Saturday, April 16, 2011

"Sabrina"


I watched the '95 version of this movie (with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond) a few months back, and did not care for it. So I was eager to watch the older one, since I love Humphrey Bogart and I love Audrey Hepburn, and thought they would fit the parts beautifully.


Well, I loved this version. It was hysterical. Humphrey Bogart is heartrending in Casablanca; here, he is hilarious. I love his line: "I wish I was dead with my back broken."



Where I felt like the '95 remake was awkward, dragging, and uncomfortable, this version was witty, energetic, and lovely. This is partly because the 90's are just so not my thing. Unfortunately, I was born in the 90's. But I try to forget that. The 50's however... Basically, if anything is not from the 20th century, it should be from the 50's if at all possible. This version had me screaming, yes, screaming with laughter, and diving for the remote to rewind scenes over again.


Audrey Hepburn was born to be in this role--she is perfect as the day-dreaming, Cinderella-esque character. The elderly Duke who took her under his wing in Paris was much preferable to the creepy Frenchman who teaches her the ways of the world in the '95 version.


Sometimes when I'm feeling blue, I look at this picture, and laugh. Just look at that head. The comparison is almost unreal.


William Holden is appropriately charming and lazy and lame as David. If a little old. And, um, his chin was definitely not my favorite.


A lot of the popular photos of Audrey are publicity shots for this movie.



I think this is one of the loveliest of the many captures of Audrey Hepburn. What a beautiful lady she was.


Have you seen both versions, neither, or one? What did you think?

38 comments:

  1. I also like the older version best. Although I like Harrison Ford, he was frumpy and boring in the newer version (and I have just never been a Greg Kinnear fan) and so my LOVE of Julia Ormand was just not enough to overlook the two poorly cast leads! The older one is funny and Audrey is a dream. It is no coincidence that our eldest daughter is named Audrey. dropping by from Brighton Park! Blessings to you, Katie

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  2. Still haven't seen this one...may I borrow it? ;)

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  3. Love, love, love this film... At the cookery school in Paris, "one, two, three, crack! New egg!". This has become my catchphrase, oddly enough.

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  4. I adore Audrey Hepburn, however I haven't had the chance to watch this movie yet. And I am a fan of oldies too, so I reckon this version is far better than the remake one.

    I would have to download it soon (probably when i change my internet connection).

    nice blog!

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  5. "Sabrina" is one of my most favorite classic movies. :) It's just lovely. And very funny! I mean...Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden? What's not to love? :)

    Plus, Audrey's clothes are gorgeous.

    I have no desire to see the remake. Why on earth would you try to remake a perfect film?

    ~Kristin

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  6. I'm a huge fan of Sabrina. Bogie and Audrey were PERFECT. The uncredited Givenchy clothes were perfect. That knockout black and white ballgown...frankly, it's the stuff dreams are made of. And Audrey sings La Vie En Rose, probably her loveliest vocal performance (though I could listen to her sing anything.)

    I was never willing to give William Holden a chance after seeing his two performances with Audrey. The second one was MUCH creepier actually, as they ended up together in Paris, When It Sizzles. BUT, I recently discovered he was rather nice in some of his early roles in the 1940s and such. ;)

    Oh, and if you like Bogie being comical, you might like All Through the Night -- it's kind of a gangster comedy with gangsters vs. Nazis. And the plot revolves around CHEESECAKE! I laughed until my sides ached.

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  7. I haven't seen either, though I really want to. Especially the one starring Audrey Hepburn. I love her!

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  8. My, Audrey is such a gorgeous woman. Never seen them before, but they look awesome.
    Blessings~
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  9. I love the older version! Such a good movie!

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  10. For this costume day thing, I dressed up as her! Pretty cool!

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  11. HA this is so funny! I JUST watched the older version not a week ago. It was in the $5 bin at Walmart. :D I had seen the newer version before the older one and I have to admit... I did NOT like the older version as much as the newer one!! :( I don't know why... Maybe if I had seen the older one first I would have liked it better? I just think both men were so OLD!

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  12. Love Audrey! Love this movie!
    So good!

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  13. I havn't seen the new one. I liked this one, mostly because Audrey Hepburn is (as always) so lovely and amazing. The story kind of bugged me...and I actually didn't like Humphrey Boggart...he was so...OLD. :-D But Audrey Hepburn was awesome and adorable, especially in the beginning, so I do like the movie.

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  14. I've seen both versions and pretty much came to the same conclusion that you did. Which, surprised me, because I love Harrison Ford, but that movie was just.... nothing compared to the older one!

