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Roman Holiday Overview:

Roman Holiday (1953) was a Comedy - Drama Film directed by William Wyler and produced by William Wyler, Robert Wyler and Lester Koenig.

SYNOPSIS

Hepburn steps lightly into the starring spotlight with this whimsical romance. As a rebellious young princess who longs to see the world beyond her velvet prison, Hepburn steals away from her entourage and links up with reporter Peck, who's been trying to get a glimpse of the beautiful royal. The two fall in love as they evade the prying eyes of other reporters and Hepburn's guardians. The Oscar-winning story from then-blacklisted Trumbo was fronted by McLellan Hunter; Trumbo was awarded a posthumous Oscar in 1993.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Roman Holiday was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1999.

Academy Awards 1953 --- Ceremony Number 26 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorEddie AlbertNominated
Best ActressAudrey HepburnWon
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Hal Pereira, Walter TylerNominated
Best CinematographyFrank Planer, Henri AlekanNominated
Best Costume DesignEdith HeadWon
Best DirectorWilliam WylerNominated
Best Film EditingRobert SwinkNominated
Best PictureWilliam Wyler, ProducerNominated
Best WritingDalton TrumboWon
Best WritingIan McLellan Hunter, John DightonNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Roman Holiday BlogHub Articles:

Roman Holiday (1953): Escapism and Why That’s Okay Sometimes

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 18, 2017 From 4 Star Films

I’ve made a point of suggesting that the reason that I return to movies, again and again, is not because I go to them as an outlet of escapism but for the fact that films give us a little bit more insight into the lives we lead as human beings. In some ways, you could say I’ve even vehem... Read full article

Roman Holiday (1953): Escapism and Why That’s Okay Sometimes

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 18, 2017 From 4 Star Films

I’ve made a point of suggesting that the reason that I return to movies, again and again, is not because I go to them as an outlet of escapism but for the fact that films give us a little bit more insight into the lives we lead as human beings. In some ways, you could say I’ve even vehem... Read full article

A Princesa e o Plebeu / Roman Holiday (1953)

By Lê on Dec 5, 2015 From Critica Retro

A Princesa e o Plebeu / Roman Holiday (1953) Se você gosta de filmes antigos, já deve ter passado por esta situação: na ânsia de compartilhar sua paixão com as pessoas ao seu redor, recebeu como resposta uma careta e a recusa veemente de parar para ver um filme “velho”, em p... Read full article

On Location: Roman Holiday (1953)

By Julia on Nov 29, 2015 From Cinema Crossroads

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck Whenever I travel, I love visiting the filming locations of my favorite movies. This post is the first in my “On Location” series. One of my all-time favorite movies is hitting theaters again this week thanks to TCM and Fathom Events, who are sponsoring a... Read full article

Chicago Film Club field trip: “Roman Holiday” November 29 at The AMC East

By Stephen Reginald on Nov 19, 2015 From Classic Movie Man

Chicago Film Club field trip: “Roman Holiday” November 29 at The AMC East Where: AMC East 21, 322 East Illinois, Chicago, IL When: November 29, 2015 Time: 2:00 p.m. Hosted by Stephen Reginald Special Fathom Feature: Enjoy a specially produced introduction from Turner Classic Movies... Read full article

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Roman Holiday Quotes:

Princess Ann: At midnight, I'll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper.
Joe Bradley: And that will be the end of the fairy tale.
Princess Ann: I could do some of the things I've always wanted to.
Joe Bradley: Like what?
Princess Ann: Oh, you can't imagine. I-I'd do just whatever I liked all day long.
Joe Bradley: [after swimming ashore] All right?
Princess Ann: Fine. How are you?
Joe Bradley: Oh, fine!
[they laugh]
Joe Bradley: Say, you know, you were great back there.
Princess Ann: You weren't so bad yourself.
Joe Bradley: [kisses her] Well... I guess we'd better get Irving's car and get out of here.
Princess Ann: Do you have a silk nightgown with rosebuds?
Joe Bradley: I haven't worn a nightgown in years!
Irving Radovich: Hey, er, anybody ever tell you you're a dead ringer for...
[Joe kicks him under the table]
Irving Radovich: Ow! Well, I guess I'll be going!
Joe Bradley: Oh, don't do a thing like that, Irving. Sit down, join us, join us.
Irving Radovich: Well, just till Francesca gets here.
Princess Ann: Tell me, Mr. Radovich, what is a ringer?
Joe Bradley: Oh. Er, it's an American term, and it means anybody who has a great deal of charm.
Princess Ann: Oh. Thank you.
Irving Radovich: [confused] You're welcome.
See More Quotes from Roman Holiday
Roman Holiday Facts
June 2008 Ranked #4 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Romantic Comedy".
When Gregory Peck came to Italy to shoot the movie, he was privately depressed about his recent separation and imminent divorce from his first wife, Greta Kukkonen. However, during the shot he met and fell in love with a French woman named Veronique Passani. After his divorce, he married Passani and they remained together for the rest of his life.
At the beginning of the movie, the elder gentleman dancing with princess Ann says to her, in Italian: "I want absolutely to die on the ship!"
The leads' tandem use of the Italian Vespa 2-stroke scooter kindled an unprecedented public interest in the vehicle after the movie's release.
The Embassy Ball sequence featured real Italian nobility, who all donated their salaries to charity. The reporters at the end of the film were real, too.
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