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Amazon.co.uk Review
The three-way combination of ingénue Audrey Hepburn, admirable Gregory Peck and the Eternal City itself guarantees that Roman Holiday (1953) still knocks the socks off any modern rom-com you might care to name. Add to this stellar triumvirate the meticulous, loving direction of William Wyler and a warm-hearted original story by Dalton Trumbo (blacklisted and uncredited at the time) and the result is assuredly one of Hollywood's timeless classics.
At the leading man's own suggestion, newcomer Hepburn was generously accorded equal above-the-title billing with Peck: he knew that the film belonged to her anyway and wasn't one to stand on ceremony. As the princess who chafes at stuffy responsibility Hepburn's appealing girlishness is suffused with a will and wilfulness that rubs delightfully against Peck's more earnest mannerisms (even playing light-hearted comedy, he's still Atticus Finch at heart). The then-unusual decision to shoot entirely on location provides the movie with its glorious travelogue backdrop, and stalwart character-actor Eddie Albert is a fine foil for the two leads. Although Wyler is best known now for the grander vistas of The Big Country and Ben-Hur, none of his epics have as much heart as this.
On the DVD: Roman Holiday comes to DVD in a good digitally restored print--in itself a powerful reason to acquire the movie on disc. Sound is clean Dolby mono. Extras include a brief piece on the film restoration process, and a short documentary about costume designer Edith Head, which isn't specifically about this movie. The 25-minute making-of featurette has recent and archive interviews with cast members, including Peck and Eddie Albert, as well as William Wyler's daughter, plus Hepburn's screen test footage. Still-photo galleries and trailers complete a pleasant selection. --Mark Walker
Synopsis
A modern-day princess 'escapes' from her royal entourage while on a trip to Rome, and while incognito, falls in love with an American newspaperman. Oscar-winning story from then-blacklisted Dalton Trumbo was credited to Ian McLellan Hunter. Academy Award Nominations: 10, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay. Academy Awards: 3, including Best Actress-Audrey Hepburn, Best Motion Picture story.This special edition is to celebrate the anniversary of Audrey Hepburn’s 80th birthday.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
"Roman Holiday" is a modern-day fairy tale that never sacrifices integrity for cheap gooey romance. A truly magical, bittersweet little movie.
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.
"Roman Holiday" is a modern-day fairy tale that never sacrifices integrity for cheap gooey romance. A truly magical, bittersweet little movie.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Finally! The one of most famous romantic movies is coming on DVD .I was waiting for that moment more than a three years, since the first DVD's with Audrey were released. Audrey is playing a character of Princess Anne, who is coming on the official Italy visit and during the first night, as a consequence of stereotypical, tiresome and boring life, she is decided for a one normal, exciting day among the common people, the world beyond her velvet prison-of course incognito. She is recognize by one typical, cynical American journalist - starring Gregory Peck - and...and one outstanding romance about the one exceptional Rome's day can start. The one of the most celebrated romantic movies of all times, based on the fantastic performance of young, sweet Audrey, who was awarded, just in the age of 24, by Oscar, Golden Globe and New York Movie Critics prize for this stunning performance. My personal higly recommendation.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"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
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Memories of Rome
Having just returned from a holiday in Rome, we're enjoying watching any films based around Rome. We were able to recognise most of the places in the film, and Gregory Peck and... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mrs. I. M. Cooke
Roma
An amazing film, I went to Rome a few months ago and this brought back some amazing memories, worth every penny.
A real feel good film
A real feel good film
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Shaun Colwell
The best film ever!
How handsome was Gregory Peck & how perfect in every way was Audrey Hepburn?! And, of course, Eddie Albert......what would the film be without him......??
Published 4 months ago by H. Gates
never re-made
How refreshing that that film has not been re-made, perhaps being Hollywood's "our hat's off to you" way of saying it never could be done justice a second time, the first was... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Signed, Hopeful.
Great, classic film
This is a true classic, and still holds up well today (even if the languge is peppered with now obsolete phrases). Read more
Published 9 months ago by Paul
Classic
In my view..Audrey Hepburn has never been better..She is so graceful,yet full of fun..This movie is perfect for her..and it never ages.
Published 12 months ago by maxxxx
Enchanting
MY THOUGHTS: Roman Holiday is an absolutely incredible film, absolutely enchanting and spellbinding with an interesting and vaguely plausible storyline. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Dismal Angel
Charming
Audrey Hepburn is absolutely delightful, and so very fresh and young, as a beautiful princess escaping duty and protocol for a day of fun with Gregory Peck around the streets of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Four Violets
Wonderful!
I can't count the number of times I have seen this film since I was a young girl, but each time it is as fresh as the first. Read more
Published 14 months ago by B. Fox
Roman Holiday.
Well you must know this film! If not then it's a must have. Audrey Hepburn was unknown when she made this film and her performance is very moving. Read more
Published 15 months ago by S. Swingler
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