Sabrina (1954) - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Roman Holiday put Audrey Hepburn on the cinematic map and won her a Best Actress Oscar, but Sabrina cemented her reputation and defined her distinctive look. Though this frothy Cinderella tale is little more than a sweet romantic trifle that possesses far more style than substance, Hepburn makes an indelible impression, lighting up the screen with an intoxicating combination of vitality and melancholy that's alternately charming and seductive. With her almond eyes, jet black hair, swan-like neck, and waifish figure, Hepburn casts a glamorous spell, but her sophisticated yet down-to-earth personality enhances the effect (as does her Edith Head and Givenchy wardrobe), resulting in a rarely rivaled vision of elegance. Other actresses certainly could have played Sabrina competently enough, but Hepburn's performance bolsters our affection for the character and carries this otherwise undistinguished and somewhat frustrating film.

The fact that Hepburn bears all that weight on her slight shoulders is somewhat surprising, considering her co-stars are Humphrey Bogart and William Holden and her director is the esteemed Billy Wilder, who also co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay with Ernest Lehman (North by Northwest) and, to a lesser extent, Samuel A. Taylor, upon whose hit Broadway play the movie is based. (Taylor reportedly walked off the project when Wilder insisted on a battery of changes to his original work.) Wilder was a comic genius (his screenplays for Midnight, Ninotchka, Ball of Fire, and The Major and the Minor rank among Hollywood's most hilarious), but even his enviable talents can't jumpstart the trite and predictable story that strangely lacks his trademark bite. Plenty of clever nuances distinguish Sabrina - and subpar Wilder certainly outclasses the best work of many other directors - but the stunning image of Hepburn is the film's only aspect that achieves any lasting impact.

Sabrina promises more than it delivers, thanks to an absorbing prologue that sets up the crux of the plot. Sabrina Fairchild (Hepburn), the awkward, gangly daughter of the devoted Larrabee family chauffeur (John Williams), incessantly dreams of the fairy tale life that seems to exist a hair's breadth away inside the hallowed walls of the Long Island mansion where the obscenely rich brood dwells. Despite the admonitions of her dad ("Don't reach for the moon, child," he cautions her), the young Sabrina secretly and unrequitedly pines for the dashing and irresponsible David (Holden), a serial, thrice-married playboy whose lack of ambition, countless trysts, and affection for alcohol make him a dangerous crush.

David's older brother Linus (Bogart) is his antithesis: hard-working, humorless, stalwart, and dull. In the hope of breaking her detrimental infatuation with David and helping her grow up, Sabrina's father sends her away to cooking school in Paris. Transformed by the City of Light into a gracious swan with an elite sense of sophistication and style, Sabrina returns home two years later almost unrecognizable, especially to David, who quickly becomes smitten, despite his impending nuptials with a less enchanting socialite, Elizabeth Tyson (Martha Hyer). Sabrina is thrilled by David's attention (much to her father's chagrin, she never got over him), but Linus is not, as a broken engagement would also break a lucrative business deal the Larrabee company is brokering with Elizabeth's family. To preserve the alliances, Linus decides he too will woo Sabrina and hopefully convince her to return to Paris, but in so doing, he also becomes transformed and Sabrina becomes confused as to which Larrabee brother is the right prince for her.

Cinderella tales would become a Hepburn staple throughout her career; over the next decade, she would evolve from a plain-Jane bookseller into a haute couture model in Funny Face and morph from a flower-peddling guttersnipe into a well-mannered woman of quality in My Fair Lady. (And in the previous year's Roman Holiday, she did the Cinderella act in reverse, playing a bored princess who goes incognito as a commoner to see how normal people live.) It's a comfortable role for Hepburn, and she plays it to perfection (she earned another Oscar nomination for her heartfelt portrayal), but the bubbly champagne material often goes flat, and that's largely due to Bogart's dour performance.

