Spoiler Alert: This review of Roman Holiday (1953) is rife with spoilers and reveals the ending.
Roman Holiday was Audrey Hepburn’s first starring role in a feature film. She plays a princess on a dull European tour, where one of her stops, naturally, is the Eternal City.
The tour schedule is packed full of Obligations: meetings, receptions, and more meetings. Hepburn’s character dutifully and politely attends these events, but something inside of her Snaps whilst in Rome. She is a young woman, after all, and the pressures of travel and duty overwhelm her.
One night, after a ball/reception, Hepburn has an epic temper tantrum in her quarters. Her handlers manage to inject her with a sedative, but as soon as they leave her bedroom, she runs away and becomes an ordinary tourist for 24 glorious hours.
Roman Holiday also stars Gregory Peck and Eddie Albert, who play American journalists. Peck finds the groggy Hepburn just after her escape, and he takes her to his apartment to Sleep It Off, only to discover she’s a princess who has vanished and is the subject of a manhunt.
In the meantime, here’s what Hepburn does on her Day Off:
gets a haircut
eats ice cream
drinks champagne
sees the Sights
Why shouldn’t she? With a sleek new haircut and non-princess clothing, she’s just another young woman in Rome.
Except that Peck and Albert spend the day Egging Her On. They take notes and secretly photograph her because they plan to sell the story to a news outlet for $5,000 US (approx. $55,000 today).
In a way, you can’t blame them. It’s not every day a Princess-on-the-Lam story falls in your lap.
On the real Spanish Steps eating real ice cream. Image: UMas Boston
Roman Holiday feels like something of a hybrid. It has the familiar Hollywood trope of Character #1 deceiving Character #2, then falling in love.
But it also has the black-and-white somewhat gritty look of Italian Neo-Realism, which became popular after WWII. The street scenes feel natural, a slice-of-everyday Roman life. The lack of studio polish lends an air of unpredictability; anything can happen here.
Director William Wyler is clever with his camera. Look at the scene on the Spanish Steps (above). The camera is positioned to make us feel like we’re part of the crowds, watching two beautiful people enjoy the day and each other.
Then there are the ways the camera itself tells the story – gives it away, even. It does so subtly, but the effect resembles that of a sledgehammer.
It’s the final scene to which we refer, when Hepburn returns to her duties as a princess after her 24 hours of mayhem. She holds a press conference where her character gives vague answers to reporters’ questions. Peck and Albert are in attendance; she sees them and is glad; hope of a relationship beams from Peck’s face.
We wonder: Will Hepburn give up her royal duties to stay with Peck?
Hepburn is charming in this scene, in the way she is charming throughout the film. She publicly expresses gratitude for her time in Rome, and says she will treasure her visit always.
The press conference concludes. Hepburn and her entourage exit state left, the journalists exit stage right. Peck lingers, briefly, in case Hepburn reappears.
She doesn’t.
He turns to leave and walks down the long stateroom. The camera has positioned him to the right of the screen, leaving room for Hepburn to reappear from the left to sprint after him.
She doesn’t do that, either.
Then. The camera moves slightly, placing Peck in centre frame, and by that subtle shift, we Know. Hepburn, despite her feelings for Peck, is returning to her life of public service, while he ventures out of the stateroom, a life without Hepburn stretched out before him.
It’s done gently and with great care, this crashing of Peck’s hopes on that marble stateroom floor.
Director William Wyler on set with Hepburn. Image: BFI
Wyler and his wife were already living in Rome before production started on Roman Holiday. Wyler had the script that Frank Capra passed on due to budget restraints.
Wyler was eager to shoot the film on the city’s streets, but Paramount was reluctant. They wanted a second unit to film exteriors and shoot the rest on a soundstage. Wyler refused: No studio-built sets could replace actual Roman sights, or the atmosphere that goes with them.
Paramount conceded, but there were conditions. The budget was set at a million dollars, which made it necessary to shoot in black and white, and the Italian government had to approve the script. The government “wanted assurances that the picture would not ridicule public officials and would not satirize the culture.”¹
Wyler loved shooting in Rome. “Filming in Rome in those days was marvellous,” he said. “There were practically no automobiles, only Vespas. For every scene I could have had six locations, and each one was better than the other.”2
Roman Holiday was nominated for 10 Oscars and won three, including Best Actress for Hepburn. Wyler was nominated for Best Director, but lost to Fred Zinneman (From Here to Eternity).
This film is often on movie lovers’ lists of Top Ten romantic films, and deservedly so. It’s an enchanting film that never feels contrived.
