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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:

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.
Princess Ann: Have I been here all night, alone?
Joe Bradley: If you don't count me, yes.
Princess Ann: So I've spent the night here - with you?
Joe Bradley: Well now, I-I don't know that I'd use those words exactly, but uh, from a certain angle, yes.
Princess Ann: [beaming with a smile] How do you do?
Joe Bradley: How do you do?
Princess Ann: And you are - ?
Joe Bradley: Bradley, Joe Bradley.
Princess Ann: Delighted.
Joe Bradley: You don't know how delighted I am to meet you.
Princess Ann: You may sit down.
Joe Bradley: [sitting on the bed] Thank you very much. What's your name?
Princess Ann: You may call me Anya.
Joe Bradley: You should always wear my clothes.
Princess Ann: It seems I do.
Princess Ann: Do you have a silk nightgown with rosebuds?
Joe Bradley: I haven't worn a nightgown in years!
Mario Delani, hairdresser: [holding Ann's long hair] All off?
Princess Ann: All off.
Mario Delani, hairdresser: [seconds later] Are you sure?
Princess Ann: Yes!
See More Quotes from Roman Holiday
Roman Holiday Facts
The Roman summer was stiflingly hot, with the temperatures in the high 90s. Crowds swarmed over all the locations, making huge impromptu audiences for the actors. Meanwhile, Italy itself was beset with clashes between political parties that resulted in strikes and unrest that threatened to disrupt production.
June 2008 Ranked #4 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Romantic Comedy".
Gregory Peck was initially reluctant to take on a part that was clearly secondary to the young female lead until he realized that his image could do with some lightening up.
First choices for the part of the princess were Jean Simmons and Suzanne Cloutier. Elizabeth Taylor was also considered for the part. Both Taylor and Simmons had to be immediately ruled out as they were preoccupied with other projects at the time.
Paramount originally wanted to shoot this movie in Hollywood. William Wyler refused, insisting it must be shot on location. They finally agreed, but with a much lower budget. This meant the movie would now be in Black-n-White, not the expected Technicolor, and he would need to cast an unknown actress as the Princess - Audrey Hepburn.
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