Audrey Hepburn's 15 main films - princesses of Hollywood

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This actress changed popular culture forever.

Audrey Hepburn has become a de facto symbol of elegance and grace. It was with her appearance on the screens that lush blondes like Jane Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe, who then ruled the ball, were replaced by another beauty: immaculate, natural, sophisticated.

However, Audrey Hepburn received the status of a style icon not only due to her appearance. Her faithful friend, fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, helped the actress create a memorable and unique image. In his outfits, Audrey shone in her best films: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Funny Face, How to Steal a Million, Charade and others.

Fans of Hepburn remember not only her thin waist, but also her kind heart. At the end of her career, she became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness of the problems of children in disadvantaged countries.

1. Roman holidays

• USA, 1953.
• Comedy, melodrama.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The young princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) gets tired of the tedious royal duties on the diplomatic tour and runs off to walk around Rome. The fast asleep heroine is found by local reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). At first, he is not at all happy about the unfamiliar girl who has fallen on his head. But as soon as Bradley sees a photo of Anna in the newspaper, he immediately understands who is in front of him. Now he has a real sensation in his hands.

After passing screen tests in London, young and almost unknown Audrey Hepburn got the role of a princess in the film by the famous director and producer William Wyler.

Although Wyler was convinced of the correctness of his choice, he still often became angry with the inexperienced actress. She could not always fulfill what the director asked her about. For example, Audrey could not squeeze out a single tear in the scene of farewell to Bradley. Due to her many unsuccessful attempts, Wyler became enraged, after which the poor thing began to cry for real. Frames with these sincere tears entered the picture.

With "Roman Holiday" began the friendship between Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. One of the most sought-after Hollywood actors of the 1940-1960s said that three months of filming with Audrey were the happiest in his life. Colleagues on the site maintained their affectionate relationship until the death of the actress.

In addition, it was for her role in "Vacation" that Audrey Hepburn received her first and only Oscar. At that time she was only 23 years old.

2. Sabrina

• USA, 1954.
• A romantic comedy.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

The gray mouse Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) is crazy about the frivolous offspring of the millionaire family David (William Holden). To cure his daughter of a love fever, her father sends her to Paris. There, Sabrina magically transforms into a luxurious, sophisticated lady. Upon seeing her, David immediately falls in love. But now his older brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart) is not averse to courting such a charming beauty.

“Sabrina” marked the beginning of cooperation and long-term affectionate friendship between Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy. The fashion designer was not immediately impressed by Hepburn's appearance, and indeed at first he thought that he would work with her more famous namesake Catherine. But when Hubert saw Audrey on the screen, he was struck to the core. Until the end of her days, the actress remained his muse and ideal, and after her death, the couturier, as many said, lost his main source of inspiration.

The musical leitmotif of the entire film is the song La Vie en Rose, the lyrics to which were written by the legendary Edith Piaf. Later, this composition became the hallmark of the singer.

3. Funny face

• USA, 1957.
• Comedy, musical, melodrama.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

The editor-in-chief of the famous fashion magazine Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson), along with leading photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire), are looking for a fresh face for the cover, but they cannot find it among the emasculated and unnatural models. When Dick meets a modest bookseller Joe Stockton (Audrey Hepburn), she immediately realizes: she is a new ideal that will turn the world of fashion.

After the successful "Roman Vacation", "Sabrina", as well as "War and Peace", where Audrey played the tender Natasha Rostova, all of America went crazy over the fragile brunette. Audrey Hepburn's famous outfit in Funny Face - black skinny pants and a black turtleneck under the throat - has become a must-have for any bohemian fashionista.

The role of the capricious and silly fashion model Marion was played by Dovima, the highest paid model of her time. In the story, Joe replaces the girl. And in this you can easily see a symbol of how convenience and spontaneity come to replace pretentious high fashion.

4. Love in the afternoon

• USA, 1957.
• A romantic comedy.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder tells the story of how Parisian Ariana Chavess (Audrey Hepburn) decided to fall in love with the famous American millionaire and playboy Frank Flannegan (Gary Cooper). For the sake of searching for a beautiful stranger, enchanted Frank turns to a detective, but the detective turns out to be the girl's father.

The film flopped at the American box office, but got a good box office in Europe. The film's commercial failure was largely attributed to the age of the lead actor, Gary Cooper. American audiences found the middle-aged actor unsuitable for the young Audrey Hepburn. Although he himself did not agree with this.

5. The story of a nun

The Nun's Story

• USA, 1959.
• Drama, biographical film.
• Duration: 149 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The film tells the true story of a Belgian girl Gabrielle van der Mal, who was born into a wealthy family, but decided to leave as a novice in a religious order. There she took a new name - Sister Luke. Having mastered the skills of tropical medicine, Luke is sent to put them into practice in a distant African colony.

