One film is a mesmerising surreal experience whereas the other is an unbelievable overacted ridiculous compilation of cliches. Surprisingly it's OUTWARD BOUND that's the better film.
Despite what some people have said, OUTWARD BOUND is nothing like a filmed stage play. It is hampered by being made using Warner's cumbersome restrictive Vitaphone system but apart from that it has a fantastically atmospheric almost dreamlike quality which is exactly what such a story needs.
BETWEEN TWO WORLDS' style is just wrong for this type of picture. Yes it's filmed better, the story and characters are more fully developed but by trying to make it realistic, normal and natural, the premise comes across as ridiculous. For this to work, it can't be realistic, it can only be credible within a mysterious dreamworld where everyone is acting really weirdly - like they do in the original.
The acting in the older film is purposefully strange - after all they've just discovered that they're dead. Considering that it was his first film, Leslie Howard is superb and strangely believable as the tortured, troubled soul. John Garfield playing the same role in the remake however seems to think he's in a New York gangster flick and his cynical 1940s hard-boiled reporter is one of the most clichéd performances I've ever seen. That's the other problem with the 'new' version: everyone is a stereotypical caricature. The baddies are over the top nasty, the lovers are sickeningly sweet and as for the 'comedy vicar'! Worst of all is Sara Allgood as a dear little old Irish lady - I feel sorry for Garfield - eternity in the fires of hell almost seem preferable to having to live with her for ever.
It's understandable why the story had to be changed for the remake. Attitudes had changed hugely since the 1920s so it would not have made sense for the 1940s young couple to kill themselves for the same reason as their earlier incarnations. Being made in the middle of the Second World War again influenced that film's mood. Death then was a familiar visitor to us then so one can understand the over sentimental approach which was particularly appealing to a war ravaged world.
Although OUTWARD BOUND is more interesting with its moody, slightly stoned feel, the somewhat hammy remake has one significant advantage - the perpetually lacklustre Helen Chandler is replaced by Eleanor Parker. Not only is she a million times better as an actress, she is stunningly beautiful and a pretty face really does make an imperfect film more watchable.
The theme of ferrying the dead through the final judgment to the afterlife was actually done much better in the excellent BBC tv show, LIFE ON MARS / ASHES TO ASHES but nevertheless it's fascinating to see how such a theme was presented in the past.
