Exactly 70 years ago, on August 20, 1953, the audience first saw the duet of the charming Audrey Hepburn and the talented Gregory Peck against the backdrop of a hot Italian summer in the film "Roman Holiday". William Wyler's romantic comedy fell in love with the whole world and became one of the most popular films of all time in its genre.
This is a story about a pampered, but at the same time tired of the rules of Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn), who pays an official visit to Italy. Dissatisfied with life on schedule and constant monitoring by the people serving her, the young girl decides to have fun and escapes from the palace at night to see how Rome lives, listen to its sounds and explore the sights. However, Anna did not take into account that shortly before her escape, the doctor gave her an injection with a sleeping pill for anxiety. Because of this, the princess falls asleep on a bench in the middle of the street.
People pass by her, including a young journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). Worried about her, he takes the girl with him, not even knowing who she really is. Thanks to a series of comical events, the reporter still recognizes Princess Anne in the young lady and decides to take advantage of the situation for the sake of an exclusive story and career growth. He pretends that he has no idea about her status, and invites her to walk around the city, persuading the photographer to take unique pictures. Together they ride a Vespa scooter, eat ice cream, dine at a local café and visit the amazing places of the Eternal City. Anna's ease, tenderness and touching eventually conquer the man, and he faces a difficult choice: to succumb to feelings or betray the princess for personal gain.
The film not only influenced the film industry and captivated viewers, but also became a cultural phenomenon. Romantic shots from the picture are still recreated in many films and TV shows, and the places where the heroes walked are still popular with tourists.
Particularly striking was the scene in which Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck ride a Vespa through sunny Rome - this moment is recreated in many European and American films. Among them are "Jessica" (1962), "Roman Adventure" (1962), "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999), as well as the recently released second season of the series "The White Lotus", filmed, although not in Rome, but also in Italy.
In addition to Hepburn and Peck, in the film you can see such artists as Eddie Albert, Hartley Power, Harcourt Williams, Paula Borboni, Tullio Carminati.
- Shot from the movie "Roman Holiday"
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The change of director and the act of generosity of Gregory Peck
Initially, the director of "Roman Holiday" was supposed to be Frank Capra ("It Happened One Night", "It's a Wonderful Life"). The cinematographer was going to invite Cary Grant ("Charades", "Arsenic and Old Lace") and Elizabeth Taylor ("Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", "Cleopatra") to play the main roles. But in the end, he refused to work on the picture.
Frank Capra decided to leave the project due to the fact that the author of the story was Dalton Trumbo, who at that time was blacklisted in Hollywood because of his sympathy for the communists. By the way, Trumbo was not listed in the credits of the film for a long time: until 2011, viewers saw only the names of two other screenwriters - Ian McLellan Hunter and John Dayton.
Instead of Capra, William Wyler took the director's chair. In the role of Anna, he saw Gene Simmons ("Spartacus", "Singing in the Blackthorn"), but the actress was busy at that time on other projects. Upon learning of this, the director even thought about abandoning filming.
"I didn't need a star actress for the main role. I wanted the role of the princess to be played by a girl without an American accent, who would make the audience believe that her character was brought up as a princess, "the Independent quotes Wyler.
British actress Audrey Hepburn perfectly fit the description of the director. At that time, she had several works in medium-sized projects - "Laughter in Paradise", "We Are Going to Monte Carlo", "The Story of Young Wives", "The Gang from Lavender Hill" and others.
On the set, the actress conquered everyone with her charisma. According to Variety, Wyler said: "Sometimes, while on set, it evaporated. When she appeared in front of the cameras, she turned into Miss Audrey Hepburn. There was something enchanting about her... It was unique. An unearthly creature."
Hepburn herself at first did not realize the importance of the opportunity that had fallen to her. She just kept doing her job: another movie, another image.
"I can say that I had to start this career," the actress admitted in an interview with The Washington Post. - In fact, I jumped from one film to another, trying to find myself. I was completely unaware of the great significance of the fact that I starred in my first (American. - RT) film.
Hollywood star Gregory Peck agreed to star in the film to improve his image and expand career opportunities. The serious actor had previously starred in Alfred Hitchcock's films "Bewitched" and "The Paradine Affair", as well as in westerns and various dramas, but he practically did not demonstrate comedic talent.
When Peck found out that an unknown dancer from London had been cast as Princess Anne, he decided that the director had made a mistake. Then Wyler showed the actor a few minutes of screen tests, and this was enough for Hepburn to charm Gregory Peck.
When William Wyler told me that the princess would be played by an unknown girl, a dancer from London, I replied, 'Well, Willie, you know better. Have you ever seen it in a movie?" He said, "Let me show you something." About two minutes later, it suddenly dawned on me that Roman Holiday wasn't going to be about me, it was about a princess," Gregory Peck said in the 1993 documentary Remembering Audrey Hepburn.
