Roman Holiday
Academy Award × 3·National Film Registry
Rent/Purchase
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.
What critics thought
Roman Holiday earned strong praise at its 1953 release and has only grown in reputation since, now considered a genuine classic of the romantic comedy form. Critics across decades converge on the chemistry between its two leads and the breezy charm of its Roman backdrop, with Hepburn's performance drawing particular attention as a career-defining debut. The reception is unusually consistent — there is little critical dissent to speak of, with disagreement limited to degree of enthusiasm rather than any real fault-finding.
“proves a charming, laugh-provoking affair that often explodes into hilarity... it has a delightful screenplay that sparkles with wit and outrageous humor that at times comes close to slapstick”
Milton Luban·The Hollywood Reporter
“a natural, tender and amusing yarn”
The New York Times
“modern fairytale whose two leads have a charm and innocence that irradiate the whole movie”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“timeless, exuberant classic, with Hepburn's naïve sense of fun and perfectly charming performance matched equally by Peck's louche and charismatic worldy American”
Empire
“remains one of only a few black-and-white movies that modern audiences willingly watch”
James Berardinelli·ReelViews
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
DirectorWilliam Wyler
StarringGregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert, Hartley Power, Harcourt Williams
ComposerGeorges Auric
Roman Holiday
Academy Award × 3·National Film Registry
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.
What critics thought
Roman Holiday earned strong praise at its 1953 release and has only grown in reputation since, now considered a genuine classic of the romantic comedy form. Critics across decades converge on the chemistry between its two leads and the breezy charm of its Roman backdrop, with Hepburn's performance drawing particular attention as a career-defining debut. The reception is unusually consistent — there is little critical dissent to speak of, with disagreement limited to degree of enthusiasm rather than any real fault-finding.
“proves a charming, laugh-provoking affair that often explodes into hilarity... it has a delightful screenplay that sparkles with wit and outrageous humor that at times comes close to slapstick”
Milton Luban·The Hollywood Reporter
“a natural, tender and amusing yarn”
The New York Times
“modern fairytale whose two leads have a charm and innocence that irradiate the whole movie”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“timeless, exuberant classic, with Hepburn's naïve sense of fun and perfectly charming performance matched equally by Peck's louche and charismatic worldy American”
Empire
“remains one of only a few black-and-white movies that modern audiences willingly watch”
James Berardinelli·ReelViews
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
DirectorWilliam Wyler
StarringGregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert, Hartley Power, Harcourt Williams
ComposerGeorges Auric
Rent/Purchase