Guest Author - Judith Hodges

In 1954, Billy Wilder directed the original Sabrina. It was re-released in 1995 by Sydney Pollack with a few differences from the classic Wilder film. How does the newer version compare to the original?

Sabrina is the classic love story of an ugly duckling turning into a swan, so she can find true love. The ugly duckling is the chauffeur's daughter, Sabrina, who lives over the Larrabee's garage. The Larrabees are a rich family with two sons. Linus is the hardworking CEO while David makes the rounds with as many women as he can. Of course, Sabrina is in love with David. Her father sends her away to Paris for a few years to forget about David. When she comes back, Sabrina turns the family upside down with her new look and French attitude.


The 1954 version of the film has Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) trying to kill herself so she does not have to go to Paris, but Linus (Humphrey Bogart) finds her. In the 1995 version, Julia Ormond as Sabrina makes a fool out of herself talking to Linus (Harrison Ford) in a closet where she believes David is changing clothes. Sabrina goes to Paris to become a chef in 1954 while Sabrina becomes a photographer's assistant in 1995. Mr. Larrabee is not in the 1995 version. His wife is in charge of the company. In 1954, Mrs. Larrabee is just a party organizer. William Holden plays David in 1954 while Greg Kinnear plays him in 1995. Also, in the 1954 version look for Ellen Corby (Grandma Walton) playing Linus' secretary. Nancy Kulp plays Jenny the maid in 1954 before she is Jane Hathaway on "The Beverly Hillbillies" for nine years.

With most classic films, I do not like the remakes. I actually enjoy the 1995 version as well as the 1954 version. Sabrina 1995 is actually a funnier movie to me. The sparks between Ford and Ormond are more noticeable than with Hepburn and Bogart who reported disliked each other. But Audrey Hepburn did play the part really well. I am a big fan of both films. Even though they are almost the same film, the two films stand on their own.


For your own copy, Sabrina 1954, Sabrina1995, or rent from Netflix.com.