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    10 Underrated Audrey Hepburn Movies, Ranked

    Team_FergPlaceBy No Comments19 Mins Read


    Audrey Hepburn is a Hollywood icon, but in addition probably the most cherished and lovable stars of all time. Her glamour, stature, and expertise are incomparable to at the present time, and she or he’s typically the synonym for excellent type. She had an interesting life: she was an avid humanitarian, classical ballet dancer, and a multilingual expertise; nonetheless, she’s most well-known for her motion pictures to wider audiences. Regardless of a few well-known roles, Hepburn’s appearing profession consists of many options, out of which some are seemingly forgotten or neglected.

    Whereas Hepburn’s most well-known motion pictures embrace Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, My Fair Lady, and Roman Vacation, her devoted followers know she was in much more, and had immense appearing expertise. Although the listed motion pictures ​​are nice– and she or he’s nice in them– anybody who loves and needs to observe extra of Audrey Hepburn ought to be launched to her extra underrated performances. Her followers typically declare she has one of the best filmographies of any actor on the market.

    10

    ‘Paris When It Sizzles’ (1964)

    Directed by Richard Quine

    Picture through Paramount Footage

    Although not very properly acquired by Rotten Tomatoes’ critics, Paris When It Sizzles delivers a traditional Audrey Hepburn function. The film combines romance and comedy, spoofing Hollywood and its moviemaking enterprise. Alongside William Holden, Hepburn thrills as a lady who can see beneath the floor and problem an individual to achieve their full potential. Paris When It Sizzles follows screenwriter Richard (Holden) procrastinating on a screenplay he was employed for. Two days earlier than the deadline, his assistant Gabrielle (Hepburn) realizes he hadn’t written something.

    Richard and Gabrielle start writing the script collectively, enacting some attainable scenes and concepts for it. Throughout this time, a romance awakens between them, however Richard stays insecure, whereas Gabrielle continues to imagine in him. She helps him recover from his fears and loosen his emotional brakes; she is encouraging and cheerful, and nobody higher than Audrey Hepburn may have stepped into this function. She additionally delivers distinctive comedy expertise, which is not the first time, although it was a bit uncommon.

    9

    ‘Robin and Marian’ (1976)

    Directed by Richard Lester

    Audrey Hepburn as Marian tending to a wounded Robin (Sean Connery) in Robin and Marian.
    Picture through Columbia Footage

    What do Robin Hood and his beloved Marian do of their spare time? After the occasions once they meet and fall in love younger, their lives proceed, in their very own instructions and as a pair. In Robin and Marian, the story follows Robin Hood and Marian as older variations of the unique story of the Sherwood Forest hero. Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn step into the titular roles of honorable adults which have stood the check of time and located love in one another once more. In a method, it is a testomony to real love– although fictionally devised– and an homage to ageing heroes who’re nonetheless the identical nice individuals.

    Audrey Hepburn performs Marian, who’s now in command of a group of nuns in an abbey. When Robin returns for her, it is clear they’re nonetheless head over heels in love, regardless of Robin’s crusades taking him additional away from her. Hepburn dazzles in her function, particularly in scenes with Sean Connery, the place their chemistry is obvious. Within the ultimate moments of Robin and Marian, Marian delivers an extremely shifting speech about how a lot she loves Robin, with Audrey Hepburn embracing her devotion and adoration, hypnotizing the viewers and making them want they could possibly be cherished like that.

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    8

    ‘Humorous Face’ (1957)

    Directed by Stanley Donen

    Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton in a gown coming down a set of stairs in Funny Face.
    Picture through Paramount Footage

    Although not completely underrated, Humorous Face hides within the shadow of My Honest Woman fairly often. Audrey Hepburn’s first musical noticed her benefit from the abilities she garnered as a younger lady, when she educated in classical ballet. In Humorous Face, she joins Fred Astaire in a romantic comedy the place she performs bookstore keeper and philosophy fanatic Jo Stockton; Astaire performs Dick Avery, a vogue photographer who takes a couple of photographs of Jo in her bookstore and realizes her potential for modeling.

    Jo does not like vogue nor its ideas. She prefers to be cerebral and empowers herself via philosophy and books. Dick tries to win her over for photographs, and love begins to develop between them. Humorous Face was considerably based mostly on the George and Ira Gershwin‘s Broadway musical of the identical title, which additionally starred Fred Astaire. Hepburn gracefully takes on quite a few dance kinds and reveals off a candy and silky singing voice. Nevertheless, her greatest benefit in Humorous Face is the truth that Joe does not succumb to strain, however stays herself all the time– very similar to Hepburn has throughout her profession.

