lisa

Debbie: Thanks for revealing where you're from -- I knew you weren't American because here in the U.S. we rent movies rather than hiring them (I love those little cultural giveaways)! <BR> <BR>Also, there's another movie I've heard of but have never seen and am curious if anyone has seen it and whether it's any good but am having trouble remembering the title -- I think it's about an English woman who has a sort of mid-life crisis and leaves her husband and runs off to some island in Greece for a fling. Is it Shirley Valentine? Or maybe that's the name of the play it was based on or just the character. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? <BR> <BR>And there's another movie set in Greece from maybe the early 80s(?) that is so horribly cheesy I'm embarrassed to admit I even saw it but fortunately I can't remember the title -- all I remember is it has Daryl Hannah and some of the worst dialogue and acting I've ever seen and I think it may have the word "Summer" in the title and it was set somewhere on a Greek island? It was sort of racy in the dullest most inane way possible but I have to admit the scenery made me want to go to Greece. But I can't in good conscience recommend it -- ugh. <BR> <BR>Also thanks, folks, for reminding me of "Wings of the Dove" which was one of the most gorgeous movies I've ever seen (the costumes! those saturated blues! Helena Bonham-Carter and Linus Roache!) and also "The English Patient" (I'm suddenly realizing that Juliette Binoche has been in a lot of my favorite movies...). <BR> <BR>And oh yes how about some of those brooding English stories dripping with atmosphere like "Jane Eyre" (just remade last year with William Hurt -- not bad) and "Wuthering Heights" (I like the old Laurence Olivier & Merle Oberon version much better than the more recent Ralph Fiennes-Juliette Binoche one). I don't even know if these were actually filmed in Britain but in Wuthering Heights the moors are practically a character -- so gorgeous. <BR> <BR>Some great scenes in "The Godfather II" where Al Pacino is wandering the Italian countryside and gets hit by "the thunderbolt" -- again, I don't even know if these were filmed in Italy but it sure looked like it!

cheryl

Lisa- <BR> <BR>The movie you are thinking of is, indeed, "Shirley Valentine", and it is a play as well as a movie. It's been quite a few years since I saw it, but remember liking it quite a bit.

cheryl

Lisa- <BR> <BR>The other movie you are thinking of (with Daryl Hannah and Peter Gallagher) is called "Summer Lovers". I've never seen it (I just looked it up), and after your description, I think I'll keep it that way! <BR> <BR>By the way, for all you other film buffs (and there appears to be a pretty good crossover of travel/film fans here), there is a website www.us.imdb.com where you can look up any movie either by name or actor. It's great when you see a minor character in a movie and think "now where have I seen him before?".

Leslie

Yvonne, <BR> <BR>The Robert Altman film was Pret-A-Porter.

Joanne

Try "It Started In Naples" - beautiful film with Sophia Loren & Clark Gable set in Naples/Capri - will put you right in the mood.

Ann

So far no one has mentioned that dreadfull film from the late 60's If it's Tuesday it must be Belgium". Actually it was full of scenery, but the best part, for me, was that as I was leaving the theater with my parents, my dad said to me "you are NOT going to Europe on that sort of a trip!" and then he hounded me until I signed up to do a study abroad program in Oxfordshire during my Jr. year of college. I've never forgotten that "bad" movie, nor the good results.

D. Spiegel

The movie referred to above is "Summer Lovers" with Daryl Hannah. Pretty bad movie in my opinion, but fantastic shots of Santorini. I bought a copy for $5 from an online service. <BR> <BR>I vote for "Summertime," "Shirley Valentine," "Dangerous Beauty, and "Enchanted April." <BR> <BR>Yes, people in Europe sometimes invite you to their homes, although don't count on it. It happened to me twice.

raeona

It might not have much identifiable "scenery" (I don't recall any Eifel Tower shots, etc..) but you CANNOT do better for a romantic flick, with a European/English feel than: "Two for the Road" with the incomparable Audrey Hepburn, at her peak, and the quite delicious Albert Finney. For a close-up look at "marriage," as well as some really fine film making (Stanley Donen, gain, I believe)...check this one out!

s.fowler

Without hauling out my copy to check the credits, I recommend the scenery in The Pink Panther. A lot of it is set in Cortina, Italy and whever it *was* filmed is gorgeous. One of the last in the pink panther series features Inspector Clouseau receiving an award in the courtyard of Les Invalides. <BR>

Kim

I would have to recommend two that weren't previously listed: <BR>Immortal Beloved -- besides having stunning scenery,it includes the beautiful music of Beethoven <BR>(and) Mrs. `Arris goes to Paris -- with Angela Lansbury. You get London and Paris in one movie, a sweet storyline, and a lesson about opening up to people. <BR>For all the other ones listed, half I've seen (and also suggest) and, as for the other half, I'm on my way to Blockbuster to rent them...

