Think you can’t tour Rome in only 1 hour and 58 minutes? You can with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck (and Eddie Albert pre-Green Acres and ZsaZsa). If you already love this pic, I hope to share at least 1 thing you didn’t previously know. If it’s new to you, you’re in for a treat. Regardless, this is a MUST watch prior to your next trip to Rome. And, if nothing else, the final scene is the most MOVING last scene in film history (as declared by me).
OK, so you think you’ve seen Rom-Coms where the elite identity is hidden either from themselves or from others because trying to travel incognito – that’s this one…..sort of. In this 1953 classic, Princess Ann (Hepburn) is frustrated with her situation to be sure and accidentally catches a wave of independence by serendipity, which she rides to its fullest in a carefree and transformative day with the swooniest Joe Bradley (Peck). When we first meet Peck here, he’s definitely looking to capitalize on this windfall of a sought-after princess landing in his mitts, but he too is transfigured. That’s amoré.
Three-time Academy Award winner for Best Director, William Wyler was a craftsman of the highest order. He made a total of 45 films (beginning with silent pictures). Born in Germany, he volunteered (at the age of 42) to use his gifts to support his adopted country during WWII by joining the US Army as an officer filming bolstering films (aka propaganda) that lifted our spirits and showed war as it was happening. Important to note – his career was in no way lagging at this time:
- 1943 Won 1st Oscar: “Mrs Miniver”, which also won Best Picture
- Joined the Army
- 1944 Films documentaries while serving: “The Memphis Belle” and “The Fighting Lady”
- Wins Oscar for Best Documentary for Lady project
- 1947 Returns from Army, makes “The Best Years of our Lives”
- Wins 2nd Best Director Oscar…film also earns Best Picture
And, he had an amazing eye for talent – more actors have won Oscars under Wyler than any other 2 directors combined: Enter Audrey Hepburn – new, unknown to Hollywood, survivor of Nazi occupation. Nominated and WON an academy award for this, her first major role.
“Rome! By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live.”
Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn)
Originally planned to run as “and Introducing Audrey Hepburn”, Gregory Peck informed the producers that she’d surely win an Academy Award for her performance, so her name MUST appear above the title. And, so it does.
This is the first American film to be made in its entirety in Italy and they really celebrate it:
- The Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- The Colosseum
- Ex-voto wall
- Bocca della verita (btw: her reaction is REAL – Peck improvised his performance to get that reaction from her)
If you haven’t seen this picture – I can totally imagine you looking at the first 20min and thinking: Nah, I’m not that into 1950s B&W. Ostensibly, it’s a mid-century, milquetoast rom-com. That could not be further from the truth. The extras in the Embassy Ball include actual Italian nobility (who donated their salaries to charity) and the reporters at the end are all actual reporters – OH, the reporters and when she addresses the members of the press. THIS is the ending scene to end all ending scenes….I defy you to have a dry eye. Not to sit on the edge of your seat CONVINCED that she’s going to……..
….oops, I almost gave away the ending. Watch it. Then go to Rome.
This movie is available in many format including streaming on Amazon. Settle in with some of this, and this, and that. Ciao!
