Roman Holiday (1953)
Starring: Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck
The Film
The plot of Roman Holiday comes across a little cliche in this modern era, mainly because the tropes displayed have been overplayed. Hard working Princess dreams of common life, escapes, meets a dashing young man, and they have a grand ol' time. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, published in 1881, is about identical strangers trading spaces--another now overworked plot--so the idea of royalty escaping to normality is an idea romanticized throughout time.
Roman Holiday was filmed entirely in Rome, and all the city's highlights are captured in this gem of a time capsule: A glance over Trevi Fountain, walking around the Roman Forum, stop at the Colosseum, and gelato on the Spanish Steps. It's strange to think that this movie was filmed less than a decade after the end of the second World War, and the scene about the Wall of Wishes brings a somber reality to this time period. Life after grand tragedy moves on, things change, but remembrances remain.
Some fun facts. Gregory Peck was the main star when Roman Holiday started production and he was going to get top billing, but as filming took place Gregory wanted Audrey Hepburn to share top billing. Such a rarity in those days. In the scene with the Mouth of Truth, that wall with an open mouthed face, Gregory told the director he was going to pretend his hand was cut off after sticking it in, but he didn't tell Audrey. Her reaction and scream was so natural because she wasn't acting in that moment, though Audrey is a wonderful actress and won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for this role as Princess Ann.
Personal Thoughts
Roman Holiday first came to my attention when I was 14. After having surgery I was kept overnight for observation and looking after at the hospital, and my Mom bought the VHS. She and the nurse watched the movie as I drifted in and out of consciousness, hardly remembering a thing. It wasn't for another couple years until I pulled the tape out and had another go, and found it quite charming.
Having just re-watched the movie, being older and having visited Rome, Roman Holiday means so much more now. When younger the ending bothered me, as it's more bitter sweet. Now I see it as it is, realistic. No nonsensical Hallmark ending. The last several minutes of the movie intense, and I felt all the emotions, quiet love, the pain.
If you want to see a fun romantic comedy, timeless, great, Roman Holiday is worth the watch. (Heh, after I just spoiled the ending... oops).
Sarah
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