Roman Holiday

Plot synopsis:
Ann (Audrey Hepburn), the crown princess of an unspecified country becomes frustrated with her tightly scheduled life, and breaks down at having to repeatedly answer "yes, thank you" and "no, thank you" to demands of her time. Her doctor gives her a sedative to calm her and help her sleep, but she secretly leaves her country's embassy.
The sedative eventually makes her fall asleep on a bench, where Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an expatriate American reporter for the "American News Service" based in Rome, finds her. Not recognizing her, he offers her money so she can take a taxi home, but a woozy "Anya Smith" (as she later calls herself) refuses to cooperate. Joe finally decides, for safety's sake, to let her spend the night in his apartment. He is amused by her regal manner, but less so when she appropriates his bed. He transfers her to a couch. The next morning, Joe, having already slept through the interview Princess Ann was scheduled to give, hurries off to work, leaving her still asleep.
When his editor, Mr. Hennessy (Hartley Power), asks why Joe is late, Joe lies, claiming to have attended the princess' press conference. Joe makes up details of the alleged interview until Hennessy informs him that the event had been canceled because the princess had suddenly "fallen ill". Joe sees a newspaper picture of her and realizes who is in his apartment. Immediately seeing an opportunity, Joe proposes getting an exclusive interview. Hennessy, not knowing the circumstances, agrees to the deal and offers $5,000 if the interview is all Joe claims it will be, but bets Joe $500 that he will not succeed.
Joe hurries home and, hiding the fact that he is a reporter, offers to show "Anya" around Rome. He also surreptitiously calls his photographer friend, Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert), to tag along to secretly take pictures. However, Ann declines Joe's offer and leaves.
Ann, enjoying her freedom, explores an outdoor market, buys a pair of shoes, and, on a whim, gets her long hair cut short. Joe follows and "accidentally" meets her on the Spanish Steps. This time he convinces her to spend the day with him. They see the sights, including the "Mouth of Truth", a face carved in marble which is said to bite off the hands of liars. When Joe shouts in mock pain and pulls his hand out of the mouth, it appears to be missing, causing Ann to scream. He then pops his hand out of his sleeve and laughs. (Allegedly, Hepburn's shriek was not acting—Peck decided to pull a gag he had once seen Red Skelton do, and did not tell his co-star beforehand.)
Later, Ann shares with Joe her dream of living a normal life without her crushing responsibilities. That night, at a dance on a boat, government agents finally track her down and try to escort her away, but a wild melee breaks out and Joe and Ann escape. While trying to rescue her from plainclothes government agents, Joe is ambushed and falls into a river after being struck. Ann dives in to save him, and they swim away together away from the agents, finally sharing a kiss as they sit shivering on the riverbank. Later, knowing her royal responsibilities must resume, the princess bids a tearful farewell to Joe and returns to the embassy. When she arrives at the embassy she is lectured upon the sense of duty she must display, but (visibly pained) retorts that without such a sense, she would never have returned.
During the course of the day, Hennessy learns that the princess is missing, not ill as claimed. He suspects that Joe knows where she is and tries to get him to admit it, but Joe claims to know nothing about it. Joe decides not to write the story, despite the considerable amount of money riding on it. Irving first plans to sell his photographs independent of the story, but eventually decides against it.
The next day, Princess Ann appears to answer questions from the press, and is surprised to see Joe and Irving there. Irving takes her picture with the same miniature cigarette-lighter/camera he had used the previous day. When asked by a reporter which city of her European tour was her favorite, Ann first makes a diplomatic "all were equally good" answer, but interrupts it with an impulsive "Rome! By all means, Rome." At the end of the interview, the Princess requests to "meet" the journalists, shaking hands and making brief formal conversation. As she reaches Joe and Irving, the latter presents her with an envelope with the photographs he had taken, under the pretext of a generic memento of Rome. The three make several statements that hint at the truth and their dispositions, while feigning formality and the distance expected between the princess and two strange journalists. As the interview with the princess comes to an end and she reluctantly leaves, the crowd of journalists and reporters eventually disperses, and Joe walks away alone.

Tags: romantic, comedy, prank

Review:
Princess Ann (Hepburn) escapes the confines of her rarefied royal existence for a day, to be rescued by a reporter, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck).Bradley senses a scoop and seeks to inveigle the Princess into a story.
