Product Description

Winner of two Oscars® the romantic comedy that sparkles like diamonds! The names Audrey Hepburn and Holly Golightly have become synonymous since this dazzling romantic comedy was translated to the screen from Truman Capote's best-selling novella. Holly is a deliciously eccentric New York City playgirl determined to marry a Brazilian Millionaire. George Peppard plays her next-door neighbor a writer who is "sponsored" by a wealthy Patricia Neal. Guessing who's the right man for Holly is easy. Seeing just how that romance blossoms is one of the enduring delights of this gem-like treat set to Henry Mancini's Oscar®-winning score and the Oscar®-winning Mancini-Johnny Mercer song "Moon River."System Requirements:Running Time 114 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 097360410044 Manufacturer No: 041004

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1312 in DVD
• Brand: PARAMOUNT PICTURES
• Released on: 2006-02-07
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .30 pounds
• Running time: 114 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
No film better utilizes Audrey Hepburn's flighty charm and svelte beauty than this romantic adaptation of Truman Capote's novella. Hepburn's urban sophisticate Holly Golightly, an enchanting neurotic living off the gifts of gentlemen, is a bewitching figure in designer dresses and costume jewelry. George Peppard is her upstairs neighbor, a struggling writer and "kept" man financed by a steely older woman (Patricia Neal). His growing friendship with the lonely Holly soon turns to love and threatens the delicate balance of both of their compromised lives. Taking liberties with Capote's bittersweet story, director Blake Edwards and screenwriter George Axelrod turn New York into a city of lovers and create a poignant portrait of Holly, a frustrated romantic with a secret past and a hidden vulnerability. Composer Henry Mancini earned Oscars for the hit song "Moon River" and his tastefully romantic score. The only sour note in the whole film is Mickey Rooney's demeaning performance as the apartment's Japanese manager, an offensively overdone stereotype even in 1961. The rest of the film has weathered the decades well. Edwards's elegant yet light touch, Axelrod's generous screenplay, and Hepburn's mix of knowing experience and naiveté combine to create one of the great screen romances and a refined slice of high society bohemian chic. --Sean Axmaker

On the DVD
The anniversary edition has two principal featurettes: a making-of (16 minutes) and a "tribute to style" (8 min.) that serve as love letters to Audrey Hepburn. Interviewed are producer Richard Shepherd, director Blake Edwards, actors, family members, and fashion figures. Edwards admits that he didn’t want to cast George Peppard ("He just didn’t have whatever it was that I wanted; it wasn’t my cup of tea. And yet I loved it. We had a great time."), and both he and Shepherd express regret over Mickey Rooney's character. Shorter featurettes (6 min. total) examine the history of the Tiffany & Co. jewelry store and a letter Hepburn wrote in 1986 to commemorate the store's 150th anniversary. Shepherd covers many of the same topics in his sporadic commentary track, including how Marilyn Monroe wanted the Holly Golightly role and how people wanted to get rid of "Moon River" or dub Hepburn (he says "Marni Nixon was discussed"), and closes with "If we could just change Mickey Rooney, I'd be thrilled with the movie!" --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Two amoral, shallow people find love? Yeah, right.
I really found this movie quite the antithesis of "charming." Now, admittedly, Hepburn and Peppard were two very attractive, physically appealing people. However, I couldn't stand their characters. Let's see -- she makes her living by leading rich men on, taking their money and then dumping them at the last minute. He's a "kept man", sleeping with a married woman. Why should I like these people?

Furthermore, while people seem to find Holly's dialogue cute, I found Hepburn's performance flighty and really annoying. Her attempt at a Southern accent during her big scene with Buddy Ebsen is quite laughable.

There's a high pitched, gossipy tone to a lot of the film's dialogue (particulaly, during the party scene) that drives me up the wall. I get the sense that Capote was indeed writing from his personal experience, but why should anyone care about these people's amoral, superficial lives? The development of the romance between the two leads is pretty unrealistic (the shoplifting scene is especially lovely! How romantic!), and Holly's big epiphany at the end of the film is not the least bit believable.

Much has been said about Mickey Rooney's potrayal of Mr. Yunioshi. Even given allowances that Americans were less sensitive about racial depictions 50 years ago, it's impossible to watch Rooney's antics here through 21st century eyes without feeling totally appalled and embarassed. (By the way, Mr. Rooney, I don't need to be "forgiven" for hating your performance). It's enough in and of itself to toss the movie into the historical trash bin. This just adds some extra sour frosting to this stale cake of a film.

Even if Rooney's scenes were edited out, you'd still end up with a ridiculous movie that would barely past muster as a TV movie on the Lifetime Channel. To any men out there: your significant other will owe you BIG TIME if she makes you sit through this.

Breakfast at Tiffany's very glam
I'm glad I bought this through Amazon. The price was fair and the shipping prompt. Audrey Hepburn's glamor and grace are effortless. The movie is great and I'm glad to own it on dvd. There are hours of extra features that I haven't watched yet but any extra footage of Audrey is a big plus.

A Classic that stands the test of time!
Audrey Hepburn's best movie, and a Hollywood classic if there ever was one. I saw this movie over 40 years ago at a drive-in movie theatre, but it's even better today on my new 65" H.D. TV screen. It looks and sounds better than ever. As I think about it, it might also be one of the best performances of George Peppard as well. And don't forget Patricia Neal. What an actress. Am I in love with this movie and the memory of Audrey Hepburn? You bet . . . This is one of the few movies that I can sit through time and time again. And this new special edition looks absolutely terrific. You will not be dissapointed, I promise.