WILLIAM WYLER

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBBB. 

USA/Italy, 1953.  Paramount Pictures.  Story by Dalton Trumbo, Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton.  Cinematography by Henri Alekan, Franz Planer.  Produced by William Wyler.  Music by Georges Auric.  Production Design by Hal Pereira, Walter H. Tyler.  Costume Design by Edith Head.  Film Editing by Robert Swink.  

The world was introduced to Audrey Hepburn with this exceptional romantic comedy, and it’s been a love affair between star and audience that even her death in 1992 didn’t diminish. Gregory Peck plays a reporter working for an American newspaper in Rome who stumbles upon the story of a lifetime when a visiting princess (Hepburn) goes for a spree in the middle of the night. Thinking herself incognita and unaware of the effect of the sedative she was given a few hours earlier, Hepburn wanders Rome before she ends up in Peck’s taxicab. The next day he shows her around the city, pretending to not to know who she is until he can get back to his typewriter and publish the story that will make him world famous. Unfortunately, a problem develops: he really begins to like her. William Wyler’s direction is spiffy, Rome hasn’t looked this good in ages, and Hepburn’s fresh charm and adorable demeanor are simply to die for. A real classic!

Academy Awards:  Best Actress (Audrey Hepburn); Best Motion Picture Story; Best Costume Design-BW
Nominations: Best Picture; Best Supporting Actor (Eddie Albert); Best Director (William Wyler); Best Screenplay; Best Cinematography-BW; Best Art Direction-BW; Best Film Editing

Golden Globe Award:  Best Actress-Drama (Audrey Hepburn)

Venice Film Festival: In Competition