Search - Billy Wilder DVD Collection (Sunset Boulevard/Stalag 17/Sabrina) on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 9/28/2022...

Sunset Boulevard - A Black and White classic!


Solid black and white plotline. The Harrison Ford remake was better but this one was also enjoyable!

He Left Us Too Soon

Interplanetary Funksmanship | Vanilla Suburbs, USA | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billy Wilder died earlier this year at 95 years old, and it was still too soon. A shame that Hollywood left him after "Buddy Buddy," to spend the last twenty years of his life pining for a movie production that never came his way.These three movies represent Wilder in his heydey at Paramount Pictures, and also his three best with William Holden, who was just at home playing it straight or wisecracking. Sure, I'd like to see "The Apartment," and "Some Like It Hot" on this collection, but those were released by United Artists, so those would be released by MGM, not Paramount anyhow.These three movies really hold their own, even -- or rather, especially -- today. "Sunset Boulevard" is one of the darkest of black comedies, and a really disturbing portrait of Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond and Holden as her kept man screenwriter, who's been hired to bring her out of mothballs. Chilling last line: "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. deMille.""Stalag 17" is a nice mix of serious war movie interspersed with slapstick humour. Though Holden is great, his supporting cast almost steal the show, especially Sig Ruman as Sergeant Schultz, the camp guard, Otto Preminger as Commandant von Scherbach and Harvey Lembeck and Robert Strauss as the camp cutups, Harry Shapiro and "The Animal.""Sabrina" is a beautiful portrait of a young Audrey Hepburn, so vivacious and full of wondrous energy. Though she's a bit self-aware in her role, her charm still just carries you away. Holden is in a supporting role here, but Humphrey Bogart comes off as a bit stiff. Really, though, it's Audrey's movie from beginning to end, and the romantic-comedy script by Ernest Lehman and Samuel Taylor has wit and panache.I own all three movies separately, but this set is worth laying down your Benjamins in one fell swoop."

Folks, hello, this is a *Paramount* collection ...

S. G. Oles | Venice, CA United States | 12/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No need to say these are all fine, classic movies,but in response to those who wonder why it doesn't include SOME LIKE IT HOT or THE APARTMENT ... this boxed set is issued by Paramount Pictures. Paramount can't release films made by other studios, so please stop complaining. :-)I think it's great to have these three films boxed, especially the little-seen STALAG 17.SOME LIKE IT HOT and THE APARTMENT are available everywhere, so let's be grateful for what Paramount is giving us: the best movies Wilder made at their studio."

The Wild Billy Wilder

Claude Z. Lovecraft | San Jose, CA United States | 05/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The movies chosen to present this trio of Wilder films are all excellent in their own genre. Not only are Sunset Blvd., Stalag 17, and Sabrina "true classics",but the extra bonus features

take you inside the set and inside the mind of Billy Wilder. The well spoken narrative on all three films is not only intelligent but enlightening as well. You can really benefit by watching all three films "as they are", but then again

WITH the narrative because it is then that you learn how Wilder worked and got the best performances out of his splendid cast of actors. The astonishing performance of the 50ish Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. is truly

amazing in itself. Of the three THAT one's my personal favorite.

William Holden fans will be delighted to know that he is in all three movies!! Was there any sweeter girl than Audrey Hepburn (Sabrina)? She wins your heart as does the character in that movie played by Humphrey Bogart whose subtle turn is quite noteworthy."