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Alfredo Rizzo, Audrey Hepburn, Claudio Ermelli

A princess plays hooky from her royal duties for 24 hours with a reporter. This is one of Hollywood's most sweetly romantic films -- a frothy, modern telling of the Cinderella story, in reverse.

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41 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: William Wyler

Release Date: January 1, 1953

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DVD Release Date: November 26, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (4,085)

  • ebs90
    September 18, 2009
    ebs90

    I can't think of another word to describe Roman Holiday besides "charming". Everything from the Roman backgrounds to the melodramatic fight scene is shot in lush black and white, not only with great technical precision by William Wyler, but with elegance and even innocence. It

    ...( read more)'s a film that can transmit pure joy and take you on an escapist ride with no guilt whatsoever, given the excellence throughout -from the art direction to the performances-. Most importantly, its story is told in such a cute and inventive way that you don't feel you've seen it before (as it often happens nowadays with romantic comedies). The highlight are the brilliant characterizations of Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) and Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), the "undercover" reporter set to write a pricey exclusive interview with the Princess, without her knowing.

    Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn absorb every scene. Their screen presence is something to behold, and also a source of nostalgia... I don't think it's easy to find performers with their level of distinction and their sort of transparent delivery. In their hands, the dialogue gains a great deal of fluidity and depth. They effortlessly and believably carry the film in all of its delicate mood changes, with its veiled irreverence, its wit, its drama, and its slapstick. However, this isn't just a performance-showcase film, everything about it is outstanding, and I could personally watch it a third time only for the wonderful exteriors, or for the intelligent screenplay.


    William Wyler is more than happy to show the beautiful faces of the city and take his characters on wild, illegal drives across its streets. Italians are shown as friendly and warm people that the Princess and the journalist are more than happy to meet.


    A sharp sense of humor, panoramic views of the buildings of Rome, music, and romance abound, but don't overshadow the fundamental sadness of the story: two people very keen on lying to each other fall in love, and then, because of their backgrounds, cannot remain together. All ends well but not too well, and such an unlikely episode ends in a rather realistic way. The film is ultimately satisfying and neither self-indulgent nor a crowd-pleaser, and that's one of the things that really sets it apart.


    From Princess Ann's yearning for freedom to Joe's final sacrifice, Roman Holiday takes on some dense themes without it ever feeling heavy, and it's a film to be charmed by and enjoy. A classic, one of the films you simply have to watch at some point in your life.

  • mrpopcorn
    August 27, 2009
    mrpopcorn
    "Joe, we can't go running around town with a hot princess!"

    A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome.

    REVIEW

    With a very nice blen...( read more)d of fantasy and reality, and two very likable stars, Roman Holiday is both entertaining and thoughtful. Sometimes it is very funny, and at other times it makes you feel a great sympathy and warmth towards the characters. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck are ideal in the leading roles, and the story is very clever in getting a lot of mileage out of a simple idea without pushing things too far, which makes it quite effective.

    The idea of Princess Ann (Audrey) slipping away unnoticed and unrecognized for a day of fun and freedom from responsibility is of course fanciful, but it works for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is Peck's role as a pragmatic newsman. He is a good balance for Hepburn's charm and energy, remaining calm and logical without ever becoming cold or distant. You feel as if you could spend a lot more than a couple of hours in their company. And how could you improve on Eddie Albert's performance as Peck's photographer friend? The movie also adds in the atmosphere of Rome itself, with some creative scenes that make good use of the setting.

    There are many fine moments in a story that at times seems almost like a daydream, and then it brings the characters back to reality in a moving way. It's not an easy combination to pull off, but here it all fits together very well, to make the kind of classic worth remembering, and one which you can watch and enjoy more than once.
  • PvtCaboose91
    October 13, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "She's fair game, Joe. It's always open season on princesses."


    For enthusiastic fans of romantic comedies, William Wyler's enchanting classic Roman Holiday is an absolute must. With its endearing blend of delightful dialogue, subtle laughs and utterly charming

    ...( read more) characters, there is little mystery why Roman Holiday has become such a tremendous favourite over the decades. While the film was directed by William Wyler (known in Hollywood at the time for being an absolute perfectionist, occasionally filming up to 30 takes for one scene) and featured the charismatic Gregory Peck, this is a production best known for bringing actress Audrey Hepburn into the spotlight. In the early 1950s, Hepburn had only performed on Broadway and in minor roles in various films. Yet the studio took a chance on the unproved performer, and as a result Hepburn was bestowed with an Academy Award for Best Actress.

