Upon its release in 1953, Roman Holiday immediately became a film sensation. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, it remains one of the definitive romantic comedies. In the film, Hepburn (who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for the role, stars as Ann, a beautiful princess on a European publicity tour. Desperate for some alone time while on a stop in Rome, she makes the bold decision to sneak away from her embassy and experience the Eternal City and all that is has to offer on her own terms. Meanwhile, hard-bitten newspaperman Gregory Peck has a plan to get the story of a lifetime by hiding the fact that he’s a reporter and spending the day with Ann in an effort to get a scoop. However, his plan soon goes awry as he finds himself falling for the young royal. What follows is a timeless romance full of love, excitement, laughter, and a scooter ride that changed the course of film history.
Ever wonder how Hepburn won this role? Check out her original screentest for the film. Just try to not be charmed by her performance here, it’s an impossible task!
Here’s the film’s beloved The Mouth of Truth sequence:
What are your memories of Roman Holiday? Please share them with us!