Aside from "Under the Tuscan Sun", which I loved, what are your favorite movies/documentaries filmed in or about Italy?
Feb 24th, 2005, 04:33 AM
#21
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I agree about Roman Holiday--very good and family friendly, I would say.
I also loved Bread and Tulips, which gives more residential views of Venice--something you don't get too often. It's also neat since it's an Italian film--it explores cultural differences!
I'd also choose Tea with Mussolini--another great Florence film. Plus, there's the film "Stealing Beauty," but it doesn't seem like it was family friendly. I don't remember.
Also, if you want something more religious--"Brother Sun, Sister Moon" is about St. Francis and is partly filmed in the mountains between Le Marche and Umbria!
Where in Italy will you be visiting? Maybe we can recommend films based on what sites you'll be seeing.
Jackie
I also loved Bread and Tulips, which gives more residential views of Venice--something you don't get too often. It's also neat since it's an Italian film--it explores cultural differences!
I'd also choose Tea with Mussolini--another great Florence film. Plus, there's the film "Stealing Beauty," but it doesn't seem like it was family friendly. I don't remember.
Also, if you want something more religious--"Brother Sun, Sister Moon" is about St. Francis and is partly filmed in the mountains between Le Marche and Umbria!
Where in Italy will you be visiting? Maybe we can recommend films based on what sites you'll be seeing.
Jackie
Feb 24th, 2005, 04:36 AM
#22
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DM531, I just mentioned Rome Adventure in another post; as you say, a B movie, but Al Di La is wonderful. The clothing, etc. reminds me of my first trip to Rome in the early 60ies. That's how we dressed for Europe in those days!
Feb 24th, 2005, 05:22 AM
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Kenneth Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing" filmed in a Tuscan villa and "Room With a View". They are such great representations of my favorite part of Italy. Also loved "Tea with Mussolini".
Feb 24th, 2005, 07:31 AM
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Wow, this thread brings back memories of all the movies that honor the beauty of Italy.
My personal Favs are; Il Postino, Cinema Paradiso and Bread & Tulips. I recently rented "My House in Umbria". Loved it.
I'm boycotting "Under the Tuscan Sun" until they re-release it under a more appropriate name, ie. anything but "Under the Tuscan Sun." I enjoyed the book with that same name, which bears no resemblence to the movie, or so I'm told. lol
My personal Favs are; Il Postino, Cinema Paradiso and Bread & Tulips. I recently rented "My House in Umbria". Loved it.
I'm boycotting "Under the Tuscan Sun" until they re-release it under a more appropriate name, ie. anything but "Under the Tuscan Sun." I enjoyed the book with that same name, which bears no resemblence to the movie, or so I'm told. lol
Feb 24th, 2005, 07:57 AM
#29
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Although I found the plot rather sappy, there's no denying the cinematography was glorious in "Only You".
A couple of films from the 60's are "Come September" with the recently-deceased Sandra Dee, and "Gidget Goes To Rome".
Two other non-warm-and-fuzzy films that will give you some scenary in Italy are not particularly family-friendly, I'm afraid: "Hannibal" and "Up At The Villa".
If you're going for Easter, you may want to see "Quo Vadis". The late Peter Ustinov as Nero is a real treat! Filmed in 1951, Sophia Loren has a cameo role in this film, which was her screen debut. Elizabeth Taylor has an uncredited cameo as a Christian prisoner in the arena.
BC
Buon Viaggio
A couple of films from the 60's are "Come September" with the recently-deceased Sandra Dee, and "Gidget Goes To Rome".
Two other non-warm-and-fuzzy films that will give you some scenary in Italy are not particularly family-friendly, I'm afraid: "Hannibal" and "Up At The Villa".
If you're going for Easter, you may want to see "Quo Vadis". The late Peter Ustinov as Nero is a real treat! Filmed in 1951, Sophia Loren has a cameo role in this film, which was her screen debut. Elizabeth Taylor has an uncredited cameo as a Christian prisoner in the arena.
BC
Buon Viaggio
Feb 24th, 2005, 08:13 AM
#30
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Traveler2
We saw the last 2 episodes of Inside the Tuscan Hills".
The local Atlanta station did not promote it and had it running on Saturdays at 4pm or we would have seen more of them.
To spite the "crazy time" ,we liked it enough to purpose to see the last one.
It was a very different kind of travel series with an enthusiastic young lady visiting local shops, cooking schools, restaurants, vineyards ,etc.
We saw the last 2 episodes of Inside the Tuscan Hills".
The local Atlanta station did not promote it and had it running on Saturdays at 4pm or we would have seen more of them.
To spite the "crazy time" ,we liked it enough to purpose to see the last one.
It was a very different kind of travel series with an enthusiastic young lady visiting local shops, cooking schools, restaurants, vineyards ,etc.
Feb 24th, 2005, 08:25 AM
#31
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If you can find them, I think you all would enjoy the enthusiastic and effervescent David Rocco, who has done two great TV series: Avventura, Journeys in Italian Cuisine, and David Rocco's Dolce Vita. The first visits a different town and kitchen each episode. The second is based in Firenze and explores cultural and culinary themes. Each of these series is exquisitely filmed and produced! Highly recommended.
Kevin
Kevin
Feb 24th, 2005, 04:07 PM
#32
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I saw 2 episodes of the "Into the Tuscan Hills" (or whatever the PBS series was called). I felt like it was some film student's senior design project. It felt like the host was nervous, unprepared, and trying to say "Hey world, this is my documentary, hope you like it." Watch it for the information and scenery, not for cinematography.
Some Italy movies/TV shows that I like:
* Johnny Stecchino
* Von Ryan's Express
* Mario Eats Italy I and II (2 Food Network mini-serieses)
Some Italy movies/TV shows that I like:
* Johnny Stecchino
* Von Ryan's Express
* Mario Eats Italy I and II (2 Food Network mini-serieses)
Feb 24th, 2005, 04:55 PM
#35
Venice, that reminds me of two that also not family friendly or for squeamish.
"Don't look Now"-Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie(also the best film to have a nude scene that was natural as they went anbout their toilette)
"The Comfort of Strangers,"Christefer Walken, Helen Merril, and Natshia Richardson(looking Gorgeous)
"Don't look Now"-Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie(also the best film to have a nude scene that was natural as they went anbout their toilette)
"The Comfort of Strangers,"Christefer Walken, Helen Merril, and Natshia Richardson(looking Gorgeous)
Feb 24th, 2005, 08:59 PM
#38
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Too many commercial/Merchant-Ivory-ish feelgood girly films in the initial postings.
Better recommendations thereafter.
For my money:
A bicycle thief/ Un ladro di biciclette; one of the finest films ever made -- and one that lets you absolutely TASTE Rome on your tongue!
BTW: when looking for an apartment rental in Rome a few weeks ago I found a pleasant flat whose promo literature said: This apartment's claim to fame is that the building's front door is where the bicycle was stolen in "Bicycle thief" -- the apartment's balcony appears in that frame (!!)
Better recommendations thereafter.
For my money:
A bicycle thief/ Un ladro di biciclette; one of the finest films ever made -- and one that lets you absolutely TASTE Rome on your tongue!
BTW: when looking for an apartment rental in Rome a few weeks ago I found a pleasant flat whose promo literature said: This apartment's claim to fame is that the building's front door is where the bicycle was stolen in "Bicycle thief" -- the apartment's balcony appears in that frame (!!)