The film then would only have Gregory Peck as the star to draw the people in.But when Peck saw the screen test and also realized the film would rise and fall on the performance of the princess part, he insisted on top billing for Audrey Hepburn.
In the same way that William Holden credited Barbara Stanwyck with helping him get through Golden Boy, Audrey Hepburn credited Gregory Peck with her performance in Roman Holiday.
In Rome while on a European tour, princess Audrey fakes an illness and runs off for a day of fun.An American wire service reporter Gregory Peck finds her and realizes he's got an exclusive.
This charming comedy is justly famous as the film that made the whole world fall in love with Audrey Hepburn and half the world want to run out and buy a Vespa scooter.
Constantly advised, overprotected, and bored with her royal duties, Princess Anne, on holiday in Rome, evades her protectors and sneaks out at night to discover how the ordinary Italians live...Exhausted from a claustrophobic schedule, she collapses in a public place Passing by is Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), a newspaper reporter who was planning to interview the Princess the following dayNot realizing who she is, he eventually takes her to his apartment where she spends the night on his couchAfter discovering her identity, Bradley charms the runaway princess for the exclusive story he visualizes writing He calls his carefree photographer friend Eddie Albert and proposes to spend the day with her and experience everything she has always desired to Audrey Hepburnthe exquisite incognito princess who finds romance in the capital city of Italy not only lets down her long tresses, but also gets a more fashionable cut, as she blossoms to embrace a life she knows she cannot keepHepburn received an Oscar for Best Actress in recognition of her gamine charms and for her great acting abilityIf you like to remember Princess Anne at the café ordering champagne for lunch; smoking her "very first" cigarette; dancing on a barge on the Tiber River; hitting the royal agents with beer bottles; and testing the legend of 'The Mouth of Truth;' don't miss this delightful movie with three legendary stars.
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.
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.
Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn will be forever young any time we take a look at this classic that I'm sure will live and charm its viewers whenever they take a chance to see it for the first time, or like some of us, for another loving look..
Hepburn and Peck are such an attractive couple, and director William Wyler gets lots of beautiful shots of Rome, including the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and of course the classic scene they have at the Bocca della Verità.
Audrey Hepburn's first big film role cast her as a Princess of country unknown, making a state visit to Rome.
It stars Gregory Peck as a reporter and Audrey Hepburn as a royal princess out to see Rome on her own.
Things work according to plan for the reporter until he finds that he is really starting to fall in love with the princess.The story line may appear to be simple but take my word for it that Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn create magic and the movie will take a hold over you like nothing else you have ever seen.
This is Audrey's best movie and the only movie she got an Oscar for and she was never so charming, innocent and beautiful as she is in this movie.One of the reviewers has suggested that Cary Grant would have been ideal for the role that Gregory Peck plays.
In addition to the wonderful Ms. Hepburn, Gregory Peck does his typically superb job and Eddie Albert turns in a delightful (but no doubt painful, for him) performance in this incredibly charming jewel of a film.
Suffice to state that it never loses its luster, even though it is over sixty years since its original release.Every element of the film seems perfectly shaped, from the memorable Hollywood debut of Audrey Hepburn, to the nuanced support offered by Gregory Peck; a witty script by John Dighton and Ian McLellan Hunter, based on a story by the then-blacklisted Dalton Trumbo; beautiful black-and-white photography of a Rome that no longer exists by Henri Alakan and Frank F.
Planer; and taut direction by Wyler that gives plenty of opportunities for the actors to flourish while retaining the mystique of the Eternal City as a place where romance can occur, however briefly.The film has memorable nuanced moments, from the opening sequence where the Princess (Hepburn) undergoes an apparently endless series of presentations, while trying to stretch her feet under her voluminous dress; the sequence where she wears pajamas for the first time and falls asleep in Peck's bed during a chaste night away from the palace; the sequence taking place in the sidewalk café where Peck keeps telling his witless sidekick Nathan (Eddie Albert) to shut up about the Princess's true identity; and the memorable moment at the Bocca della Verita (aka the Mouth of Truth), where Peck puts his hand in and brings it out abruptly, scaring the living daylights out of the Princess as he does so.Nothing actually happens during the Princess's night away from her royal duties; her virtue remains intact, and she has a merry time dodging the Carabinieri and her Secret Service officers, in a comic fight sequence taking place near the Castel Saint'Angelo, which culminates in Peck and herself diving into the river and swimming to safety.
