Daisy Miller (1974)

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers:

Henry James (story)
Frederic Raphael (writer)

Release Date:

24 January 1975 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

In this comedy of manners, the American Winterbourne tries to figure out the bright and bubbly Daisy Miller, only to be helped and hindered by false judgments from their fellow friends.

Plot Keywords:

19th Century | Handlebar Mustache | Swimming Pool | Expatriate | Patrician

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Cybill Shepherd	...	Annie P. 'Daisy' Miller
Barry Brown	...	Frederick Winterbourne
Cloris Leachman	...	Mrs. Ezra Miller
Mildred Natwick	...	Mrs. Costello
Eileen Brennan	...	Mrs. Walker
Duilio Del Prete	...	Mr. Gionavelli
James McMurtry	...	Randolph C. Miller
Nicholas Jones	...	Charles
George Morfogen	...	Eugenio
Jean-Pascal Bongard	...	Hotel Receptionist Vevey
Albert Messmer	...	Tutor
Jacques Guhl	...	Polish Boy
Hubert Geoldun	...	Polish Boy
David Bush	...	Man at Chillon
Henri Hubinet	...	Chillon Guide

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | West Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:Livre | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Copa del Oro

Trivia:

Director Peter Bogdanovich initially planned on playing the role of Winterbourne himself opposite his then-girlfriend Shepard, with Orson Welles taking on the duties of director. However, when Welles declined, Bogdanovich decided to direct the picture instead.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)

Soundtrack:

When You and I Were Young, Maggy

beautifully and faithfully made adaptation

I strongly disagree with the limited, parochial, and dismissive comments of other reviewers' comments. Daisy Miller is a superb and literal adaptation of the Henry James novella. It is still a joy to watch and enjoy this period piece which is perfectly cast. I completely agree with Orson Welles that Cybill Shepherd was born to play Daisy Miller. Her performance is effortless and she aptly embodies Daisy in both looks and spirit. Bogdanovich was right on the mark with the casting of Ms. Shepherd. While it is true she was his girl friend at the time, it is also true that she was perfect for the role. Her interpretation involves rushing through the dialogue as if she couldn't wait for a response so she in turn could reply and in this case it is exactly what Daisy would have done. Cybill Shepherd was at the apex of her beauty and talent in Daisy Miller. She had just starred in three great American films-Last Picture Show, Heartbreak Kid, and Taxi Driver. Daisy Miller could easily be considered along with the three aforementioned film. When I am bored with high tech films, loud action adventure films, and post modern films, I often return with great pleasure to the sumptuous and beautifully realized Daisy Miller.