    7

    ‘Love within the Afternoon’ (1957)

    Directed by Billy Wilder

    Audrey Hepburn stands on a street and holds a flower in a gloved hand in Love in the Afternoon (1957).
    Picture through Allied Artists Footage Company

    Love Within the Afternoon is a trendy romance starring Audrey Hepburn, this time directed by Billy Wilder. Wilder’s biggest motion pictures have been most notably romantic comedies, however he is one of many few administrators who managed to tackle multiple film genres throughout his profession. Nonetheless, in line with his biggest hits, Love Within the Afternoon is one other instance of Wilder’s nice thoughts and Audrey Hepburn’s ethereal attraction. The film follows Ariane Chavasse (Hepburn), a younger cello participant and daughter of a non-public detective who falls for a person he follows, Frank Flannagan (Gary Cooper).

    Ariane is an inexperienced romantic, in her 20s and keen to search out love. Frank Flannagan is an older man, a womanizer, and the item of one in every of her father’s latest investigations. When Ariane sees Flannagan as an interesting problem, she instantly enters his life and their relationship develops right into a blossoming romance. Audrey Hepburn is admittedly the protagonist and the very best a part of Love Within the Afternoon. She’s delicate, with a superb knack for comedy and refined humor, and elevates each scene she’s in. Sadly, this is not the primary or the final film the place she was paired with a significantly older actor– as we speak, this dynamic could also be offputting to some viewers, however her expertise makes the film worthwhile.

    6

    ‘The Kids’s Hour’ (1961)

    Directed by William Wyler

    William Wyler’s The Children’s Hour was controversial for its time, although it proved to be extra socially related as stated time went on. Audrey Hepburn positive was forward of her time when it got here to selecting the best roles. It is an underrated Wyler and Hepburn collaboration, which additionally stars Shirley MacLaine, following two academics accused of being extra than simply buddies by one in every of their all-girls-school college students, Mary. Since Mary is from a rich household, her accusations cannot be reprimanded as simply; the film cleverly and emotionally offers with homophobia, prejudice, and repressed feelings.

    The Children’s Hour follows Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLaine), two non-public faculty academics and longtime buddies. Karen is engaged to Joe Cardin (James Garner), who cannot deal with the rumor that her and Martha could also be extra than simply buddies. Mary, who unfold the rumor, did not need to get caught in a lie, so she doubled down on it, making issues even worse. Although a lie in Karen’s eyes, Martha begins to really feel intense guilt due to the rumor, trying increasingly more distressed about its legitimacy. Audrey Hepburn delivers a compassionate and understated function, and Shirley MacLaine takes the highlight as Martha in a number of scenes, whereas their chemistry is sensible and honest.

    5

    ‘Two For the Highway’ (1967)

    Directed by Stanley Donen

    Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn as Mark and Joanna Wallace wear travel clothes in Two for the Road.
    Picture through twentieth Century Studios

    Stanley Donen and Audrey Hepburn reunited once more to make one of Hepburn’s best movies, Two For the Highway. This drama blends comedy and romance, however most of all, it questions the standard and dedication of a long-term relationship. This film is the primary time Audrey Hepburn wasn’t wearing Givenchy, and portrays a housewife and mom. This could possibly be why Two For the Highway‘s preliminary impressions have been weak and unimpressed. Right now, this film is one of many best portrayals of a long-term relationship and its ups and downs.

    Two For the Highway follows Joanna (Hepburn) and her husband Mark (Albert Finney) on a highway journey to France. Since they’ve taken that highway many occasions earlier than, they reminisce about their relationship and its progress every time they’ve ended up on that very highway. The couple’s relationship is proven via 4 flashbacks spanning the previous 12 years: once they first met and moments once they had their first challenges. With the couple contemplating whether or not their relationship can undergo any extra downs, their journey turns into a dissection of affection, devotion, and the way the 2 understand themselves of their emotional bond. Audrey Hepburn leads the best way, taking middle stage with every scene, but in addition giving Finney sufficient house to shine.

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    4

    ‘Charade’ (1963)

    Directed by Stanley Donen

    Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in 'Charade' side by side looking ahead.
    Picture through Common Studios

    One other Stanley Donen and Audrey Hepburn collaboration, Charade, can also be most likely the least underrated film she’s made. Although all of Audrey Hepburn’s followers suggest this film, wider audiences could also be unfamiliar with Charade, a comedy thriller the place she stars alongside Cary Grant. Many critics name Charade “the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made,” however it may additionally examine to a James Bond flick, because it combines espionage with a homicide thriller {and professional} thieves. The largest benefit of Charade is Audrey Hepburn, although her chemistry with Cary Grant is simple, and the plot itself is charmingly convoluted however well-executed.