    Witty, warm, beautifully filmed (on location in Rome), charming and admirably unconventional, Roman Holiday remains an unabashed romantic pleasure and a terrifically enduring classic.

    These days it's typical for young girls to fantasise about being a princess. Perhaps there's the possibility that princesses fantasise about being just another regular girl - a fairytale in reverse, to speak. Whatever the case, this is the premise for the story told in Roman Holiday. The film tells the story of a princess spending a day in anonymity, away from her privileged lifestyle and excessive riches. This is a tale that has been retold various times in many different forms, even in the years of contemporary cinema. For instance, Notting Hill: the story of an ordinary Brit dating the world's most famous actress. Or there's Chasing Liberty that tells the story of the First Daughter venturing out on her own. Furthermore, while the story of Roman Holiday may seem farfetched, it has gained credibility over the years. The events in the lives of Princess Margaret and even Princess Diana have proved just how accurate this classic gem truly is.

    Princess Ann (Hepburn), heir to the throne of an influential country in Europe, is on a goodwill tour of the European capitals. After travelling to Paris, London and Amsterdam among others, the princess finds herself in Rome. But the strain of her lifestyle is beginning to have an effect on her mental state. When Ann's secretary confronts her with her awfully busy schedule for the next day, Ann has a fit of hysterics and suffers a meltdown - she's completely fed up with having every moment of her life intricately planned. Subsequently she's given a sedative to calm her down. In her drugged state, Ann slips out of the palace, runs away from her royal duties and ventures out into the city where she poses as a drunk, homeless girl. American newsman Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) discovers the comatose Princess Ann. Feeling guilty about abandoning someone in no condition to be on their own, Joe brings Ann back to his apartment so she can "sleep it off". The following morning Joe realises the identity of his mysterious guest and begins plotting a method to obtain an exclusive story out of the situation. He enlists the aid of his friend (Albert) to take the pictures. Over the course of the day spent with Ann, Joe's desire to write the story wanes as his fondness for his companion escalates.

    Audrey Hepburn was in her early 20s when she starred in the film. Co-star Gregory Peck was so taken with the ability of Hepburn that he persuaded the studio to place her name in equal billing with his, as Peck was convinced that Hepburn's performance would earn her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The rest is history: Peck was right, and Hepburn won the Oscar.
    Roman Holiday began a decade of memorable performances for Audrey Hepburn with a roster that would include Sabrina Fairchild, Holly Golightly, and Eliza Doolittle. The actress also pulled off what few co-stars could manage: make Gregory Peck fade into the background. Of course Peck is fine and charismatic in the role of Joe Bradley, but he is faintly belittled whenever he shares the screen with Hepburn.

    The film was shot on location in Rome (this fact is noted emphatically in a caption during the opening credits, ensuring audiences wouldn't think they're witnessing sound stage shots combined with stock footage). These locations allow director Wyler ample opportunities to flaunt the best face of the Italian city. With the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography extracting the movie from reality and placing it into the fairytale land where it belongs, Rome comes across as the most romantic location on Earth. No blemish is ever shown. As idyllic and wonderful as the place may be, however, one shouldn't anticipate this kind of perfect vacation if you ever visit.

    Ann's holiday involves all sorts of normal activities which transform her 24 hours of freedom into an ephemeral love affair with a handsome gentleman in a romantic location. Although Hepburn's Princess Ann and Peck's Joe Bradley steal several kisses, their relationship never goes beyond that. Roman Holiday is about the possibilities of love more than the tangible realities. It brings to light something most romantics recognise: the ideal love affair is almost always one that's never consummated. The film admirably stays away from the concept of a happy ending. Although abrupt and unsatisfying to some, it reminds the audience that this is no fairytale - a bulk of the movie seemed like something out of a fairytale, but it is in fact reality, and this is how the cookie crumbles.

