Charade (1963) (Criterion Collection) UK Only [Blu-ray] [2020]

This is a review of one version of this film (there are at least two) as presented on Prime Video. Quite simply: don't waste your time. The original film was 1.85:1 but someone has decided it looks better vertically squashed to a wider ratio. The squeeze isn't uniform; it resembles the (not so) "smart" ratio offered by some TVs to fit 4x3 into 16x9 - greater stretch at the sides than the middle - and it's extremely distracting in lateral pans - there is one right after the opening credits. The source appears to have been a very damaged theatrical print with many instances of dropped frames and skipped audio. The rendering is noisy, very soft and lacking detail - on a par with a poor example of VHS. Wholly unsatisfactory and a huge discredit to Amazon Prime video.

If Amazon Prime consider this acceptable quality then Netflix is going to destroy them. The picture quality was seriously terrible - like watching a 80's pirate video. The movie only appeared on around half the screen in 4:3 and was blurry - very little contrast as well. The audio sync got worse as the movie progressed. Unwatchable in this form. Shame on you Amazon. Get your act together.

This review is for the DVD with blue circles on the cover. Reviews for various other releases and Prime Video all mixed together here.I had a tough day yesterday, but there are few problems that can't be solved by a dose of Audrey, and this movie certainly did the trick ! The same goes for Cary Grant and the two of them together are sheer bliss, despite the 25-year age gap. The screwball goings-on are beautifully choreographed, the glamour and romance amid the Paris locations are heavenly, and the mystery element is tense, with non-stop twists and turns. There's also lively and imaginative direction by Stanley Donen (not Hitchcock) and a fabulous, fast-paced score by Henry Mancini. In 1963 some of the grisly scenes, courtesy of George Kennedy and James Coburn (both great), were considered over the top, but this hardly applies by today's standards. Last but not least, Walter Matthau is bordering on brilliant in his role.The DVD (the one with blue circles, currently going for £3.99) is of good quality, with clear sound, but no subtitles, and I enjoyed the very stylish trailer. The aspect ratio is shown as 16:9 - 1.85:1. In summary, terrific value.

This is a wonderfully entertaining film starring the ever enchanting Audrey Hepburn opposite the great Cary Grant. It's a mystery thriller with a goodly dose of romance and at times a hint of crime caper, and you could be forgiven if you thought it was directed by Hitchcock. It isn't (Stanley Donen is the director), but it could be.The lovely Ms Hepburn plays the damsel in distress and is as stylish as ever. Cary Grant is the man she turns to for help. However, nothing in this tale of secret servicemen, double crossing gangsters, and a treasure worth a quarter of a million dollars is quite what it seems, and there are new twists and turns at every corner as we follow the leading lady around Paris on her quest to find a lost treasureThe glorious Parisian filming locations add to the allure of the film, as does a great original score by Henry Mancini. The supporting cast includes such greats of the time as Walter Matthau and James Coburn. What's not to like?The DVD I bought has very decent picture and sound quality. The 4:3 letterbox format is far from perfect, but it's serviceable. Considering the very low purchase price and the fact that I really enjoyed seeing this film again, it's still 5 stars from me.

Some misguided souls consider this to be the best Hitchcock film that he never made but they are simply wrong. Hitchcock would have demanded further re-writes of the script and executed it in a much more inventive way.No-one can fault the wonderful leads and those who question the age gap should remember that the rich (and Hollywood) are different.The excellent supporting cast's considerable talents are largely squandered and the mystery villain is easy to guess.After a prologue in the alps (where the actor's breath actually shows the cold, something quite rare in movies) the action moves to Paris where the locations lack any real atmosphere. In common with many films of the period as soon as the location is established we move quickly into the studio and the middle section is largely a not very funny 'bedroom farce' set in an hotel. However, the pace is notched up considerably in the latter stages with a metro chase and climax at the Palais Royale and theatre.Not a patch on 'North by northwest' or even 'To Catch a Thief' but entertaining enough.The Park remastered release has fine image quality and respects the original aspect ratio, something which other releases seem not to do, lacks subtitles and extras are confined to a trailer and images. I wish I'd sprung for the Criterion release, with a writer and director commentary, but I am in budget mode and opted for the most economic, quality choice.

This movie is tricky. It tries to tackle comedy and espionage in the same way that North by Northwest did, even though Charade tends to lean more on the comedy side at times, while still trying to present a compelling mystery plot. If the dial was turned 5 degrees to the left it could almost be an episode of Get Smart, but the performances by Grant, Hepburn and Matthau prevent this from getting into too much of a farce. It's almost Donen's attempt to make a movie A la Alfred Hitchcock. As it is, the movie is a great ride, and the performances and plot as compelling enough to carry you through the almost 2 hours. If you're a fan of mystery there are twists and turns aplenty here. As for extras there are almost none, 2 short featurettes part of the "100 years of universal". Audio is English dual mono and subtitles are english for the hard of hearing and French.