Review of Audrey Hepburn Box Set (5 disc set)

Introduction

This set is made up of 5 films that have previously been available individually. They are now neatly put together in an attractive cardboard wrapper. The set will retail for about £40 which is just about the same as a basic DVD player.

Audrey Hepburn took Hollywood by storm when she starred opposite Gregory Peck, already a popular leading man in her first feature `Roman Holiday`. Her charm, European sophistication and polish made her an instant and enduring hit with the critics and the public.
Paramount had her under contract and she made quite a few films before settling down with her husband and family.
Although she made a few films in later life there was little to attract a mature female icon. She retained her glamorous appearance and worked for Unicef before her premature death from cancer. Her last movie in 1989 was `Always` for a certain Steven Spielberg-she played an angel.

This boxed set represents the Paramount years between 1954 and 1964. Her co-stars include Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, William Holden and George Peppard. Only Gregory Peck lived to a ripe old age being one of the losses of 2003.

Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn`s first Hollywood film in which she plays a foreign princess bored by her state visit to Rome. When she escapes under the influence of a heavy tranquilizer and appearing to be very drunk, she is rescued from a park bench up by Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), who just happens to be an impoverished reporter. Will he `scoop` the Lady or will it be love? Meanwhile they take in the sights of Rome together.

Sabrina

Co-starring Humphrey Bogart and William Holden Audrey Hepburn plays Sabrina the Chauffeur`s daughter, in the land of the free, where the only class divisions arise because of money. In unrequited love with the youngest son David Larrabee, she unhappily accepts that he will never notice her. Following her trip to cookery school in Paris she comes back with renewed determination and a glamorous look. The shallow David at once falls head over heels and soon his dynastic nuptials are in danger. Serious older brother Linus tries to distract Sabrina and becomes more than a little distracted himself but will he choose love over lucre?


Breakfast at Tiffany`s

Holly Golightly seems to be living her perfect life when she meets her new neighbour a struggling writer played by George Peppard. He is not living his ideal life. His `writer`s block` is being supported by his more than willing female publisher. In reality she is escaping from her past. Together they start to carve out a different kind of living but she is afraid of becoming dependent on someone else for her happiness.

Funny Face

Another pairing with a mature co-star this musical comedy cocks a snook at the fashion world, intellectual Paris and of course Audrey gets to wear great frocks.
Jam packed with song and dance and views of 1950`s Paris. Fred Astaire show off perfectly choreographed dance and Audrey proves she can sing very sweetly.

Paris When it Sizzles

A dissolute scriptwriter has 48 hours before his script has to be presented to the Director. Unfortunately there`s not a word on paper. He hires a Secretary and together they concoct scenarios which get wilder and wilder. They get pretty close in the days they spend together but how much is reality?
Includes a very strange scene where Holden seems to become a vampire.

Video

Roman Holiday
Filmed entirely on location in Rome, the director took the decision to film in black and white to avoid the place becoming the star of the show.

This has been restored and is offered in considerably cleaned up version. A short documentary included shows the process and difference.

Sabrina

This film is presented in black and white and in full frame. Some green ghosting visible. Locations are limited to sets.

Breakfast at Tiffany`s

Widescreen 1.78:1. Some damage but mostly a good print. This one is in colour.

Funny Face

Widescreen 1.78:1 Paris locations of course and some perfectly choreographed moves by Stanley Donen and Astaire. The picture does suffer from some diffuse colours but it is not too marked.

Paris When it Sizzles

Widescreen 1.78:1. More Paris location work photographed by Claude Renoir. Unfortunately despite its credentials it manages to make Paris look dull and the action is contrived.

Audio

The sound seems to have survived well with no obvious hiss. Given the age it is no surprise that these are mainly Dolby mono -the exception being Funny Face.
All of these films are very much dialogue lead and with the exception of `Paris When it Sizzles` are sharp and witty.

Roman Holiday

The blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo provided the story and script for this film and although he was paid at the time, it wasn`t until the 50th Anniversary that his name was digitally added to the screen credits.

Sabrina

Story by Billy Wilder with laughs from the technically perfect delivery of the actors involved. An aging but simply charming Bogart plays the role of the confirmed bachelor bewildered by the late arrival of love.

