Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

directed by Blake Edwards
USA 1961

I’m crazy about Tiffany’s...Nothing very bad could happen to you there!” For the first time ever, this meticulously restored screen gem is available on Blu-ray™. Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) delights audiences as the carefree ingénue searching Manhattan for a dream millionaire to marry. George Peppard plays the struggling, “sponsored” young writer who gets swept away in Holly’s chaotic-yet-enchanting lifestyle. Directed by Blake Edwards (The Pink Panther, Victor/Victoria), this two-time Oscar®-winning film features Henry Mancini’s honored score*, as well as his and Johnny Mercer’s Academy Award®-winning song, “Moon River.” *Winner: Best Music – Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, 1961. Winner: Best Music (Song), 1961.

***

Despite sanitizing Truman Capote's novel, this is a charming fairy tale about a lost girl looking for love in the big city. Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard sparkle to the memorable refrain of 'Moon River'.

Audrey Hepburn created one of her signature roles in Holly Golightly, the hard-living escort girl who wants nothing more than to find love. That comes in the shape of her new neighbor, would-be writer Paul Varjak (Peppard, a long way from 'The A-Team'). Romance, however, is a complicated endeavor, given that Varjak is himself being kept by his wealthy patroness (Patricia Neal).

Romantic comedy is a difficult genre to perfect and it has rarely been done as well as it is here. Hepburn and Peppard create the kind of screen chemistry that comes along all too rarely. Despite the sordid implications of the relationships portrayed, the humor and the Oscar-winning refrains of Henry Mancini's score maintain the feelgood factor. The result is a charming fable of love in big, bad New York. All this and one of the best cats ever to grace the screen.

Verdict: Enduringly enjoyable romantic comedy always worth a revisit. Tone and performances are delicately judged, and Hepburn is radiant throughout.

 Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE.

 

Theatrical Release: October 5th, 1961

Reviews        More Reviews        DVD Reviews

Comparison: 

Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1, 4  - NTSC vs. Paramount (50th Anniversary Edition) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray RIGHT

 

DVD Box Cover

 

The new Anniversary edition is also available in The Audrey Hepburn DVD Collection with Roman Holiday / Sabrina and  Breakfast at Tiffany's.

            

Distribution

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount (Anniversary Edition)

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection)

Region 1, 4 - NTSC

Paramount

Region FREE - Blu-ray

Runtime 1:54:12 1:54:40 1:54:36 1:55:05.899

Video

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 8.62 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.83 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.56 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,568,899,177 bytes

Feature: 33,221,695,488 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 31.88 Mbps

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate : Paramount

Bitrate: Paramount (Anniversary Edition)

Bitrate: Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection)

Bitrate: Paramount Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 1.0) English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 1.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0) DTS-HD Master Audio English 3340 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3340 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Portuguese 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles English, None English, None English, French, Spanish, None English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Paramount

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical Trailer (2:37 / 4:3)

DVD Release Date: April 10th, 2001
Keep case

Chapters 14

Release Information:
Studio: Paramount (Anniversary Edition)
 

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Commentary by: producer Richard Shepherd
• The Making of a Classic
• It's So Audrey: A Style Icon
• Brilliance in a Blue Box
• Audrey's Letter to Tiffany
• Original theatrical trailer

 

DVD Release Date: February 7th, 2006
White Keep Case inside cardboard box

Chapters 14

Release Information:
Studio: Paramount (Centennial Edition)
 

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Commentary by: producer Richard Shepherd

Disc 2
• The Making of a Classic (16:11 - 4:3)
• It's So Audrey: A Style Icon
(8:13 - 4:3)

• Behind the Gates: a Tour (4:26)
• Brilliance in a Blue Box (6:02 - 4:3)
• Audrey's Letter to Tiffany (2:28)
• Galleries (Production, Movie, Publicity)

•  A Golightly Gathering (20:25 -16X9)

•  Henry Mancini - More Than Music (20:55 - 16X9)

•  Mr. Yunioshi - An Asian Perspective (17:27 - 16X9)

•  8-page liner notes
 

DVD Release Date: January 13th, 2009
Black Keep Case inside cardboard box

Chapters 14

Release Information:
Studio: Paramount (50th Anniversary)
 

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,568,899,177 bytes

Feature: 33,221,695,488 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 31.88 Mbps

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Commentary by: producer Richard Shepherd
• A Golightly Gathering (HD)
• Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
• Henry Mancini: More Than Music (HD)
• Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective (HD)
• The Making of a Classic
• It's So Audrey: A Style Icon
• Behind the Gates: The Tour
• Brilliance in a Blue Box
• Audrey's Letter to Tiffany
• Galleries
 

Blu-ray Release Date: September 20th, 2011
Standard Blu-ray Case inside cardboard box

Chapters 14

 

 

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Paramount 50th Anniversary - Region FREE - Blu-ray - September 11': Predictably Breakfast at Tiffany's surfaces for its 50th Anniversary in a new format transfer. The film is older than I am and I can't speak with any degree of authority on how accurate this may be to the original theatrical look of the film. But I can state with certainty that I thoroughly enjoyed many of the differences between it and the previous SD editions. We are given a dual-layered transfer with a high bitrate that is significantly smoother than the DVDs with less (no) artifacts, pastel colors get bolder, there is more detail and some depth, skins tones warm up and the overall visuals seem to support a soft-focus accentuation. Sadly, grain is washed away and DNR looks like the culprit - there is no texture. The frame may have moved down a smidgeon with more information on the top and a tad less on the bottom. The, originally 1.85:1, film is, again, rendered at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio.