Romantic comedy star Audrey Hepburn has shown that she can create a complex dramatic image, and deservedly received the British Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also nominated eight Oscars, including Best Actress for Audrey, but did not receive one.

6. Unforgiven

• USA, 1960.
• Western drama.
• Duration: 115 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The action takes place in the state of Texas in the 1850s. The Kiowa Indians want to take the youngest daughter of the Zacharias family, Rachel (Audrey Hepburn), whom they consider to be their tribe. But her older brother Ben Zachariah (Bert Lancaster) is not going to give up his sister so easily, The film by famed gangster movie director John Houston has gone through the fire and water of the production process. In addition to funding problems, lead actress Audrey Hepburn was injured after falling from her horse. To fully recover for the filming of the next film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and safely give birth to her first child, Hepburn was forced to take a year off.

7. Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's

• USA, 1961.
• A romantic comedy.
• Duration: 115 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Alphonse and not-so-lucky writer Paul Varzhak (George Peppard) settled in New York. He meets his neighbor Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), a desperate playwright who idolizes the Tiffany jewelry store. Holly gives the impression of a superficial fool, but turns out to be much deeper than it seems at first glance.

In the mass consciousness, Audrey Hepburn is most often associated with the role of Holly Golightly, which finally consolidated her status as a world celebrity.

Screenwriter George Axelrod reworked the plot of the American playwright Truman Capote, smoothing out certain moments. In particular, the gay storyteller turned into the heroine's love interest and, accordingly, changed her orientation.

But even with the amendments, Breakfast at Tiffany's had the effect of an exploding bomb. Indeed, in the foreground there was a woman who changes fans like gloves and denies the importance of marriage - almost a prostitute at that time. However, Audrey Hepburn's trademark innocence softened the emancipation of her character. And in total, instead of a cynical hunter for men, it turned out to be an independent resident of the metropolis, who knows what she wants from life.

The hallmark of the film was not only the outfits from Hubert de Givenchy, but also the song Moon River performed by Audrey Hepburn herself. The latter earned composer Henry Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer an Academy Award in 1962. Created with the actress's humble vocal abilities in mind, this simple song has become the gold standard of jazz and has spawned countless interpretations.

8. Children's hour

The Children’s Hour

• USA, 1961.
• Drama.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

William Wyler's dramatic film explores the devastating effects of rumors and the individual's ability to rebel against stereotypes and intolerance.

Young teachers Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha Doby (Shirley MacLaine) open a private boarding school. The capricious and vindictive student Mary Tilford (Karen Balkin), offended by Karen, accuses the girls of having an affair. Rumors are spreading at an alarming rate. The scandal that broke out puts an end to the reputation of teachers, who instantly turned from respected members of society into outcasts.

Audrey Hepburn's last black-and-white film was one of the first in Hollywood to explore issues of homosexuality. And although it can hardly be called progressive by modern standards, this picture is a kind of guide to how LGBT people were treated in the USA in the early 1960s.

9. Charada

• USA, 1963.
• Romantic detective.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

Young American Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) is about to file for divorce. She returns from the resort and learns that her husband was killed under mysterious circumstances, and all their joint property is sold out. Soon, Regina herself is in great danger, so the support of a casual acquaintance Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) comes in handy.

Due to its characteristic atmosphere of emptiness and loss, the film is often credited with Alfred Hitchcock, but in reality its director is Stanley Donen. Therefore, "Charada" is sometimes unofficially called "the best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made."

Most of the work on the painting took place in Paris. In virtually the same locations, director Richard Quine had filmed Paris When It Is Hot a few months earlier. Audrey Hepburn also starred in it.

Audrey received the prestigious BAFTA for her role as Regina Lampert.

10. My fair lady

• USA, 1964.
• Musical, drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 170 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

The plot of Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion" is familiar to many: linguistics professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) makes a bet that he will turn the uncouth flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) into a real lady. Moreover, such that even the cream of society at the embassy reception in the palace will not guess about her real origin.

Despite a whopping box office and 12 Oscar nominations, the film shattered Audrey Hepburn's impeccable acting reputation. The fact is that the image of Eliza Dolittle in the minds of the audience was already closely associated with Julie Andrews - it was she who played this role in the musical of the same name. And Andrews fans were terribly disappointed to learn that another actress would play Eliza.

In addition, the public perception of Audrey Hepburn was influenced by the controversial decisions of the producers. Although the actress responsibly prepared for vocal numbers and took singing lessons, her own voice had a limited range. Therefore, the studio at the last moment decided to replace Hepburn's parts with vocals from professional singer Marnie Nixon. This also caused criticism.

