What a difference a couple of decades makes. In the 22 years between when Alfred Hitchcock released his "first draft" of The Man Who Knew Too Much and when he rolled out the far superior version, technology (and the director's own craftsmanship) had improved dramatically. The second iteration is different in nearly every way, with only the basic plot structure from the first remaining intact. This was done intentionally, as Hitchcock hadn't wanted to remake the movie, but did so out of a contractual obligation. So he made sure the new screenwriter created something entirely unfamiliar to audiences. It worked, and the 1956 version has gone down as one of Hitchcock's defining films. He used the ample budget to create lush scenery and impeccable performances from two A-list actors. Hitchcock later admitted the original left something to be desired, reportedly saying "The first version is the work of a talented amateur and the second was made by a professional."
