Audrey Hepburn Remembered 1993, 2008
Distributed by Janson Media, 88 Semmons Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640; 201-784-8488
Produced by Gene Jean Feldman and Suzette Winter
Directed by Gene Feldman
DVD, color, 103 min.
College - Adult
Film Studies, Popular Culture, Theater
Date Entered: 08/14/2008
Reviewed by Charles Burkart, Media Bibliographer, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WVThe delicate, faun-like beauty and polished elegance of actress Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston) has attracted a loyal following among American film fans. Although Audrey Hepburn starred in only thirty-one films, some of these are acknowledged classics: Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Charade (1963), My Fair Lady (1964), and Wait Until Dark (1967). She won an Oscar as Best Actress for Roman Holiday, and received another nomination for Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In later life she acted as a special ambassador to UNICEF, the United Nations fund helping impoverished children in Latin America and Africa. Audrey Hepburn died in 1993 after being diagnosed with incurable cancer in 1992.
Audrey Hepburn Remembered was originally broadcast in 1993 on PBS and HBO/Cinemax.. It has been reissued as part of The Hollywood Collection by Janson Media.
This well made documentary includes clips from Ms Hepburn’s famous movies, as well as interviews with her artistic collaborators and friends: Billy Wilder, Gregory Peck, Mel Farrer, George Peppard, Henry Mancini, and Blake Edwards. Moreover, Audrey’s first husband, Mel Ferrer, son, Sean Ferrer, and long time companion, Rob Wolders, provide many intimate details about her personal life.
Narrated by Roger Moore, Audrey Hepburn Remembered gives a respectful but balanced biography of this popular actress. Picture, sound, color and editing are all top notch in this Emmy nominated documentary. The documentary keeps the viewers interest by its measured pace and variety of film clips and interesting interviews. It will appeal to both dedicated Hepburn fans and casual viewers.
While the documentary may be of more interest to public than academic libraries, it will still be useful to academic film programs or theater collections. I must confess that I’ve always been an Audrey Hepburn fan and this documentary is a fitting tribute to her unique talent, beauty and humanity. I highly recommend Audrey Hepburn Remembered.