The Amazing Mr Blunden

As a child of the 1960's, the original film was like many a part of my childhood. Unfortunately, the remake is a pale shadow of the original.

Its puzzling to have seen ratings for the remake giving 10's and 8's - even the greatest Hollywood films in history never scored 10's.

Adapted almost scene for scene from the original but with pantomime villains and a loss of charm and mystery. Whilst the young actors do their best and Callow is an acceptable Blunden the move to modern perood detracts from the timelessness of the Lionel Jeffrey's version. Watch the original and give yourself a treat.

I really wanted to see this as I loved the original. However, although this was watchable and modern kids may like it, it didn't have the magic of the original.

I found that the script was almost identical to the original but the acting was poorer. I thought Mr Blunden was well cast and so was Sara. Mrs Wickens was OK as well and Bella. The rest, not so much. To be fair, Lynne Frederick would be a hard act to follow as was the original actress who played the mother. There was just something about the original family that was missing in this adaptation.

I didn't like the fact that it was set in modern times, except when the children went back to 1821. The original was set in the early part of the 20th century and there was a magic to the Xmas scenes even though they were poor. The original had atmosphere. This one didn't. There was nothing new about it other than setting it in modern times. It was also too PC. Casting for the sake of it rather than what would have been more appropriate.

Overall, this was simply a cheap, lazy copy with no originality. I recommend the original 1972 version and the book. I believe the original book is being released again. If it's still in it's original format that will be fine. If it's been edited to suit the PC agenda then I recommend getting an old copy from somewhere.

The Amazing Mr Blunden (2021)-

It starts off well, but then it becomes quite childish, but in a style from about ten years ago or possibly even longer as it has the same production values and ideals as TV films from my own childhood, which is not that recent.

Some of the characters are very pantomime and I don't think that was necessary. They are more enjoyable if they're realistic, especially when it isn't all of the cast. And actually they would have been more scary too.

The kids are ok and Simon Callow is obviously brilliant in his performance, although his character, Mr Blunden isn't really "Amazing", just guilty. A "Scrooge" that knew a spell.

There are similarities in the story to 'Lemony Snicket's Series Of Unfortunate Events' with bits of 'A Christmas Carol', 'Five Children And It, and the 'Narnia' stories, but it's definitely not executed anywhere near as well as these.

I wonder if it's true to the original book? I mean it was obviously not set in 2021, but I would be interested to know if the book has more incite as to why Mr Blunden might be amazing? (The book is actually called 'The Ghosts' though).

I wouldn't rush to watch it again, but might give it a second chance in years to come and maybe my mood might be more cheery and I may see something new that I missed on this first viewing, but I doubt it.

240.92/1000.

For people who want to watch 'The Amazing Mr Blunden' please stick to the original 1972 version.

This modern remake falls short of storyline, acting, atmosphere and direction. Please leave the originals alone, come up with your own stories for today's society!

What's wrong Movie companies/Directors? Running out of original ideas?

A totally out of place movie.