Blu-ray Review: BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S 50th Anniversary Edition

It's finally here! One of cinemas most treasured classics and one of the legendary Audrey Hepburn's most defining roles, Breakfast at Tiffany's makes it's way onto a special 50th anniversary Blu-ray edition today. Read on for our review... When Paul Varjak (George Peppard), a novelist with severe writer's block, moves into a new Manhattan apartment building he's immediately enraptured by his beautiful but quirky neighbour, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn). Holly's unconventional lifestyle both alienates and captivates Paul, who finds her public persona carelessly flitting through swanky parties with an alluring and sophisticated grace little more than a mask to disguise the endearing vulnerability she exhibits when they're alone. Can Paul ever hope to capture Holly's heart? When a film is as iconic as Breakfast at Tiffany's is, simply from a single image of its star, the actual material has a hard job living up to this notoriety. Breakfast at Tiffany's does just that though. The classic tale of life, romance and finery is as potent today as it was 50 years ago upon its initial release. Truman Capote's novel retains all of its timeless charm and elegance in director Blake Edwards' engaging film. Effortlessly chic and very much embodying the free spirit of the 1960s time period it's set in, the film combines complex characters with a meandering plot that climaxes in a crescendo that could warm the iciest of hearts. Capturing the characters of Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak completely, the sparklingly romance that forms between the two is entwined with a greater sense of humanity within the isolation and loneliness caused by the concrete jungle of New York City. Paul immediately becomes enraptured by Holly, who's carefree and fantasy-filled outlook on life prevents her from allowing herself to reciprocate. With no illusions to sexual tension between the two, Holly is characterised as almost childlike with a wonderful naive innocence that encourages Paul to want to care for her rather than simply ravishing her. A tale of abandoning social constraints and one's own unglamorous past, Breakfast at Tiffany's is film that demonstrates just how we can attempt to shape our own destinies, but no matter how hard we try good old fashioned 'true love' will ultimately get in the way! Looking dazzling and spellbindingly mesmerising in her Givenchy wardrobe (which almost takes on a life of its own within both the parameters of the narrative and the extra-textual realms of viewers' homes), Audrey Hepburn embodies every fibre of Holly's being. Expertly shifting between the highs of her flighty lifestyle and the subsequent lack of fulfilment and depression it causes her, Hepburn's performance is nothing short of remarkable. She delivers her dialogue with an almost hypnotic quality, as her distinct accent-less drawl draws viewers deeper into the character and encourages them to sympathise with her. Transcending merely being a clotheshorse for Givenchy's designs, Hepburn gives a subtle and affecting performance that perfectly captures the essence of Capote's complex character. George Peppard is equally subtle in his role as Paul Varjak, the quiet author who finds inspiration in his affections for Holly. His devotion to her is unquestionable from their first meeting and Peppard proficiently captures Paul's desire to tame and essentially look after her. Patricia Neal is superbly cast as the vampish wasp if a woman who has Paul in her clutches and is extremely reluctant to let him go. She spends much of her time swanning around in a wardrobe that isn't too dissimilar from Cruella DeVille's, but her camp and histrionic performance fits perfectly with the tone of the older woman who knows what she wants and will pay whatever she has to get it. Comic relief comes in the shape of Mickey Rooney in the role of Mr Yunioshi, Holly's exasperated upstairs neighbour. Rooney brilliantly imitates the stereotypical image of a Japanese man, in a role that sees him don heavy make up and an even heavier accent! His constant ranting at Holly combined with his evident underlying amorous feelings generate genuinely hilarious moments. Essentially the film is perfectly cast, which has firmly assisted in it becoming a rightly regarded classic.

QUALITY

For a film that was made fifty years ago Paramount's newly upgraded HD transfer is just short of miraculous! The film is virtually free of all blemishes and grain, with only a few instances of soft focus betraying the predominantly sharp focus achieved. The vast colour scheme is bright and vibrant, with each individual colour afforded a richness and luminance that films from the period so lovingly captured on camera. The high definition upgrade makes these colours literally jump off the screen, from the burning reds of Neal's turbans to the deep pink and purple hues of Holly's cushions, the colour palette is expressive and intense. The only downside from the upgrade is that the heavy stage make up used during the period is more obvious than it probably should be. Whilst Hepburn simply looks flawless, Peppard and Neal look overly made up and Rooney simply has a muddy skin tone that is unquestionably fake! The visual quality of the film is generally superb, but the obvious make up hints towards the artifice of the production, which contrasts greatly with the more realistic impression and texture the transfer gives much of the locations. These are, however, only very minor gripes and Paramount's release will undoubtedly leave you in awe. With a film as old as Breakfast at Tiffany's transferring so well into high definition, it certainly leaves no excuse for the poor quality of some contemporary releases! The audio is equally proficient, with dialogue expertly captured to always be crystal clear and audible whether it's in the back or foreground. The jazz score created by Henry Mancini sounds sensational here and never over powers the dialogue or ambient sound. When the opening bars of Moonriver play, audiences are literally transported into the heart of the drama through this memorable and touching melody.

