Roman Holiday [1953] Starring Audrey Hepburn

“Your Excellency, I trust you will not find it necessary to use that word again. Were I not completely aware of my duty to my family and to my country, I would not have come back tonight… or indeed ever again!” —Princess Anne (Hepburn)

Sometimes the crazy whirlwind of daily life makes it too easy to overlook the small moments that bring peace. Our busy schedules don’t offer any time to unwind and relax. A small moment just for us. To counter this, I’ve made it a priority to set aside a dedicated movie night each week to disconnect from the demands of the day. There isn’t a set schedule. I’ve just found sitting down to watch movies to be much easier than committing to TV shows. The vast number of episodes tends to feel overwhelming, and I get bored quite fast. My attention span no longer accommodates the long periods required for binge-watching, which is why I adore my little personal movie nights so much more.

Now to the point of this post: Last night after returning home, I decided to have a movie night. I was tired, and watching a movie before bed sounded like bliss. As I was trying to decide what movie to watch, an excellent idea came to mind. Why not choose a classic film to watch? I’ve been wanting to do more thoughtful pieces here on the blog. My interest in classical movies has been increasing over the past year.

I love films like Anne of a Thousand Days, Gone With the Wind, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My Fair Lady, Casablanca, and Band of Angels but I’ve not dived deep into the genre as of yet despite this growing interest. I love Vivien Leigh, Audrey Hepburn, and Clark Gable. So here we are, the first of many classical film reviews that will be posted on The Chronicles. I don’t think it will be weekly, but maybe once a month?

Don’t hold me to that though because I would hate to make promises I can’t keep. The readers who have followed my blog for any amount of time know that being consistent with posting is not my strongest suit. I’ve accepted this about myself and have been trying to lean more into that knowledge to make it a strength rather than a weakness, but I do love the idea of watching more classics and discussing them here on the blog with everybody. I’m looking forward to finding some timeless treasures to enjoy and love. Movies I’ve not seen before but need to.

Now with that all said, I chose Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, which aired in 1953 through Paramount Pictures and was later directed by William Wyler. Last night, this felt like the absolute right choice for many reasons. There was never any doubt in my mind that this movie wasn’t going to steal my heart. I love Audrey Hepburn; I’m a sucker for romance, and a story about a fictional British royal family was never going to lose me. This film had way too many factors in its favor to not win me over. There was the added benefit that this film has been on my radar for a few years now. I’ve just not made the time to sit and watch it. I’m so glad I did last night, though!

I would love some of your recommendations for my next movie night. Please, in the comments below, write what your favorite classical film is. What movies have stolen your heart? My review will most likely contain spoilers because I would find it too hard to write this review without revealing a lot of the plot so please be warned. Now, without any further rambling, let’s get onto my review of Roman Holiday…

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Roman Holiday is a brilliant masterpiece that melted my heart and seared itself into my soul. I knew the film was going to be entertaining and enjoyable to watch, but I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. The acting from the cast was phenomenal. Words will never do them justice. The facial expressions of the actors, especially those of Hepburn, Peck, and Albert, were able to portray so much humor, emotion, love, and guilt without any words. The silent and dramatic pauses created such emotional tension, leaving me hanging on every moment. I’m questioning if Roman Holiday isn’t the standard that all comedic dramas have held themselves to since the airing of this film.

The biggest surprise for me was the fact the movie was in black and white. I always kind of assumed that after the 50s, most movies were colorized, but I’ve since learned that isn’t the case. It wasn’t until the early 70s that filming in color became the norm. Anything before that is the exception, not the rule. Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Gone With The Wind, for example, were colorized. I didn’t mind the lack of color because it didn’t take away anything from the performances, and if anything, this choice contributed to the film’s classic and timeless aesthetic.

Rome is an exciting and adventurous city that I found to be breathtaking. The film captures the beauty while emphasizing the iconic landmarks and romantic allure. In an unusual decision. the entire film was done in Rome rather than in a studio. This choice to do that adds an authentic and immersive quality allowing the city to be seen as more than just a backdrop. It became an integral part of the story.

