“Roman Holiday” is a dreamy, humorous, $1,500,000 worth picture that hit the screens in 1953. Director and producer William Wyler cast Gregory Peck at the helm as Joe Bradley, Eddie Albert as photographer and introduced Belgium- born Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann, to the world. This marvelous story was penned byJohn Dighton and author Dalton Trumbo.
The 118 minutes long film is an elegant narration of Princess Ann’s mischievous escapade in Rome. Frustrated with her life that is scheduled down to a minute, Ann gets away from it all one night into the darkness, hidden in a truck. Soon, the tranquilizer that she had been forcibly given takes its toll and she falls asleep on a roadside bench. Along comes Joe Bradley, a dashing American press reporter who does not recognize her as the Princess and takes her to his apartment to keep her safe. The next day he rushes off a tad too late, to interview Princess Ann oblivious that she was sleeping on his couch! After a tiff with his boss and the realization that “Anya Smith” (that was the name she had introduced herself by) was none other than Ann, he lays a wager with his chief that he would get an exclusive on her. The rest of the story deals with how Joe shows Ann the sights of Romania through “accidental” encounters and eventually earns her trust. Tagging along is photographer Irving Radovich who takes pics secretly of Ann enjoying herself for the “special” write-up. Romance blossoms between the lead pair and the movie ends on a note that keeps the audience reflecting on what might have been.
This charming movie has won three Oscars, two Academy Awards and five other awards as well as eleven nominations and the title of the “fourth best love story of all time” on the AFI’s list.