Perhaps that is why next year - with all the nominations for "My Fair Lady" - Hepburn did not even nominate for an Oscar for Best Actress. And Julie Andrews's award for her role in Mary Poppins looked like a subtle prick from American film academics to the guilty Audrey.

11. How to steal a million

• USA, 1966.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

High society knows Charles Bonnet (Hugh Griffith) as a respectable collector. But in fact, the hero, being a talented artist, writes forgeries of outstanding masters and sells them as originals.

The fraudster manages to maintain an ideal reputation until one day his family heirloom without special value appears at a prestigious Paris exhibition. Future examination may reveal that the statuette, which Charles Bonnet presents as a priceless work of the famous Italian sculptor, is a worthless copy.

To save his father's authority, his loving daughter Nicole (Audrey Hepburn) decides to steal a compromising statuette from the museum, enlisting the support of Simon Dermot (Peter O'Toole). Ironically, Simon turns out to be a fake detective.

The luxurious outfits from the film, created by Hubert de Givenchy, have become the object of desire for many women. Some viewers even went to the cinema several times to get a better look at Audrey Hepburn's dresses.

12. Wait until darkness

• USA, 1967.
• Psychological thriller.
• Duration: 108 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

In the center of the plot is the housewife Suzie (Audrey Hepburn), who lost her sight as a result of a car accident. A rag doll belonging to drug dealers with dubious contents falls into her house. The bandits, led by the psychopathic killer Rout (Alan Arkin), intend to reclaim the doll. However, the blind Susie is not nearly as helpless as they think.

For her role in the only thriller in her career, Audrey Hepburn received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. It was not an ordinary experience for an actress. After all, she refused all roles in films where there could be violence, and did not even want to work with Hitchcock, who dreamed of shooting her in his film No Ransom for the Judge.

Stephen King in his non-fiction book "Dance of Death" (Danse Macabre), dedicated to the genre of horror in literature and cinema, noted the picture as one of his favorites.

13. Two on the way / Two on the road

• Great Britain, 1967.
• Melodrama.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The central theme of the film is the problem of complex relationships in a married couple who are on the verge of divorce. In a non-linear narrative, the story of two lovers is gradually revealed to the audience. Mark (Albert Finney) and Joanna (Audrey Hepburn) travel the coast of southern France, where they once met. The heroes gradually realize that they still really need each other.

Another not quite usual role for Audrey Hepburn. The actress left her usual sublime romantic image and embodied a completely different, more vital one. There are no Givenchy outfits in this film either - director Stanley Donen wanted Audrey Hepburn's character to wear ordinary clothes that can be bought at a regular store.

For her role as Joanna Wallace, the actress received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

14. Robin and Marian

• USA, 1976.
• Adventure film, drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Rethinking the classic Robin Hood story. Robin (Sean Connery) and Marian (Audrey Hepburn) are not young anymore, but they still love each other. However, the happiness of the heroes is not destined to continue: after all, Robin is not at all made for a family.

Audrey Hepburn starred in this film at the request of her sons Sean and Luke. They were delighted that Robin Hood would be played by the real James Bond. And you can't argue - after all, Sean Connery really created the classic image of Agent 007 and was the only Bond to receive an honorary Oscar.

15. They all laughed

• USA, 1981.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Two detectives John Russo and Charles Rutledge (Ben Gazzara and John Ritter) work for a New York detective agency. They are tasked with keeping an eye on two beautiful ladies who are suspected of infidelity by their wealthy husbands. Russo is assigned to the luxurious Angela Niotes (Audrey Hepburn), and Rutledge and his comrade Arthur Brodsky (Blaine Novak) look after the young Dolores Martin (Dorothy Stratten). During the surveillance, detectives fall in love with each other with their own suspect.

A macabre story is connected with this picture, which marked the end of New Hollywood. On the set, Dorothy Stratten started an affair with director Peter Bogdanovich. And soon the young actress was brutally killed by her husband, photographer Paul Snyder, who did not want to let the girl go to another. Because of this high-profile incident, major studios refused to distribute the film. In order for viewers to see the picture, Bogdanovich began to distribute with his own money. But the audience and critics greeted the film coolly, and the director was forced to declare bankruptcy.

The picture nevertheless found recognition, but much later. It was called a masterpiece by Quentin Tarantino known for his various cinematic addictions. The aesthetics of "They All Laughed" was reflected in the films of Tarantino himself, for example, in the crime drama "Jackie Brown".

The beautiful Audrey Hepburn no longer appeared on wide screens, except for the television movie Love Among Thieves and a small role in Steven Spielberg's Always.