I loved seeing all the unforgettable sights and scenes that this film captured. These locations included historic monuments like the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Mouth of Truth. They were lovely to see against the backdrop as I followed Princess Anne and Joe all around the city, experiencing the excitement that she felt. The culture of Rome shined in all its splendor on the screen.

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck bring to life a story about a British princess tired of her tightly scheduled royal duties. She feels stifled and has all this pressure to be prim and proper at all times. Anne isn’t allowed to sleep in just normal pajamas, but is forced to wear fancy silk nightgowns that she detests. There is no room to be herself. Anne isn’t happy with the lack of freedom. Honestly, I feel like Hepburn’s character must have been greatly inspired by the real life of Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Princess Margaret. I saw so much of them in Anne’s personality. Their sense of duty mixed with the desire to be spontaneous reflects what I know about my favorite royal sisters.

Princess Anne has a meltdown that leads to a moment of hysterical crying after she watches people at a local watering hole laughing and dancing the night away through the bedroom window of the embassy that she is visiting while on a months long European tour for the British Empire. A doctor gives her drugs and calms her down, which leads to Anne being a bit loopy when she makes the decision to sneak out into the night for the unknown. All she wants to do is have normal experiences, dance, and meet new people. The girl just wants to have fun!

The entire royal tour that the princess has been on is filled with strict codes of conduct, constant traveling, and endless press conferences. Interview after interview. Anne is overworked with such a tight schedule that it leads her to want to run away. She is aware of her duties, but something snaps in her soul. Anne finds herself wandering through the streets of Rome and quickly becomes a bit incoherent as the drugs take their effect. Eventually she falls into a rather deep sleep on a random bench where Joe Bradley finds her. A journalist down on his luck.

At this point in the movie, I was beyond sold. The story is such a nuanced exploration of identity, duty, and the transformative power of love that it resonated and left a mark on me as a viewer. The empowerment of standing up against oppression is intoxicating. I’m fully aware that the main character is wealthy, privileged, and famous, but that doesn’t come without a high cost. A price she pays for in spades.

“By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live…At midnight, I’ll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper. That will be the end of the fairy tale…”— Princess Anne ( Audrey Hepburn)

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Joe Bradley discovers fairly quickly that the “drunk” woman he begrudgingly rescued off the streets, who is sound asleep in his apartment, is actually the missing Princess Anne. A prospect that could literally save his career and end all his troubles. He devises a plan to get the biggest scoop of his life! One that will pay thousands. The hilarity that ensues had me laughing as the shenanigans play out in such a wholesome way, making me love each character all the more. Joe tells his boss that “I’m talking about her views on everything! The private and secret longings of a princess. Her innermost thoughts as revealed to your own correspondent in a private, personal, exclusive interview.”

Roman Holiday was Audrey Hepburns first major hollywood role that changed her career forever. The film catapulted Hepburn into instant stardom and made her a beloved overnight sensation. She was able to showcase her elegance, vulnerability, and charisma every minute of the movie. This influenced subsequent romantic comedies and established Audrey Hepburn as a style icon winning her best actress of the year. The film would go on to win three academy awards which as I mentioned above set the standard for cinematic storytelling.

One of my favorite moments in the movie is when Anne has her hair cut and styled in a very short cute fashionable bob. I loved this because it represented something way bigger than just a simple haircut. It was the princess shedding off restrictions of royalty and embracing personal freedom despite it being for only a single day. This is a pivotal moment where she begins to take control of her own choices.

There are so many excellent scenes, like the haircut that shows her transition from a structured royal life to uninhibited joy, experiencing the thrill of the unknown. The famous Vespa ride sequence, for example, wasn’t just comedic; it symbolized the sheer freedom Anne was able to achieve on her “holiday” and how much she truly longed to just have some normal experiences in life without being in a fishbowl with too many expectations placed on her shoulders. For a single day, the weight of the world was lifted. I absolutely ate every second of this up. I’m not joking; just picture me in bed, eyes glued to the TV, grinning like an idiot over a haircut and giggling at how fun the Vespa ride looked!

