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Summary: Audrey truly is royalty
Review: In this delightful and touching film, Audrey plays young Princess Anne, who is bored with her royal duties. After attending a formal ceremony, she decides later to explore Rome on her own. Unfortunately, a doctor had given her a sedative. She ends up falling asleep on a public bench. Luckily for her, Joe Bradley (Peck), an American news reporter finds her. Their lives would never be the same again. This is one of Audrey's best films.
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Summary: Classic in the greatest sense of the word
Review: Yes, it does live up to its sterling reputation and exceeds it! And Hepburn and Peck are perfectly cast! This is my favorite movie - touching, funny, romantic. You will love the characters and the worlds they live in and want to spend more time with them. There will never been another Audrey.
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Summary: Reverse Cinderella
Review: Instead of the commoner becoming the princess, the princess escapes the drudgery of royalty and becomes a commoner for a day, The princess discovers the simple joys of life (including, a haircut, ice cream and romance) with a cynical newspaper man in the eternal city. Peck and Hepburn were never better. This is classy entertainment.
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Summary: I'm not a romance fan.
Review: I'm not a romance fan, and I thought this was a great movie because of the ending. I also liked the way that Hepburn's character doesn't act like so many female characters in older films - she doesn't flop on the bed and weep like a child when something bad happens. Eddie Albert does a good job in a supporting role as the photographer helping Gregory Peck get the story.
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Summary: The Princess and the Pauper
Review: Fans of romances- buy it! Features two of Hollywood's most eautful people, wonderful scenery, an incredibly fun story and an emotional ending that will leave you hanging to the last second... and even after "The End". I would have given it a ten if the ending had left me in any state other than crying in sadness; I am still waiting for Audrey to call Cary Grant back! One of my best friends said the ending was terrible. I say it's just terribly sad, though one might say probable, but given the relative improbability of the plot, who cares? This movie begs for a remake (ala Audrey's Sabrina redone by Julia Ortmond) and a sequel!!! Is Sandy Bullock listening? Hey Sandy, you're the only young actress with the face and neck to play a modern Princess Ann & it would be fun to see you in a short haircut, too! END
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Summary: A wonderful story, so where's it's DVD?
Review: One night on a whim, I checked out 3 films: L.A. Confidential, Roman Holiday & Pulp fiction. The strangest surprise I got when I watched LA Confidential, was seeing a clip of Roman Holiday playing in a movie theater, and in awe by the coincidental checkout I had made. This film stands as a one of the better film romances I have seen in a long time. Much better than most films released today. At the onset of our story, we find Princess Ann(Audrey Hepburn) fed up with her non-stop tour of Europe, doing nothing more than meeting with other dignitaries, sticking to an all-work schedule, and almost no time to herself. One evening, fed up with her tiresome regiment, she escapes from her country's Roman Embassy, and sets out into the city. Soon after, she is discovered sleeping on a bench by Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), a member of the US News Service. Because she's too tired to tell him where she lives, Joe takes her home, and the next day realizes that she is Princess Ann. however, Ann is reluctant to reveal this, and Joe plays along with her game, hoping to get a story out of it. He is soon accompanied by his friend Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert), who is there to help bring photographs to the story (but without Ann knowing). Their escapades take them from the busy streets, to scenic Roman tourist sites, and onto a barge for a nightly dance. But as the day wears on, the Princess and Joe soon find that secretly they have been falling in love. This story's romance plotline works so well, because it's not something as predictable as say, "You've Got Mail." There are no real romantic longings between these characters, just several instances of a mutual friendship, which of course is the basis for romance in my book. The film was shot entirely on locations in Rome, with the exception of several indoor set pieces. What's amazing is the amount of time and patience it took to make this movie, but it's small pennies considering a project director William Wyler would tackle in later years: directing the epic Ben-Hur. As for casting, almost everyone has said it best: Audrey Hepburn was the best candidate for Princess Ann. Her portrayal of Ann as a young woman who is torn by her duties and yet yearns to do normal things (go to sidewalk cafes, wear pajamas, and so on), is so succinct that we believe her. Gregory Peck was not the first choice, but after watching him in this film, I can't picture anyone else doing a better Joe Bradley for the film. He has that seriousness yet sympathetic nature that reminds me in some ways of Harrison Ford. Eddie Albert as Irving the photographer has some of the most incredibly funny moments in the film. I won't give any away, because you have to see them for yourself. As a film student, there are several technical problems, such as sound fazing, quick cuts that seem to puzzle the eye and so forth, but the story makes up for this. This film was nominated for 10 Oscars in it's day, winning 3: Best Actress (Hepburn), Best Costume, and Best Motion Picture Story. The one thing I am most displeased with about this film, has to do with Paramount Pictures. Out of numerous films they've released featuring Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday has yet to see an imprint on a DVD disc. This seems hard to believe, considering this was Hepburn's major debut, her first Oscar win, and yete a romance story that should be seen and heard in this age we live in today. I can't stress this enough, but if you want to watch a relaxing film, Roman Holiday is just right.
