Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15753 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-01-01
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Synopsis
Blake Edwards's adaptation of Truman Capote's classic novella is ideally cast with Audrey Hepburn in the role of Holly Golightly. The free-spirited gamine darts about New York, feted by wealthy men drawn to her megawatt charm and elegance, hoping that the party will never end. After shopping in front of Tiffany's window, she meets aspiring writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard), and they begin a platonic friendship. Sponsored by an older woman (Patricia Neal) whose interest in the young man is more than literary, he can identify with her experience better than most, taking it upon himself to protect her from the worst aspects of city life. But she seems to need little protection from such friends as incarcerated mob boss Sally Tomato (Alan Reed), who pays her to carry messages to Sing Sing. With her infectious joi de vivre, she helps Paul break through a paralysing case of writer's block. But when the genial Doc Golightly (Buddy Ebsen) appears in New York in search of Holly, the sources of her gossamer lifestyle suddenly become clearer. Edwards's lighter-than-air romantic comedy, set in a fantasy New York, rides on the irresistible charm of Hepburn at her peak, as well as a memorable score by Henry Mancini. Although George Axelrod's screenplay is as different from the original story as George Peppard is from the young Capote, the film succeeds on its own terms.

Customer Reviews

I must say I'm amazed
This movie is an absolute must-see for anyone. It combines everything a classic should have - great actors (Audrey is tops and Peppard was never better), a great screenplay, a perfect score and New York (as usual) doing its best. The screenplay departs from the Capote's original but it does so in a way which makes the story work and which could be presented on the screen in 1961 - actually, the story is quite daring for the early 60s but you have to read between the lines every now and then to get it. Anyway, why shouldn't you reach for the original book once you are done watching?
In short - How does it look? I must say I'm amazed.
PS I wouldn't, however, recommend the movie to anyone who wants to quit smoking... ;)
PPS If you need more, you should also reach for Love and Other Disasters.

Long Live Romance
When I was sixteen (in 1962) I spent my hard-earned pocket money taking an attractive girl of similar age to see the then newly-released Dr. No, the first James Bond movie starring Sean Connery. With the benefit of hindsight that was a mistake. Being an immature, ignorant and testosterone - driven youth at the time I wrongly assumed that the James Bond method of seduction was the way forward, with the result that what promised to be a meaningful and potentially long relationship ended quite abruptly when the girl decided I really was the sort of boy all good mothers warn their daughters against. I should have taken the girl to see Breakfast at Tiffany's instead and learned from the example of Paul (played by George Peppard) how really to woo the object of one's affection. One of the most endearing scenes in Breakfast at Tiffany's is where Holly asks Paul if she can join him in his bed because she regards him as her friend. She quickly falls asleep in his arms and unlike James Bond and his ilk Paul demonstrates he is a man to be trusted with the honour of the opposite sex.

It took many years before I came to appreciate what a great film Breakfast at Tiffany's is. The film, of course, is nearly 50 years old and a modern audience must judge the film's weaknesses - and there are a few - within the context of its time. Nowadays mothers would be warning their sons, rather than their daughters, about the dangers of falling for a seemingly hopeless and self-seeking girl like Ms Golightly. Psychologists no doubt will say that Paul was suffering from a rescuer complex and was on a hiding to nothing. Well, in the real world, perhaps. But Breakfast at Tiffany's is about love conquering all, which it does in the end, and in my view the film is an admirable antidote to the harsh realities of the present with its cynical values. Every modern young man or aspiring lothario should be made to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's before being allowed anywhere near the opposite sex. Audrey Hepburn gives a great and convincing performance and George Peppard is the quintessential Mr nice guy. But for a real tearjerker, the cat steals the show. In my opinion it's among the best romantic films of all time.

JC

Meet Audrey Hepburn for Breakfast at Tiffany's
A beautiful debonair named Holly Golightly leaves her husband and moves into Manhattan with an ambition to meet a wealthy man, marry him, and then name her pet cat, and enjoy the rest of her life. This sounds like an ambition of a typical young woman, but when Holly meets a young writer named Paul Varjak; there is no love at first; but that changes gradually and love blossoms. One would like to think this is a love story, but not quite, the author is not Erich Segal. Truman Capote wrote this short novel about a woman who is in pursuit of a high society life and never finds one; and she never grows up. The movie deviates from Capote's book in several areas. Capote wrote this book with Marilyn Monroe on his mind for the lead role, but the role went to Audrey Hepburn; director Blake Edwards couldn't have made a better choice. This is one of the classic movies of Hepburn in which every member of the audience becomes enchanted and captivated with the beauty and passion of Holly played by Hepburn. This wisp-thin actress, carrying a long cigarette holder is one of the iconic images of American Cinema.

In the final part of the movie when Holly was dumped by her rich Brazilian fiancée, her friend Paul Varjak helps her recollect; and in a reconciliatory term she changes her heart only to fall in love with Varjak. This scene was shot in the middle of pouring rain in Manhattan that adds a touch of pure romance and a grand finale to the endless pursuit of Holly in search of a rich man. Everyone who loves happy ending would love this; but no one was unhappy than Capote who was upset for the change; he wanted Holly to remain as a mysterious woman who never learns and never gives up her dream. My favorite part of the movie is the film's on-location opening sequence, in which Holly gazes into a Tiffany's display window after getting out from a cab in mid-town Manhattan, while eating a pastry; and of course the scene kissing Varjak in the middle of pouring rain in Manhattan. This movie shows more scenes of streets of Manhattan than any other movie I have seen. I highly recommend listening to the hit song of the American rock group Deep Blue Something's "Breakfast at Tiffany's," which adds to the enjoyment. Of course the music in the movie is strongly supported by Henry Mancini.

Many of us from the days of "A Team" know George Peppard as a tough talking Colonel Smith. It is a pleasant surprise for many of us to see this DVD and witness the tender side of young Peppard as Paul Varjak. Paul is strong, yet remains as an acquaintance of Holly but gradually he sees the feminine side of Holly, who is vulnerable, yet romantic in her heart. Blake Edwards indicated at one stage that he might not have cast Peppard if he were to do this all over again. We are unsure if there was a problem in their working relationship or Edwards was unhappy with his casting. I for one who was most disappointed to learn that Peppard was not nominated for academy award for his role in this movie. Buddy Ebsen and Mickey Rooney have limited role; yet they delight the audience with their talents and craftsmanship.