I couldn’t help but fall in love with Joe’s photographer friend Irving Radovich who plays a crucial role in the movie’s plot. He not only provided a lot of the comedy but also placed a spotlight on the ethical dilemmas of journalism and the paparazzi. His ultimate decision to give Ann the secret photos without publication reinforces the film’s message about integrity. I loved Irving the entire movie. He was a great character.

Throughout the movie, Joe and Irving take Princess Anne on quite the journey to check off her entire bucket list of things to do, like taking a walk in the park, visiting museums, sitting in a cafe, her first cigarette, and to eat ice cream. Little does she know their plan is to reveal all this to the press in a news story of the century. Irving says to Joe as guilt begins to creep in, “She’s fair game, Joe. It’s always open season on princesses.” The only problem? Joe starts falling in love. Who, after all, is immune to the charms of a sweet and beautiful woman?

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The entire love story in this movie is so untraditional and unexpected because there really isn’t a happy ending. The path the film took is something else entirely. The movie doesn’t end with the lovers together. Life just gets in the way. Instead, the final brutal scene at the press conference is filled with unspoken emotions, making their farewell one of the most poignant in film history. Bittersweet yet truly powerful.

Joe’s quiet exit at the grand conference in the final scene created a lasting emotional impact. The absence of a traditional happy ending makes their love story even more memorable.The lingering looks, the unsaid words, and mismatched lovers will always hold a special place in my heart because of their story. I absolutely died when she said that she had faith in Joe to not reveal her secrets, and he responded that her faith was justified, all of this while speaking directly in front of the press without revealing their hidden message. A hidden message of you can always trust me. The emotion and their connection is so palpable as their eyes meet. My heart was shattering at this point!

Reporter: And what, in the opinion of Your Highness, is the outlook for friendship?
Princess Ann: I have every faith in it… as I have faith in relations between people.
Joe Bradley: May I say: we believe Your Highness’s faith will not be unjustified.
Princess Ann: I am so glad to hear you say it.
Another reporter: Which of the cities visited did Your Highness enjoy the most?
General Provno: [prompting] Each, in its own way…
Princess Ann: It would be difficult to – Rome! By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live.

I want to conclude this review with a focus on the moral messages I found to be prevalent in the film. The first is freedom versus duty. The film raises the question about how much sacrifice for the country one gives and the struggle royals face to maintain decorum against the intense scrutiny of the public. Anne’s brief escape allows her to finally experience life as an ordinary person. The dilemma of having to go back to where expectations are so high is an impossible decision, but one that Anne must make regardless of what she may want.

The second moral dilemma is faced by Joe Bradley himself. He grapples with his professional duty to report on her as a news story and his growing affection for her as a person. His decisions impact both their lives profoundly. The iconic scene at the Bocca della Verità, where Joe pretends to lose his hand, playfully highlights the importance of honesty. A theme that becomes crucial when Joe chooses not to publish the story. His experiences with Anne shift his perspective, leading him to sacrifice his big break out of genuine love that has blossom

Respect. That word is everything and a huge reason I love that they didn’t end up together. Joe respected Anne. He doesn’t demand that she choose love over her royal duties. He respects her obligations, and she, in turn, respects his integrity. The camera follows him during the final scene as he slowly walks out of the grand hall, not looking back. His expression deeply melancholic. He doesn’t need to say anything. The silence speaks volumes. Joe’s restraint in the end makes the moment have a powerful final impact. The film was truly an epic masterpiece.

In the end, I found Roman Holiday to be one of the most wholesome, hilarious, and thought provoking love story I’ve ever took the time to watch. To be honest, I think this movie puts The Notebook to shame as far as top love stories go. Please write in the comments what your recommendations are for my next watch. I’m really looking forward to seeing what films everybody thinks are worth watching. Thank you!

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