Roman Holiday

Join Pacific Cinémathèque for an excursion into the eternally enchanting Roman Holiday. William Wyler’s fanciful romantic comedy tells the story of the short-lived freedom afforded an overprotected princess (Audrey Hepburn) who escapes her guardians and steps out to explore the streets of Rome. Finally at liberty to enjoy romance and adventure, she discovers the simple joys of life in the city with a helpful American reporter (Gregory Peck) who pretends not to recognize her. He knows he’s stumbled on to the scoop of the year, but inevitable succumbs to her elegance and naïve charm. Supposedly based on the real-life experiences of Britain’s Princess Margaret and her much-publicized relationship with commoner and divorcé Peter Townsend, the film was a massive success. Nominated for an impressive ten Academy Awards, Roman Holiday won three: for Edith Head’s costumes, Dalton Trumbo’s story (Trumbo, blacklisted at the time, was officially awarded his Oscar only posthumously, in 1993), and Audrey Hepburn’s performance. Hepburn, also winning the British Oscar, the Golden Globe, and the New York Film Critics Circle Award, was here crowned Hollywood royalty. “A wonderfully enjoyable movie” (Time Out). “A bittersweet legend with laughs that leaves the spirits soaring” (New York Times). B&W, 35mm, 118 mins.