Search - Roman Holiday [Special Collector's Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1953 DVD Release: 11/26/2002 Format: DVD - Black and White - Closed Captioned Edition: Restored/Remastered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 58 mins Studio: Paramount Members Wishing: 17 Genres: Comedy, Romantic Comedy See Also: Roman Holiday [Paramount Centennial Collection]

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. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Audrey Hepburn - Princess Anne
Gregory Peck - Joe Bradley
Eddie Albert - Irving Radovich
Hartley Power - Mr. Hennessey
Harcourt Williams - Ambassador

Films don't fit the romantic comedy mold much better than Roman Holiday, and now this time-tested classic is on DVD from Paramount. Released as a "special collector's edition," this disc does have some nice supplements, though far from the wealth of information that this label implies. Of greatest interest is a 25-minute featurette called "Remembering Roman Holiday" with some nice interviews, behind-the-scene photos, and vintage clips. Two shorter featurettes are also included, "Restoring Roman Holiday" and "Edith Head -- The Paramount Years." They do offer some additional interesting notes, but they leave one wishing for more overall. Finally, along with a photo gallery that is as interesting as most tend to be, are three theatrical trailers. The image is wonderful in all respects due to the restoration. Presented in its original full-frame aspect ratio, the transfer is solid. Blacks are deep, while detail is crisp and clean. Momentary instances of grain are evident, but that would be expected for a film of its age; still, they are seldom and hardly ruin this nice presentation. The sound, a two-channel mono track, is certainly adequate for this sort of film. Granted, there is nothing extraordinary about it, but dialogue is clear and distortion free, which is all that can be asked for sometimes. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide