Roman Holiday (1953)

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

'Roman Holiday' is a delightful romantic comedy, made in 1953, directed and produced by William Wyler and starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. It is a captivating film romance in which Audrey Hepburn made her first Hollywood appearance after appearing in a few roles in Europe and in a Broadway production of Gigi. The movie catapulted her to world stardom and she becme a style icon whose simple yet elegant look was imitated by women the world over.

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The movie wase one of the biggest international hits of Holywood and received an incredible ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Eddie Albert), and Best Director. It won Oscars for Best Actress (Audrey Hepburn), Best Original Story (Ian McLellan Hunter) and Best Black and White Costume Design (Edith Head). In 1992, the Academy belatedly righted a serious wrong when they posthumously credited and gave an Oscar to author Dalton Trumbo, who actually wrote the screenplay, but who had been blacklisted in the 1950's as one of the Hollywood Ten who refused to answer questions regarding their possible communist affiliations.

In 2002, the American Film Institute named 'Roman Holiday' the fourth best love story of all time on its AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions list and in 2008 it also received fourth place in the AFI's romantic comedy genre.

In 1999, Roman Holiday was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The plot is tightly constructed and contains adventurous and exciting moments as well as romance and light comedy and can also be seen as the "Cinderella" story in reverse. Audrey Hepburn plays Princess Anya, who is making a Royal European tour but who starts to feel stifled by her tight schedule and official responsibilities. One night she secretly leaves her luxurious rooms to see something of Rome for herself. She meets American Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), a newspaper reporter who was planning to interview the Princess the following day.

Of course the two fall in love as they tour Rome together, enjoying the romance and charm of the city, but knowing that their time together must be limited. They finally have to say their farewells, and Joe lingers for a while , along with a tearful audience, contemplating what might have been.

All the main characters are excellently cast, Peck and Hepburn as the lovers, and Eddie Albert is perfect as Peck's eager tagalong cameraman, providing pefect balance as comic relief. Wyler, one of Hollywood's most reliable directors, shot the film on location in Rome, and the city's landmarks help enhance the already magical story. The vibrant, evocative score by the great Georges Auric provides the finishing touch to a witty and warm and beautifully filmed movie. It is an absolute gem.