Amazon.com essential video: Maybe it doesn't quite live up to its sterling reputation, and maybe the leading man and director were slightly miscast. But who cares? Roman Holiday is the film that brought Audrey Hepburn to prominence, and the world movie audience went weak at the knees. The endlessly charming Hepburn had her first starring role in this sweet romance, playing a European princess on an official tour through Rome. Frustrated by her lack of connection to the real world, she slips away from her protective handlers and goes on a spree, aided by a tough-guy news reporter (Gregory Peck). Director William Wyler, more at home with such heavy-going, Oscar-winning classics as The Best Years of Our Lives and Ben- Hur, doesn't always keep the champagne bubbles afloat, and the Peck role would have fit Cary Grant like a silk glove. But the film is great fun, the location shooting is irresistible, and Hepburn embodies an image of chic style that would rule for the rest of the fifties. No coincidence: she won an Oscar, and so did veteran costume designer Edith Head. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Roman Holiday
Even tho it's from the 50's and in B&W (a turnoff for a lot of people) the movie is wonderful, the scenes are still fresh & funny; delightful scenes of Rome and Life in the 50's. She stays all night, still a virgin in the morning? everyone isn't having sex with everyone on camera? No one gets MURDERED??? no gore? Believe it or not, if a film is written and acted brilliantly - and here you have 3 of the great actors of all time -- a movie doesn't need shock value to be great, and this film proves it!
Rating: - "Rome! By all means, Rome"
A princess (Audery Hepburn) is petty much a prisoner of her position; she is on a European tour. While in Rome she has an opportunity to escape her overseers and join the local festivities. A freelance reporter (Gregory Peck) accidentally spots her hand knows who she is. Out for an exclusive interview he pretends to be a businessman and befriends her. Together they see the real Roam accompanied by his incognito photographer pal (Eddie Albert.)
Does the reported get his exclusive and a ticket back to the states?
Or do they setup house?
Will the princess ever get caught? ... Read More
Rating: - Princess abroad
Fairy tales don't really happen in our world -- especially not the kind that actually involve princesses.
But you wouldn't know that from "Roman Holiday," one of Audrey Hepburn's earliest ever movie roles -- as well as her breakout one. This adorable romantic comedy balances itself nicely between a sweet little romance, a lighthearted romance and the bittersweet, overhanging specter of royal duty.
Bored young Princess Ann (Hepburn) goes on a "Roman Holiday," when she gets upset, is sedated by a doctor, and has an odd reaction to it. Soon she has wandered out of the palace ... Read More
Rating: - The best thing I know is to do exactly what you wish for a while.
Possibly my favorite romance of all time, ROMAN HOLIDAY is a heart-wrenching, charming and timeless tale of a young Princess Ann(Audrey Hepburn) who runs away and ends up in the arms of wise newspaperman Joe Bradley(Gregory Peck).
Of course through a handful of events by random happenstance Joe and Ann fall in love, and their chemistry is really beautiful.
"Do you have a silk nightgown with rosebuds?" "I haven't worn a nightgown in years!"
Gregory Peck is a dream, and Audrey Hepburn is simply stunning in her oscar-winning performance. In addition, Eddie Albert ... Read More
Rating: - Absurd notions
It is hard to read some of these reviews and not scratch one's head. To think, for example, that Cary Grant would have been better in this film is crazy. Cary Grant is a knowitall sophisticate. He would have wrecked the film. The whole point of the film is that everyone is innocent and learning how to be truly noble as adults. Only Gregory Peck could have carried off the male role without making him appear naive or an idiot. All the sexuality in it is very, very carefully dealt with -- one false move, and it would have crashed and burned. The film is about restraint and duty.