A last-minute replacement for Cary Grant (who would have been far better in the part, and a much more believable brother for Holden and suitor for Hepburn), Bogart sleepwalks through the film, looking overly sad, disinterested, and grouchy. He reportedly didn't think much of Hepburn as an actress (he lobbied for his wife, Lauren Bacall, to play Sabrina, but that idea was - thankfully - vetoed by Wilder), which might explain their complete lack of chemistry and his shocking indifference to her during their love scenes. He's also 30 years Hepburn's senior and almost 20 years older than Holden (whom he apparently loathed) - and he looks it, making him a definite fish out of water in this youthful romp and making the audience unashamedly root for David to win Sabrina's favor, despite his obvious faults. (Though Fred Astaire was the exact same age as Bogart, somehow his romance with Hepburn in Funny Face is far more palatable.) Watching Bogart here, it's almost impossible to imagine him in Casablanca or any other film in which he plays a romantic figure.

Sabrina is also notable as it marks the first time Hepburn was dressed by the man who would quickly become her exclusive designer for the rest of her career, Hubert de Givenchy. A Parisian apprentice at the time, Givenchy was unfamiliar with Audrey. When told a Hepburn from Hollywood was coming to consult with him about her wardrobe, he expected Katharine! But their instant rapport spawned not just an iconic look for one actress, but a timeless fashion line that continues to be copied to this day. Hepburn's appearance at the train station after her transformation in a smart, tailored Givenchy suit with matching hat - not to mention her black-and-white evening dress at the Larrabee ball - not only bewitches Holden, but also the audience, sparking a love affair that continues to this day. Though Givenchy designed the bulk of Hepburn's wardrobe in the film, he does not receive screen credit. That - and the Oscar the costumes won - went to Edith Head, Paramount's fashion doyenne, who only made minimal contributions.

Wilder, who also nabbed an Oscar nod, does his best with the material, which is hardly revolutionary, and this cheerful romantic comedy often sports his trademark sparkling touch. Elegance abounds, even if wit comes at a premium. Seventy years later, the story doesn't seem particularly dated, but it's rather bland, and even the potent star power on display - and a top-flight supporting cast - can't spice it up. Still, Sabrina is worth seeing for Hepburn alone, whose youthful energy, dazzling appearance, and all-around magnetism almost make this cinematic glass slipper fit.

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
The 1954 version of Sabrina arrives on 4K UHD packaged in a standard case inside a sleeve. A 1080p Blu-ray is also included in the package. Video codec is 2160p/HEVC H.265 with Dolby Vision HDR and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu with music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.

A brand new HDR/Dolby Vision master by Paramount Pictures that's struck from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative yields a high-quality 2160p/HEVC H.265 transfer that's a nice upgrade from the 2014 Blu-ray. Grain is still visible and that's a good thing, as it lends the presentation a palpable film-like feel and faithfully honors the lush, Oscar-nominated cinematography of Charles Lang. Excellent clarity and contrast, deep blacks, bright, stable whites, and a broad grayscale produce a vibrant, detailed image that brims with depth. The fabrics and patterns of all the elegant costumes, but especially Hepburn's, are crisp, the jewelry sparkles, and all the ritzy decor in the Larrabee mansion and offices is well defined. Shadow delineation is superb, process shots are strong, and an array of gorgeous close-ups highlight Hepburn's flawless complexion, Holden's matinee idol looks, and the folds and wrinkles in Bogart's weathered, slightly rubbery face. No nicks, dirt, or scratches sully the pristine source and no digital anomalies could be detected. Some nagging softness remains here and there, but that's likely baked into the negative. The 2014 Blu-ray was quite nice, but the increased clarity and vibrancy of this 4K UHD transfer make it worthy of an upgrade.

The 1080p Blu-ray also included in the package features a brand new transfer as well that's culled from the same 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. A brief sampling of that transfer impressed me and I could see minor improvements over the 2014 Blu-ray, which appears darker and slightly more grainy by comparison. A Blu-ray upgrade isn't essential, but if you're a diehard fan you might appreciate the brighter, more balanced picture.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track seems to be identical to the one included on Paramount's 2014 Blu-ray. Here's what I wrote about it years ago:

"The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track delivers good quality sound that's devoid of any age-related defects, such as hiss, pops, and crackles. A wide dynamic scale handles all the highs and lows with ease, and no distortion ever creeps into the mix. Fine tonal depth allows the full-bodied orchestrations (which include endless reprises of 'Isn't It Romantic') to fill the room with ease, and dialogue is always clear and comprehendible. Accents, such as shattering glass and the hum of car engines, come through cleanly, and all the elements are well modulated, creating a seamless soundscape that belies its advanced age. Cleanliness is next to godliness where classic soundtracks are concerned, and this one passes muster with flying colors."

