Roman Holiday
Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday

1953Movie119 minEnglish

Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann takes off for a night while in Rome. When a sedative she took from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is found by an American reporter, Joe Bradley, who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann's regal identity and bets his editor he can get exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way.

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Insights

IMDb8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users94%
Director: William WylerGenres: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Plot Summary

A European princess, bored with her royal duties, escapes her handlers during a visit to Rome. She befriends an American expatriate journalist and his photographer friend, embarking on a spontaneous adventure through the city. As they explore Rome, a romance blossoms between the princess and the journalist, leading to difficult choices about duty versus personal happiness.

Critical Reception

Roman Holiday was a critical and commercial success, widely praised for its charming story, picturesque Roman setting, and the breakout performances of its lead actors. Audrey Hepburn received universal acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Ann, which earned her an Academy Award. Gregory Peck's charismatic performance also contributed to the film's enduring popularity.

What Reviewers Say

  • A delightful and charming romantic comedy that beautifully captures the magic of Rome.
  • Audrey Hepburn's star-making performance is captivating and perfectly balanced by Gregory Peck's suave charm.
  • The film excels in its blend of humor, romance, and a poignant exploration of a princess's desire for freedom.

Google audience: Viewers overwhelmingly loved Roman Holiday, praising its timeless romance, Audrey Hepburn's iconic performance, and the picturesque depiction of Rome. Many found it to be a feel-good classic that holds up exceptionally well over time, offering a perfect escape.

Awards & Accolades

Won 1 Academy Award (Best Actress for Audrey Hepburn) and was nominated for 9 others, including Best Picture. Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards, winning 1 for Best British Actor (Eddie Albert). Nominated for 3 Golden Globe Awards, winning 2.

Fun Fact

Audrey Hepburn's iconic pixie haircut for the film was inspired by her own hair, and the studio initially wanted her to wear a wig, but director William Wyler agreed to let her keep her natural style.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**Considered by many to be the first and greatest film of Audrey Hepburn's career.** What is special about this film? Really, little. The story is very simple: it is the almost adolescent escape of a young princess who, tired of the resp...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Audrey Hepburn is the visiting princess "Ann" whose whistle-stop tour of Europe reaches Rome. Put to bed, as usual, she decides to don some ordinary clothes and venture out for a bit of exploring. Now, initially I thought she was going to h...
JPV852

JPV852

Lighthearted and enjoyable comedy featuring two wonderful and charismatic performances by Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in her first major role. Last saw this 12 years ago and still fun to this day. **4.5/5**