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Summary: One of the best romantic comedies of all time
Review: I only recently saw this film and loved every bit of it. After the movie I got a little upset that I wasn't exposed to the movie earlier in my life.
Audrey Hepburn is absolutely delightful. She portrays the oblivious and suffocated princess so well, that you would think she was a princess in real life. She is funny, articulate, and very witty. Oh, and that irenic smile of hers could bring peace on earth. And her eyes? Wow, perhaps the most beautiful woman of all time. (I'm aware of Helen of Troy!!)
Gregory Peck is equally impressive. He plays the quick-witted reporter who is in need of some photos of the princess. He too is brilliant in the film. The unusual circumstance in which they meet, practically writes itself and makes for funny, funny moments. The chemistry between Hephurn and Peck is absolutely terrific.
This movie embodies all of the qualities of a good movie: It has good taste, it is entertaining, fun, emotional, and has a wonderful ending. After seeing this movie you will have a new standard for what you consider a good movie. Overall, the movie is well written, well acted, and well directed.
Just a terrific, must see movie for all ages!!
In My Humble Opinion
John G (Someone find me)
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: You know why Audrey Hepburn was well-loved when you watch her in Roman Holiday as the innocent, suffocated princess who gets a chance to spread her wings and fall in love during an exciting trip in Rome.
This classic film introduced the world to a bright-eye young Audrey whose films tops the charts in the most beloved romantic films of all time. See the film to understand why the vespa is a symbol of romantic freedom. If you have ever visited Rome or would like to visit Rome, this is one of the best films to see to truly appreciate Rome, gelato, and the Spanish steps.
DVD highlights - the special features which include interviews with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn's audition tape.
Putting a Best Word Forward.
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Summary: "Joe, we can't go running around town with a hot princess!"
Review: Princess Ann: Each, in its own way, was unforgettable. It would be difficult to - Rome! By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live.
The cultural significance of William Wyler's "Roman Holiday" cannot be understated. It was here that the world at-large was introduced to Audrey Hepburn. Saying a star was born with this film would be a gross understatement. It was with this film that an iconic legend was born.
Princess Ann (Hepburn) arrives in Rome to serve as the public relations representative for her home country. After becoming bored with her official duties, Ann escapes from her chaperones and sets out for adventure in Rome. An American reporter named Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) crosses paths with the truant princess and decides to stick close to her so that he can get the exclusive story of her exploits. Romance soon blossoms as the couple spend more time together and soon Joe and Ann are doing everything they can to make the most of the little time they have left together before they must part.
There is genuine magic in every frame of "Roman Holiday." This film casts a warm glow about it that envelops the viewer in rapturous cinematic bliss. Gregory Peck is dashing as a romantic leading man. Eddie Albert hits all the right notes as his comedic sidekick. And Audrey Hepburn is absolutely radiant in her Oscar-winning performance. Wyler also takes full advantage of his surroundings by capturing all of the grandeur of Rome in his shots. He also wisely incorporates a bittersweet finale that prevents "Roman Holiday" from being grouped together with the generic romances that always strain circumstances in order to get to a happy ending. This is a timeless treasure that truly feels as fresh today as it did fifty years ago. You just could not ask for a better production to showcase Audrey Hepburn in her first leading role.
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Summary: Royal Introduction to Audrey...But Peck Delights Too
Review: In a beautifully restored print, this fairy tale movie provides a most enchanting introduction to the then-24 year old actress thanks mainly to director William Wyler's expert direction and Dalton Trumbo's sweetly observant script. In hindsight, it is a modest performance compared to Hepburn's later work, but Wyler knew enough to let her natural breeding serve its purpose in conveying the carriage of a princess. The approach works wonderfully, as she is perfectly believable as a royal who experiences her first glimpse into the world outside her hermetically sealed world. One can see her star rising most precipitously throughout this film, even in scenes as seemingly minor as the one where she sits on the Spanish Steps breathlessly describing her perfect day. Nonetheless, the revelation here is really Gregory Peck, handsome and stalwart as always but in this movie, quite relaxed with a surprising light comedy touch. It is actually his Joe Bradley that goes through the dramatic character arc from opportunistic reporter to smitten commoner that makes the ending so bittersweet.
Even though this film is hardly mentioned in the same breath as his other classics like "Wuthering Heights" or "The Best Years of Our Lives", Wyler's humanistic touch is everywhere - from the comic haircutting scene with the smitten barber to the famous Mouth of Truth scene where Peck pretends to lose his hand to the concluding press conference, which turns into a dance of acting nuance and unspoken feelings. This DVD has some nice extras, including an excellent documentary on the production itself (watch for Hepburn's first Hollywood screen test) and other short films on the film's restoration process and Edith Head's contribution to movie costuming. A lovely reminder of what great stars Hepburn and Peck were during Hollywood's golden age.
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