There is something about Roman Holiday that is compulsively rewatchable and tugs at your heartstrings like crazy. It is the film that won Audrey Hepburn fame and her only Oscar. It is one of the first movies to be shot on location (during that time, most movies were shot in a studio). It is, arguably, one of the greatest romances ever made into a movie.

Audrey Hepburn plays a modern-day princess, Princess Ann, who is becoming frazzled and overwhelmed with her duties as royalty. While in Rome, she escapes the palace and runs in contact with Gregory Peck's Joe Bradley, who is not only a reporter looking for a big story, but has no idea who the strange girl is. The next day, they both decide to play hooky for a day from their jobs and have a "Roman Holiday," doing everything Ann has always wanted to do, but never really has.

Most of the movie has an atmosphere of light romantic comedy. However, the last quarter of the movie does a complete turnaround, making it one of the most heartbreaking, dramatic, yet ironically highly satisfying movies made.

Despite Peck getting top-billing, Audrey Hepburn's character is the biggest character, and it doesn't try to hide it. The public was charmed by Hepburn that she made many other hit films such as Sabrina, My Fair Lady, and Breakfast at Tiffany's. While they are all excellent films as well, none of them have the same magic as Roman Holiday. If you have not seen the movie, you are doing yourself a disservice.

I only recently saw this film and loved every bit of it. After the movie I got a little upset that I wasn't exposed to the movie earlier in my life.

Audrey Hepburn is absolutely delightful. She portrays the oblivious and suffocated princess so well, that you would think she was a princess in real life. She is funny, articulate, and very witty. Oh, and that irenic smile of hers could bring peace on earth. And her eyes? Wow, perhaps the most beautiful woman of all time. (I'm aware of Helen of Troy!!)

Gregory Peck is equally impressive. He plays the quick-witted reporter who is in need of some photos of the princess. He too is brilliant in the film. The unusual circumstance in which they meet, practically writes itself and makes for funny, funny moments. The chemistry between Hephurn and Peck is absolutely terrific.

This movie embodies all of the qualities of a good movie: It has good taste, it is entertaining, fun, emotional, and has a wonderful ending. After seeing this movie you will have a new standard for what you consider a good movie. Overall, the movie is well written, well acted, and well directed.

Just a terrific, must see movie for all ages!!

In My Humble Opinion
John G (Someone find me)

You know why Audrey Hepburn was well-loved when you watch her in Roman Holiday as the innocent, suffocated princess who gets a chance to spread her wings and fall in love during an exciting trip in Rome.

This classic film introduced the world to a bright-eye young Audrey whose films tops the charts in the most beloved romantic films of all time. See the film to understand why the vespa is a symbol of romantic freedom. If you have ever visited Rome or would like to visit Rome, this is one of the best films to see to truly appreciate Rome, gelato, and the Spanish steps.

DVD highlights - the special features which include interviews with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn's audition tape.

Putting a Best Word Forward.

Princess Ann: Each, in its own way, was unforgettable. It would be difficult to - Rome! By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live.

The cultural significance of William Wyler's "Roman Holiday" cannot be understated. It was here that the world at-large was introduced to Audrey Hepburn. Saying a star was born with this film would be a gross understatement. It was with this film that an iconic legend was born.

Princess Ann (Hepburn) arrives in Rome to serve as the public relations representative for her home country. After becoming bored with her official duties, Ann escapes from her chaperones and sets out to seek adventure in Rome. An American reporter named Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) crosses paths with the truant princess and decides to stick close to her so that he can get the exclusive story of her exploits. Romance eventually blossoms and soon Joe and Ann are doing everything they can to make the most of the little time they have left together before they must part.

There is genuine magic in every frame of "Roman Holiday." This film casts a warm glow about it that envelops the viewer in rapturous cinematic bliss. Gregory Peck is dashing as a romantic leading man. Eddie Albert hits all the right notes as his comedic sidekick. And Audrey Hepburn is absolutely radiant in her Oscar-winning performance. Wyler also takes full advantage of his surroundings by capturing all of the grandeur of Rome in his shots. He also wisely incorporates a bittersweet finale that prevents "Roman Holiday" from being grouped together with the generic romances that always strain circumstances to get to a happy ending. This is a timeless treasure that truly feels as fresh today as it did fifty years ago. You just could not ask for a better production to showcase Audrey Hepburn in her first leading role.

In a beautifully restored print, this fairy tale movie provides a most enchanting introduction to the then-24 year old actress thanks mainly to director William Wyler's expert direction and Dalton Trumbo's sweetly observant script. In hindsight, it is a modest performance compared to Hepburn's later work, but Wyler knew enough to let her natural breeding serve its purpose in conveying the carriage of a princess. The approach works wonderfully, as she is perfectly believable as a royal who experiences her first glimpse into the world outside her hermetically sealed world. One can see her star rising most precipitously throughout this film, even in scenes as seemingly minor as the one where she sits on the Spanish Steps breathlessly describing her perfect day. Nonetheless, the revelation here is really Gregory Peck, handsome and stalwart as always but in this movie, quite relaxed with a surprising light comedy touch. It is actually his Joe Bradley that goes through the dramatic character arc from opportunistic reporter to smitten commoner that makes the ending so bittersweet.

Even though this film is hardly mentioned in the same breath as his other classics like "Wuthering Heights" or "The Best Years of Our Lives", Wyler's humanistic touch is everywhere - from the comic haircutting scene with the smitten barber to the famous Mouth of Truth scene where Peck pretends to lose his hand to the concluding press conference, which turns into a dance of acting nuance and unspoken feelings. This DVD has some nice extras, including an excellent documentary on the production itself (watch for Hepburn's first Hollywood screen test) and other short films on the film's restoration process and Edith Head's contribution to movie costuming. A lovely reminder of what great stars Hepburn and Peck were during Hollywood's golden age.