MovieChat Forums > Roman Holiday (1953) Discussion > Thank you William Wyler ...

Thank you William Wyler ...

posted 14 years ago by doug7347
6 replies | jump to latest

for casting Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday", and for all of your many great films.

More actors and actresses have been nominated for Academy Awards in William Wyler's movies than the next two directors put together. Wyler himself was nominated a record 12 times for best direction, and there were 36 nominations for his actors and actresses. He made 13 films in a row that had at least one acting nomination and of those 13, 9 were nominated for Best Picture and all 9 of them had multiple nominations for acting. The film that broke the streak, "Carrie"(1952), features Laurence Olivier's most brilliant performance as an actor, but somehow didn't get nominated.

Wyler's next film was "Roman Holiday", and a previously unknown Audrey Hepburn won the Academy Award for best performance by an actress. She was great, and so was the man who cast and then directed her in this wonderful film.

[–] manferot 13 years ago

Yep, why is his name not mentioned more frequently among the greatest directors of all time? Lots of inspired choices and fantastic work. His choice of Hepburn made the film.

[–] doug7347 13 years ago

William Wyler was not an "auteur" with a single predictable style. He changed his style to fit each individual script. This displeased the influential French film critic and director Francois Truffaut who criticized Wyler for "theatricality" (whatever that is), and simultaneously raised the reputation of Howard Hawks above his actual merits.

I just watched a TCM documentary on "Epics", and Steven Speilberg in discussing "Ben Hur" describes William Wyler as "one of the greatest directors...". William Wyler's record speaks for itself. He was Hollywood's master craftsman, and when you see his name on a film you know it will be no worse than very good, and often a masterpiece.

[–] HoneyBakedHam 13 years ago

Yeah I agree that William Wyler is underrated. Should be up there with some of the greats.

[–] movie_fashion_girl-1 12 years ago

Agreed. He gave us 'Roman Holiday', 'Ben-Hur', and 'Funny Girl'.

Truly one of the greatest directors in cinema history.

"I love knowledge. In fact I yearn for it." -from the TV show "Designing Women"

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

dodsworth. 

🎄Season's Greetings!🎁🎅🎄

[–] mark-1589 9 years ago

"He gave us 'Roman Holiday', 'Ben-Hur', and 'Funny Girl'."

Lest we forget Jezebel, Wuthering Heights, The Letter, The Little Foxes, Mrs. Miniver, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Heiress, The Big Country, and The Children's Hour. No doubt I have overlooked other great films of his.