Visit Italy With Movies

Testaccio, the city’s set

Rome’s Testaccio district has long been a landmark for the Italian film scene. Between the 40s and 50s, many directors and actors settled in this popular neighbourhood. Mainly attracted by its lively atmosphere and its proximity to the EUR film studios.

Testaccio inspired many directors to shoot films in this neighbourhood, including Federico Fellini with ‘Roma’ (1972) and Nanni Moretti with ‘La messa è finita’ (1985). The district served as a backdrop for many other Italian films. Nanni Moretti’s ‘Bianca’ (1983), Pier Paolo Pasolini’s ‘Mamma Roma’ (1962) and Gabriele Muccino’s ‘L’ultimo bacio’ (2001).

Today, Testaccio continues to be a vibrant and lively neighbourhood with many trendy cafés, restaurants and bars. The neighbourhood is also home to the well-known Cinema Museum of Rome, which houses a vast collection of objects and memorabilia.

The Testaccio district has become an icon of Italian cinema and continues to attract filmmakers, actors and film enthusiasts from all over the world. Known for its lively nightlife, Testaccio is also famous for its gastronomy, with restaurants and trattorias. Serving traditional Roman cuisine and local specialities such as artichokes alla giudia and pasta alla gricia. The neighbourhood has a long tradition of cultural and artistic activities.

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Tuscany – The cinematographic region

Tuscany has often been the harmonious and beautiful location of important films known all over the world.
A Region appreciated by directors and screenwriters, not only within the Italian borders, but also in Hollywood. Thus becoming the setting for world-famous films that have received Oscar awards and important awards.

The romantic streets, Renaissance palaces, and churches of the Val d’Orcia, were the set of the movie “The English Patient” (9 Oscar awards in 1996). At the close of World War II, a young nurse tends to a badly-burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.

The film that perhaps more than any other has enhanced the Val d’Orcia is “Gladiator” by Ridley Scott. There are two emblematic scenes from the film shot here. Firstly, the Gladiator’s house, set of the dramatic episode of the murder of his family. Secondly the famous finale in which the gladiator caresses the ripe wheat in the Elysian Fields.

Franco Zeffirelli directed some of his cult films in the Val d’Orcia. Particularly in Pienza, where the great master Franco Zeffirelli directed “Romeo and Juliet”. Some of the main scenes were shot in the courtyard of Palazzo Piccolomini and some are divided between Piazza Pio II and Corso Rossellino. The film “Brother sun sister moon” was shot in Val d’Orcia too. This movie is about the life of St. Francis of Assisi from his conversion experience to his audience with the pope.

The Taviani brothers also chose the Val d’Orcia for their film “Wondrous Boccaccio”, where 10 young friends hide out from the plague during the 1300s.

Pienza and Montepulciano have also been the location of recent films such as “New Moon – The Twilight saga” and “The Medici” series. While set in the region’s capital of Florence, much of the filming takes place on location around Tuscany, like Volterra, Montepulciano Pistoia, Pienza.


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Italian culture & Cinema, Visit Italy With Movies

The Italian war film that made history

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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Rome on screen: an everlasting love story

The relationship between Rome and cinema is a long-lasting relationship, since the Eternal City has always been the scene of incredible sets, thanks to the variety of its landscapes and monuments, perfect locations for films of yesterday and today.


Although already known, cinema has helped to expand, in several cases, the fame of many monuments consecrating them for eternity. Thanks to the masterpieces of cinema, many views of the Italian capital city are now associated with scenes or characters; this is the case of the Fontana di Trevi and The Dolce Vita, or the Bocca della verità and Roman Holidays, but also the Colosseum and Un americano a Roma or, in more recent times, the Eur lake and L’ultimo bacio or the Gianicolo’s fountain and The Great Beauty.
Walk the streets and neighborhoods where famous films were shot, can carry you within the film in question or live again one beloved scene.

If you want to dive into the magic atmospheres of the Eternal City you cannot miss these titles and their magic locations:


Il Marchese del Grillo: masterpiece of Mario Monicelli with the great Alberto Sordi. It is the perfect film to relive Rome in nineteenth century. Between the great monuments and the lesser known alleys, you are transported to the past with laughter! Among the most iconic locations: The Loggia dei Cavalieri di Rodi, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Roman Forum.

