I actually purchased the "ultimate edition" of the DVD set because it contains the original and far superior version "Death Takes a Holiday". While the remake looks great and Hopkin's performance is quite good the story is really watered down and the ending is a cop-out (plus, it's way too long). Although Pitt seems to be nearly autistic, in the original Death is portrayed as a being who's savvy and essentially behaves like a god. In the remake Death can handle its business like a CEO does while shaving (according to the film), so why the urgency to move things along? A lifetime with Forlani would be but the blink of an eye for such a being. In the original nobody can die, and while the premise is silly at least it provides a sense of urgency since it compels Death to finish its business ASAP. As for the ending, the Forlani character willingly sacrifices herself, making Death realize how love can be as strong as death itself. It's much more satisfying and true to the spirit of the story.
It is, however, a film from 1934, with overwrought acting typical of the time and very little sense of grandeur given the subject matter (and probably a tiny budget). Had the remake simply retold the story with a few tweaks it could have been a far better film than either.
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