Two Movie Versions Of Funny Games

I spent the evening viewing the movies Funny Games (1998) and Funny Games (2007). It was interesting to compare these two movies directed by the same German director, Michael Haneke. The 1998 version was in German while the 2007 version was in English.

The story involves a married couple and their son who are spending their vacation at their lakeside home. What begins as a peaceful day is interrupted by a pair of sadistic young men who enjoy playing funny, scary games of violence.

In the German version the wife and husband are played by Susanne Lothar and Ulrich Muhe.

In the English version the wife and husband are played by Naomi Watts and Tim Roth.

The dialog and action was almost identical throughout both movies. One major difference was that Naomi Watts remained in her underware after being forced to undress. In the German version Susanne Lothar is also forced to undress, but is later allowed to put on all of her clothes.

I felt the acting was equally good in both versions, however, the sadistic young men in the English version were to me more frightening.

I give both movies 3 out of 5 stars.