Have You Seen These Movies On Rome? Do You Wish You Were There?
Date, 07.28.2009
by Cristiano Rubbi
Have You Seen These Movies On Rome? Do You Wish You Were There?
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck were the great interpreters of a charming movie by William Wyler set in Rome, in the early 1950s. Basically a love story between the two main characters, in fact it revealed a fabulous city to the American public that was largely unaware of Romes magic beauty: so much so that arrivals from the U.S. shot up after the movie was screened in the States.
Ever heard of La Dolce Vita, a movie shot by Federico Fellini in 1960? If you don't like movies dealing with social problems, this one is certainly not for you. We thought of mentioning it, though, because there are some beautiful views of Rome - and not only, remember Anita Ekberg's exhibition in Trevi Fountain - in some parts of the movie, that have become famous in film history. Incidentally, Fellini always said that Rome had bewitched him and at the same time inspired him as no other place did.
Who hasn't heard of Trevi Fountain in Rome? And do you know the traditional gesture of throwing a coin in the Fountain to be assured of getting back to Rome again in the future? This was actually the reason for the title of Jean Negulesco's 1954 movie Three Coins In The Fountain. It tells the story of three American girls visiting Rome who meet three Roman boys and eventually fall in love with them. Clearly a romantic film, this picture highlights the fascinating beauty of the city and the carefree, but charming attitude typical of the young people of Rome.
Are you familiar with the 1959 historical colossal movie Ben Hur? Its director, William Wyler, only a few years before had shot Roman Holiday and, quite clearly, fallen in love with Rome. So he decided to set the first 'colossal' in movie history in Ancient Rome. The scenes were all shot in Cinecitta - Rome's 'Holliwood' studios - but they are so realistic that you feel as if you are literally stepping back in the past. The glorious, if occasionally cruel, days of ancient Rome are perfectly re-enacted.
You've probably seen the Anthony Minghella's 1999 movie, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Did you know that a number of scenes are set in Rome? Actually some scenes were shot in Rome's ghetto, an old suburb of Rome, traditionally inhabited by the Jewish community. Specifically you can see Piazza Mattei, where one of Rome's best known fountains is located.
If you ask anybody what is the movie of Ancient Rome that they recall best, probably the answer is The Gladiator. Believe it or not, this movie, that provides a complex picture of power, love, hatred, greatness and cruelty, was not shot in Rome at all. Still, Ridley Scott - who also directed Blade Runner - managed to create an atmosphere and a physical reconstruction of Ancient Rome that very closely resembles the true original. Russell Crowe fits the part perfectly and so do all the other actors in the movie.
Ever been to Rome? If you are planning to go there you can't miss visiting Trastevere. This is an ancient suburb in the very heart of Rome that for anyone living or visiting this magic city is an absolute must! Norman Jewison shared this opinion when he set his 1994 movie Only You partly also in Trastevere.
To read another article by Cristiano Rubbi, please click on the specific link below.
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