William Wyler...that name, for many years, has made me think of one of the most famous Roman epic directions of all time, BEN HUR (1959). His ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953), however, is the film I had not had a chance to see for long but I heard about it from my friend who is a classic admirer and who had told me the whole story several times, including spoilers. Therefore, I knew generally what the movie is about. Recently, ROMAN HOLIDAY was broadcast on Polish TV and I decided to see it. The first impression I got was: there is something different about this movie than most of the classic films I have seen so far... And that impression I got is something I want to share with you.
It is true that the classic pair of Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann and Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley constitute a wonderful aspect of the movie. They will make your day when you see them in these various situations. Having ROMAN HOLIDAY without them is like having an apple tree without apples, they are just deeply attached to this timeless classic, like Liz Taylor and Richard Burton are attached to CLEOPATRA or THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. The whole story of ROMAN HOLIDAY is created in such a way that there is no focus on other performances. Indeed, in this film, there are two main cast, Hepburn and Peck and they are ... terrific.
When considering the aspect of performances, it's important to mention lots of very funny and memorable moments where the famous pair do their best to entertain the viewer. Consider, for instance Joe Bradley's first meeting with Ann. Besides, it's just tremendous when she says: "I've never been alone with a man before, even with my dress on. With my dress off, it's MOST unusual." Another wonderfully unforgettable moment is when they put their hands into the famous Mouth of Truth (Bocca Della Verita). The camera is so well crafted towards them and the great monument that the impression is like WOW! MAGICAL! The number of humorous moments also make for a great classic: who can forget Ann's visit at the hairdresser's or her talk with Joe Bradley on Scalinata Di Spagna (Spanish Steps).
Besides, it is true that ROMAN HOLIDAY is a film set in the real Rome of the 1950s. This aspect has become even more powerful as the years passed by. Of course it is not the only film that shows the Rome of that period since we have many, for instance, Italian movies that do the same; yet, the presentation of the Eternal City is really charming in Wyler's film. Since I know Rome and this city means much to me, I was overwhelmed by the movie and involved in seeing what the world known places, including Scalinata Di Spagna, Fontanna Di Trevi, Piazza Venezia, looked like more than 50 years ago. What is more, you are supplied with the views of real streets.
But all these aspects are not the most significant ones. Hepburn and Peck are no longer great stars, Rome has changed seriously and a Roman holiday would probably be entirely different nowadays. Yet, the movie by William Wyler is still watched and admired...
I think that it is so thanks to the wonderful uniqueness of its classic, the CONTENT. When we see the classic films, these are usually dramas, overall sad films, like GONE WITH THE WIND. I don't say that these dramas lack popularity nowadays, but there are so many of them that you only select and see the ones that suit your taste. Meanwhile, ROMAN HOLIDAY is a comedy, moreover, a romantic comedy, a beautiful fairy tale about gentle love. There is nothing sad, depressing about it! It is a charming story of the princess who badly wants to be a normal human being for at least one day and...her dream is fulfilled. The love absorbs the pair and makes the Eternal City the most unforgettable for both. The picture is in black and white despite there were colorful movies in the early 1950s. It isn't there for no purpose. Black and white picture makes perfect sense in ROMAN HOLIDAY since it adds charm and gentleness to the whole story.
I'd love to have this movie in my film gallery since ROMAN HOLIDAY is really a precious film. I don't find this a masterpiece but, undoubtedly, it is one of the most charming classic fairy tales with the terrific Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, the Rome of the 1950s but, most importantly, with wonderful content!
It is true that the classic pair of Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann and Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley constitute a wonderful aspect of the movie. They will make your day when you see them in these various situations. Having ROMAN HOLIDAY without them is like having an apple tree without apples, they are just deeply attached to this timeless classic, like Liz Taylor and Richard Burton are attached to CLEOPATRA or THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. The whole story of ROMAN HOLIDAY is created in such a way that there is no focus on other performances. Indeed, in this film, there are two main cast, Hepburn and Peck and they are ... terrific.
When considering the aspect of performances, it's important to mention lots of very funny and memorable moments where the famous pair do their best to entertain the viewer. Consider, for instance Joe Bradley's first meeting with Ann. Besides, it's just tremendous when she says: "I've never been alone with a man before, even with my dress on. With my dress off, it's MOST unusual." Another wonderfully unforgettable moment is when they put their hands into the famous Mouth of Truth (Bocca Della Verita). The camera is so well crafted towards them and the great monument that the impression is like WOW! MAGICAL! The number of humorous moments also make for a great classic: who can forget Ann's visit at the hairdresser's or her talk with Joe Bradley on Scalinata Di Spagna (Spanish Steps).
Besides, it is true that ROMAN HOLIDAY is a film set in the real Rome of the 1950s. This aspect has become even more powerful as the years passed by. Of course it is not the only film that shows the Rome of that period since we have many, for instance, Italian movies that do the same; yet, the presentation of the Eternal City is really charming in Wyler's film. Since I know Rome and this city means much to me, I was overwhelmed by the movie and involved in seeing what the world known places, including Scalinata Di Spagna, Fontanna Di Trevi, Piazza Venezia, looked like more than 50 years ago. What is more, you are supplied with the views of real streets.
But all these aspects are not the most significant ones. Hepburn and Peck are no longer great stars, Rome has changed seriously and a Roman holiday would probably be entirely different nowadays. Yet, the movie by William Wyler is still watched and admired...
I think that it is so thanks to the wonderful uniqueness of its classic, the CONTENT. When we see the classic films, these are usually dramas, overall sad films, like GONE WITH THE WIND. I don't say that these dramas lack popularity nowadays, but there are so many of them that you only select and see the ones that suit your taste. Meanwhile, ROMAN HOLIDAY is a comedy, moreover, a romantic comedy, a beautiful fairy tale about gentle love. There is nothing sad, depressing about it! It is a charming story of the princess who badly wants to be a normal human being for at least one day and...her dream is fulfilled. The love absorbs the pair and makes the Eternal City the most unforgettable for both. The picture is in black and white despite there were colorful movies in the early 1950s. It isn't there for no purpose. Black and white picture makes perfect sense in ROMAN HOLIDAY since it adds charm and gentleness to the whole story.
I'd love to have this movie in my film gallery since ROMAN HOLIDAY is really a precious film. I don't find this a masterpiece but, undoubtedly, it is one of the most charming classic fairy tales with the terrific Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, the Rome of the 1950s but, most importantly, with wonderful content!