60th anniversary of iconic 'Roman Holiday' film

August 24, 2013. (Romereports.com) It's been more than 60 years now since the world saw Audrey Hepburn's historic holidays through the streets of Rome.

In 1953, the iconic 'Roman Holiday' was filmed in the Eternal City. It inspired people across the world to tour the streets of Rome by Vespa, with Gregory Peck as tour guide.

In a way, Rome itself became the film's third star. Using what was considered innovative techniques at the time, the full movie was filmed outside. Director William Wyler refused to recreate sets, to showcase the city.

The story chronicles the story of a princess that arrives in Rome for an official state visit. Tired of her mandatory functions, she escapes into the city as a normal, everyday woman. She then meets a journalist who guides her throughout Rome. However, he recognizes her and wants to write an sell the story about their meeting.

'Roman Holiday' shows off some of Rome's most emblematic sites like the Spanish Steps, the Bocca della Verita, the Imperial Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum and Castel Sant'Angelo. Notably, no church appears in the film, or even St. Peter's Square, for that matter.

Her starring role in the film catapulted Hepburn to the spotlight, leading her to win the best actress Oscar. The film also won two additional awards. And even though 2013 will also mark 20 years of her death, her work in the film continues to inspire thousands of tourists on their own Roman Holidays.