the 2015 version with Lily James and Cate Blanchett. Both were done by Disney, if you didn't know and based off a French fairytale. Shall we see how they compare? Spoilers ahead for both movies.

Plot

Original- It follows the traditional Cinderella story, introducing Cinderella and her situation, then the whole thing with the ball. It's simple, but well done and the favorite of little girls for years.

Remake- This version also follows the traditional fairytale, but it adds layers to it that give it more depth. It includes more of a build-up to the stepmother making Cinderella a servant, and a few other things, but it keeps the heart of the story.

Characters

Original- Cinderella has been a role model for hundreds of years. She's kind, loving, and brave. The original captures all of that and she's animated beautifully. (Fun fact: The transformation shot in this movie was one of Walt Disney's favorites.)

The other characters are a little less fleshed out, but it's that way in the story too. We don't know why the stepmother is so evil or even the prince's name. But you have to love the king and the duke and of course, the mice and fairy godmother.

Remake- One of my favorite things about the 2015 version was the depth they gave to the characters. Cinderella especially. Lily James did an excellent job portraying her struggle to be kind and good while everyone around her was mean and cruel. She embodied the princess and brought her to life.

They also allowed us to see more of the evil stepmother and the prince. Lady Tremaine was a woman whose heart was broken and takes that out on Cinderella. Prince Kit was not only handsome, but actually had a personality. There were a lot of other great characters (the king and the prince's friend for example) but I won't go into all that there.

Setting

Original- The story is supposed to take place in a small kingdom similar to France, I think, since that's where it's from or a similar kingdom. You can't really tell that in either version, but it's not so much about the setting. The most memorable thing about the setting in the original film is the castle, which has become an icon for Disney.

Remake- The remake has quite a different feel to its setting. It feels a lot more like you could go back in time and find the little kingdom. The music and the costuming all add to that feel, although Lady Tremaine's outfits feel more 1950s and her daughters kind of Civil War. Also, it's cool how they used the live-action castle for the Disney castle.

Other

Original- Music: The songs are amazing in the original. So many classics. And they work well into the story.

Remake- Music: My biggest problem with the 2015 version is that they put all the songs in the credits. The only singing done in the movie is by Cinderella a few times. And Lily James has such a lovely voice too. I guess it probably wouldn't have worked as well to throw them in.

Which is better?

I don't think either rises above the other in this case. The old one is an enchanting classic and the new one has a depth the old one doesn't. 

Let's talk! Have you watched Cinderella? Which version do you like better? Tell me in the comments.

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Original vs. Remake: The Magnificent Seven
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