Charade

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Charade

Released Dec 5, 1963

1h 54m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) falls for the dashing Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, she discovers upon her return to Paris that her husband has been murdered. Soon, she and Peter are giving chase to three of her late husband's World War II cronies, Tex (James Coburn), Scobie (George Kennedy) and Gideon (Ned Glass), who are after a quarter of a million dollars the quartet stole while behind enemy lines. But why does Peter keep changing his name?

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Critics Consensus

A globetrotting caper that prizes its idiosyncratic pieces over the general puzzle, Charade is a delightful romp with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn's sparkling chemistry at the center of some perfectly orchestrated mayhem.

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

Directed with an arched eyebrow by Stanley Donen, the film was released just weeks after John F Kennedy's assassination, giving shellshocked Americans a welcome bite of Hollywood candyfloss.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 12, 2020

Full Review

Penelope Houston

Sight & Sound

Charade allows itself to get slightly tangled up in its own plot.

Mar 3, 2020

Full Review

G. Allen Johnson

San Francisco Chronicle

Few thrillers create as much sheer joy and happiness as Charade, in which Cary Grant spoofs his Alfred Hitchcock persona, Audrey Hepburn exudes her usual magnetic charm, and Paris is as scenic as ever.

Mar 3, 2020

Full Review

Mike Scott

Times-Picayune

(In addition to starring) the perfectly paired Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn — who seems to know precisely how adorable she is in this particular role — ... it’s got a fast-moving, twist-filled plot, too. The result is a funny and stylish old-school romp.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 14, 2024

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

Some of its scenes are there just to let the two stars be their usual elegant selves in Parisian locations: Hepburn’s Givenchy wardrobe is a treat in itself. Yet all this refinement doesn’t keep the film from acting tough at times.

Nov 14, 2022

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Jennifer O’Callaghan

PopMatters

Hepburn combined comic timing with her trademark grace and the wide-eyed innocence she’s known for.

Sep 12, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

Actually notable today only for the botched copyright that accidentally put it in the public domain and forced a change in copyright law. It drew an audience chiefly via the May-December pairing of ingenue Hepburn and veteran leading man Cary Grant. Not nearly as "Hitchcockian" as its defenders like to claim.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

Stan G

Absolutely beautiful must-watch movie with twist and turns that will keep you on your toes with suspense. The love story that tags along with its main plot is all the more refreshing. Great cast as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

Full Review

julie b

At times feels a bit ridiculous but aside from that it’s just jolly good fun to watch. A grand silly time. “I’m just as difficult to live with as he is” “You should see your face.” ”What’s the matter with it?” ”It’s lovely.”

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Alejandro E

With that cast, and the combination of intrigue, romance and comedy is enough of an excuse to watch this film, and it works well throughout the almost two hours of duration. Good choice for a weekend.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/24

Full Review

Bruce R

Surprisingly poor acting by a great cast.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

Full Review

Chris L

Top-notch cast. Superb music. Gorgeous location and clothes. Mystery, comedy, elegance, innocence and beauty.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

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Stanley Donen

Director

Cary Grant

Peter Joshua

Audrey Hepburn

Regina 'Reggie' Lampert

Walter Matthau

H. Bartholemew

James Coburn

Tex Panthollow

George Kennedy

Herman Scobie

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Charade: Official Clip - Rooftop Fight

2:51

Charade: Official Clip - Lying Black Foot

2:12

Charade: Official Clip - When Strangers Meet

1:50

Charade: Official Clip - Who Can You Trust?

2:15

Charade: Official Clip - The Game is Over

2:00

Charade: Official Clip - Whatever Your Name Is

2:10

Charade: Official Clip - Mr. Lampert's Funeral

3:27

Charade: Official Clip - The Most Valuable Stamp

1:55

Charade: Official Clip - Herman Attacks

2:44

Charade: Official Clip - Tex Threatens Regina

1:16

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Synopsis

After Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) falls for the dashing Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, she discovers upon her return to Paris that her husband has been murdered. Soon, she and Peter are giving chase to three of her late husband's World War II cronies, Tex (James Coburn), Scobie (George Kennedy) and Gideon (Ned Glass), who are after a quarter of a million dollars the quartet stole while behind enemy lines. But why does Peter keep changing his name?

Director: Stanley Donen
Producer: Stanley Donen
Screenwriter: Peter Stone, Marc Behm, Peter Stone
Distributor: D3K Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Reel Media International [us], Criterion Collection, UAV Entertainment, Laserlight Entertainment
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Mono

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