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Roman Holiday Movie Poster
Plot, Details & Awards

Roman Holiday

(1953)
118min.
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Plot & Details

Audrey Hepburn became a star with this film, in which she played Princess Anne, weary of protocol and anxious to have some fun before she is mummified by "affairs of state." On a diplomatic visit to Rome, Anne escapes her royal retainers and scampers incognito through the Eternal City. She happens to meet American journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), who, recognizing a hot news story, pretends that he doesn't recognize her and offers to give her a guided tour of Rome. Naturally, Joe hopes to get an exclusive interview, while his photographer pal Irving (Eddie Albert) attempts to sneak a photo. And just as naturally, Joe falls in love with her. Filmed on location in Rome, Roman Holiday garnered an Academy Award for the 24-year-old Hepburn; another Oscar went to the screenplay, credited to Ian McLellan Hunter and John Dighton but actually co-written by the blacklisted Dalton Trumbo. The 1987 TV movie remake with Catherine Oxenberg is best forgotten.
  • Genre(s): Comedy
  • Run Time: 118min.
  • DVD Release Date: 11/26/2002
  • Director(s): William Wyler
  • Starring: Audrey Hepburn , Gregory Peck , Eddie Albert , Hartley Power , Harcourt Williams
  • Themes: Assumed Identities,Americans Abroad,Crowned Heads
  • Tone: Atmospheric,Humorous,Wistful,Elegant,Sweet,Whimsical
  • Keywords: love,news,princess,rebel,reporter,role-switching,romance,search,tourist,vacation
  • Language: English

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Black and White Cinematography Franz Planer Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Editing Robert Swink Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Screenplay Ian Hunter Won
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture William Wyler Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Black and White Art Direction Walter Tyler Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Director William Wyler Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Screenplay John Dighton Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Black and White Costume Design Edith Head Won
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Actress Audrey Hepburn Won
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Black and White Cinematography Henri Alékan Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Story Ian Hunter Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Black and White Cinematography Hal Pereira Nominated
1953 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actor Eddie Albert Nominated

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1953 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best British Film William Wyler Nominated
1953 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best British Actress Audrey Hepburn Won

Golden Globes

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1953 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Audrey Hepburn Won
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