Sabrina (DVD, 2001, Commemorative Edition)

Sabrina Fairchilds is the daughter of a chauffeur of a rich family. The movie opens with her narration and eventually starts at a party where Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) is watching on of the sons, David (William Holden). David is the more carefree and wild of the two brothers and Sabrina has a crush on him.

However David doesn’t even notice Sabrina. She’s so sad she writes a note, puts it in her father’s room (father is John Williams) and goes into the garage, shutting the doors and turns on all the cars, hoping to kill herself. (Here we have Billy Wilder’s signature cynicism and bitterness.) Lionel (Humphrey Bogart), the other brother, finds her, revives her and takes her to her room.

Then Sabrina goes to Paris for a while where she learns cooking. She becomes sophisticated and when she returns, David doesn’t even recognize her and picks her up at the station. But David is engaged. The movie goes on from there to establish a complicated triangle between the two brothers and Sabrina and resolves it finally with Lionel getting Sabrina.

The script and dialogue was simply superb. There was plenty of irony and humor in the script (which is Wilder’s trademark). The cinematography is wonderful and good to study.

However, I didn’t like the narration in the beginning. I think Wilder favors narration because he is a writer, but it shouldn’t be here, nor in Double Indemnity, I think.

I don’t like Humphrey Bogart, though he’s easier to stand here than in Casablanca. I don’t like Hepburn’s short hair and I’m not a big Hepburn fan to begin with. But, had they cast Cary Grant (or James Stewart) in Bogart’s place, the movie would have been perfect.

All in all, a slightly above average movie.

Sabrina is a beautiful film, a classic with a timeless quality. Audrey is really wonderful in this one. I love all her work. She seems to have just been born for this part, by turns charming and intriguing - a bit mysterious and the next minute funny, outspoken, and irreverent. Such vitality and warmth to this film you don't even notice it is black and white. Audrey's clothes are perfect in each stage of her character collaborated with Givenchy but just her personality shines through in all of her work, elegance and grace she makes Sabrina her own and brings her to life in a way we expect to read about her and Linus in the celebrity magazines. Never a dull moment in this movie. Humor and drama, not to mention romance in each scene. Well done!!! 5 stars, the perfect cast and a great show to feel good about. There is a remake out there with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond...but this one is still better I think. Nothing tops Audrey and Bogie is so droll and strict he is the perfect Linus.

Had seen this movie but had purchased it on VHS. The DVD is much clearer and you have more control. I really like the old classic movies from the 1930's, 40's, 50's and 60's. Of course I am a movie buff and am not fond of the new rerality shows and movies. Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart are two of the best actors of any era in Hollywood. Together they are an awesome combination.

This movie, unlike many of the older "classics" doesn't move too slowly - in fact it has just the right tempo! My wife and I both love it (and I'm not one to give in to 'chick flick' type movies!)

Bogart, is his usual best, while Hepburn is very atractive and plays her role VERY well! The movie is well written and directed and is thoughtful to the audience by not trying to dumb down any content!

The movie is so timeless that you can always watch it and not feel like you are stuck in any time period. In fact, the remake didn't change very much to 'update' it and remained very true to the original. This (and the remake) are both needed for ANY movie buff's collection!

Nice movie for the whole family with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Had seen the newer remake but we liked this version better with Hepburn in the Sabrina role.