Italian culture & Cinema, Visit Italy With Movies

The Italian war film that made history

Written by dario.cangemi5 Giugno 2023

That Damned Armoured Train

“That Damned Armoured Train” is a 1978 Italian film directed by Enzo G. Castellari and starring a stellar cast, including Bo Svenson, Fred Williamson, Peter Hooten, Michael Pergolani and Raimund Harmstorf. The film, set during World War II, tells the story of a group of American prisoners. Trying vigorously to steal a Nazi’s train, to finance the French resistance. The feature film was a great success with critics and audiences and received numerous international awards and prizes. It is considered one of the best Italian war films of all time and has influenced numerous directors and producers of genre films.

The film follows the leader of the gang, Bo Svenson, and his comrades, as they attempt to rob a train loaded with Nazi gold. Their goal is to finance the French resistance, however, the German officer hunting them down, will complicate their mission.

The film was shot on a limited budget, but made the most of its resources. Thanks to the use of intense cinematography and tight editing to create an atmosphere of tension and suspense. In addition, the film’s action scenes were acclaimed for their intensity and realism, making ‘That Damn Armoured Train’ a cult film among fans of the genre. The film is also known for its soundtrack, composed by Riz Ortolani, who created a series of memorable motifs that intertwine with the film’s scenes, giving it an epic and engaging tone.

“That Damned Armoured Train” is remembered as a classic example of Italian exploitation cinema and is often discussed in the context of cult films from the late 1970s. An iconic Italian war film that has influenced numerous directors and producers of genre films. Its compelling story, intense action scenes and epic soundtrack still make it a cult film loved by fans of the genre.

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Cinema Pills

Alberto Sordi: the icon of Italian cinema

Written by dario.cangemi30 Maggio 2023


Considered one of the greatest actors in the history of Italian cinema, Sordi starred in more than 150 films. Well known and beloved he received numerous awards and recognitions during his career. Sordi started acting in films in 1937, when he participated as an extra in the film ‘Il signor Max’. However, his career did not take off immediately and he had to wait until the 1950s to get his first important roles. During these years, Sordi worked with some of the most important directors of Italian cinema, such as Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica and Dino Risi.

Sordi’s success came in the 60s, when he played some of his most famous roles. Such as that of the accountant Ugo Fantozzi in the film series ‘Fantozzi’, and that of Commissioner Taviani in the film series ‘Il commissario’. Thanks to his versatility and his ability to play both comic and dramatic characters, Sordi became one of the most loved actors by Italian audiences.

Additionally, to his work as an actor, Sordi was a prolific director and screenwriter. Directing some highly successful films such as ‘Un italiano in America’ and ‘Il maestro di Vigevano’. Thanks to his versatility and creativity, Sordi managed to create a unique and inimitable cinematic oeuvre, which influenced many subsequent directors and actors.

Despite his death in 2003, Alberto Sordi continues to be an icon of Italian cinema for many generations of actors and directors. His ability to portray the everyday life of Italians with irony and intelligence made his films immortal. Thus contributing to make Sordi one of the greatest artists in the history of italian cinema.

Overall, Alberto Sordi was an actor, director and screenwriter of great talent, who was able to recount uniquely, the daily life of Italians. Thanks to his art, Sordi left an indelible mark on the history of Italian cinema, and still continues to be a point of reference for a moltitude people around the world.

Discover Alberto Sordi’s clips on www.visititalywithmovies.com and his incredible films at www.movieitalyplus.com

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Cinema Pills

Misery, Nobility and Smiles: Totò’s Rome

Written by dario.cangemi30 Maggio 2023

Miseria e nobiltà is a famous 1954 Italian film directed by Mario Mattoli, based on the play of the same name by Eduardo Scarpetta. The film tells the story of Felice Sciosciammocca, played by legendary actor Totò, a humble servant working for the aristocratic Della Noce family. The plot revolves around a meeting between Felice and the prince of the town. Who, impressed by his wisdom and irony, decides to exchange him for one of his aristocratic doubles, trying to live the life of the commonner. A comedy that emphasises social satire, exploring the contrasts between social classes and the prejudices that result.

The film shows how humble people, like Felice, can be endowed with intelligence, dignity and generosity, while the nobles can be superficial and selfish.

The film offers a combination of slapstick comedy, witty jokes and comic situations, while always maintaining a subtext of social criticism. Totò, with his skill in mime and comedy, gives the audience moments of hilarity and reflection.

Miseria e nobiltà has become a classic of Italian cinema thanks to its ability to make people laugh and question social stereotypes. The film was a great success, contributing to consecrate Totò as one of the greatest comedians in the history of Italian cinema.

The film is still appreciated today for its lightness, intelligent humour and its ability to ask questions about society and the human condition. “Miseria e nobiltà” remains a landmark in Italian cinema and a testament to Totò’s talent as an extraordinary comic actor.

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Italian culture & Cinema

Abruzzo: the land of cinema between mountains and sea

Written by dario.cangemi30 Maggio 2023

Abruzzo is a region in central Italy with a great film tradition. The territory, is characterised by a unique landscape stretching from the mountains to the Adriatic coast. Abruzzo, has inspired numerous Italian and international filmmakers, becoming an exceptional location for filming films and television productions.

In the 60s and 70s, Abruzzo saw the birth of severals film studios, such as the Tirrenia Film in Pescara and Fono Roma in Sulmona. Here, renowned director, such as De Sica and Vancini, filmed famous movies.

‘La lunga notte del ’43’ and Vittorio De Sica’s ‘Il giardino dei Finzi Contini’, which won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1972.

