Roman Holiday (1953 movie)

Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1953
Country: United States

Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert, Hartley Power

Genres: Romantic, Comedy, Drama

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

Audrey Hepburn stars as a princess in this film. This is her first starring role. Gregory Peck plays a reporter. Along with them, the film also stars Eddie Albert as a photographer, Hartley Power as editor, and Margaret Rawlings as a lady-in-waiting of the Princess.

''Roman Holiday'' is a classic and memorable film in the history of cinema. As it has comedy/ funny elements, it also has romantic, emotional, and dramatic content. 

It begins as we see Princess Ann (played by Audrey Hepburn) coming to visit Rome, while on a tour to several European capitals. Though she welcomes guests with a smile in her face, that night she breaks into tears after thinking about all the difficult and many duties she has. Her doctor gives her sedative, and she, after a few minutes, run away.

Then we see reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). He finds the Princess in the street. The sedative has taken effect, making Mr. Bradley think that she is drunk. This is such a thing which made me laugh out loud, especially the scene where Mr. Bradley asks her where she lives, and she replies ''Coliseum''.

Mr. Bradley takes her to his small apartment, as she couldn't reply where she lives. The next morning, he wakes up late, sees the Princess still sleeping and runs to his office, where his editor Mr. Hennessy (played by Hartley Power) asks why he is late. After telling some lies, he sees the photograph of the Princess (it is reported that the Princess is severely ill) in the newspaper and becomes convinced that the woman in her apartment is the Princess. Mr. Bradley tells Mr. Hennessy that he will take an exclusive interview of the Princess.

The Princess doesn't have any idea that Mr. Bradley knows her real identity, and introduces herself as Anya Smith. Then, lots of funny things, romantic things, dramatic things occur... They go for a holiday for one day and visit the many interesting places of Rome, while they slowly fall in love...

The film has a little similarity with the 1934 movie ''It Happened One Night''. In ''It Happened One Night'', we saw an heiress running away and found by a similar man. But, in spite of the little similarity. ''Roman Holiday'' is a very different movie, with a different storyline.

Cinematography was excellent. So was the excellent background music. Some of the locations where the stories take place are all beautiful: there are scenes at the Coliseum, and a scene near the Mouth of Truth. There is a wonderful scene where Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn ride in a scooter in the streets of Rome.

Most of the actresses and actors give talented performances. This is Audrey Hepburn's first starring role, but she gives such an excellent performance! She won an Oscar for Best Actress for this film. Gregory Peck's performance as the handsome reporter Joe Bradley was highly remarkable.

Eddie Albert played Irving, photographer friend of Joe Bradley. He plays a comical character. And then there was Hartley Power, whose performance as Mr. Hennessy was quite remarkable. Margaret Rawlings plays a minor supporting role. She plays Countess Vereberg, chief lady-in-waiting of Princess Anna.

''Roman Holiday'' is cheerful, impressive, wonderfully directed, excellently acted, romantic, funny, and sweet. It has a great cinematography and some good background music. It is strongly recommended.

4.5 out of 5