If you’ve yet to see Roman Holiday, we urge you to do so. We’ve spoiled the ending for you, yes, but there’s still lots to enjoy in Audrey Hepburn’s day off.
Roman Holiday: starring Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert. Directed by William Wyler. Written by Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton (and Dalton Trumbo). Paramount Pictures, 1953, B&W, 118 mins.
Sources
¹Jan Herman. (1995) A Talent for Trouble: The Life of Hollywood’s Most Acclaimed Director, William Wyler. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, p. 342. 2Ibid, p. 347.
I watched and reviewed Roman Holiday just last year for my Oscar movie marathon. It became an instant favorite of mine! I just love how carefree the romance is and the chemistry is perfect. Makes me wanna visit Rome. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is probably still my favorite classic romance movie, but Roman Holiday makes a strong argument.
I treated myself to a trip to Italy for my 50th birthday. By God, I had earned it. One of my greatest memories is doing the Roman Holiday Walking Tour around Rome. Great little movie to get lost in : it never gets old.
I like Roman Holiday a lot too. Wyler is a subject of a documentary series I’m watching now on Netflix. The series is called Five Came Back. It’s about World War II.
Audrey Hepburn shines especially bright in her first ever film role, she showed the world even her first time at bat that she had the talent and the energy. Gregory Peck made an interesting leading man for Audrey.
This film is flawless, from the story (written by blacklisted Dalton Trumbo) to the screenplay to the director to the perfect cast (including Eddie Albert, who is wonderful in his role). I’m guessing from your review that you’ve read Jan Herman’s biography of director William Wyler — if not, it’s a great read.
I have read that biography of Wyler. (I found a copy at a rummage sale & snapped it up before anyone else saw it!) The casting in this film is perfect, isn’t it? Wyler was right to cast a relative unknown as the princess.
I enjoyed reading the part about Wyler. It wouldn’t have been the same on a soundstage, even with the great script . To me the city was one of the stars of the film
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Rome many years ago, and I can’t blame Wyler for wanting to shoot the movie there. Being there made me think of the movie, and seeing the movie reminds me of the trip. 🙂
I hadn’t thought before about how neo-realist the film is. Great point!
And the ending always makes me cry.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the Mouth of Truth. And I was looking. 🙂
Great review Ruth! Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses and Rome is one of my favorite cities, so I really love this movie. I think I watched two or three times. I’m so glad the movie was eventually filmed in actual Rome and not in studio-built sets, the outcome would not have been so exquisite.
I’ve been to Rome six times and I visited all the places featured in the movie and many more. I simply love that city! There’s so much history in every corner and so many beautiful palces to visit. So much beauty and so much chaos at the same time that make it a truly unique city.
The fact that Frank Capra refused to shoot this movie is very interesting to me: I’ve always thought that he could have done so much better with it! I know it’s a classic but I’ve always felt it lacks something, some laughs perhaps, I remember it quite serious. But I must give it a rewatch anyway, thanks!
It would be interesting to see a Frank Capra version of this film – it would have been amazing. Still, I adore this film and how it showcases Rome. It always makes me crave ice cream!
I loved Roman Holiday for many reasons. I liked how they handled what otherwise could have been a tear-jerking ending. The outcome was expected, but the movie handled with such grace. The facial expressions and body language of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck spoke volumes.
Well said. Everything was expertly handled, and with grace (as you pointed out). The chemistry between Hepburn and Peck was almost palpable, wasn’t it?
Hi lovely, what a gorgeous review and your writing had me in goosebumps for that final scene. Added to my to review list, and do try out Seven Nights in Japan with Michael York, its kind of a loose remake and quite sweet but not as endearingly loveable as this. Wonderful review.
Silver Screenings 
I watched and reviewed Roman Holiday just last year for my Oscar movie marathon. It became an instant favorite of mine! I just love how carefree the romance is and the chemistry is perfect. Makes me wanna visit Rome. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is probably still my favorite classic romance movie, but Roman Holiday makes a strong argument.
Here’s my review in case you’d like to check it out: https://mastermixmovies.wordpress.com/2022/05/16/the-princess-and-the-peck/
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Thanks for the link! I’ll be checking it out this afternoon. Looking forward to reading your take.
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Roman Holiday is such a wonderful, romantic movie, and Hepburn is charming throughout.
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She’s fabulous here, isn’t she? This movie wouldn’t be the same without her.
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I treated myself to a trip to Italy for my 50th birthday. By God, I had earned it. One of my greatest memories is doing the Roman Holiday Walking Tour around Rome. Great little movie to get lost in : it never gets old.
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No way!! You did this tour?! That is so awesome!! And what a great way to celebrate a milestone year.