EXTRAS

Paramount have surpassed themselves with this special fiftieth anniversary edition release, as a host of fantastic special features literally look at every aspect of the film. Viewers will find the following array of material on the disc: Audio Commentary - This dull commentary with Richard Shepherd is unfortunately a real disappointment and the worst piece of supplementary material presented here. His observations range from the obvious and trite (his over zealous enthusiasm for a relatively insignificant powder room scene fir example) to the downright ridiculous (his quip about the outdated nature of typewriters...yes, really!). For anybody who loves this film, I can€™t stress enough how it should be avoided! A Golightly Gathering - This unique feature brings together a number of extras and other minor actors to reminiscence about their experiences of making the infamous cocktail party scene. The collected musings of these long forgotten actors add another layer to the mystique of the film's legacy. Henry Mancini: More than Music - This remarkable look at the real man behind the film's music, friends and others who knew Mancini discuss his legendary position within the business, as well as revealing more personal anecdotes about the fascinating musician. Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective -This obscure documentary centres on the controversy of the film's most comical character, Mickey Rooney's Mr Yunioshi. The contention over the stereotypical characterisation of Yunioshi and Rooney's yellowface make up is the centre of this features debate. A collection of Asian activists rationally look at whether the character is really racist, although the film is only mildly touched upon, with the contributors focusing on the wider issue of stereotyping within cinema. The Making of a Classic - This thorough and engaging look at the film is one of the best features on the disc. In depth interviews reveal much about the production and will please both first time viewers and aficionados of the film alike. It's So Audrey! A Style Icon - This absorbing mini featurette looks at Hepburn as the style icon she's so correctly remembered as being, whilst also touching on the star's fame and enduring legacy. Behind the Gates: The Tour - This behind the scenes tour of Paramount Pictures is predominantly told through a series of pictures and whilst this is an interesting piece, it's hardly in depth. Brilliance in a Blue Box - One for the jewellery lovers, this mini documentary looks at the designs of Tiffany & Co.'s most spectacular and famous jewellery. Audrey's Letter to Tiffany - This brief feature delivers Audrey Hepburn's speech to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Tiffany & Co in 1987. Galleries - Three galleries cover a range of images associated with the film, the production itself and its publicity. The wide array of images present, mean that there's something for everyone. Theatrical Trailer - This HD upgrade of the original trailer does not hold up as well as the feature, looking rather dated and slightly worse for wear. Film: 5 out of 5 Blake Edwards' adaptation of Truman Capote's remarkable novel is equal parts drama, romance and chic-ness. Quintessentially stylish, the film remains as touching and engaging today as it did upon its opening release. Combining pitch perfect performances with a beautifully flawless aesthetic, cinema doesn't get much better! Visuals: 4.5 out of 5 The clarity of Paramount's newly updated HD transfer is virtually beyond words. For a film that is fifty years old to be virtually free from any grain or other distortion is neigh on unthinkable. But Breakfast at Tiffany's looks more accomplished than many contemporary releases do. Audio: 4.5 out of 5 The quality of the audio is similarly as impressive as the visuals, with dialogue intelligible and clear throughout. Mancini's original score is superb and meanders throughout the narrative, highlighting various scenes and helping make them memorable. Extras: 5 out of 5 The sheer volume of bonus material housed on Paramount's release is incredible. From in depth documentaries to original trailers, there's everything here to keep fans of the film engaged for hours. For those who have never seen the film before, there's enough information here to make you an instant expert! Presentation: 4.5 out of 5 The front cover of this special edition uses the most iconic image associated with the film of Hepburn in character - her sitting elegantly at a small table in her instantly recognisable black dress and diamante necklace. The static menu also uses this image, but the simple layout makes it extremely easy to navigate (which is certainly helpful when it comes to viewing the huge array of special features). Overall: 5 out of 5 A notorious and remarkable film has been given a release that finally justifies it's importance within cinema history and it should be found on every film fans shelf. In addition to this, the immense quality of the picture and audio and the huge amount of supplementary material means that Breakfast at Tiffany's consists of exactly what makes Bluray such an excellent format! Breakfast at Tiffany's is out on Blu-ray now.