Significant to the film experience is Mancini's theme transferred via a resounding DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3340 kbps. For many this may be highly notable as a demonstrative superiority over DVD. Clean with impressive depth as the orchestra warmth demands emotional attention. It's a desirable part of the package although separation is kept minimal. There are optional subtitles and we have determined it to be a region FREE Blu-ray.

Extras duplicate the past releases with nothing new although 4 of the video features are in HD (the ones added for the 'Centennial Edition'). We get the previous Shepherd commentary and about 1.5 hour's worth of video extras accessible on the lone Blu-ray.

If there is some further discussion on the appearance flaws we will post comments here but simply for the impressive lossless audio this may be worthwhile addition for many. Another classic film brought to the Home Theater new format. 

***

ADDITION: Centennial Collection - 2-disc - January 09': Looking at the VOB files we see the Centennial Collection transfer is indeed a new one (November 2008) although I certainly can't indicate any strong image quality differences from the Anniversary Edition from 2006. It is possible that pushing most of the supplements to a second disc improved compression on the feature transfer and I *think* I do see a bit more grain and less glossiness in this new release. Contrast may also be marginally superior. Certainly not enough though to consider upgrading with the potential of a Blu-ray (and a vast improvement in resolution) at some point in time.

With this Centennial Edition being coded for region 4, as well as 1, it seems set to market in South American with a Spanish DUB and subtitle option. The 5.1 English bump exists as does the original mono track choice. Subtitles are still in gaudy yellow.

The Shepherd commentary is still accessible on the feature disc and a second disc seems to have all the featurettes on the Anniversary edition (minus the trailer) and have added 4 more, rather superfluous pieces. We have a 5 minute tour of Paramount, 20-minutes on the party and hosting your own, a worthwhile 20-minute documentary on Mancini, and Asian Americans looking at the extravagant depiction by Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi. Ohh... there are some galleries too and an 8-page liner notes booklet with some color photos.

So, its the best edition, but not worth an upgrade from the Anniversary release, in my opinion (despite to good price). If you own the original or none then we recommend this new Centennial Collection edition but the Anniversary is almost 1/2 the price. Great film - always lovely to revisit.    

***



 

ON THE ANNIVERSARY EDITION: Wow - this is quite a difference. It is not uncommon to see 'Anniversary' re-releases as no improvement on the image and sound quality, but just multiple extra features added. Gratefully, this new Anniversary edition improves drastically on all fronts. The initial releases show a boosting of blacks (and reds) making the image darker and skin tones decidedly tanned. The frame has opened up in the Anniversary release, or more likely, the initial was zoomed-in with missing information on both side edges and the bottom of the frame. The new edition is much brighter and colors are far more visible. Skin tones appear to have returned to their original state. The old releases was punctuated by digital noise and some minor scratches and marks which have all disappeared in the new, stacked, anniversary DVD. On the audio front the new edition sports a optional 5.0 bump (superfluous as far as I am concerned) and the original mono plus a French DUB. Although the commentary was quite good I also appreciated the series of featurette documentaries that are included in the new DVD package - lots of Audrey reminiscences and production details on 'Tiffany's'.

I had forgotten the extent of enjoyment and nostalgia this film's language exudes. A defining role for Hepburn and arguably Edwards best film (although I might say Days of Wine and Roses is my favorite of his - no I'm not a Pink Panther fan). Certainly this new Breakfast at Tiffany's package is much appreciated!    

 - Gary Tooze

 

 


DVD Menus

(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

 

 
 
 

 

Centennial Collection

 

Disc 2

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Screen Captures

 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM


Subtitle Sample: Not exact frame

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Paramount (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection) - Region 1,4 - NTSC THIRD

4) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

More Blu-ray Captures


Report Card:

 

Image:

 Blu-ray

Sound:

 Blu-ray

Extras:  Blu-ray

 
DVD Box Cover

 

The new Anniversary edition is also available in The Audrey Hepburn DVD Collection with Roman Holiday / Sabrina and  Breakfast at Tiffany's.

            

Distribution

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount (Anniversary Edition)

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount (2-disc Centennial Collection)

Region 1, 4 - NTSC

Paramount

Region FREE - Blu-ray




 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You