    By no means is Roman Holiday faultless, though. The major shortcoming of the film is its excessive length. Running at just under two hours, the film is too long by about 20 minutes. The audience doesn't need to be repeatedly told that Ann and Joe are rapidly falling in love with one another (it's fairly noticeable given the way the actors look at each other). In addition, the film's conclusion can almost be speculated before it transpires. Ergo the denouement should have been fast-tracked.

    More than 50 years following its original release, Roman Holiday remains a staple of the romantic comedy fan's movie library. It delivers everything it promises, from the contemporary inversion of the Cinderella fable to a fabric of low-key humour. (The film's humour offers more chuckles than overt laughs) The ending, while not completely downbeat, is the sort of thing Hollywood might erroneously alter today, but it's note-perfect for the production. This ending may surprise first-time viewers because of its rather sombre tone; however I admire the filmmakers for possessing the guts to stay true to their convictions. Sometimes all's well regardless of not ending so well. There's still adequate charm, allure and wit on display, though, and that's what counts the most.

    If you're in the mood for something vivacious and uplifting, Roman Holiday is the trip to take.
  • armybratgeo
    September 7, 2008
    armybratgeo
    Wow...the last time I saw this I was a teenager myself. Good grief...! I still loved it and I even remembered alot if it. Nice to travel back in time and still be able to enjoy something I did when I was young. Great performences and I very much recommend this.
  • hypathio7
    July 14, 2008
    hypathio7
    Storyline is kind of similar to It Happened One Night, which is a movie I like much better. I can believe the romance that forms between the journalist and heiress in that picture. This movie shows you a lot of the beauty of Rome, has some cute moments that make you chuckle, an...( read more)d just a couple touching moments. In this case it is a princess and an enterprising journalist so the princess leads an even more sheltered life and the two are from totally opposite worlds. They run wild for awhile then the sudden kiss and tears come not so much from a deep need for each other, as from the realization that this one day stand or temporary fun has come to an end. The holiday is fun while it lasts and Peck is honorable by deciding not to exploit the relationship, but the movie is a passive, empty piece of fluff.
  • clairebear44
    November 15, 2009
    clairebear44
    Audrey Hepburn's Oscar-winning role as a runaway princess, she is paired with a wonderful Gregory Peck and this is a beautiful romance and heartwarming comedy. A must see movie.
  • ella2706
    November 13, 2009
    ella2706
    Great movie! a very romantic story,and Peck &hepburn make a nice couple.
  • gultenreiz
    November 11, 2009
    gultenreiz
    The story takes place, as the title suggests, in the italian capital and its protagonists are: Ann and Joe, the most unlikely pair.
    Ann is a princess of some kingdom, when she starts feeling the pressure of her daily schedule, she decides to escape the royal residence.
    Joe Bradl...( read more)y is an american, working for a news agency "nella citta eterna", he's the one that helps her, unwillingly.
    The movie gets momentum when Joe finds out who's Anya or Smitty, as the princess presents herself.
    This movie, that was shot entirely on location in Rome is charming and funny, but I think that the major assets are the 2 stars: Hepburn and Peck.
    Beeing a romantic movie, the two must fall in love and, off course, they do.
    Joe with his tough exterior and at times cynical heart can't contain falling for Ann, played by an adorable and very pretty Audrey Hepburn.
    Gregory Peck holds his own against the young actress and frankly who could not fall for him? His looks, his voice are just perfection.
    The movie has lots of comic moments, most of them when Eddie Albert is on screen.
    A must see movie, very enjoyable.
  • rwbannan
    November 10, 2009
    rwbannan
    Heard this was a pretty good movie
  • najjems
    November 1, 2009
    najjems
    From Audrey Hepburn's charming and elegant beauty, to Gregory Peck's deep intoxicating voice, and to adventures in Italy's Rome, "Roman Holiday" is a classic that's sure to make you smile.

    Sure I was disappointed in the end (blame it on all the misleading fairytales Hollywood g...( read more)ives use.), but this is what I call a realistic ending!

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Critic Reviews

January 24, 2003
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

The film itself is a classic of romantic wish fulfillment, exactly the sort of beautiful lie that Hollywood specialized in. full review

View more Roman Holiday reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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