Enchanting romantic comedy about a bored and sheltered princess (Audrey Hepburn , whose role won an Oscar) who escapes her guardians and falls in love for a reporter (Gregory Peck) who is aware of his true identity and spending one day incognito in Rome .
Wonderful romantic comedy with a charming Audrey Hepburn who brings a special blend of refinement , elegance and beauty that justly made her Hollywood newest star .
It is absolutely stunning."My Fair Lady," "Sabrina," "Charade," "Funny Face," etc...If you like "Breakfast at Tiffany's," I urge you to watch the others I have mentioned.I wish I could make the whole world watch "Roman Holiday." It is my favorite movie, not only of Audrey Hepburn's, but of ALL time..
I have always been a fan of both Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, and heard this movie was good, but I didn't think it'd be much more than a lighthearted romantic comedy.
The cinematography that shows the definite sight of Rome not only adds the athetic point to the movie, but also helps enjoy the story more, such as Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn's scooter tour scene.
(Today, needless to say, Hollywood would have slapped an artificial "happy ending" on this movie.)As Princess Anne, who longs to escape from the duties of a life she never chose, the luminous Audrey Hepburn creates a completely believable and unforgettable character.
Starring Gregory Peck and introducing young Audrey Hepburn, the movie captures the innocence and morality of the time, giving us a look back into a world which no longer exists.Although there may not have been complete peace during that time, this film reflects the respect that men had towards women, the chivalry of that time.
Audrey Hepburn epitomises beauty, style and grace as Princess Anne, her final moments are so moving, while Gregory Peck is also marvellous as the dashing reporter Anne falls in love with.
Roman Holiday (1953)Gregory Peck's calm, dignified way of having fun and Audrey Hepburn's girl-like joy for simple things in life made a perfect combination in this William Wyler film, now famous for introducing Hepburn to the world.
The article from the time of "Roman Holiday"s release describes Audrey as an original, "A thin child-woman with irregular teeth, wide jawbone, flaring nostrils and upswept brows, yet she carries herself with ethereal grace and entrances with a smile both wistful and radiant, and has remarkably large and expressive eyes." Gregory Peck predicted from the very first day of shooting that Hepburn would win Academy Award for her performance and she'd become a huge star.
I am also a romantic, which I think is a must if you are going to see this movie."Roman Holiday" tells the story of Princess Ann, a young princess who is utterly bored with her life as royalty and so one night in Rome, she sneaks away from the embassy - only to fall asleep on the streets of Rome.
Here she plays a reigning European princess visiting Rome who would like an escape from her daily regime of official duties, thus the title and theme of the movie, a Roman holiday.Gregory Peck plays an American newspaper reporter living in the Eternal City.
Wyler is especially effective in presenting Audrey Hepburn in the most flattering light and getting the audience to identify with her.Gregory Peck's character should be a bit of an adventurous rake who finds that love is more important than money or fame, but it is impossible for Peck to play a morally compromised character, and so even as he appears to be using Princess Ann for his own ends, his behavior is always correct.
Aided by Eddie Albert (in a good supporting role) as his best friend, the film traces a day in the disappearance of Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn).Thankfully the world has altered (I'm not a royalist, personally!) but the film still manages to "speak to" an audience some 50 years later.
Royal Introduction to Audrey...But Peck Delights Too. 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.
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.
Roman Holiday (1953) is a Romantic Comedy starring Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann and Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley.
The best things about Roman Holiday are the acting of Audrey Hepburn, the overall mood of the film, and the chemistry between the leads.Princess Ann is stunning and perfect.
Both Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck do a good job at acting in love in the movie and they are a great looking couple.
Overall, Roman Holiday is a great classic film that I would recommend to anyone who loves watching old movies.
The film tells about a young princess who escapes during an official visit to Rome and make friends with a cynical American journalist, who only wants the exclusive story, but later realized that he was falling in love with her.
When asked if Roma is the greatest town she visited, she starts with a conventional answer but then opens her heart, one last time, and through her tribute to the city, indirectly gives a poignant farewell to Joe. It's all in the unspoken.I was surprised by how mature and adult the script was, kudos for Wyler for having given the job to then-blacklisted scriptwriter Trumbo who wrote a terrific story that ending showed that the film was more than a benign romance or a trip across Roma, it was a wonderful coming-of-age story in a way, she became a Princess again, but it took the Roman Holiday.