Love Italian way: Film a episodi that tells the vices, habits and costumes of Italian society of the 60s. Among the most beautiful scenes on the terrace that show the views of Sant’Agnese in Agone, the Palace of Justice and San Salvatore in Lauro.

Too bad she’s bad: Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren in this funny fresco of Rome in the 50s. Between adventures and racing in the car Rome looks more beautiful than ever thanks to its wonderful monuments: The mouth of truth, the Colosseum and San Pietro.

Love & Anarchy: Lina Wertmuller directs Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato in a masterpiece of Italian cinema nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Revenge and love at the time of the fascist dictatorship between the views of Rome: from Piazza di San Pietro in montorio to the splendid Gianicolo.

All titles are available on www.movieitalyplus.com

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Monica Vitti, two souls of a unique artist

5 David di Donatello, 3 Silver Ribbons, 12 Golden Globes, 1 ciak d’oro, 1 Golden Lion.

During the 60s, Ms Vitti embodied the neurosis of Italian society, only to cure them with laughs and comedy during the 70s. After graduating at the Rome’s National Academy of Dramatic Arts, Monica worked first in the theatre and then as a voice actor. Cinema came after being noticed by Michelangelo Antonioni, who became her partner in life and at work.

Antonioni wanted her for his “trilogy of incommunicability”, three black and white films, with unforgettable scenes and roles. Consequently these film became an important part of the history of Italian cinema. In the first movie, L’Avventura (1960), Vitti is the tormented Claudia; La Notte(1961) she is the girl who seduces Marcello Mastroianni. Finally L’Eclisse (1962), she plays Vittoria, a young literary translator.

In 1967, her relationship with Antonioni was over and Ms Vitti decided to reinvent herself, acting in comedy movies. The very popular Commedia all’Italiana – allowing the public to discover an unusual side of herself. She acted in comedies with directors like Roger Vadim, Luciano Salce, Tinto Brass. Mainly thanks to her acting skills, Ms Vitti managed to create unforgettable comedy characters and roles that have become part of the history of Italian cinema. The great Adelaide in Dramma Della Gelosia by Ettore Scola or Ninì Tirabusciò in “La donna che Inventò la Mossa” ,Teresa in “Teresa la Ladra”. She also performed along with the most famous comedians of the times, from Alberto Sordi to Ugo Tognazzi.

Two more unforgettable performances of the great actress are In “La ragazza con la pistola”, directed by Mario Monicelli. Here Monica is Assunta Patanè, a Sicilian girl who moves to the UK, seeking revenge after being abandoned. In addition, “La pacifista” directed by Miklós Jancsó when she acted with Pierre Clémenti. Monica Vitti was not only a great artist, but also a genuine Italian, given that constant dichotomy between comedy and drama. Undoubtedly, she was perfect and credible in both dramatic and comedic roles, making people laugh and cry like no one else. Monica Vitti was a unique artist. She embodied the two souls of Italy, the perpetual changing between drama and farce, comedy and tragedy, sadness and happiness.

Discover clips with Monica Vitti at www.visititalywithmovies.com and her incredible films at www.movieitalyplus.com

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Fernando Di Leo, the director who inspired Quentin Tarantino

Screenwriter and director, Fernando di Leo is one of the most interesting authors of Italian cinema from the 1960s onwards. Master of garish, intricately plotted, ultra-violent stories about pimps and petty gangsters. Di Leo explored the political extremism and mafia corruption in Italy during the 1970’s.

After briefly working in Rome’s film school Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Fernando Di Leo wrote several scripts for Westerns, often uncredited. This included work on A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. Later on, di Leo specialized in the noir genre and was inspired by the violent novels of Giorgio Scerbanenco. Afterwards, he was fiercely committed to making movies that addressed contemporary social and political issues.

One special admirer is Quentin Tarantino. Who modeled Pulp Fiction’s three-variations-on-a-theme structure on Di Leo’s “Milieu trilogy”: Caliber 9 (1972). A small-time gangster long-suspected of stealing $300,000 from a Milanese boss . The film, The Italian Connection, offers some early models for the wisecracking, laconic hitmen played by John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction.

Tarantino recalled “One of the first films I watched was pivotal to my choice of profession was I Padroni della Città (Mister Scarface). I had never even heard the name Fernando Di Leo before. I just remember that after watching that film I was totally hooked. I became obsessed and started systematically watching other films directed by Di Leo. I owe so much to Fernando in terms of passion and filmmaking”.

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