Roman Holiday Review (Updated)

Roman Holiday

Release Date: 27th August 1953 - USA
(Premiere)

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures 

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Romance/Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 113 minutes


Budget: $1,500,000

Box Office Gross: $12,006,607 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

While visiting Rome as part of a goodwill tour, Princess Anne escapes from her royal entourage and falls in love with an American newspaperman in Rome called Joe Bradley.

Cast

Gregory Peck - Joe Bradley

Audrey Hepburn - Princess Anna 

Eddie Albert - Irving Radovich

Hartley Power - Mr. Hennessy 

Harcourt Williams - Ambassador 

Margaret Rawlings - 

Countess Vereberg

Tullio Carminati - General Provno
Paolo Carlini - Mario Delani
Claudio Ermelli - Giovanni

Paola Borboni - Charwoman

Alfredo Rizzo - Taxicab Driver

Laura Solari - Hennessy's Secretary

Gorella Gori - Shoe Seller

Crew

Producer/Director - William Wyler

Story/Screenplay - Dalton Trumbo 

Story/Screenplay - Ian McLellan Hunter

Screenplay - John Dighton

Associate Producers - Robert Wyler and Lester Koenig (Uncredited)
Art Directors - Hal Pereira,
Walter H. Tyler and Luciano Sacripanti (Uncredited)

Costumes - Edith Head

Makeup Supervisors - Alberto

De Rossi and Wally Westmore

Directors of Photography - 

Henri Alekan and Franz Planer

Assistant Directors - Herbert

Coleman and Bernard Vorhaus

Editor - Robert Swink

Sound Recording - Joseph de Bretagne

Music - Georges Auric 
Composer: Title Music - 

Victor Young (Uncredited)


Awards

1954 Academy Awards
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Audrey Hepburn (Won)
Best Writing, Motion Picture Story - Dalton Trumbo (Won)
Best Costume Design, Black and White - Edith Head (Won)
----------------------------
Best Picture - William Wyler (Nominated)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Eddie Albert (Nominated)
Best Director - William Wyler (Nominated)
Best Writing, Screenplay - Ian McLellan Hunter
and John Dighton (Nominated)
Best Cinematography, Black and White - Franz Planer
and Henri Alekan (Nominated)
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black and White -
Hal Pereira and Walter H. Tyler (Nominated)
Best Film Editing - Robert Swink (Nominated)

Review

ROMAN HOLIDAY wasn't the endearing classic everyone had read about in the books about actors, actresses, and films or even in old movie critiques. I have only once seen the film's behind-the-scenes documentary and have never seen the entirety of the film's 113 minutes. Until now! This old-fashioned, iconic movie is lovely and takes audiences on a romantic journey filled with laughter and charm. It has set the standard for a modern romantic comedy, which hasn't changed since. The story is original and has been done many times over many years.

I couldn't help admiring the film's gorgeous backdrop of Rome, as it is its centrepiece. I've got to hand it to the director, William Wyler, for the chances with this film. Sure, there's some cheesy stuff, but this was ahead of its time as far as gender issues were concerned. I did enjoy one of its iconic moments: what happens when you place your hand in the Mouth of Truth to impress a girl? I don't mind the visible acting combination and chemistry of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. They are, by all means, the vital essentials of the movie, particularly for the former, who was delightful in her star-making role, which won her an Oscar. Even Peck deserves recognition for his performance. I respect his versatile style and prolific characteristics.

ROMAN HOLIDAY could have been better if it had been a masterpiece. In fairness, it is a solid classic movie worth watching. I highly recommend it to anyone who is into romantic comedies.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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