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Sabrina (1954)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Romance-comedy classic for tweens and up.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The Larrabees' snobbery is shown to be unattractive.
  • Violence:

    Attempted suicide. Some punches thrown between brothers.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink but not excessively.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Sabrina (1954) was written by Kathryn McGarr

Parents need to know that the film opens with Sabrina's attempted suicide -- it's not a terribly disturbing or graphic scene, but for young or sensitive children, it's worth a parent preview.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the issues of class raised in this film. How does Sabrina's father feel about class division? What about Mr. Larrabee? Why does Sabrina transfer her affection from David to Linus? She accepts the Larrabees' bargain in the end -- is it for the money? Sabrina doesn't want to be a cook like her mother. What are her other options?
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More on Sabrina (1954)

What’s the Story?

Sabrina Fairchild, the shy, awkward daughter of a live-in chauffeur (John Williams), pines for womanizing David Larrabee (William Holden), younger son of her father's employer. David is much too distracted chasing skirts around the family tennis courts to notice pony-tailed Sabrina. Leaving the Larrabee's Long Island mansion for a year to attend a Paris cooking school transforms Sabrina from girlish to glamorous. She cuts her pony-tail, too. When she returns to the Larrabee home, David falls head-over-heels in love with her -- at least, with her legs. His no-nonsense brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart) and hardliner father (Walter Hampden) will do anything to end the romance. Future interests of the Larrabee Corporation depend on a merger with David's father-in-law-to-be.

Is It Any Good?

Still new to Hollywood in 1954, Audrey Hepburn delivers a delightful performance as the title role in SABRINA. Her style alone could carry the film. But with director Billy Wilder and costars Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, it doesn't need to. The script is tightly written and flawlessly executed. Romance supersedes comedy here, and since Wilder excelled at both genres, the result is a film classic.

The film has a serious side, as Linus manipulates Sabrina throughout, but its sincerity makes the viewer engrossed in the characters' lives. Moreover, Sabrina's understated humor (and fashionable '50s fare) makes it a pleasure to watch. Don't miss the elder Mr. Larrabee's cutting quips, and be on the look-out for his impersonation of his one-time daughter-in-law performing a deodorant commercial. If it's your first experience watching this movie, plan to do it in a single sitting.

Movie Details

Studio: Paramount Home Video, Director: Billy Wilder
Run time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release: 09/09/1954, DVD release: 04/10/2001
MPAA Rating: NR

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    This movie is great, I rated it on for 12 and up because younger children just don't need to see it, wait until they are older and can love it and then watch it. The main character tries to commit sudicide in the beginning of the film. Quite frankly I am a terrible remembered on what is in a film. There is a little drinking, I cannot recall if there is any language or unneccesary comments. I wonderful romance. I highly recommend it.

  2. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    A Superior Romantic Comedy...

    SABRINA is a wonderful film. It's not perfect, but it is immensely enjoyable. The acting is great on all parts, especially Bogart as Linus Larabee and Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina. The movie is effortlessly charming, and the 112 minutes fly by. There's nothing really objectionable in the film. As a girl, Sabrina tries to commit suicide after her crush favors another woman. Her attempt is prevented, but, though the scene is treated mildly, it may be too tense for some kids. There is one "a*s", accompanied by some light, non-frequent sexual innuendos ("the last good pair of legs you went after cost the family $25,000"). Good for ages 10 and up.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    A sweet romance that delights years after its release

    While made over half a century ago, Sabrina is a timeless story. Starring the lovely Audrey Hepburn, it relates the tale of a young woman who attempts to transcend social boundaries in order to win the heart of her beloved, undoubtedly a storyline that will charm girls everywhere. Admittedly, early on in the picture there's a scene when the main character tries to commit suicide by enclosing herself in a car garage and starting numerous automobiles; however, beyond being slightly unsettling, it's such a brief part of the film that only very young children should be excluded in its viewing.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    I love this movie

    Audrey Hepburn is, of course, adorable in this movie. I love it as much, if not more, than the remake. It may not be of interest to children, but there's nothing in it that a parent could object to.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Watch it! You won't be sorry!

    I despair at the many people who have no idea who Audrey Hepburn is. I don't understand it. She was one of the most graceful and beautiful Hollywood icons ever and nobody I know has seen her movies. They're missing out. I saw this movie a couple of years ago and it was the start of a Audrey Hepburn movie-marathon. I loved the movie the moment it started. For once, watch a movie that was made before 1990! Watch a classic!

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 2.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    crazy

    I love dis show its crazy funny and all ways an most the time on. If u are a teen like me i would love fo u to see the shows.Heck u probely aready seen it.

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