In the following years, Abruzzo increasingly became a popular destination for filming films and television productions. The beauty of its landscapes, the variety of its natural scenery, and the richness of its culture have inspired film directors all over the world. The city of Sulmona served as a location for numerous productions, including ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ by Comencini and ‘Life of Dante’ by Squitieri. L’Aquila, on the other hand, was chosen as the location for Anton Corbijn’s film ‘The American’, starring George Clooney. Not only the cities, but also the natural landscapes of Abruzzo have been the protagonists of numerous successful films.

Some of the most striking locations include the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park, where they filmed ‘The Name of the Rose’ by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The Adriatic coast, which saw the making of the film ‘The Beach’ by Danny Boyle. Nonetheless, the region has also been the cradle of a number of cinema personalities, such as Mario Monicelli. The Italian director was born in Viareggio but grew up in San Giorgio di Piano.

Abruzzo is an ideal destination for film enthusiasts, thanks to its natural beauty and millennial history that continues to inspire film directors and producers. Which thanks to their works still contribute to making Abruzzo a true cultural and cinematographic heritage.

Discover wonderful Italian places through clips on www.visitiyalywithmovies.com and watch complete films on www.movieitalyplus.com

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Italian culture & Cinema

Liguria: between evocative locations and history, the region that continues to inspire

Written by dario.cangemi23 Maggio 2023

Liguria is an Italian region that has had very strong links with the
cinema over the years. The beauty and variety of its landscapes have attracted many directors and film producers, who chose Liguria as a location for their films. Liguria as a location to shoot their films. In this article, we will explore the link between Liguria and cinema, analysing the shooting of famous films and
local productions. Liguria has a variety of landscapes that make it an ideal location for many film productions. Its coasts, with their beaches, cliffs and port cities, have often been used as a backdrop for adventure films and comedies.
Backdrop for adventure films and romantic comedies. The Ligurian hinterland, on the other hand,
with its mountains, valleys and ancient villages, has attracted directors who sought an authentic location for historical films and dramas. One of the most most famous films shot in Liguria is ‘The Leopard’ by Luchino Visconti, who used the Palazzo dei Rolli in Genoa as a set for scenes of the
house of the Salinas. The film, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1963, is a classic of Italian cinematography and made the Palazzo dei Rolli famous, later included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

But it is not only great directors who choose Liguria as the location for
their films. In recent years, in fact, many local productions have been realised in this region. One of the best known films is ‘La meglio Gioventù’ by Marco Tullio Giordana, a family epic that follows the
vicissitudes of two brothers between the 1960s and the 2000s. The film was largely filmed in Genoa and Liguria, and paid homage to the beauty of the region. In addition to film productions, Liguria also has a
strong tradition of film festivals. The Genoa Film Festival for example, is an annual event that provides a platform for the presentation of films by emerging directors and independent productions.

In conclusion, the link between Liguria and cinema has been very strong over the
over the years, thanks to the beauty of its landscapes and the variety of its
its locations. The region has inspired many directors, who have chosen to shoot
their films in this unique setting. But Liguria has also been a source of
inspiration for many local productions, which have found in this region the perfect
perfect setting for their stories. In any case, the link between Liguria and
cinema is destined to last for a long time to come, thanks to its unspoilt beauty
and its ability to still inspire directors and film producers from
all over the world. It has to be said that the relationship between Liguria and cinema does not only end in the choice of the region as a location for filming, but also extends to the
production and distribution activities. Liguria, in fact, has a tradition
of cinema-related activities dating back to the 1930s, when the first cinemas were founded in Genoa.
the first arthouse cinemas and the first production and distribution companies were founded in Genoa.
distribution. In the 1960s and 1970s, the region saw a series of production
production activities, with the opening of numerous studios and workshops for
dubbing, special effects and editing. Today, Liguria is home to numerous
production and distribution activities, with companies operating in the sector
production of documentaries, independent films and works of art.

In addition, Liguria has a strong tradition of training in the field of
cinema, thanks to the presence of institutes and schools that offer training and
training and specialisation courses for directors, screenwriters and technicians in the sector.
The National School of Cinema in Genoa, for example, is one of the oldest
schools of cinema in Italy, founded in 1941, which offers courses of advanced
training for film and television production.

Find out more about Liguria at www.visititalywithmovies.it and discover our films at www.movieitalyplus.com

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Cinema Pills

Totò: the art of comedy

Written by dario.cangemi23 Maggio 2023

Antonio De Curtis, better known by the pseudonym Totò, was one of the greatest Italian comedians and actors of the 20th century. He began his artistic career in the teatro di rivista (revue theatre) and later established himself in the cinema, becoming an icon of Italian cinema. He distinguished himself for his great versatility, moving with ease from comedy to irony, from satire to parody, from poetry to drama. His comic style, which combined extraordinary mimicry skills with an incomparable dialectal verve, won over the Italian public and made him a much-loved figure.

Throughout his career, Totò worked with some of the greatest directors of Italian cinema, including Fellini, De Sica, Monicelli and Dino Risi. His most famous films include ‘Miseria e nobiltà‘, ‘Guardie e ladri’, ‘Totòtruffa ’62’ and ‘La grande guerra’. He was not only a great comic actor: he was also a committed artist, always attentive to the social and political issues of his time. In 1948, for example, he wrote and performed the comedy ‘Non è vero… ma ci credo’. The film denounced the corruption and hypocrisy of post-war Italian society.

Totò died in 1967, but his artistic legacy is still very strong today. His jokes, his imitations, and his expressions are still taken up and quoted on many occasions. His unique figure remains an icon of Italian cinema and comedy in general. A complete artist, capable of making people laugh and reflect, of moving and entertaining. His figure still remains a reference point for all those who love cinema and comedy.

One of Totò’s distinctive characteristics was his ability to improvise and his ability to make every situation comical. Although he had a script, he often used his creativity and spontaneity to enrich his performances and add comic elements.

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