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I like Roman Holiday a lot too. Wyler is a subject of a documentary series I’m watching now on Netflix. The series is called Five Came Back. It’s about World War II.
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I keep meaning to put that series on my watch list, and will do that right away. I read the book, and it was terrific.
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Audrey Hepburn shines especially bright in her first ever film role, she showed the world even her first time at bat that she had the talent and the energy. Gregory Peck made an interesting leading man for Audrey.
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I like Audrey in everything, but I adore her in this role. It’s like it was written for her.
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This film is flawless, from the story (written by blacklisted Dalton Trumbo) to the screenplay to the director to the perfect cast (including Eddie Albert, who is wonderful in his role). I’m guessing from your review that you’ve read Jan Herman’s biography of director William Wyler — if not, it’s a great read.
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I have read that biography of Wyler. (I found a copy at a rummage sale & snapped it up before anyone else saw it!) The casting in this film is perfect, isn’t it? Wyler was right to cast a relative unknown as the princess.
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I enjoyed reading the part about Wyler. It wouldn’t have been the same on a soundstage, even with the great script . To me the city was one of the stars of the film
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Absolutely. Rome is fabulous in this film, and Wyler’s camera practically fawns over this city – and rightly so.
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Two great performers 🙂
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Agreed. I think Peck and Hepburn have marvellous chemistry.
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I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Rome many years ago, and I can’t blame Wyler for wanting to shoot the movie there. Being there made me think of the movie, and seeing the movie reminds me of the trip. 🙂
I hadn’t thought before about how neo-realist the film is. Great point!
And the ending always makes me cry.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the Mouth of Truth. And I was looking. 🙂
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What? You didn’t get to the Mouth of Truth? Ack, that’s too bad.
I’ve never been to Rome, or Italy, but I love hearing people’s experiences of it. Is a return trip in your future?
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I wish … not in the immediate future, much to my dismay.
Ah, well. Maybe someday.
I should write another blog post about that trip. It was amazing!
I have all sorts of pictures. In fact, at one point, I made a video.
Maybe I’ll make another one. Or find the first one. Assuming I didn’t delete it or lose it or whatever. 🙂
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This review warmed my heart. A definite classic and one of the best films ever to be shot in Rome!
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I’m more fascinated & admiring of it every time I see it. It never strikes a false note, does it?
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Great review Ruth! Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses and Rome is one of my favorite cities, so I really love this movie. I think I watched two or three times. I’m so glad the movie was eventually filmed in actual Rome and not in studio-built sets, the outcome would not have been so exquisite.
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You said it! It’s almost like Rome is the star of the film, right?
I’ve never been to Rome in my travels, but maybe some day… When you visit Rome, do you go to some of the places featured in the film?
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I’ve been to Rome six times and I visited all the places featured in the movie and many more. I simply love that city! There’s so much history in every corner and so many beautiful palces to visit. So much beauty and so much chaos at the same time that make it a truly unique city.
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I love that the ending wasn’t just a cliche 😊
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Me too. It’s a realistic ending, which can be more satisfying.
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The fact that Frank Capra refused to shoot this movie is very interesting to me: I’ve always thought that he could have done so much better with it! I know it’s a classic but I’ve always felt it lacks something, some laughs perhaps, I remember it quite serious. But I must give it a rewatch anyway, thanks!
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It would be interesting to see a Frank Capra version of this film – it would have been amazing. Still, I adore this film and how it showcases Rome. It always makes me crave ice cream!
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I love this film. 🙂
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It’s fabulous, isn’t it? So much to admire about it.
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I loved Roman Holiday for many reasons. I liked how they handled what otherwise could have been a tear-jerking ending. The outcome was expected, but the movie handled with such grace. The facial expressions and body language of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck spoke volumes.
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Well said. Everything was expertly handled, and with grace (as you pointed out). The chemistry between Hepburn and Peck was almost palpable, wasn’t it?
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Agreed. I think Gregory Peck was a shrewd casting choice as the lead next to Audrey Hepburn in her first feature film.
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A film I never get tired of!
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Me either! It always feels fresh to me.
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Hi lovely, what a gorgeous review and your writing had me in goosebumps for that final scene. Added to my to review list, and do try out Seven Nights in Japan with Michael York, its kind of a loose remake and quite sweet but not as endearingly loveable as this. Wonderful review.
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Ooh – thanks for the tip re: 7 Nights in Japan. Will see if I can find it here.
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Reviewed it here, and we had it on Netflix over here if that helps… https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/random-real-stuff/starring/films-and-tv-three-pictures-of-charles-gray/
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Thanks for the link to your review. 😄
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