'Charade' (1963) Delights in 4K

Audrey Hepburn is one of the most timeless Hollywood stars, bridging the Golden Age and New Hollywood, through to her untimely death in 1993. Her last role as an angel in Steven Spielberg’s Always (1989) may be the most fitting casting choice of all time. Best known for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Hepburn was far more dynamic than many people realize. She was catapulted to stardom in the charming romance Roman Holiday (1953), holding her own alongside Gregory Peck. She outshines screen legends William Holden and Humphrey Bogart in Billy Wilder’s Sabrina (1954). Yet, her command of character is even more dazzling in the under-celebrated Wait Until Dark (1967), where she plays a recently-blinded woman terrorized by thieves.

My personal favorite Hepburn movie, without question, is Charade (1963). It's been referred to as the most Hitchcockian film that Hitchcock never made, and it's back with a definitive 4K release. Invoking the Master of Suspense, we can say that Charade has the charm of To Catch a Thief and the thrill of North by Northwest. Charade follows an unsuspecting woman, Reggie (Hepburn), as a group of thieves surrounds her in Paris to retrieve the money apparently stolen by her late husband. Enter the multi-named secret agent played by Cary Grant, who tries to get her out of this mess. The Criterion Collection sent me the disc early, which is now available for purchase, and I'm happy to report that it looks absolutely stunning.

Charade looked good on DVD, great on Blu-ray, and now the 4K upgrade is absolutely stunning. From the opening Saul Bass-inspired titles to the bright ‘60s color palette and the locations around the Swiss Alps and Paris, there will be no better way to view Charadeunless you can find an original print to project in a mid-century movie house. The Criterion remaster offers a clear image while retaining the right amount of grain to make it feel like we’re watching celluloid on the film’s original run.

The disc includes the 1999 commentary by director Stanley Donen (Singin’ in the Rain) and screenwriter Peter Stone. Also included is an essay by film historian Bruce Eder, who argues that Charade “may well be the most successful non-Hitchcock picture ever made to mix murder, mayhem, romance, and marriage in one screenplay.” The entire film unfolds around a MacGuffin, if you know your Hitchcock parlance. Watching the movie again, I’m reminded that Charade is one of those films that provides every rewatch with the same joy offered with the initial viewing. Perhaps the upgraded 4K treatment plays a part in making Charade feel new all over again.

Though Charade seems to have its share of passionate fans, it still feels like a hidden gem from a decade packed with iconic movies. As Eder notes in his essay, the '60s saw the birth of the James Bond movies and a Casanova-type of hero. Charade differs with its female focus, giving her intelligent autonomy as we view the storyline through her eyes. Of course, the 25-year age difference between Hepburn and Cary Grant is a bit strange, but the two are so captivating it doesn't even matter. The rat-a-tat dialogue between the two is still hilarious today. The perfect mix of humor and action prefigures today's popular action-comedy genre.

One amusing thread throughout the film is Doyle's (Grant) constant name changes. We become as perplexed as Reggie, wondering, " Who is this guy?" As one of Cary Grant's last films, the Golden Age star shows that he was about to retire early while still at the top of his game. He's as charming as ever. A perfect match for the always delectable Hepburn. The supporting cast of mid-century thugs, such as James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass, makes for an entertaining squad of villains. Walter Matthau will also surprise viewers who only know his comedic performances with an interesting (spoiler alert) twist in the story's third act.

We can’t discuss Charade without the iconic score. Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer Henry Mancini had worked on the noir classic Touch of Evil (1959) and Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) before coming aboard Charade. The score is fast-paced, fit for a thriller, yet something you can gleefully tap your foot along with. Mancini’s work is a testament to the importance of movie music and a reminder that so many films rely on this key artistic contribution.

Anyone who is a fan of Hepburn, Grant, the 1960s, Stanley Donen, thrillers, mod style, and anything in-between, must give Charade a look. Spread the word and share the charm that this Hollywood classic has given us for six decades.