Harper West
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric socialite. The film is an adaptation of the 1958 Truman Capote novella of the same name, which follows a writer who befriends his remarkable neighbour, Holly Golightly, in 1940s New York. The film was deemed ‘culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant' by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2012, and the iconic black dress and sunglasses Hepburn sports in the film have become synonymous with her image.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Release date | 5 October 1961 |
| Production company | Paramount Pictures |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Box office revenue | $14 million |
| Filming location | Tiffany & Co., 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA |
| Based on | A book of the same name by Truman Capote |
| Main cast | Audrey Hepburn, playing Holly Golightly |
| Hepburn's iconic look | High bun, big sunglasses, black dress, large cigarette |
| Hepburn's character | A young New York socialite navigating life in New York City |
| Hepburn's performance | Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly is considered one of her most memorable and identifiable roles |
| Awards | Two Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Music |
| Dress | The iconic black Givenchy dress worn by Hepburn in the opening scene was sold at auction for $807,000 in 2006 |
| Cultural impact | Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly is regarded as one of the most iconic images of 20th-century cinema, influencing fashion and popular culture |
| Critical reception | Generally favorable, with an average score of 7.5/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 77/100 |
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What You'll Learn
The film's iconic opening scene
The film Breakfast at Tiffany's opens with a rare view of New York City: empty, devoid of people, and bathed in the warm grey hues of early morning. The iconic song "Moon River" begins to play as a yellow taxi pulls up in front of 727 Fifth Avenue, the address of the famous jewellery store Tiffany & Co. The taxi door opens, and out steps Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, wearing a custom-made black dress by Givenchy, her hair in a high bun, and large sunglasses perched on her nose. She carries a breakfast and coffee, which she proceeds to eat in front of the store window, gazing with interest at the jewellery on display. This scene has become immortal in pop culture, with Hepburn's character and style influencing fashion, film, and television for decades to come. The little black dress, in particular, has been cited as one of the most iconic clothing items of the twentieth century.
The opening scene sets the tone for the film, introducing viewers to Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric socialite navigating life in New York City. The empty streets and dreamlike melody create a sense of tranquility and stability, reflecting Holly's desire to find "the finer things in life" and her belief that nothing very bad could ever happen at Tiffany's. This scene also establishes the importance of the Tiffany & Co. store as a central location in the film, with Holly visiting the store several times throughout the movie.
The film, based on the 1958 novella by Truman Capote, was directed by Blake Edwards and released in 1961. It received positive reviews, with Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly receiving rave reviews and earning her a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The film's success also boosted the profile of Tiffany & Co., with the jewellery store becoming synonymous with glamour and old Hollywood charm.
Breakfast at Tiffany's has had a lasting impact on popular culture, with references and recreations appearing in fashion, music, and television decades later. In 2018, Tiffany's Spring Ad Campaign featured a modern interpretation of the opening scene, showcasing its enduring influence on fashion and branding. The film has also been deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" by the US Library of Congress and preserved in the National Film Registry.
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Holly Golightly's character
Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, is the protagonist of Breakfast at Tiffany's. The character is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote, who reportedly wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly in the film adaptation. Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly has been described as "scatterbrained, pathetic, [and] fiercely independent".
In the film, Holly is a naïve, eccentric socialite who has become synonymous with Hepburn herself. Holly's character is known for her iconic style, including a high bun, big sunglasses, a black dress, and a cigarette. Hepburn's performance in the film received rave reviews, with critics praising her ability to make the character both "sweet" and "silly", as well as "appealing" and "affected".
In the film, Holly meets Paul Varjak (George Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. Holly confides in Paul about her past, including her annulled marriage to Doc Golightly, and her plans to marry someone else for money. Throughout the film, Holly visits Tiffany & Co. several times, mentioning it even more, as it is the only place that calms her when she feels anxious or overwhelmed.
