Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn

Starring:Audrey Hepburn, Michael York, Gustavo Tavares
Director: Bruce Franchini
Studio: Perennial Ent.
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Imagine the world's most elegant tour guide, illuminating some of the world's most breathtaking vistas. The Emmy-winning PBS series Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn features the graceful film icon, in her last screen appearance before her death in 1993, as host of a tour of the world's most elegant and spectacular gardens. Hepburn herself was a gardening enthusiast (at least one rose and one tulip have been named for her), and her passion for the subject will entrance even those who struggle to keep a pot of herbs on the windowsill. The chapters are organized around type of garden (rose gardens, formal, country, etc.) as well as geography (Japanese gardens, tropical), and within each segment, Hepburn, and her co-narrator, Michael York, outline the history, details and art behind all manner of gorgeous spreads.

The "Formal Gardens" segment, for instance, spans nearly 3,000 years, with the original gardens of the pharaohs providing fruit, shade trees, even herbs for embalming. The Persians introduced the concept of pleasure gardens, influenced by Islamic belief of heaven as a vast, restorative garden. The classical Greeks and Romans added statuary to the formal ideal; the Italians, cascading fountains; the French, the idea, embodied at Versailles, of man's mastery over nature. Every garden is breathtaking in its own way, yet there are principles that even a novice gardener can absorb: the notion of architecture and structure, inside which the "furniture" of flowers and other plants, as suggested by the British garden expert Penelope Hobhouse, can be placed just so. Along the way, and around the world through history, Hepburn is a compelling guide whose obvious passion for the subject makes the series as riveting as any nature documentary. Extras in the Special Tribute Edition include a documentary, In Pursuit of Beauty, in which Hepburn visits more than 30 locations (including Giverny, known as Monet's flower garden). It also includes an interview with Hepburn and a splendid soundtrack featuring selections by Debussy, Vivaldi, and Berlioz. --A.T. Hurley
Description
Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn on DVD brings together for the first time ever all eight programs in this beautiful series, the music soundtrack, and never-before-seen footage of Audrey Hepburn on location in England. This candid, intimate chronicle of what was, at the time, considered a typical day of filming with Audrey for Gardens of the World turned out not to be typical at all. She was awarded an Emmy for her performance; and the footage resoundingly answers the two most often asked questions about Audrey herself - "What was she really like?" "Was she truly as wonderful as she seems?"

Side 1 - Roses & Rose Gardens, Formal Gardens, Flower Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Audrey Hepburn on Location in England, Music Soundtrack, and more.

Amazon.com

Imagine the world's most elegant tour guide, illuminating some of the world's most breathtaking vistas. The Emmy-winning PBS series Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn features the graceful film icon, in her last screen appearance before her death in 1993, as host of a tour of the world's most elegant and spectacular gardens. Hepburn herself was a gardening enthusiast (at least one rose and one tulip have been named for her), and her passion for the subject will entrance even those who struggle to keep a pot of herbs on the windowsill. The chapters are organized around type of garden (rose gardens, formal, country, etc.) as well as geography (Japanese gardens, tropical), and within each segment, Hepburn, and her co-narrator, Michael York, outline the history, details and art behind all manner of gorgeous spreads.

Description

In Pursuit of Beauty offers an experience of remarkable authenticity, and a consummately incisive portrait of Audrey Hepburn: the bravura performer; the fine, collaborative artist; the delighted lover of gardens and nature, the life affirming humanitarian, and the truly gracious, incomparable star. Also featuring signature scenes from the acclaimed series, In Pursuit of Beauty serves up 17 spectacular garden locations with Audrey, in seven countries - Holland, Dominican Republic, USA, Japan, Italy, France and England.

Viewers can enjoy In Pursuit Of Beauty as one grand, al fresco world tour, or pause and breathe in the beauty of more than thirty scenes. Chapter access is provided for each of Audrey's five separate production itineraries. Two particularly captivating sequences include Audrey at the tulip naming ceremony in her honor at the Hepburn ancestral home in Apeldoorn - all in Dutch; and "One Fine Day", which includes on-location interviews with Audrey, the director, the producer, and with extensive behind-the-scenes footage of Audrey's memorable day of filming at Tintinhull House in Somerset, England.

Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn - Audrey's Emmy Award winning and final performance before the camera - has been recognized as the most accomplished, beautiful garden series ever produced. Audrey believed that the gardens, not she, were the real stars, and wrote: "After years of challenge and reward in my own garden, I greatly looked forward to spending time in some of the world's most beautiful gardens. I never imagined they would reveal the diverse range of expression they did."

The new Tribute Edition 3-disc DVD features the complete series of 8 programs, with narration by renowned actor Michael York: Roses & Roses Gardens, Formal Gardens, Country Gardens, Public Gardens & Trees, Flower Gardens, Tropical Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Tulips & Spring Bulbs. Also included are selections from the original music soundtrack featuring the works of Purcell, Debussy, Ravel, Rameau, Vivaldi, Copland and more.

