#1 Cheap Roman Holiday (Special Collector's Edition) Reviews
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ROMAN HOLIDAY...1953
audrey hepburn as princess ann
gregory peck as joe bradley...an american newspaper reporter
eddie albert....as irving raddovich...american photog
it is this reviewers understanding that this was not only hepburn's first starring roll but she also won an oscar for her work!
i remember peck best as ambassador thorn in the omen trilogy...captain ahab in moby dick...and of course...atticus finch in to kill a mockingbird...
i adore a romantic love story especially a fantasy love story with a beautiful princess....VOILA.....ROMAN HOLIDAY.....
an old...well new...black and white newsreel is playing footage of our princess's entourage arriving in london for a brief visit on a grand tour of european capital cities...
we see her posing sweetly and waving graciously as she makes stops in london amsterdam and paris...through my eyes...the authentic exteriors of no nonsense dark and stark even among the lush and spectacular backdrops...make these visits not romantic and nor fun...but dutiful for our young princess....
ahh...but next is her visit to the "the eternal city"....roma!
but this time she stands alone in the center of the reviewing stand...surrounded by older stately ladies and gentlemen..at least twice her age..princess is dressed elegantly as she must in representing her country...no smiles this time on her face except as the marching band literally runs by now this catches her true youthful fancy as she grins....
later that evening a formal reception and ball is given in her honor by her countries ambassador at a most beautiful roman castle...magnificent high high massive iron gates welcome guests and i imagine also might trap someone inside..princess is announced and is escorted into the ballroom...what a lovely vision she is in satin gown and tiara and diamond necklace around her neck... opera length white gloves...she carries a lace fan in her hand....the very height of pomp and circumstance! an amusing sight...we see her secretly remove one of her shoes and rub her toe underneath her gown..she cant put her shoe back on and delightful "situation" is finally cleverly remedied by a chivalrous knight that helps our princess regain her composure...
how can we possibly see her next in the royal private sleeping quarters where she is standing in the middle of the royal bed brushing her hair with a silver brush and already in her satin night gown.."im not 200 years old".."why can't i dress in pajamas?"she complains to her governess....so it's milk and crackers for her while tomorrow's schedule is detailed...she can hear music playing in the distance..
our young princess longs for adventure outside of these castle walls..she throws a tizzy fit...crying and screaming like a child and is soon given a sedative by the royal physician...
later when everyone has left her...she dresses and slips away..down the marble staircase and out the massive great doors..past the guards and hides inside of a delivery truck that just happens to be her vehicle to freedom..we see her look back at those imposing gates that had kept her a prisoner!
our fairytale begins......
enter peck sitting at a card table with eddie and 7 other guys in a small cramped smoke filled room. gorgeous sexy peck straightens his tie and announces that he has to get up early for an interview with the princess in the morning...
as he walks past roman landmarks late...he discovers a woman laying flat out on a brick wall....he hesitates but runs to grab her as she nearly falls..."hey wake up" he shouts at her....."no thank you" princess then mumbles some poetry...he thinks shes drunk..."what do you know..you're well read and well dressed" in true reporter style he asks.."would you care to make a statement"..."im not drunk at all....im just very happy"...she falls onto his arms in the waiting taxi...
the prince..not really...takes the princess home to his flat and dresses her in his pajamas...she recites keats he corrects with shelley...snappy if not sappy dialogue ensues....how fun! our hero is mature tall handsome unassuming and possesses ton's of sex appeal!...our princess is young adorable innocent and sweet as cotton candy....
back at the embassy everyone is frantically looking for our princess and sending out news bulletins that her highness is ill and can not see any reporters today...
peck finds out that it is actually the missing princess that is sleeping in his bed...being of his true nature he makes a deal with his publisher for interview and photos of her in exchange for 00...he rushes home to a bright eyed alert princess now...his one room flat is so charming and tiny and keeps the two in close proximity during conversation....
princess decides to leave and explore the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city...gelato the marketplace oh my the spanish steps the little out of the way mask shop...the walled off entrances to private homes the trevi....she gets lost she has all her hair cut off..she is charming sparkly and brand new!....
peck and eddie secretly follow and offer to take her around for the whole day! "why don't you have to work today?"...."nope today is going to be a holiday" he replies..the Colosseum the panteheon st. peters unbelievable haunting history...less i digress...
boy kisses girl after a swim in the drink..she changes into his robe...he says.."you should always wear my cloths"..."seems like i always do" she replies..the evening is late...soon her clothes will dry and they both know that she must return to her life....they share a sweet tender embrace...he holds her gently and kisses her forehead softly...."i must go and get dressed" she says as sweet music filled with sorrow plays..she asks him to drop her off at the next corner..."here"..."yes"..."i have to leave you now" she is going to the corner and turn...pain on both faces.."drive away and leave me as i leave you"..."i don't know how to say goodbye"...they embrace dearly for all the ages of time...in the darkness she runs away..the music plays sadly..peck holds back his tears....
her royal highness is introduces to the press corp the next day..she takes questions...he stands at the velvet ropes in the front...their eyes lock on each other..only they have a precious shared secret. she is asked what has been her favorite city...."i will cherish my memory of rome as long as i live"...
she steps down and slowly starts to shake hands with reporters in the front row..."joe bradley american new service" he says...."so happy mr. bradley"..she replies...just as she turns to leave the room she glances back over her shoulder at him...they exchange the slightest of loving acknowledgments and knowing smiles
she's gone...he stands there and swallows hard...he puts his hands in his pocket and walks away down the long long empty hallway...the music leaves us into tears...
Roman Holiday (Special Collector's Edition) Overview
A YOUNG PRINCESS, TIRED OF THE CONSTRAINTS HER POSITION BRINGS, RUNS AWAY. SHE DOESN'T KNOW THE MAN WHO BEFRIENDS HER IS AREPORTER OUT FOR A STORY.
Makes me sigh a pleasant sigh - D. Bennett -
This movie is absolutely satisfactory. Comedy, romance. Ahh. Audrey Hepburn performs at her best (according to me), and Gregory Peck just completes the entire package. Filmed entirely in Rome. This movie is an instant classic. My favorite.
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