In the novella, Holly is a remarkable neighbour of the unnamed narrator, a contemporary writer who recalls his early days in 1940s New York. Holly is described as an "unattached, unconventional wanderer" and a "dreamer in pursuit of some ideal of happiness". She is depicted singing songs from Oklahoma! and playing the guitar.
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![Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81cBwfZ+o+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film's soundtrack
The soundtrack for Breakfast at Tiffany's was composed by Henry Mancini and has been described as "timeless" and "sophisticated, cool, quirky, and amusing". It is said to capture the image and tone of the film, adding depth to it. The music has a variety of moods and styles, including Latin influences and Far Eastern exotica.
The soundtrack includes the memorable "Moon River", which was performed by Audrey Hepburn on guitar and vocals. "Moon River" has been described as a beautiful melody that recurs throughout the film and immediately comes to mind when thinking of Breakfast at Tiffany's. It is the elegant main title theme of the film and remained No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts for 12 weeks in 1961.
Other notable songs from the soundtrack include "Sally's Tomato", a dreamy tune, and "Something for the Cat", which has a jaunty, jazzy bounce. "Mr. Yunioshi" captures the film's time and place with its Far Eastern exotica, while "Latin Golightly" has a south-of-the-border vibe. The soundtrack also includes "Paul Meets Cat" and "Moon River Cha Cha".
The complete film soundtrack by Henry Mancini was released on CD and vinyl, with some editions including Hepburn's recording of "Moon River". A remastered version of the soundtrack is also available on Apple Music.
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Filming locations
The 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's was filmed in New York, USA. The movie features several iconic New York locations, including the famous jewellery store Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue. The address of the store is 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, Manhattan.
Another famous location from the film is Holly Golightly's apartment building, located at 169 East 71st Street on the East Side. The apartment building is recognisable for its green and white candy-striped awning. In the film, Mickey Rooney portrays Mr Yunioshi, Holly's Japanese landlord.
In one scene, Holly and Paul spend the day together, and Paul takes Holly to the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street. This library is America's second-largest public library and is located 15 blocks away from Tiffany & Co.
In the opening scene of the film, Audrey Hepburn, in her iconic black evening gown, sunglasses, and pearl necklace, steps out of a yellow cab in front of Tiffany & Co. as the morning light breaks. This scene has become an enduring image of the film and has contributed to its lasting impact on popular culture.
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The novel vs. the film
The novel and film adaptations of Breakfast at Tiffany's differ in several ways. Firstly, the film, written by George Axelrod and directed by Blake Edwards, is a romanticised portrayal of Truman Capote's original novella, which explores more complex themes such as identity, love, freedom, and stability.
The film's opening scene is iconic: Audrey Hepburn, playing the role of Holly Golightly, steps out of a cab on Fifth Avenue, elegantly dressed in a black satin gown. In contrast, the novel's Holly is quite broke and deliberately dresses plainly. She sparkles, not her outfits. This sets the tone for how Hollywood retold Capote's gritty story, shaping it into a traditional love story with mainstream appeal.
Another significant difference is the ending. In the film, Holly and the writer, Paul, end up together, sharing a passionate kiss in the rain. In the book, however, the writer never sees Holly again, leaving a sense of sadness and uncertainty. The film's ending, though not faithful to the book, is iconic and provides a satisfying conclusion for audiences.
The character of Holly Golightly herself is an interesting comparison point. In the film, she is a captivating, kooky, and vulnerable socialite who throws wild parties and enchants rich men. In the novel, Holly is a complex character with a tragic past, described as "nuts", delusional, insecure, and cunning. She is a call girl who moves to New York to escape her troubled hillbilly upbringing in Texas and reinvent herself. Despite these differences, some argue that Holly, in both variations, is an odd choice for an icon.
While the film and novel have notable differences, they also complement each other. The film brings to life many of Capote's zinging lines, and the success of the film adaptation has introduced a wider audience to Capote's work.
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Frequently asked questions
Holly Golightly's apartment is located on East 71st Street on the East Side in New York.
Tiffany & Co. is located at 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, Manhattan, New York City.
The interior shots were filmed on a sound stage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
