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Films to remind you of Italy

What films do you enjoy that will remind you of Italy? I am in the midst of planning my travel for next spring and always enjoy watching films to get in the mood. I will be in Venice, Florence, Tuscany and Cinque Terre but any Italian location would be nice. Thanks in advance.

Posted by
500 posts

Cinema Paradiso is one of my favorites too. Will watch that one again.

Posted by
11247 posts

I love "Cinema Paradiso" too! I've found some new ones this year though: "Pani e Tulipani," (Bread and Tulips) is current era and very amusing, set mostly in Venice, and "Malena" is a WWII period piece that was quite moving, as is "Miracle at St. Anna." Of course the classics like "Roman Holiday" and "It Started in Naples" are accessible and in English. Don't forget the two versons of "Room with a View," with very nice Tuscan scenary, and Russell Crowe in "A Good Year!" I'm going to go warm up the DVD player!

Posted by
1201 posts

One of my favorite Venice films: Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips)

Posted by
16024 posts

"The Secret of Santa Vittoria" . . an older film, more sweet than sophisticated.

Posted by
2876 posts

Two I liked: "Il Postino" "The Talented Mr. Ripley" One my wife liked: "Under the Tuscan Sun"

Posted by
500 posts

Just added Pane e Tulipani to my netflix queue. Fellini's Amarcord and 8 1/2 are also classics.

Posted by
32171 posts

One movie that I always enjoy is called "Ciao, Professore". It provides an interesting look at the difference in culture between northern and southern Italy. It hasn't been on TV in a while, so I'm hoping it will air again soon. I'd like to see "Gomorrah", but it's only been on the "premium" channels so I haven't been able to see it yet.

Posted by
597 posts

I've rented many of the films mentioned through Netflix. I love Cinema Paradiso, but suggest you view the theatrical release, not the director's cut. I've watched both and was quite disappointed in the director's cut. It's a love story,yes, but, in my opinion, not between the young man and young woman, but between the boy/young man and his mentor, the projectionist. Enjoy!

Posted by
492 posts

Avanti, Summertime, Roman Holiday, Under the Tuscan Sun, Three Coins in the Fountain, The Italian Job, Ocean's 12.....

Posted by
1279 posts

I second the vote for Il Postino. Lovely scenery and good story.

Posted by
66 posts

"Stealing Beauty" with Liv Tyler in Siena.

Posted by
2023 posts

More movies from Italy locations: The Bicycle Thief, My House in Umbria, A Month By the Lake, The Comfort of Strangers, Don't Look Now, Tea With Mussolini.

Posted by
524 posts

"Mid August Lunch". Not sure how easy it would be to find.

Posted by
712 posts

Great question! I love Gladiator, Spartacus and Ben-Hur for a look at ancient Rome in it's prime. Also love Summertime with Katherine Hepburn, Light in the Piazza with Olivia DeHavilland, and this movie with Susanne Pleshette and Troy Donahue (Rome Adventure?). And of course, gotta love The Godfather movies.

Posted by
32171 posts

I forgot to mention "The Italian Job", "Oceans 12" and also the first of the James Bond films with Daniel Craig (can't remember the name of it?). The scenery of Venice and Lago di Como in the last part of the movie was great!

Posted by
2297 posts

Ken, the first one with Daniel Craig is called "Casino Royal". The second one "Quantum of Solace" starts of in Siena during the Palio race! For that scene alone it's worth to get the movie.

Posted by
3112 posts

Roman Holiday is like a photo albumn of great spots in Rome, some famous and some less so. It always amazes me to see how little Rome has changed in 50 years.

Posted by
14 posts

My husband and I just watched "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It's set, of course, in Rome, but it brought out the general charm of Italy for us!

Posted by
5 posts

Under the Tuscan Sun, Tea With Mussolini, My House In Umbria, Much Ado About Nothing, A Room With A View, Summertime and the most recent James Bond movies mentioned above

Posted by
89 posts

Dangerous Beauty is a wonderful movie about a courtesan in 16th century Venice. Based upon a real life character with fabulous scenes of Venice. The movie of Henry James' Wings of the Dove with Helena Bonham Carter is also perfect Venice. Since Venice is associated with dying after all, there's the 1971 version of Death in Venice with Dirk Bogarde. The Mahler music is an extra benefit to seeing this one.

Posted by
500 posts

Great list! I already watched a few via Netfix (instant play) and Tivo and have added most of the suggestions to my queue. Even watched a few documentaries of Italy on Netflix. I'm getting ready!

Posted by
32171 posts

Beatrix, thanks for the name of the movie. As it happens, it's on TV tonight. I also forgot about the Italian scenes in "Quantum of Solace" (must be getting old?), but I agree the part in Siena was awesome. As I recall, there was also a car chase at the beginning in a marble quarry or something (Carrara?).

Posted by
1170 posts

"Casino Royale" where shot in Venice. Bond runs down the lane where our hotel was located just off of St. Marks. "Under the Tuscan Sun", where she meets the Italian man while looking for replacement pieces for a chandelier. This is where the antiques district is located just North of the Piazza Navona.

Posted by
65 posts

All great suggestions but what about "Enchanted April"? And "Only You" which starts out in Venice, travels thru Tuscany on the way to Rome and ends up on the Amalfi Coast.