Roman Holiday (Centennial Collection)

 

 

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In the Audrey Hepburn canon "Roman Holiday" is the movie where she emerged from the chrysalis of small-time British movies into international stardom. Her charm and light comedy skills are showcased by putting her in the hands of an experienced Hollywood director (William Wyler), a rock-steady co-star (Gregory Peck)and familiar supporting players. Rome is made as enticing as could be managed with black and white, and the story emphasises responsibility (to her duties; to his integrity) as a governing value. The transfer and restoration are meticulous: they have brought back the movie to what it was like in its original release condition.

Fairy tales don't really happen in our world -- especially not the kind that actually involve princesses.

But you wouldn't know that from "Roman Holiday," one of Audrey Hepburn's earliest ever movie roles -- as well as her breakout one. This adorable romantic comedy balances itself nicely between a sweet little romance, a lighthearted romance and the bittersweet, overhanging specter of royal duty.

Bored young Princess Ann (Hepburn) goes on a "Roman Holiday," when she gets upset, is sedated by a doctor, and has an odd reaction to it. Soon she has wandered out of the palace and into the streets of Rome, where she is found by struggling American journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). Since she appears to be drunk, he takes her home.

When Joe realizes that he has the missing princess in his apartment, he takes her on a whirlwind tour of Rome, with his pal taking photographs for a full article about her. But he doesn't count on falling in love with Ann, or having her truly fall for him. And Ann has a tough choice to make -- should she give up her royal life and stay with Joe, or fulfil her responsibilities as a princess?

"Roman Holiday" is one of those rare movies that sounds incredibly trite and Hollywoodish when you just hear what it's about, because it's been done so many times before. Surprise -- instead we get a movie that is mostly a cute, innocent little romance, but with an inevitable choice that looms over Anne throughout her fun.

But it's a fun ride while it lasts, with Anne and Joe careening through Rome on a scooter, dancing by the river, and getting her hair cut. This doesn't sound very funny, but William Wyler plays it with plenty of little jokes, including Joe's scandalized landlady raving at poor Anne in Italian, assuming that she's a one-night stand. And near the end he twists the storyline into a bittersweet examination of duty vs. love, with Anne forced to consider which way her life will go.

And there's one joke that Peck played on Hepburn in reality -- the infamous "Mouth of Truth" scene. There's a reason Hepburn shrieked so convincingly: she had really been tricked.

Hepburn and Gregory Peck are thoroughly solid as love interests -- Peck is breezy and likable as the jaded American journalist who is seizing an opportunity. And Hepburn showed off her range here -- she can be funny and quirky (including a hilarious "drunk" scene), then switch over into a doe-eyed sadness that breaks the heart.

The Centennial Edition of this movie comes with an extra disk of assorted featurettes -- aside from the usual gallery and trailers, we have a half-hour special on Hepburn's Paramount years, and another twelve minutes commemorating her in general. Also has some stuff on the filming, the costumes, 1950s Paramount, and about restoring the film to primo glory.

"Roman Holiday" is a modern-day fairy tale that never sacrifices integrity for cheap gooey romance. A truly magical, bittersweet little movie.

"Roman holiday" (1953) is a charming movie that you are likely to love, specially if you are fond of romantic comedies that have an excellent director (William Wyler) and great actors (Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck).

Do you want to have at least an idea of what this film is about? Well, the main character is Ann (Audrey Hepburn), a beautiful princess that is visiting Rome for official reasons, but that wants to break free of her obligations, at least for one day. This movie tells us what happens when Ann gets to do what she wants, that is a day of almost perfect freedom in Rome. Of course, Ann is not alone: she accidentally meets an American journalist, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), a handsome rogue that becomes a possible love interest. But does Joe know who Ann really is? And what does he want from her?

All in all, I can say that I enjoyed watching the story of Princess Ann, a young woman that could be compared to a bird trying to spread her wings for the very first time. You will laugh, and maybe cry a little, but I think that "Roman holiday" is a film that you will not regret watching.

Belen Alcat

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5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully restored -- A delight!
Roman Holiday is a fun romantic comedy. Audrey Hepburn sparkles in her first starring role; she won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Princess Ann. Read more

Published on July 11 2004 by Anne E. Eddie

5.0 out of 5 stars Light, feel-good romance in Rome
Since my family is going to Italy this summer, my father had us watch Roman holiday because of the setting and all of the landmarks shown in the movie. Read more

Published on Jun 1 2004 by algernons_aquaintance

4.0 out of 5 stars It's always open season on princesses
ROMAN HOLIDAY should appeal to everyone who loves a good romance, and this one is a great one. The rest us of will be well content with the splendor of Rome and the chance to see... Read more

Published on May 22 2004 by Steven Hellerstedt

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the most romantic movie ever made
This was Audrey Hepburn's debut in a starring role. She was 24-years-old and had appeared in two or three other movies but just in bit parts. Read more

Published on May 16 2004 by Dennis Littrell

5.0 out of 5 stars Needless to say: all time classic
~I think there is really no need to introduce or praise this movie. History will tell (has already told) that it is one of the classic in the movie industry that deserves to be... Read more

Published on May 14 2004 by Jie Yin

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Audrey Hepburn... with an Interesting "Backstory"
This is by far one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn movies. In "Roman Holiday," Audrey plays a reluctant princess who escapes from her repressive royal life to have a... Read more

Published on May 9 2004 by E. Warner

5.0 out of 5 stars Both a Roman and romantic holiday for princess and viewer
Roman holiday-a time of enjoyment derived from the suffering of others.

Well, that's a dictionary's definition, but I guarantee that suffering is the diametric opposite for... Read more

Published on April 6 2004 by Daniel J. Hamlow

5.0 out of 5 stars A Holiday in Rome for All Who See This Delightful Film
This film has lost none of its charm since it was first released more than 50 years ago. Audrey Hepburn's performance as Princess Anne earned her an Academy Award for best actress... Read more

Published on Mar 16 2004 by Robert Morris

3.0 out of 5 stars Audry is beautiful, but not as good as I hoped.
I thought the role Peck played was a jerk.
As I was watching this movie, I remembered what Eliza from "My Fair Lady," said: "The difference between a lady and a flower girl... Read more

Published on Jan 25 2004 by William K.

5.0 out of 5 stars A ragged edge or two adds to the charm
No point in getting defensive about someone else's opinion, but Robert Horton (Amazon.com essential video) is considerably off the mark with his assessment of the casting of... Read more

Published on Jan 21 2004

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