New DVD Movies

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.

La Dolce Vita, or the Sweet Life, is Italian film director Federico Fellinis most popular film in the States. His picture of Rome in the early 1960s is not the fascinating, joy-loving city so dear to all visitors. Instead its a bitter criticism of modern society, full of anxieties and in search of an ever-escaping happiness. Still, in the background you catch beautiful glimpses of the city and some scenes, like the one of Anita Ekberg walking into Trevi Fountain, have become part of movie history.

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.

Ben Hur, the first colossal movie of all times, is set in Rome. There must be a reason for this. In actual fact film director William Wyler was anxious to shoot this picture because, after directing Roman Holiday, he felt that he wanted to go back to Rome and re-live part of the history of this city where past glories and present charm blend beautifully to make a perfect mix.

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.

Are you a fan of adventure movies set in a historical background? We can guarantee that The Gladiator meets these criteria 100 % – and we can also guarantee that not an inch of this movie was shot in Rome, where it is supposed to be set! But Ridley Scott has really made a great job of it: the people, the places, the atmosphere, regardless of some historical details, reflect perfectly what Ancient Rome was like.

Is it true to say that Rome has been the setting of countless movies or parts of them? The answer is obviously yes! Take for instance Norman Jewison’s Only You. Some scenes are shot in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, the very heart of Rome’s most traditional suburb. The love story between the two main characters finds a splendid background in the local setting, which is traditionally considered extremely romantic, particularly at dusk.