The Remake: Al Pacino delivers an incredible, Oscar-winning performance in this highly entertaining and affecting drama about a blind, retired Army officer (Pacino) and the young man (Chris O'Donnell) he takes under his wing. It unarguably runs too long at 156 minutes, but as an acting showcase, it just might be Pacino's finest hour. The Original: The classic drama is a remake of the 1974 Italian film of the same name, which is itself an adaptation of Giovanni Arpino's 1969 story. The original may not be as recognised as the Pacino version, but it's acclaimed in its own right: lead actor Vittorio Gassman won the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actor award, and at the 1976 Oscars, it was nominated for Best Foreign Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. The original movie is less sentimental and hard-edged than the remake, while Gassman gives a less over-the-top performance compared to Pacino, while largely retaining the same shell plot. It's also almost an hour shorter than the remake, which is a big plus. Which One Is Better?: This one really depends on what you want out of a movie, because they're both held in a high regard. The original hasn't aged all that well but the acting is sublime, whereas the Hollywood remake is more provocative and melodramatic. Or better yet, just watch both.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
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