Joe Bradley(Gregory Peck) a journalist in Rome finds her and takes her to his rental room.and finds out that she is the Princess.and tries to make a good story with his close Photogapher friend Irving Radovich(Eddie Albert).and suddenly he find himself in love with the Princess...in such a heartbreaking and warming movie,you can find love,laugh,sadness,passion,and so many types of felling.it starts with princess;s boring life and ends with it either.but during the picture, she finds the joy and passion of life creating by normal people.
and she finds LOVE above all,which makes her to decide to leave her royal life and joins her beloved new life style.this memorial picture gives the most astonishing performances ever in this genre.Audrey Hepburn is the star.she is the shining jewel who trembles you.she shows the performance of a lifetime.she gives you sweetest moments possible that you can get from watching a movie.she acts like she has born an actress.others are just good.Gregory Peck is great actor but he goes an average performance.after 54 years passed by,you can watch Roman Holiday and enjoy it from start up to end.
She begins to rebel against her restricted, regimented schedule, and one night Anne sneaks out of her room, deciding to get 'out and about' away from her normal life, escaping her luxurious confinement.She then meets Joe Bradley, ( Gregory Peck) an American newspaper reporter stationed in Rome, and his photographer friend (Eddie Albert), who show her the sites.
THe theme of this movie is one that has been used many times over the past years.The wonderful tale of a princess wanting to lead a normal life and finding love along the way.
And that impression I got is something I want to share with you.It is true that the classic pair of Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann and Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley constitute a wonderful aspect of the movie.
That sure was a very beautiful scene and sticks in your mind like so many others in the movie.Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn together looked fabulous in this one.
There are numerous zany scenes and lots of slapstick humor, but it all works because Hepburn and Peck are so fabulous together.This film was directed by legendary director William Wyler (Ben Hur, The Best Years of Our Lives, Wuthering Heights), who chose wonderful locations throughout Rome to give the romance a storybook flavor.
saw that film in 1953..loved it tremendously and was infatuated by Audrey Hepburn went to work in Rome in 1954 because of that movie...now in 2006 saw the movie again and saw so many flaw..vert slow dialogue..childish behaviour and minimal acting..what's left Audrey Hepburn only ..gregory peck stodgy and Eddie Albert specially is obnoxious and aggravating...what annoyes me the most were the Italian actors playing such sterotype of what American see the italians...quite dreadful....Williamm Wyler such a great director does not come off well in this in 2006..at the time it was a travelogue for Italy..specially after the war years film like roman holiday and three coins in the fountain showed America what Italy was.....so far for me the film is a total miss ib 2006,,, and will never watch it again..should have reserved my first opinion and stayed with that...please let me know if anybody thinks like i do ...michel from MONTREAL.
But Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck do such a great job with the roles that you can't not like the movie.
The plot has pampered Princess Ann (Hepburn) touring Rome when she decides to leave her rich companions and see things on her own, at which point she meets reporter Joe Bradley (Peck), and they hit it off.If this movie is a fairy tale, then it's a very watchable one.
The timeless fairytale elements like a princess trying to disguise herself as a commoner and the classic routine of two people being dishonest with each other falling in love only gets better played against the live backdrop of Rome.One of the first films to truly shoot on location, "Roman Holiday" is that quintessential romance in a foreign country picture.
In it, a young English Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn), tired of her royal routine as an ambassador, sneaks away and into the path of American reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck).
Formidable may be the word most associated for Peck, and yet in Roman Holiday somehow William Wyler got a fantastic performance from him, full of warmth and great comic timing.It doesn't hurt, only helps, that Peck's playing opposite Audrey Hepburn, who is, of course, wholly beautiful and the ideal of a Movie Star (in caps) here.
Equally good was the interpretation of the beautiful Audrey Hepburn who played as Princess Ann (won the Oscar for the Best Actress in a Leading Role).Finally I have to say that "Roman Holiday" is a great movie to watch because it combines very well comedy with romance and the result from this combination is simply the best.
that's the story told in William Wyler's Roman Holiday (1953), a romantic comedy classic starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.It is a tender story that is about the desire you have to find the person who you really are, your desire to get out of social pressures and be yourself.
Hepburn won an Oscar for her portrayal of the princess but for me Gregory Peck was the best part of the movie.