The Yellow Rolls-Royce Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A fancy yellow car travels across Europe enabling dramatic love affairs and brushes with WWII, proving it has a busier dating life than its various human owners.

🍿 The Yellow Rolls-Royce: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Diplomat’s Anniversary Gift

The film begins in 1930s London, where Lord Charles Frinton, a British diplomat, purchases a brand-new, distinctive yellow Rolls-Royce Phantom II as a belated 10th-anniversary gift for his French wife, Lady Eloise. The acquisition coincides with the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup horse race, where Lord Frinton’s horse is competing. Despite the grand gesture and the excitement of the race, cracks appear in the couple’s seemingly perfect marriage. Lady Eloise, feeling neglected, uses the new car for purposes other than anticipated by her husband, leading to a significant discovery.

The Gangster’s Italian Holiday

Years later, the yellow Rolls-Royce surfaces in Italy, now owned by American gangster Paolo Maltese. He is touring the country with his fiancée, the cynical but charming Mae Jenkins, and his loyal right-hand man, Joey Friedlander. Paolo buys the opulent car to impress Mae and show her his ancestral homeland. When Paolo is called back to America unexpectedly for ‘business,’ he leaves Mae and Joey to continue the tour. Bored and disillusioned with her life, Mae encounters Stefano, a handsome young Italian photographer who shows her the beauty of Italy and offers a glimpse of a different kind of life and affection.

The Socialite and the Partisan

By 1941, the well-traveled yellow Rolls-Royce is in Trieste, showing signs of wear. It is purchased by Gerda Millett, a wealthy, self-absorbed American widow planning to travel into Yugoslavia to meet with the new King Peter. Despite warnings of impending war and unrest, Gerda is determined to proceed. While preparing for her journey, she encounters Davich, a charismatic Yugoslavian national who requests a ride to his homeland. Unaware of his true intentions, Gerda allows him into her car, setting the stage for her unwitting involvement in the tumultuous events unfolding in the Balkans on the eve of invasion.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Davich (Omar Sharif): A Yugoslavian partisan who enlists the help of Gerda Millett and her yellow Rolls-Royce to transport himself and other fighters during the war.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Marquess of Frinton: “Then I suggest, Mr. Ambassador, that we sleep on it. Crises always manage to look better in the morning.” – Said calmly to an Albanian Ambassador while discussing growing political tensions, reflecting the Marquess’s understated diplomatic approach.
• Paolo Maltese: “My baby wants a Royce-Rolls – my baby gets a Royce-Rolls!” – Exclaimed to a car salesman, showcasing his flashy gangster persona and desire to indulge his fiancée, Mae Jenkins.
• Mae Jenkins: “Perhaps we should forget domani.” – Said to Stefano, hinting at the impossibility of their romance continuing due to her circumstances and the danger involved.
• Gerda Millett: “Are you telling me that the waiters have left?” – Asked incredulously when the staff abandon the restaurant due to a bombing raid, highlighting her initial detachment from the war’s reality.
• Gerda Millett: “We take them in the car.” – Stated with determination when agreeing to use her Rolls-Royce to transport Yugoslavian partisans to safety, marking a significant shift in her character.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,900,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Yellow Rolls-Royce Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I finally watched The Yellow Rolls-Royce, and wow, what a cast! I settled in on a lazy Sunday afternoon, perfect for an old classic like this. The first story with Rex Harrison was heartbreakingly elegant. I really felt for his character discovering the infidelity. The second one with Shirley MacLaine and Alain Delon was pure movie star chemistry; I mean, seriously, Delon was gorgeous! It had a fun, slightly dramatic vibe. Ingrid Bergman in the third story was just wonderful, showing such a transformation from a slightly self-centered socialite to someone truly compassionate. I loved how the car became a part of the resistance effort in that segment. It’s definitely an uneven film in terms of story quality, but the performances and the sheer beauty of the cinematography and locations make it totally worth watching. It felt like a delightful journey through different times and places.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood cinema”
  • “Viewers who appreciate anthology films”
  • “Those interested in historical dramas and romantic stories”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films with an all-star ensemble cast”
  • “People interested in European scenery and travelogues”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Marital Infidelity (depicted in the first and second segments)”
  • “Suggestive situations (romance and affairs are central themes)”
  • “War themes and conflict (third segment involves WWII events and resistance)”
  • “Criminal activity (second segment involves gangsters, though violence is mostly implied off-screen)”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “An anthology film linking three disparate stories via a striking yellow Rolls-Royce. While the all-star cast delivers moments of charm, the uneven script struggles to connect its disparate parts effectively. Visually opulent with gorgeous scenery, but the narrative engine sometimes sputters, making it a pleasant, if not entirely compelling, ride.
• Metacritic: “This star-studded vehicle promises much with its illustrious cast and premise following a car through different lives. Some segments shine, particularly those leaning into wit or drama. However, others feel surprisingly flat or miscast. Ultimately, it’s a handsome production elevated by its performers, but the collection of tales lacks a consistent spark.
• IMDb User Review Summary: “Viewers highlight the incredible ensemble cast and stunning European locations as major draws. While acknowledging the episodic nature leads to some unevenness, many found the film a charming and elegant watch, particularly enjoying specific performances and the historical backdrop of the later segments. A pleasant ‘rainy day’ movie experience.