Breakfast at Tiffany`s

From a much darker book by Truman Capote this is a lighter interpretation from George Axelrod. The downside is the unnecessary inclusion of a stereotypical Japanese character played by the well known Japanese actor Mickey Rooney…
This spoils the overall feel of the film. The character seems to have no function and as I haven`t read the book I don`t know if he had a function in that.

Funny Face

With a witty script that laughs at the pretensions of the fashionable and the intelligentsia Funny Face also adds Acidic delivery by Kay Thompson and a don`t-stop-for- breath comedic interplay between all the main leads. The musical soundtrack is also excellent.

Paris When it Sizzles
The dry wit that works so well in previous films fails to light the fireworks in this movie and far from sizzling Paris looks and sounds dull.
. Music by Nelson Riddle though.

Features

The boxed set seems to put together variable quality films with the desire to shift those non movers. The extras are therefore also variable with the most being on the previously released anniversary edition of `Roman Holiday`.

Roman Holiday

Remembering Roman Holiday.
A short documentary that interviewed those stars who were still alive and the studio executive.

Restoring Roman Holiday

A documentary covering the fine detail work of cleaning 300 to 400 pieces of dirt off the print. I`ve always favoured the brillo pad approach myself.

Edith Head the Paramount Years

The girls… the gowns.

Photo Galleries

A nostalgic look at the glamour that`s now gone from Hollywood.

Teaser Trailer

Theatrical Trailer
Re-release Trailer-the 50th Anniversary trailer.

Sabrina

A short documentary about the making of Sabrina. And a photo gallery.
Sadly not much on this disc either.


Breakfast at Tiffany`s

Theatrical trailer only.

Funny Face

Paramount in the 50`s Featurette.

A short documentary covering some of the memorable films of the studio in the 1950`s. Great fun but too short!

Theatrical Trailer

Paris When it Sizzles

Theatrical Trailer only.

Conclusion

Audrey Hepburn was truly the Queen of Hollywood. She epitomises the glamour and style that sadly seems to be lacking in today`s rather down to earth film stars. This boxed set is a selection of films made for Paramount. Her first film Roman Holiday shows how big a star she would become. This at least has been treated to some restoration with a lovely cleaned up transfer. The other films are of reasonable non-treated quality. The films are a collection of fairy tales from a bygone age and if you are like me willing to suspend your disbelief and 21st Century sensibilities then enjoy them for that.

Individually I would sum them up as follows:

Roman Holiday

A classic and well loved film as the royal princess gets a taste of ordinary life and finds she rather likes the freedom. A real Saturday matinee tear-jerker that continues to charm,

Sabrina

An old fashioned ugly duckling or rather severe looking duckling becomes a swan. The play off between Bogart and a blonde William Holden is amusing. The whole thing is helped along by a sterling support cast. This makes the Harrison Ford version look dull.

Breakfast at Tiffany`s

The pairing of Hepburn with a very smooth and cute looking George Peppard is an enjoyable mix. Peppard slips easily into the role of the struggling writer who is `looked after` by his female Publisher. Once again the support cast is very able but the film is carried by the two leads.

Funny Face

Another unique event pairing the still gamine Hepburn with the rather mature Fred Astaire. Don`t knock until you`ve tried it. The singing and dancing is simply superb. The acidic Kay Thompson adds the comedy element. It includes some great scenes attacking the pretensions of so called philosophy. Some of the `beatnik` scenes were recently borrowed with good effect in `Down With Love`.

Paris When it Sizzles

If only…This film despite its stunning leads of Hepburn and Holden never really gets anywhere. The idea behind it means the fantasy sequences take over from any actual plot resolution and I just wanted to switch it off. Too much ham with the fantasy. This kind of film works much better when the edges are more blurred. Holden`s character, a dissolute, drinking scriptwriter seemed to be too easy for him to play and he is clearly coasting. Never mind at least it looks good in that effortless way that they had in the old days before all the new fangled effects were invented.


Overall

A good value boxed set which would make an ideal gift for lovers of classic Hollywood. Just check they haven`t bought them individually first and don`t forget to include a large box of chocolates and a hankie!