BONUS FEATURE: Until now, the story of Audrey Hepburn's decided influence in Gardens Of The World has never really been told. who better to tell this enchanting story than Audrey herself? The newly produced 45-minute documentary reconstructs Audrey Hepburn's grand world tour for Gardens of the World - cinéma vérité, with intimate never-before-released footage of Audrey on location in the spring and summer of 1990 - and premiers on the Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn Tribute Edition 3-disc DVD . "I know that for Audrey the making of Gardens of the World was not only a marvelous adventure, but also one of the most rewarding experiences of her life and career", noted Audrey's life partner, Robert Wolders. "The new documentary so wonderfully captures her heart and spirit. It confirms those personal qualities of Audrey the public somehow instinctively imagines to be true, but otherwise would NEVER be able to know."

Customer Reviews:

Excellent compilation of an outstanding series.......2007-06-27

Very nice compilation of the entire Gardens of the World series. The discs were well-organised with the appropriate menus and subtitles. Good quality video too. Audio is ok but not outstanding, basically not movie quality (Dolby encoding) but adequate.

Of course the Gardens of the World series is an excellent piece of work. Add in Audrey Hepburn and the material is almost perfect. What would have made it so would have been if Miss Hepburn was able to furnish all the commentaries, but I think she was unable to do this due to her untimely death.

All in all, a very nice dvd set wether you are a gardening enthusiast or an Audrey fan.

A Gardening Classic.......2007-01-18

These videos are not dated in spite of being made over a decade ago before the death of Audrey Hepburn. With voiceovers by Michael York and the enchanting Miss Hepburn leading you through some of the most beautiful gardens on the world you will enjoy every minute of this series. If only there had been time to make more of these episodes before her death! Do yourself a favor and grab these before they go out of print forever.

True Beauties of the World.......2006-10-11

This is a magnificent DVD about natural beauty. As an avid gardener I loved the superb creations shown on the program; especially striking were the scenes from Holland and Somerset. The accompanying music is perfect.

Even so, it is the lovely presence and presentation of Ms. Hepburn that makes this truly special. Talk about iconic beauty! Her grace, peace and warm features are the perfect complement to her natural surroundings. I loved it! It's a great value as well, three long DVDs at 25 bucks or less. Highly recommended.

DVD Picture Quality Not Up To The Digital Standard We Expect Today.......2006-10-07

While the original TV release of this series in 1993 was beautiful to behold, both in content and picture quality, both the earlier and latest DVD presentations leave much to be desired. The original 2000 release by Perennial Entertainment was just OK, as far as picture quality goes, and the latest September 2006 release from Kultur is certainly no better. I would say they are both from the same video tape master. The series was shot on film, and then transferred to either 1" video tape or SP Betacam for world-wide TV release, and by the look of the picture quality of both DVD versions, they could have been transferred from a poor quality VHS tape. When enlarged onto a front projection screen, the picture quality deteriorates badly. Be warned, the latest edition is no better than the previous version.

I was expecting and hoping for much more information and insight on Audrey Hepburn and the making of 'Gardens of the World' in the 'newly' included documentary "In Pursuit of Beauty - Audrey Hepburn's Gardens of the World Grand Tour" which is included on disc 3 in the new release. This is NOT a documentary in the true sense. It is a series of very poor quality "on location" shots complete with a few outtakes, several bloopers and many clapper boards, and a few scenes from the completed sequences thrown in for good measure. The interviews with Miss Hepburn are also featured in the earlier version. The picture and sound quality of this 45 minute ramble is terrible.

All in all, in my opinion, this new version is a waste of money IF you have the 2000 version in your collection. Such a disappointment because it was truly a remarkable and visually beautiful series with a most elegant and serene Audrey Hepburn. I'd give it 5 stars for Miss Hepburn's presentation and its content, but only 2 stars for video quality.

A Visual feast.......2006-08-02

For garden lovers everywhere, this superb dvd shows many fine european gardens in various styles. A delight to watch and the commentary by Audrey Hepburn is as enjoyable as the picture. A charming legacy left by a gracious actress. Highly recommended

Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn

Average customer rating:

Excellent compilation of an outstanding series
A Gardening Classic
True Beauties of the World
DVD Picture Quality Not Up To The Digital Standard We Expect Today
A Visual feast

Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn
Starring: Audrey Hepburn , Michael York , and Gustavo Tavares
Director: Bruce Franchini
Manufacturer: Perennial Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00000IML3
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Amazon.com

Description

Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn on DVD brings together for the first time ever all eight programs in this beautiful series, the music soundtrack, and never-before-seen footage of Audrey Hepburn on location in England. This candid, intimate chronicle of what was, at the time, considered a typical day of filming with Audrey for Gardens of the World turned out not to be typical at all. She was awarded an Emmy for her performance; and the footage resoundingly answers the two most often asked questions about Audrey herself - "What was she really like?" "Was she truly as wonderful as she seems?"

Side 1 - Roses & Rose Gardens, Formal Gardens, Flower Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Audrey Hepburn on Location in England, Music Soundtrack, and more.

Side 2 - Tulips & Spring Bulbs, Tropical Gardens, Country Gardens, Public Gardens & Trees, Music Sound Track, Audrey Hepburn in Holland, Penelope Hobhouse, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent compilation of an outstanding series.......2007-06-27

A Gardening Classic.......2007-01-18

True Beauties of the World.......2006-10-11

DVD Picture Quality Not Up To The Digital Standard We Expect Today.......2006-10-07

A Visual feast.......2006-08-02

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