William wyller

It is difficult to say what happens with William Wyler (1902-1981), director of wonderful films, but who is not easily granted the title of author, which many scholars are willing to grant to filmmakers like Hitchcock, Ford or Hawks, who never did. they requested. Various reasons can be adduced: he did not seek media attention, he cultivated various genres, he shot a lot of material, he had very creative collaborators… For the superficial film buff it is tempting to label him ‘competent craftsman at the service of the studios’, and turn the page. Tempting, and unfair.

Born in Europe, having an uncle named Carl Laemmle in the United States, creator of Universal, made it easier for William Wyler to enter the world of cinema… in part. Family aid is sometimes a double-edged sword. Wyler, who immigrates to the US, served as an errand boy, translator, etc. Later he would get involved in filming, as an assistant director… That was his film school. He began directing B-series westerns, and became a seasoned trade. 1931 was an important year: he befriended John Huston , who wrote the script for The House of Discord for him . His marriage to Margaret Sullavan in 1935, his lead in the amusing An Angelic Girl , was hasty and did not work out. Instead he found the woman of his life inMargaret Tallichet , whom he married in 1938. They had 5 children.

The takeoff came thanks to a draconian contract with Samuel Goldwyn. That stage, from 1936 to 1947, was fruitful: with his producer, or on loan to another studio, he signed Disappointment , Jezebel , Wuthering Heights , The Outsider , The Letter , The Wolf , Mrs. Miniver and The Best Years of Our Lives . Intense dramas, a western, contributions to the war effort… And he works with talented people. In addition to Goldwyn, the writer Lillian Hellman , the operator Gregg Toland , the editor Daniel Mandell… And of course, great actors, including Bette Davis, with whom he made three films.

Liberty Films, the company he created with George Stevens and Frank Capra , was driven by his desire for independence. The adventure was short-lived, but it gave him the long-awaited freedom. And he continued delivering great titles: Henry James ‘s adaptation , The Heiress , or one of the quintessential romantic comedies, Roman Holiday , which launched Audrey Hepburn to stardom . This peace-loving man (his experience in war as a documentary filmmaker contributed to this attitude) directed two westerns critical of violence: The Great Test and Horizons of Greatness . Then he ‘filled in the gaps’, addressing genres that were virgin to him: a spectacular film, alongCecil B. DeMille , Ben-Hur (1959) , which took 11 Oscars; a musical, Funny Girl ; and an anticipatory title to the psychothriller, The Collector . When I interviewed Catherine Wyler, the director’s daughter, she told me how proud she was that the Church had liked Ben-Hur, and the way Jesus appeared in the film: “She laughed and said that the Jews had made a great film.” for Catholics.”

Some data for lovers of statistics: 3 Oscars for best film, 3 Oscars for best director, 38 statuettes out of 127 nominations. And 13 awards for his actors, out of 35 nominations. It is said soon. They are the figures of a successful career, of a cinema with capital letters.

And to go deeper, a piece of advice: read the book `In search of William Wyler´, edited by Rialp, and written by yours truly.