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  15. Love this movie!! This version is SO much better than the Harrison Ford one.

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  16. Sabrina is one of my favorite Audrey movies...and I think the first I saw of her. When I saw the Harrison Ford version, I was disappointed.
    Bogart is wonderful, though apparently he didn't get along with anyone on the set--actors or director--because he was unhappy the whole time. He didn't think he fit the role, and he had been going through tough personal issues.
    How can you not adore William Holden? He's perfect, and this role has his name written all over it.
    Black and while oldies make me happy. :)

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  17. I haven't seen either version, but I can't imagine the newer one being better. Audrey Hepburn and her gorgeous outfits are irreplaceable!

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  18. Lovely and witty. The newer one is kind of bleh.. This one is funny on multiple levels. ;-)

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  19. such great inspiration!!!

    thelibertybelleblog.blogspot.com

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  20. I was JUST about to do a post about this! May I add a *rousing* amen?

    I've loved this movie since I was about eight, and I watched the '95 version a few weeks ago. . . Makes me want to forget I was born in the 90's too :P

    Oh, and new favorite quote? "It should be from the 50's if at all possible"

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  21. Okay...now I HAVE to see this movie! I've heard countless great things about it. *Ordering out of our library now* ;) Great post, too! One Audrey film I LOVE is Roman Holiday....and Gregory Peck(!!!) stars in it alongisde Audrey! =D

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  22. The older version is my favorite. Great post. =]

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  23. I actually haven't seen either yet, but I DEFINITELY think I would prefer the Audrey version...love her movies!! :-)
    Just wanted to let you know that there's a giveaway going on right now on my blog, featuring a gorgeous, eco-friendly bracelet made out of recycled magazine and water bottles! Hope to see you there!
    Have and great day and God bless,
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  24. Three cheers for Sabrina! My aunt lent me her copy years ago and I totally loved it. I've been trying to teach myself how to crack an egg with one hand ever since.

    Did you think that Linus was hard to take seriously because a picture a little boy with a blue blanket? :D

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  25. haha I'm the exact opposite.. I LOVE the new version and don't like the Hepburn/Bogart at all. :P

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  26. Wow, you have such a lovely blog. This is a great post and Audrey Hepburn was beautiful, I actually haven't seen either version, I better get it on Netflix asap.

    Following you now
    xoDale
    I have a fashion blog here in California
    www.savvyspice.blogspot.com

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  27. I'm kinda sorta with Ellen; granted, the creepy French dude could have definitely been dropped, but I love Harrison Ford's charm... Audrey Hepburn's performance tops *anyone's any day*, but I'm not a Humphrey Bogart fan: he was a real jerk to Audrey Hepburn, and made it really public too. I suppose he's a good actor, but in real life, he wasn't a nice guy...

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  28. Probably not wise to bash two movies you and your sister love (last night I told her how I disliked 'Victoria and Albert' and she was not happy with me, lol)... oh well... ;P

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  29. I def. love the older version! Audrey is adorable!

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  30. Audrey Hepburn is, of course, lovely, but I just can't like Humphrey Bogart. I don't know if it's the age, the voice or the eyelids. Overall, I definitely like the look, feel, and energy of the old one best, but it would be perfect if it had Harrison Ford in it. He was a bit young at the time I suppose...

    "Yes, we have no bananas..."

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    Replies
    1. Bogart wasn't exactly thrilled to be starring opposite Audrey Hepburn after she completely stole every scene in Roman Holiday from good-natured Gregory Peck...:D
      And I was always a bit weirded out by the almost-always-older leading men they paired Audrey with. She had such a youthful look, but wise eyes and they always wanted to pair her with Cary Grant, which would have worked out beautifully if he were a decade younger. ;)

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  31. gotta say i haven't seen either, but there's a 1st time for everything ! :)

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  32. I love both-- but hey, the black and white movie is always my favorite! :) Plus, Audrey Hepburn makes any movie. Have you seen Roman Holiday?

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  33. Anything Audrey is going to be good and her '50's stuff is absolutely incredible, but they started to run out of "dead ringer" roles for her about the mid-'60's (with the maybe the exception of Wait Until Dark in 1967). I was a bit baffled though when she did a western titled the Unforgiven in 1960, but she made it work because she's simply amazing. :D This movie makes me happy and I'm glad they shot in black and white and I'm especially glad that Givenchy was brought in to solidify her best dressed status, and where would Breakfast at Tiffany's be without their collaboration?;)

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