Pretty Princess (Italian: Piccolo grande amore, lit. 'Little big love') is a 1993 Italian romantic comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina.
Contents
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 as Marco
David Warner as Prince Max
Susannah York as Queen Christina
Paul Freeman as Count Otto Von Dix
Catherine Schell as Countess Von Dix
Liz Smith as Queen Mother
Jessica Simpson as Princess Astrid
Marc Sinden as Captain Benadotti
Alessio Avenali as Rafael Botero
Bettina Giovannini as Olivia
Francesca Ventura as Rita
Godfrey James as Franz
Adam Barker as Prince Frederick
Julian Rhind-Tutt
Sarah Alexander as Ursula
Virginie Marsan as Laura
Tilly Blackwood as Princess
Shane Rimmer as Mr. Hughes