Rating: 
Summary: Criterion scores again!
Review: I got this DVD for Christmas and I wasn't disappointed. Stanley Donen, director of musicals such as "Singin' In The Rain" starring Gene Kelly, brought together Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn (who looks luminous, as always) in this wonderfully-written story about a Parisian widow (Hepburn) who is being pursued by three dangerous men (two of which are played by George Kennedy - an excellent "heavy" - and James Coburn at his most menacing) who want to find out about a large sum of money her dead husband supposedly had. Grant is the helpful stranger but eventually you begin to wonder: is he working with these men? Does he want the money for himself? Or is he really the handsome, older man Audrey finds herself falling in love with?Enhanced by a lush score by the late Henry Mancini, photographed beautifully in Paris and containing first-rate acting and deliciously wicked dialogue by writer Peter Stone, "Charade" is a film that should be in every serious DVD collection. Grant is older but better, like fine wine, and Ms. Hepburn ... well there have been millions of words used to describe her and I can't add to them other than to say the world lost a marvelous talent at her death. You'll enjoy "Charade" for a long, long time.
Rating: 
Summary: BUYER BEWARE OF THE WIDESCREEN VHS VERSION
Review: We always try to find the letterboxed or widescreen version of any film for our VHS collection and were delighted to find Charade was available in that format. What a huge disappointment it was beginning with the opening titles. There were scratches immediately visible and then the Mancini title song began skipping...THE FILM USED FOR THE TRANSFER TAPE HAD BEEN BROKEN AND SPLICED! Numerous vertical lines appear at times throughout the film, scratches appear regularly and the entire film has several spots where it was broken and spliced resulting in missing lines of diaglogue. The only good thing I can say about this tape is the color print used was decent enough, although several reels had a somewhat faded look.
Rating:
Summary: The very best of both stars
Review: This movie is the brings out the best in both of these incredible hollywood legends. It is interesting, with a classic murder mystery plot full of suspicion and suspense. It is also full of humour and twists that make it a thoroughly entertaining movie. It would not, however, be an Audrey Hepburn or Cary Grant movie if it weren't for on of the best romances of all times that takes on humourous like turns. I would definately recommend that you buy this dvd and don't miss out on the opporotunity of owning this wonderful film.
Rating:
Summary: A winner with ever-changing plot and characters.
Review: Cary Grant and Audrie Hepburn together! What more could one ask for? The interplay between these legendary stars is superb and would be quite enough to make this movie worth seeing. But Charade offers more. The outstanding cast includes Walter Matthau, James Coburn, and George Kennedy and the oustanding plot has plenty of intrigue, suspense, and unexpected twists and turns. All of this plus a fine musical score by Henry Mancini. As noted above, what more could one ask for? Charade definitely is a winner.
Rating:
Summary: If you watch only one of their movies, see this one
Review: If you only watch one Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn movie, see this one. Even though Grant was reportedly being a bit oversensitive about his age in this flick, they really sparkle together. Audrey Hepburn is Regina Lampert, a rather naive young widow who, after her mysterious husband's death, is pursued by a mysterious trio of sinister men, one of whom has a metal claw prosthesis instead of a hand (Herman, you need to do SLASHER films. He's scarier in that one shot than the entire "Scream" trilogy) After being warned by an FBI agent that her late husband was a wanted criminal with a quarter-million dollars, she teams up with Cary Grant (under many, many names) to thwart them and find the money. But she soon finds that she may not be able to trust her own allies... This is the greatest whodunnit, proving that a good, suspenseful movie doesn't need blasting special effects, love scenes beyond Audrey kissing Cary's cheek, lots of violence, or loads of gore. The plot takes so many twists and turns that you will never guess who is the person you're looking for. And you'll never guess who Cary Grant is. The dialogue is snappy, smart, sexy, intriguing. There are almost visible sparks flying between Hepburn and Grant, both of whom are at their simple best. The three sinister men are beautifully played--they are virtually heartless, especially the mistrustful Herman who should be starring in... oh, I said that already. The French policeman manages to be ineffective without being comical. There's a fair dollop of comedy as well: Grant's frantic attempts to capture an orange at the party and embarrassing himself in the process, his statement "Nice view" when Herman takes him onto a building top, and Hepburn's repeated "I don't know"s when she is asked about her late hubby. But the suspense, occasional horror and humor don't interfere--rather, they enhance each other. I wish they'd come out with a movie like this for my favorite modern actors. But heck, they don't make 'em like this no more!
Rating:
Summary: perfect whodunit
Review: Mystery films come and go; a precious few stand the test of time. "Charade", probably the greatest whodunit ever made, is a masterpiece of tone, miraculously blending the disparate elements of suspense, humor and romance more successfully than any film I've seen. Enhanced by the dashing beauty of its two stars, the sophisticated wit of its clever script, the shimmering beauty of its on-location photography, and, of course, the classic Henry Mancini score, "Charade" is a movie that one can enjoy no matter how many times one has seen it.
Rating: 
Summary: Audrey Hepburn gets lit matches dropped on her? Wow.
Review: No, this film doesn't have the fascinating thematic explorations that lurk under the surface of Mr. Hitchcock's thrillers, but that's like criticizing a delicious hamburger for not being a filet mignon. Director Stanley Donen and writer Peter Stone deliver an entertaining caper film that nicely balances humor and suspense, neither facet undercutting the other (for example, Mr. Grant's continually changing identity throughout the course of the film is both witty AND mysterious). And don't let the fact that the movie is a star vehicle for two of our most famous romantic leads fool you. There is certainly romance, but the film is gritty and violent when it needs to be, too (see my lit matches line in the title). All in all, this is a terrific entertainment that delivers the goods. And, of course, Criterion's DVD extras will you keep you busy for a couple of hours after the film is over.
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Summary: Criterion does the film justice
Review: Being born in 1980, I suffered the disadvantage of not being aware of this film's existence until recently. I caught Charade on television and was absolutely enthralled -- the dialog is witty, the plot is unpredictable, the art direction is stylish, and the actors are at their charming best. The Criterion DVD offers a crisp, flawless print of the film. And like other Criterion titles, Charade gets some fabulous graphic design on the packaging and menu screens. A high quality production throughout.
Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful movie, and what a wonderful DVD
Review: Wow! THis is a great DVD, though that does seem to be almost repetive when Criterion is in the DVD's Title. Charade is a classic movie in the Tradition of _The 39 Steps_. Because of Cary Grant's concern about the age between Audrey Hepburn and himself, we see an interesting twist on the type of movie. WHat is that twist? The Leading lady chases the Leading Man, which makes a good film even more interesting and fun to watch. This is a movie I can reccommend without hesitation, especially the Criterion Collection version.
Rating:
Summary: Another Audrey Must See!
Review: If you're in love with those "Audrey/handsome co-star parading about Paris doing interesting things" movies, you must buy this... buy the Criterion Edition though.. It's worth the money.
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