the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one.
Examples of former
former
Among the Packers celebrating Sunday's win was former MTSU standout Erik Walden.
From the tennessean.com
The driver of the Mazda said the other driver was a former friend, reports said.
From the dailyherald.com
Mike Macfarlane, former Kansas City Royals catcher, worked with Bubba years ago.
From the omaha.com
Her daughter attends a private school and takes voice lessons from a former pro.
From the usatoday.com
All too often, testimonials from former officials substituted for due diligence.
From the washingtontimes.com
Current and former students crowded in with parents and staff to share memories.
From the sacbee.com
A landmark 19th century former Episcopal boys boarding school may be demolished.
From the newsday.com
Russell is selling two buildings across the street from the former headquarters.
From the thenewstribune.com
A former day care employee who was a friend of Tabor said she, too, was shocked.
From the thenewstribune.com
More examples
Former(a): referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several); "the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one"
The first of two or the first mentioned of two; "Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today"
Erstwhile(a): belonging to some prior time; "erstwhile friend"; "our former glory"; "the once capital of the state"; "her quondam lover"
Former(a): (used especially of persons) of the immediate past; "the former president"; "our late President is still very active"; "the previous occupant of the White House"
Early(a): belonging to the distant past; "the early inhabitants of Europe"; "former generations"; "in other times"
A former is a structural member of an aircraft fuselage, of which a typical fuselage has a series from the nose to the empennage, typically perpendicular to the roll axis of the aircraft. The formers establish the shape of the fuselage. ...
Someone who forms something; An object used to form something; Someone in, or of, a certain form (class); previous; first of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun
(FORMERS) Pieces of wood used for shaping cartridges or wads.