Audience Reactions

The star power alone is worth the watch.: Many viewers praised the exceptional ensemble cast, noting that seeing so many legendary actors together was a major highlight. The beautiful European scenery and the elegant production design were also frequently mentioned positives.

It’s a charming, feel-good movie for a relaxing watch.: A common sentiment is that the film is best enjoyed as light, entertaining fare, perfect for a quiet afternoon. While not deep, its episodic structure and focus on romance and mild drama make it a pleasant escape.

Specific segments and performances really stood out.: Fans often singled out the third story featuring Ingrid Bergman and Omar Sharif for its dramatic shift and emotional depth, as well as the chemistry in the second story between Shirley MacLaine and Alain Delon. Rex Harrison’s performance in the first segment was also frequently praised.

Overall Consensus: A visually beautiful, star-studded anthology film with uneven but often charming stories, best appreciated for its impressive cast and nostalgic depiction of romance and adventure across Europe.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The titular car was originally a pale blue 1931 Phantom II Barker Sedanca de Ville, which was repainted bright yellow by MGM technicians using twenty coats of paint for the film.”
• “This was the final film directed by Anthony Asquith, who passed away in 1968.”
• “While the story features the car traveling through Yugoslavia during World War II, these scenes were actually filmed on location in Austria.”
• “According to a user review, Art Carney made his film debut in this movie playing Joey Friedlander, the mobster’s sidekick.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Yellow Rolls-Royce?

While ‘The Yellow Rolls-Royce’ may not be readily available on major streaming subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max, it is often available for digital rental or purchase. You can typically find it to rent or buy on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check these services for current availability and pricing. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray might also be available from online retailers like Amazon or through specialized film distributors, especially for classic cinema enthusiasts.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Yellow Rolls-Royce, you might like these similar films:

• Tales of Manhattan (1942): Similar anthology film structure where disparate stories are linked together by the journey of a single object, in this case, a tailcoat.
• The V.I.P.’s (1963): Shares the same writer (Terence Rattigan) and director (Anthony Asquith) and employs a similar ensemble, multi-story format linked by a mode of transportation (airplanes at an airport).
• The Red Violin (1998): A thematic successor employing the anthology format where the story follows a single object (a violin) through centuries and different owners, exploring its impact on their lives.
• Genevieve (1953): A British comedy from a similar era that also centrally features a classic car, although its focus is on a competitive road trip rather than an anthology of owners.
• Short Cuts (1993): A modern example of a large ensemble film presenting intersecting vignettes about different characters and their lives, though less linked by a specific object and more by location and theme.

🛒 The Yellow Rolls-Royce Related Products

• The Yellow Rolls-Royce (DVD/Blu-ray): Own this classic anthology film on physical media, allowing you to revisit the stunning European locations and legendary performances anytime.
• Classic Hollywood Anthology Film Collection: A curated digital collection featuring ‘The Yellow Rolls-Royce’ alongside other famous episodic movies from the golden age of Hollywood.
• 1:24 Scale Diecast Model of 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II: A detailed replica of the iconic car featured in the film, painted in the signature yellow color.
• Vintage European Travel Posters Art Prints: Prints inspired by the beautiful locations visited in the film (England, Italy, Yugoslavia), capturing the elegance and adventure of the era.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Yellow Rolls-Royce features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Forget Domani” – performed by Riz Ortolani
• “Main Title (The Yellow Rolls-Royce)” – performed by Riz Ortolani

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca deVille (Barker) – “The Yellow Rolls-Royce”

Wow, check out the actual classic Rolls-Royce from the movie! It’s pretty cool to see the real star vehicle up close, isn’t it?

✨ Rate