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Movies - do you remember "Popeye" with Robin Williams, absolutely gorgeous scenery which if I remember correctly was in Malta. <BR>And now for something all true Fodorites must absolutely see - I just saw <BR>"Tea With Mussolini". It's filmed in Italy, takes place in '30's and early '40's, has a magnificent ensemble cast, and I loved it. I swear on a stack of Fodors travel books you will too. I think it will be one of my favorite all-time movies.

Dayle

I've been looking forward to Tea w/ M. Just came from Midsummer Night's Dream. There were a few very nice scenery shots of springtime Tuscany. Susan F: have always loved the Pink Panther movies. Now I'll have to get the original to check out the Cortina scenes!

lisa

To the top for Betty -- lots of good suggestions in here.

mel

Thanks for resurrecting this post! I must have missed it last year. I didn't see one of my favorites mentioned, "The Third Man" with Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton. It was filmed in the rubble of Vienna after WWII, and one of the most famous scenes features the ferris wheel at the Prater. Only drawback is the film quality; it's black and white and not the best.

kay

New since I posted last year is the movie, The Last September. Set in northern Ireland right after WWI. (OK, so I am on a WWI kick right now...see my fiction postings) Stars Maggie Smith and is an elegy to the English aristos who lived there and thought nothing would change. Sumptuously and lovingly filmed. Wonderful period costumes and interios.

Rex

Although I contributed to Betty's "other" listing, I had a new thought, reading about Last September. <BR> <BR>Go to Dublin. <BR> <BR>then go watch Michael Collins. <BR> <BR>then go back to Dublin. <BR> <BR>then go back and watch Michael Collins again. <BR> <BR>Lather. Rinse. Repeat <BR> <BR>as much as necessary.

Betty Fordor Clinic

Oh you dear people! Ever mindful of keeping my poor patients happy. I am heartened and joyfully elated at the therapeutic milleu. My patients continue with their silly grins and I hope I can convince them that there really is a world out there. Sometimes it gets so good here, that the thought of leaving creates a sense of velchschmertz (exuse the phonetics)and everyone starts crying. So we greatfully meander your wonderful suggestions, watching here and on our screen, while we await our V Day. <BR>Grazie, Grazie, Grazie

Scty. to Dr. Fordor

Dear Movie Buffs and other travel addicts attempting to stay focused before their travel. <BR> <BR>Poor Dr. Fordor cannot remember the title of her posting about travel videos (she went to lunch today and those of us here seriously doubt her short term memory focus, as she is constantly on this forum gathering every last detail and bit of obscura about her summer travel plans). She would like to follow up with you on her latest movie viewings but despite her text searches, cannot find her post. <BR> <BR>Any help is greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>God Bless, <BR>Scty. to the doc. <BR>

ray seva

C'mon...all of you who've listed all of those OLD films: Yes, I'll agree these oldies are goodies...but if someone who's never been to Europe watches these before going, they're going to be disappointed. "Roman Holiday???" "3 Coins in a Fountain???" Yeah, like modern-day European women still dress in long flowing chiffon skirts, wear pearl necklaces or scarves over their hair...and all the men wear hats and suits. Get real! Today's "Euros" are very, very hip...and they dress that way...or at least, they dress very, very contemporary. And they all listen to hip-hop/rap/speed metal...and most wear their hair just like we do here in the US...NOT like those old 50's people depicted in those favorite european films of yesteryear. And (especially in Paris,) many modern europeans have emigrated from other countries, so there's plenty of "color" among the population. <BR> I liked "4 Weddings and a Funeral," "French Kiss" and "Only You." They probably won't win any praise from snobbish critics...but check out the scenery in these movies: Very, very contemporary...and very, very REAL. Here's another suggestion: If you're going out to the Irish countryside, DEFINITELY rent "Waking Ned Devine." What a great movie! Very, very funny...very, very sweet...and very, very real. Or if you're going to southern Italy/Scicily, rent "Godfather 3" (honest!) <BR> That's my 2-cents worth...from someone who's living in the new millenium (or 1-year before it, if you're a purist)--NOT someone living in the glorious "Hollywood" past.

Caitlin

To the top for Lisa.