''Pretty Princess'' ( it, Piccolo grande amore, lit, Little big love) is a 1993 Italian

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

film directed by

Carlo Vanzina Carlo Vanzina (13 March 1951 – 8 July 2018) was an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter. Vanzina was born in Rome, the son of Maria Teresa Nati and film director Stefano Vanzina and brother of Enrico Vanzina. In English-speaki ...

Plot

Liechtenhaus (a fictional tiny European principality) is ruled by Prince Max, but the little country is nearly bankrupt. In fact, if he can't get an infusion of cash quickly, he may have to sell the royal palace to American developers as a casino complex. Fortunately, he's got a very pretty daughter, Princess Sofia and the dowry he will get from marrying her off to the unappealing, but wealthy heir to a similar nearby principality will more than get his tiny country in the clear. Unfortunately for him, his daughter is adamant about refusing this arranged marriage and prefers romance with a handsome but penniless windsurfing instructor to saving her country. Nefarious schemes are called for and when the Princess is kidnapped, something must be done.

Production

As with other Vanzina films, there is also a longer television version, first broadcast on 6 January 1998 at 8:45pm on Italia 1. Among the additional scenes: a dialogue between the protagonist and her nanny and the night-time encounter with the ecologist kids on the beach, played by Chiara Sani and Jimmy Ghione, and a scene in which Countess von Dix reveals her betrayal to her brother, Prince Maximilian. The latter version is available on DVD distributed by Medusa in 2010 and by Mustang Entertainment in 2013.

Cast

* Barbara Snellenburg as Princess Sofia *

Raoul Bova Raoul Bova (born 14 August 1971) is an Italian actor. Bova's European film breakthrough was in the 1993 film ''Piccolo grande amore'', and he's played romantic male leads the following years. His American film credits include '' Under the Tusc ...

as Marco *

David Warner David or Dave Warner may refer to: Sports * Dave Warner (strongman) (born 1969), Northern Ireland strongman competitor * David Bruce Warner (born 1970), South African alpine skier * David Warner (cricketer) (born 1986), Australian cricketer Oth ...

as Prince Max *

Susannah York Susannah Yolande Fletcher (9 January 1939 – 15 January 2011), known professionally as Susannah York, was an English actress. Her appearances in various films of the 1960s, including '' Tom Jones'' (1963) and '' They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'' ...

as Queen Christina * Paul Freeman as Count Otto Von Dix *

Catherine Schell Catherine Schell (born Katherina ''Freiin'' Schell von Bauschlott, 17 July 1944) is a Hungarian-born actress who came to prominence in British film and television productions from the 1960s. Her notable roles include the Bond girl Nancy in '' ...

as Countess Von Dix * Liz Smith as Queen Mother *

Jessica Simpson Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American singer, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. After performing in church choirs as a child, Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1997, aged seventeen. Her debut studio album, '' Swe ...

as Princess Astrid *

Marc Sinden Marcus Andrew Sinden (born 9 May 1954) is an English actor and film & theatre director and producer. Sinden has worked in film and theatre (mainly in London's West End) as both actor and producer and directed the documentary series ''Great We ...

as Captain Benadotti * Alessio Avenali as Rafael Botero * Bettina Giovannini as Olivia * Francesca Ventura as Rita *

Godfrey James Godfrey James (16 April 1931 – 29 October 2019) was an English actor. His film appearances include: '' Séance on a Wet Afternoon'' (1964), ''Witchfinder General'' (1968), '' The Oblong Box'' (1969), ''Cry of the Banshee'' (1970), ''The Blood ...

as Franz *

Adam Barker Ronald William George Barker (25 September 1929 – 3 October 2005) was an English actor, comedian and writer. He was known for roles in British comedy television series such as ''Porridge'', ''The Two Ronnies'', and ''Open All Hours''. ...

as Prince Frederick *

Julian Rhind-Tutt Julian Alistair Rhind-Tutt (born 20 July 1967) is an English actor, best known for playing Dr "Mac" Macartney in the comedy television series ''Green Wing'' (2004–2006). Early life Rhind-Tutt was born in West Drayton, Middlesex, the youngest o ...

Sarah Alexander Sarah Alexander (''née'' Smith; 3 January 1971) is an English actress. She has appeared in British series including ''Armstrong and Miller'', ''Smack the Pony'', ''Coupling'', ''The Worst Week of My Life'', ''Green Wing'', ''Marley's Ghosts'' ...

as Ursula * Virginie Marsan as Laura * Tilly Blackwood as Princess *

Shane Rimmer Shane Rimmer (born Shane Lance Deacon; May 28, 1929 – March 29, 2019) was a Canadian actor and screenwriter who spent the majority of his career in the United Kingdom. The self-proclaimed "Rent-A-Yank" of the British entertainment industry, he ...

as Mr. Hughes

References

External links

* * {{Carlo Vanzina 1993 films 1990s Italian-language films Films directed by Carlo Vanzina Films set in Sardinia 1993 romantic comedy films Films about royalty Films set in Europe Films set in a fictional country Italian romantic comedy films

Plot

Production

Cast

See also

References

External links