Product Details

• Released on: 2001-05-15
• Rating: Unrated
• Formats: NTSC, Import
• Original language: English, French, German, Italian
• Running time: 113 minutes

From Amazon.co.uk
Audrey Hepburn plays a Parisienne whose husband is murdered and who finds she is being followed by four men seeking the fortune her late spouse had hidden away. Cary Grant is the stranger who comes to her aid but his real motives aren't entirely clear--could he even be the killer? The 1963 film is directed by Stanley Donen but it has been called "Hitchcockian" for good reason: the possible duplicities between lovers, the unspoken agendas between a man and woman sharing secrets. Charade is nowhere as significant as a Hitchcock film but suspense-wise it holds its own; and Donen's glossy production lends itself to the welcome experience of stargazing. One wants Cary Grant to be Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn to be no one but Audrey Hepburn in a Hollywood product such as this, and they certainly don't let us down.--Tom Keogh

Additional Features
Cinema fans can spend no two better hours than listening to the DVD commentary track in which director Stanley Donen and writer Peter Stone reminisce some three decades after they made their 1963 comic thriller. Good friends since they made the film, Donen and Stone play off each other's memories about the production (which often conflict), spin marvelous stories about the stars, and display a whimsical sense of humor. As Criterion editions go, this one is a bit sparse on the extras, but it delivers the best transfer--by far--of the film. Due to a period when the film was part of the public domain, several inferior editions were made. This is the one to buy; the extra cost is worth it. --Doug Thomas

Amazon.com Essential Video
Audrey Hepburn plays a Parisienne whose husband is murdered and who finds she is being followed by four men seeking the fortune her late spouse had hidden away. Cary Grant is the stranger who comes to her aid, but his real motives aren't entirely clear--could he even be the killer? The 1963 film is directed by Stanley Donen, but it has been called "Hitchcockian" for good reason: the possible duplicities between lovers, the unspoken agendas between a man and woman sharing secrets. Charade is nowhere as significant as a Hitchcock film, but suspense-wise it holds its own; and Donen's glossy production lends itself to the welcome experience of stargazing. One wants Cary Grant to be Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn to be no one but Audrey Hepburn in a Hollywood product such as this, and they certainly don't let us down. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

A bona fide classic...
This is a masterpiece in and around itself- really. 'Charade' really showcases Audrey Hepburn's acting talents and versatility. She really showed audiences what she could do as Regina 'Reggie' Lampbert. (did I spell her last name right?)

Charade will keep you glued to the screen until the end... and at no point in the movie are you ever thinking about what you are going to do tomorrow, or what is happening. It's right there in front of you. 'Charade' made me look at Audrey as not just a style icon, but a talented actress. Not like a cut-out doll that most of the actresses of her time were like. (Excluding some) I mean, the plot is so rich and entertaining- you just can't go wrong with this movie!

The quality of this particular DVD is pretty bad, so I recommend 'Cary Grant Double Feature'. It has 'Charade' and 'Amazing Adventure'. You get 2 in 1 and the quality is WAY better.

Excellent film, poor DVD version
The Passport Video version of this DVD (white and gold cover) appears to be a transfer from a VHS copy. It is fuzzy, has poor colour quality, and lacks subtitles or closed captioning.

The film itself is excellent. This transfer is not. Get the Criterion version instead.

Her greatest!
This was the first Audrey Hepburn movie I watched and I fell in love with her. This movie was the best I have seen in a long time. The plot is so packed with excitement, you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time. It is also full of comedy. A great movie for the whole family (not just a chick flick!). A truly great film!