All the extras from the 2014 Blu-ray have been ported over to this 4K UHD release and KLSC adds a couple of new audio commentaries to sweeten the pot. The commentary tracks can be accessed on both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs, but all the other supplements are exclusive to the Blu-ray.

• Audio Commentary by film historian Joseph McBride, author of Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge
• Audio Commentary by film historian-writer Julie Kirgo and writer-filmmaker Peter Hankoff
• Featurette: "Audrey Hepburn: Fashion Icon" (HD, 18 minutes) - The first half of this featurette is the most interesting, as it focuses on Hepburn's unconventional figure, her wardrobe in various films, the origins of her relationship with designer Hubert de Givenchy, and how her elfin, tomboy-like appearance changed perceptions about style and attractiveness. The second half, however, drags a bit, as it concentrates on the fashions of today, looking at clothes designed by Eduardo Lucero and Trina Turk, and examining how Hepburn's influence continues to drive the industry.
• Featurette: "The Making of Sabrina" (SD, 12 minutes) - This shallow, superficial featurette merely skirts the surface of Sabrina, touching on the film's cast (we learn Cary Grant was originally slater to play Linus, not Bogart), screenplay rewrites, and the recollections of Paramount producer A.C. Lyles. Film clips and production stills abound, but they can't mask the lack of substance.
• Documentary: "William Holden: The Paramount Years" (HD, 30 minutes) - Slick, informative, and nicely balanced best describes this reverential salute to one of Hollywood's most popular leading men. The documentary covers Holden's entire career and the noteworthy films that comprised it, and also briefly addresses his friendship with Wilder, romance with Hepburn, wildlife conservation work, alcoholism, and tragic death. Fond recollections from co-stars Gil Stratton, Pat Crowley, and long-time girlfriend Stefanie Powers, as well as comments from film journalists, enhance this interesting, clip-filled celebration.
• Featurette: "Sabrina's World" (HD, 11 minutes) - This piece examines the Gold Coast of Long Island and the town of Glen Cove, where some of Sabrina was shot, and looks at the lavish lifestyles, massive mansions, and historical significance of this one-time playground for rich Manhattanites.
• Featurette: "Supporting Sabrina" (HD, 17 minutes) - Many of the supporting players who grace the 'Sabrina' cast are saluted in this breezy, informative featurette that encapsulates the careers of such notable actors as John Williams, Ellen Corby, Nancy Culp, Marcel Dalio, Walter Hampden, Francis X. Bushman, and Martha Hyer, and includes plenty of film clips and stills from their performances in other movies.
• Featurette: "Behind the Gates: Camera" (HD, 5 minutes) - This promotional featurette examines the different types of cameras used in Paramount films over the years, as well as the development and renaissance of VistaVision. What all this has to do with Sabrina is anybody's guess.
• Featurette: "Paramount in the '50s" (SD, 10 minutes) - Produced in 2000, this salute to some of the best movies made by Paramount in the 1950s includes clips from such classics as Sunset Blvd., A Place in the Sun, The Greatest Show on Earth, Roman Holiday, White Christmas, The Ten Commandments, To Catch a Thief, and, of course, Sabrina.
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2 minutes) - The film's original preview, along with previews for the 1995 remake of Sabrina, and three Billy Wilder movies, completes the extras package.

Isn't she lovely! Sabrina favors style over substance, which makes it a 4K UHD natural, and KLSC honors this classic romcom with a high-quality Dolby Vision transfer struck from a new 4K master of the original 35mm camera negative, solid audio, and a bunch of extras, including two new audio commentaries. Hepburn, Bogart, and Holden may make an odd triangle, but director Billy Wilder somehow makes Sabrina work, and at times this confection is very sweet indeed. Highly Recommended.