A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome.
A movie marked as much by Dalton Trumbo’s ghostwritten story – which won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay – “Roman Holiday” returns on Blu-ray Disc better than ever. In the 1950s, the Hollywood Blacklist unfairly branded progressive-leaning writers as insurgents and traitors to America, with the major studios refusing to hire them or purchase their screenplays. For both “Roman Holiday” and “The Brave One,” released in 1956 – which also received an Academy Award for writing – Trumbo was denied credit until years later. Previous releases of “Roman Holiday” show Ian McLellan Hunter as the screenwriter – an arrangement the two friends made to circumvent the system. An excellent account of Trumbo’s experience with the blacklist can be seen in the eponymous 2015 film starring Bryan Cranston. Now for the first time in any format, “Roman Holiday” displays Dalton Trumbo’s name for both the story and co-screenwriting credits.
In her first starring role, Audrey Hepburn dazzled her way to a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actress. She plays the dutiful Princess Ann of an unnamed, fictitious country that boasts one of the oldest – and apparently wealthiest – monarchies in Europe. She and the traveling royal staff stop off in Rome as part of a European goodwill tour.
After a long day of meet-and-greets, an overbearing handler, Countess Vereberg (Margaret Rawlings) goes over the next day’s schedule with the princess. Vereberg coaches Ann regarding what gifts and tokens to accept – or not accept – with mind-numbing exactitude. After a while, it becomes too much, and the young Princess Ann screams, overwhelmed at the prospect of yet another full day of public scrutiny.
As a result of the outburst, the countess calls in a personal physician to administer a sedative of some sort. However, before the drug can take effect, Princess Ann escapes from the opulent and secure Ambassador’s residence by hiding in a delivery vehicle. For the first time in her life, she experiences the spontaneous sights of sounds of nightlife in no less than the eternal city of Rome. From the back of the truck, she takes in the busy streets, the young couples in love, and the endless array of lively establishments lining the sidewalks.
Later that evening, reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) on the way home from a poker game encounters a young waif, sprawled out on a stone bench. A semi-conscious Princess Ann is dressed in street clothes, largely oblivious to the world around her, the soporific now fully in engaged. Speaking dreamily, she matter-of-factly treats Peck as one of her subjects, while he alternatively banters back playfully with her despite the fact she can hardly keep her eyes open.
Bradley, a kindly soul, has little choice but to take the princess under his wing rather than leave her to the whims of Rome in the dead of night. The next morning, when Bradley sees a photo of the princess in a newspaper headline, he realizes the find he has made. Scheming to get an exclusive story, he allows Ann to continue her deception.
Eddie Albert as Irving Radovich in an Academy Award-nominated performance tears up the screen as a freelance photographer also looking for a scoop. He plots with Bradley to craft a feature news story, complete with candid photos of the exploits of the princess. From there, the narrative blends harrowing escapes and picturesque locales, culminating in a fleeting romance between Ann and Bradley, sprinkled generously with witty and memorable dialog throughout.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and Princess Ann ruefully returns to the lavish Ambassador’s residence, though the experience now possesses her with a newfound maturity. She rebuffs the Ambassador’s (Harcourt Williams) admonition regarding duty, as well as the domineering Countess Vereberg’s nightly rituals, confidently taking charge of her own destiny.
The final scene with Bradley and Ann – all in full view of a legion of reporters and the royal entourage – powerfully conveys the subtle trust established between them during the mischievous 24-hour, whirlwind adventure. In a refreshing turn by today’s standards, Bradley willingly gives up his opportunity for a front-page byline and notoriety in favor of discretion.
Filmed entirely on location, William Wyler’s superb direction boasts a plethora of scenic shots including thoroughfares of Rome, bristling fountains, and celebrated architecture. The festive post-World War II atmosphere suggests a headiness uniquely captured as sort of a time capsule. A joy to watch and packed with special features, the frame-by-frame restoration of “Roman Holiday” brings to life a tale as fresh now as it was when originally released in 1953.
Available in a newly restored and remastered Blu-ray™ for the first time ever September 15th
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