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  • Writer's picturerebekah
    • Feb 14, 2022
    • 3 min read

Cinema History: Roman Holiday

Updated: Feb 19, 2022

*I do not own any images in this post, all credits are linked below*

Being royalty is glamourous, introduces you to the elite society of hundreds of different countries, and gives you the opportunity to travel all over the world. There’s nothing bad about those things, right? Well, all those “glamourous” things really bother you. You attend ball after ball, meeting after meeting, and go on trip after trip. You’ve got to get away, you want to experience life in a different way, and see the beauty of Italy. You finally escape one day and do the most exciting things you can think of. You cut your hair, try a new look, and meet the people of Italy. But you also meet someone who introduces you to a kind of life you never could have imagined. You’re shown the beauty of simple things and eventually, you fall in love. You cannot imagine life without this person. Unfortunately, before you get the chance to express your feelings, you know you need to go back to your life of monotony for the sake of your country and subjects. Worse, you’re afraid to tell the world that you love the reporter who saved your life in every way imaginable. How long can you keep this burning love from the presses and from your family? How can you walk away from the love of your life?


Roman Holiday is accredited with being the ultimate classic romance. Directed by William Wyler, and starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, it poses as an untouchable and timeless story. The romance and emotion in Hepburn’s performance are pure and untainted. The charm and grace of Gregory Peck make the two a beautiful couple. The film received 11 awards and 17 nominations. Both Hepburn and Peck won numerous awards for their spectacular roles as Princess Ann and reporter Joe Bradley.


Audrey Hepburn was introduced in this film and from then on her career soared. Her role as Princess Ann who is searching for adventure, love, life, and romance is superb. Ann wants nothing more than to live like any other human being, and when she meets Joe Bradley, she knows she has found her solution to all of her problems. Gregory Peck was already well-known in Hollywood, and his part of reporter Joe is phenomenal. He adds the charming and debonair personality to his character. He doesn’t realise that he offers Ann everything she wants. In the beginning, he sees her for nothing more than royalty and wishes for an interview. However, as he continues to get to know her, Joe realises that there is much more to Ann than her crown. And further, he realises that he is falling in love with her charming and childish self.

Roman Holiday has long been considered the best romance film that has ever been produced. The timeless class of Audrey Hepburn was discovered, and the charm of Gregory Peck was deepened. Unlike corny royalty movies, this one shows a completely different tale of adventure and love. The near-tragic ending is sure to move the audience.

If you have seen Roman Holiday, leave a comment below! I must be honest in saying I am rather biased towards this movie, as it is one of my absolute favourites and Audrey has long been a role model of mine, not to mention that Gregory Peck easily captured me with his attractiveness.
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