Roman Holiday Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A princess ditches her royal duties for a day, gets a pixie cut, and falls for a reporter who’s only interested in a scoop, until he isn’t, but they still can’t be together because, well, royalty.

🍿 Roman Holiday: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Princess Ann’s Escape

Princess Ann, a royal on a European tour, feels suffocated by her duties and rigid schedule. In Rome, she secretly escapes her embassy seeking freedom and a taste of normal life. A sedative given to her by her doctor causes her to fall asleep on a park bench.

A Chance Encounter

Joe Bradley, an American reporter, discovers the sleeping princess and, unaware of her identity, takes her back to his apartment. The next morning, he realizes she’s the princess he was supposed to interview, sparking a plan to get an exclusive story.

A Day in Rome

Joe, with the help of his photographer friend Irving, accompanies Ann (now calling herself ‘Anya Smith’) around Rome, capturing her incognito adventures. They visit famous sites like the Mouth of Truth and the Trevi Fountain, and Ann gets a spontaneous haircut. As the day progresses, Joe and Ann find themselves falling in love.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn): A bored and sheltered princess who escapes her royal duties to experience a day of freedom in Rome.
• Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck): An American news reporter in Rome who initially sees Princess Ann as a career-making story but falls in love with her.
• Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert): Joe’s photographer friend who helps him document Princess Ann’s escapade but ultimately values her privacy.
• Mr. Hennessy (Hartley Power): Joe’s boss, the editor of the American News Service, who pushes Joe to get an exclusive story on Princess Ann.
• Ambassador (Harcourt Williams): He is responsible for the Princess Ann activities in Rome.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Princess Ann: “I hate this dress, I hate all my dresses, and I hate all this responsibility!” – Expressing her frustration with the confining nature of her royal life.
• Princess Ann: “I want to do just what I want to do.” – Stating her desire for freedom and autonomy.
• Princess Ann: “I have to leave you now. I’m going to that corner there and turn. You must stay in the car and drive away. Promise not to watch me go beyond the corner. Just drive away and leave me as I leave you.” – Said during her heartbreaking goodbye to Joe, emphasizing the impossibility of their relationship.
• Princess Ann: “I don’t know how to say goodbye. I can’t think of any words.” – Said with sadness and resignation as she prepares to leave Joe forever.
• Joe Bradley: “Don’t try.” – Joe’s simple, yet profound response to Ann’s struggle to express her farewell.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $101,289

💥 Roman Holiday Reviews

Personal Review

Oh my gosh, I just watched Roman Holiday for the first time and I’m completely smitten! Audrey Hepburn is absolutely radiant as Princess Ann. The scene where she gets her hair cut is iconic, and when she and Gregory Peck are riding around Rome on that Vespa, I was smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. The ending is so sad but in a way that makes you appreciate the brief time they had together. I feel like I need to book a trip to Rome immediately!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic romantic comedies”
  • “Audrey Hepburn admirers”
  • “Lovers of Italian cinema and culture”
  • “Viewers who appreciate bittersweet endings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild thematic elements (escape from duty)”
  • “Some smoking”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Audrey Hepburn’s American film debut is a revelation. She brings such charm and grace to the role of Princess Ann that you can’t help but be swept away by her Roman holiday. A timeless classic.
• Variety: “William Wyler’s direction is masterful, capturing the beauty of Rome and the burgeoning romance between Hepburn and Peck. The film’s ending is bittersweet, a refreshing departure from typical Hollywood fare, but it really elevates the movie experience.
• The Guardian: “A delightful and enchanting film that showcases Audrey Hepburn’s undeniable talent. Roman Holiday is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates classic cinema and timeless romance.

Audience Reactions

Audrey Hepburn’s performance is a pure delight, captivating audiences with her charm and elegance.: Viewers consistently praise the movie’s timeless quality and heartfelt performances.

The beautiful shots of Rome add a layer of magic and romance to the story.: Many appreciate the gorgeous scenery that makes the film an unforgettable experience.

Overall Consensus: A charming and timeless romantic comedy that showcases Audrey Hepburn’s star power and captures the beauty and romance of Rome.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 1954
2. Academy Award (Best Writing, Motion Picture Story)- 1954
3. Academy Award (Best Costume Design, Black-and-White)- 1954

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dalton Trumbo, who was blacklisted at the time, wrote the original story, but his name was omitted from the credits for many years. He was finally given full credit in 2011.”
• “William Wyler initially wanted Elizabeth Taylor or Jean Simmons for the role of Princess Ann, but Audrey Hepburn’s screen test impressed him so much that she was cast instead.”
• “Gregory Peck was so impressed with Audrey Hepburn’s talent that he insisted she receive equal billing with him, recognizing that the success of the film depended on her performance.”

🖥️ How to Watch Roman Holiday?

Roman Holiday is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also widely available online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Roman Holiday, you might like these similar films:

• It Happened One Night (1934): Shares the theme of a runaway socialite finding love with a commoner while experiencing freedom and adventure.
• The Princess Bride (1987): A fairy tale romance where a princess is betrothed against her will and finds true love with a commoner.
• Coming to America (1988): A prince goes to Queens, New York to find a wife who will love him for himself and not for his royal status, showcasing a similar ‘fish out of water’ scenario.
• Notting Hill (1999): A modern romance where a famous actress falls for an ordinary bookstore owner, exploring similar themes of class differences and unexpected love.

🛒 Roman Holiday Related Products

• Roman Holiday (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored Blu-ray edition of Roman Holiday from The Criterion Collection. Features bonus content, including interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. A must-have for serious cinephiles!
• Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures: A beautiful coffee table book filled with stunning photographs of Audrey Hepburn throughout her life and career. Features rare images and insightful commentary. A perfect tribute to a beloved icon.
• Vespa Diecast Model: A finely crafted diecast model of the Vespa scooter featured in Roman Holiday. A charming collectible that captures the film’s iconic imagery.
• Roman Holiday Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Roman Holiday movie poster. A classic piece of artwork that adds a touch of vintage glamour to any room. Available in various sizes and framing options.

🎧 Soundtrack

Roman Holiday features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Georges Auric
• “Passeggiata Romana” – performed by Georges Auric
• “The Mouth of Truth” – performed by Georges Auric

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Audrey Hepburn Won Best Actress for Roman Holiday | 1954

Let’s dive into a nostalgic analysis of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic performance in 1953’s Roman Holiday, which earned her the Best Actress Oscar! This insightful video takes us on a journey through her groundbreaking debut and the factors that contributed to her remarkable win.

✨ Rate