Peck admitted that he called the agent and insisted that the name of the actress be placed above the title of the film on the advertising poster. It was a sign of respect on the part of the actor.
"Everyone on the set was crazy about her. She didn't miss a mistake," Peck said.
By the way, the shooting had to be postponed for some time due to the employment of Audrey Hepburn in the theater - both the director and the Paramount studio sacrificed time for the sake of participating in the actress's film, they liked her so much. As a result, production of the film began in June 1952.
- Shot from the movie "Roman Holiday"
- globallookpress.com
Raffle on the court and tears of Audrey Hepburn
Viewers who watched the tape "Roman Holiday" know that it was shot in black and white. This decision was made by Wyler to focus on the story and characters, not the scene. In addition, it significantly reduced the cost of producing the picture. Nevertheless, even the absence of colors could not hide the beauty. The atmosphere of romantic and sunny Italy turned out to be so realistic and memorable, because the filming took place not in the studio, but on location in Rome itself.
It was the first American film to be shot entirely in Italy. You can see many sights in it. For example, Joe found Anna half asleep next to the triumphal arch of Septimius Severus, and in some distance the temple of Saturn is visible.
The hero of Gregory Peck gave Princess Anne a tour of the beautiful old city. Among the places that the viewer can recognize in the picture are the ancient Colosseum, Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Palazzo Colonna, the famous Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia and many others.
One of the funny episodes on the set occurred at the antique plate "Mouth of Truth", when Joe put his hand into the statue and, hiding the brush in the sleeve of his jacket, pretended that it had bitten off his limb. The emotions of Audrey Hepburn, which the viewer sees on the screen in this frame, are real, since there was no such thing in the script - Gregory Peck and William Wyler decided to play the actress.
"We were acting out the scene, and Greg put his hand in there. And the cry that I broke out was strong enough, because it was very funny and at the same time very scary," said the lead actress.
Hepburn laughed a lot on the set, but it was difficult for her to shed tears. During the filming of the final scene in which Anna says goodbye to Joe, the actress had to cry: the moment was reshot many times, and there were no tears in the eyes of the young actress. To get real emotions from her, the director had to be rude to her. Thankfully, the ploy worked, and viewers ended up seeing Princess Anne crying on the screen.
"I couldn't cry. Then Willie came over and gave me a living hell. He asked, "Well, how long do we have to wait? Overnight? For God's sake, can't you cry? By this time, you should already understand the essence of acting. I was so upset. He was so angry with me that I just burst into tears. He filmed it, hugged me and left," Hepburn shared her memories in an interview.
High ratings and praise from critics
The painting "Roman Holiday" glorified Audrey Hepburn all over the world and gave the public the opportunity to see Gregory Peck in a comedic role. The film was successful at the box office and grossed just over $12 million.
The film was liked by both experts in the field of cinema and a wide audience - on the aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the picture has 95% "freshness", and the audience rated it at 93%.
Milter Luben, in a review for the Hollywood Reporter, writes that the picture "Roman Holiday" is 118 minutes of pure entertainment with a beautiful game by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
"In Wyler's production, executed with artistic sophistication and restrained irony, the 'vacation' turns into a fascinating spectacle that will appeal to any audience," Luben writes.
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian notes the charisma of Peck and Hepburn and emphasizes that the role of Princess Anne is ideal for the actress.
Steph Green, in a review for We Love Cinema, writes that this is a warm and cheerful picture, and the naïve and graceful Audrey Hepburn decorated it with herself.
"This is a pure romantic comedy, shot with soul and a sense of style, as pleasant and unobtrusive as a gelato ball on a summer day," the critic believes.
- Shot from the movie "Roman Holiday"
- globallookpress.com
Forgotten "Oscar" and posthumous recognition
In 1954, the success of the film was confirmed by several significant awards. The film became a three-time winner of the Oscar film award. Audrey Hepburn received her first statuette for Best Leading Actor. The actress was so excited and stunned by the victory that she accidentally forgot the Oscar in the ladies' room. Later, the prize still found its owner.
The film was also awarded an award for the work of costume designer and screenplay. The award-winning author was Ian McLellan Hunter. It was only in the 1990s that the Writers Guild of America and the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences returned Dalton Trumbo to the award and recognition posthumously.
In addition to the Oscar, Audrey Hepburn was awarded the Golden Globe and the British Academy Film Award for her role as Princess Anne.
Subsequently, Hepburn worked with Wyler twice more: she starred in such films as the drama "Children's Hour" and the famous comedy "How to Steal a Million". Gregory Peck, in turn, played the main role in the director's western called "Big Country".