    Charade follows Regina, aka Reggie (Hepburn), spouse of estranged Charles. Charles dies quickly after; she decides to divorce him, and Reggie realizes some suspicious males have been after him whereas he was alive. Serving to Reggie resolve her husband’s affairs is the charming Peter (Grant), whom she meets at a resort within the French Alps. Peter is mysterious, however Reggie nonetheless falls for him, they usually find yourself making a fantastic crew. Cary Grant returns to his finest version as a caper thriller star, one thing he acquired used to with frequent collaborator Alfred Hitchcock.

    3

    ‘Tips on how to Steal a Million’ (1966)

    Directed by William Wyler

    Audrey Hepburn as Nicole and Peter O'Toole as Simon pose with a statue for How to Steal a Million.
    Picture through twentieth Century Fox

    William Wyler’s heist comedy How to Steal a Million is nearly the polar reverse of his earlier collaboration with Hepburn on The Kids’s Hour, and even Roman Vacation. This time, Wyler put Hepburn within the function of the daughter of a Paris-based artwork collector, Nicole; she stars reverse Peter O’Toole as Simon, an artwork thief. Nicole’s father, Charles, is a collector, however most of his work is faux; he solely desires to maintain appearances along with his enviable assortment of artwork. Nevertheless, Charles loans a Venus statue to a museum, which is focused by a number of patrons.

    Nicole and Simon be part of forces to steal again the fraudulent Venus earlier than it is detected and Charles’ integrity is questioned. Throughout their mission, the 2 thieves fall in love, in fact. Nicole is intelligent, resourceful, and thinks on her ft, whereas Simon is artful and has nice concepts. Their sensibilities match, and although each deceive one another initially, a fantastic love story comes out of their fateful encounter. Tips on how to Steal a Million is unquestionably probably the most underrated motion pictures from the Sixties, which Audrey Hepburn deserves extra recognition for.

    2

    ‘The Nun’s Story’ (1959)

    Directed by Fred Zinnemann

    Audrey Hepburn as Sister Luke in The Nun's Story.
    Picture through Warner Bros.

    The one film that almost all critics think about Audrey Hepburn’s finest work is The Nun’s Story by Fred Zinnemann. He based mostly the film on Kathryn Hulme‘s novel of the identical title from 1956, which Hulme wrote impressed by the Belgian nun Marie Louise Habets. The Nun’s Story is taken into account top-of-the-line guide diversifications ever made as a result of it was so carefully associated and devoted to the unique story. Audrey Hepburn was nominated for the Greatest Actress Oscar and the film acquired seven different nominations, together with Greatest Image.

    The Nun’s Story reveals Gabrielle Van Der Mal (Hepburn), a Belgian lady who enters a convent within the hopes of serving in Congo as a nurse. When she begins her nun coaching, she’s typically reprimanded for being prideful and disobedient, which is one thing she struggles with essentially the most throughout coaching. When she results in the Congo, she befriends a health care provider there, and begins to query herself and her motives. She is pressured to face her selections and make peace with the concept a few of her needs needn’t come true; Audrey Hepburn embraces the function of a lady going via an emotional, psychological and bodily transformation, and audiences see her on this version for the primary time.

    1

    ‘Wait Till Darkish’ (1967)

    Directed by Terence Younger

    Audrey Hepburn looking scared, standing behind an iron gate in Wait Until Dark (1967).
    Picture through Warner Bros.

    Nobody would anticipate to see Audrey Hepburn as a scream queen, however she stepped into the footwear of one of many closely underrated psychological thrillers, Wait Until Dark. Many individuals aren’t even conscious of this film as a Hepburn characteristic as a result of they’re so used to seeing her in preppy, candy, and charming roles. Wait Till Darkish marks one other of her sensible film roles in addition to Terence Younger’s capability to direct an intense thriller (that scared even James Cameron). Alongside Audrey Hepburn is Alan Arkin, who portrays a ruthless and eerie-looking killer.

    Wait Till Darkish opens with a lady carrying medicine in a bag on the airport. When she desires to keep away from detection, she places the bag within the possession of a photographer, Sam Hendrix (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.), who takes it dwelling to his blind spouse, Susy (Hepburn). The people who find themselves after the bag are all menacing-looking criminals, however once they notice Susy cannot see, they begin toying together with her to get her to disclose the place the medicine are. This units off a tense cat-and-mouse chase, although Susy is resourceful, good, and catches on fairly shortly. This film was extremely widespread upon its launch, with among the most intense jumpscares of all time, incomes Hepburn a nomination for the Greatest Actress Oscar.

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    NEXT: The 20 Greatest Classic Hollywood Actresses, Ranked According to the AFI



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