Movies Set in Italy
Ranked #134 in Travel & Places, #6,714 overall
English-Language Movies Filmed in Italy
These films and movies set in Italy
It is easy to see why so many people fall for the charms of Italy, whether the Alpine regions of the far north, the eternal city of Rome, or the sunbaked landscapes of the south and Sicily.
Some of these movies filmed in (or mostly in) Italy may be familiar to you. Others might be new. All of them have English dialogue except in brief scenes with local people (normally subtitled). And each will reveal a little of the beauty and warmth of this boot-shaped country in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sunflower image courtesy of morgueFile.com.
Sunflower field in Umbria, Italy
Florence, Tuscany: A Room with a View
Period drama romance of the early 1900s
The Story
This elegant Merchant-Ivory period drama based on a novel by E.M. Forster explores the adventures of a young Englishwoman in Florence in the early 1900s.
The story opens as Lucy Honeychurch, sheltered and restrained by English social conventions, arrives at a small guest house in Florence with her travelling companion, a fussy older cousin. Among the odd collection of guests are a rather unconventional Englishman and his son, who exchange rooms with Lucy and her cousin so that the ladies might have a view.
Lucy and the young man, George Emerson, find themselves coming in contact again as Lucy explores Florence and becomes aware of the more passionate undercurrents of life. Italy reveals to her first violence and then romance, unexpectedly calling into question the future that has been mapped out for her.
Locations in Italy
This movie was filmed on location in Florence in Tuscany and in England. The Florentine scenes include Piazza Sante Croce and inside the church, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio. The famous kiss in the meadow scene takes place at Fiesole, a hill town just outside Florence. Filming also took place at the grand Villa di Maiano near Fiesole.
Florence, movie location of A Room with a View
Discover A Room with a View on DVD
The Merchant-Ivory Classic of love blossoming in Italy
The Merchant-Ivory film of A Room with a View was released in 1985 and stars Helena Bonham-Carter as Lucy, with co-stars Julian Sands as George Emerson, Maggie Smith as the cousin and chaperone Charlotte Bartlett, Dame Judi Dench as the writer Miss Lavish, and an almost unknown Daniel Day-Lewis as Lucy's fiance Cecil.
The classic story was remade for television in 2007, with Elaine Cassidy starring as Lucy opposite Rafe Spall as George Emerson (his father Timothy Spall playing Mr Emerson).
Watch A Room with a View if you love costume drama and Merchant-Ivory productions.
A Room With a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $73.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Used Price: $38.95
Tuscany: Under the Tuscan Sun
Based on a true life story of an American's new life in Italy
The Story
This sunny and funny movie set in Tuscany is partially based on the best-selling novel of the same name by author Frances Mayes, although there are also many differences between the book and the movie.
In the movie version, wealthy but heart-broken recent divorcee Frances takes a trip to Tuscany on a gay bus tour, a gift from her friends. While there, she discovers a neglected villa 'Bramasole' for sale and makes an impluse purchase. So begins her restoration of this lovely Tuscan villa and the creation of the life she wishes she had... and that slowly begins to come to her.
In the process she has a whirlwind romance with the wrong man before discovering what she truly wants from life. The message of this film seems to be that in restoring the Tuscan villa she at the same time restores her true self.
Locations in Italy
The real life villa restored by Mayes is in the town of Cortona in Tuscany. She now owns a second property in the area in addition to Bramasole. Discover more in this interview with Frances Mayes.
In the movie, filming is on location in Tuscany, Rome and Positano.
Cortona, movie location of Under the Tuscan Sun
Discover Under the Tuscan Sun on DVD
A romantic drama set in a beautiful Italian landscape
Under the Tuscan Sun was released in 2003 and stars Diane Lane as Frances. The men in her new life are played by Vincent Riotta and Raoul Bova.
Watch Under the Tuscan Sun for the stunning Italian locations which have been beautifully captured and are arguably the true star of this movie. Also ideal for any lover of 'chick flicks' who likes romance and escapism, with some laughs thrown in.
Avoid if you are upset by cliches and stereotypes and by an over-romantic view of life in a new country.
Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $5.76 (as of 06/02/2012)
Used Price: $2.33
Under the Tuscan Sun trailer
Umbria: My House in Umbria
Drama about a collection of individuals thrown together in an Umbrian villa
The Story
An odd collection of individuals gather in the Umbrian home of a rather eccentric English author to recuperate following a terrorist attack, a traumatised little girl among them. The villa sits in beautiful gardens in a maginificent Umbrian landscape that is not just a backdrop but a key element of the movie.
Indeed, in this film about human conflict and healing, it is the beauty of Umbrian countryside that brings these flawed and suffering characters together and unites them.
Locations in Italy
As the title suggests, the locations of this film are intended to represent Umbria. However, portions of this movie were filmed in San Casciano (Siena) in nearby Tuscany with some studio filming in Rome. Tuscany and Umbria have smilar landscapes so the magic of the Umbrian countryside is still very believable.
Umbria, setting for My House in Umbria
Discover My House in Umbria on DVD
A gentle thriller in the magical Umbrian countryside in Italy
Dame Maggie Smith is the highly-acclaimed star of this movie, playing the flawed but kind-hearted hostess of the survivors. Her co-stars include the late British comedian Ronnie Barker, Timothy Spall (Harry Potter series and Oscar-winner Chris Cooper (Adaptation), as well as Joyeux Noel star Benno Fürmann. The little girl Aimee is played by Emmy Clarke who more recently played Julie Teeger in the Monk series.
My House in Umbria was released in 2003.
This highly-rated movie will appeal to all who enjoy a finely crafted human drama played out against a magnificent Italian backdrop. Maggie Smith fans will enjoy her acting talents put to use in playing a less than pristine character, and anyone who loves Italy will enjoy the cinematography. This may not be for you if you want a light 'chick flick' or something fast-paced.
My House in Umbria
Amazon Price: $4.28 (as of 06/02/2012)
Used Price: $3.25
My House in Umbria trailer
Lake Como: A Month by the Lake
Romantic Comedy in the Italian Lakes
The Story
Lake Como is quite simple a stunning Italian movie location, as this film shows. This romantic comedy has a collection of individuals each pursuing the wrong love interest during the month of April 1937.
Middle-aged Englishwoman Miss Bentley finds herself fending off the amorous advances of a handsome young Italian. Her own interest lies in the wealthy Major Wilshaw. However, he can't take his eyes off the flirtatious young American woman, Miss Beaumont.
The warm springtime sun and shimmering Italian lake create the perfect setting for this comedy of misplaced affections.
Locations in Italy
Filmed on location on Lake Como in Lombary, in the north of Italy. Lake Como has for many years been a retreat for the wealthy and today a number of celebrities have homes there.
Vintage postcard of Lake Como, movie location for A Month by the Lake
Discover A Month by the Lake on DVD
Charming tale set in a picturesque Italian lakeside resort
A Month by the Lake stars Vanessa Redgrave as Miss Bentley opposite Edward Fox as the Major. Uma Thurman is the beautiful American girl who distracts him. The Italian is played by Alessandro Gassman (Transporter 2).
The movie was released in 1996.
One to watch if you are looking for a gentle and funny romance played out between more mature characters. Or simply see it for the gorgeous scenes of Lake Como. Viewers have given mixed reviews of the script with most loving it but some viewers being left cold, but the Lake Como location is in any case magical.
A Month by the Lake
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Used Price: $7.31
A Month by the Lake trailer
Lake Como
Which of these movies set in Italy do you like best?
Seen them? Recommend them?
Discover Movies set in Italy
The latest news and gossip
- Sleep in splendor at an Italian castle
- By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY MONTAGNANA, Italy ? This country is like the prettiest, most popular girl in high school. She wasn't necessarily the nicest person, but she didn't have to be. Everyone wanted to be in her orbit, regardless.
- Want a front-row seat? She can get it and more
- Another couple from Plantation embarked last year on a one-of-a-kind trip to Italy, where Crawford set them up in a private villa at the former home of world-renowned movie and opera director Franco Zeffirelli. The couple spent several days on a ...
- Rupesh Paul is all set to direct Kamasutra
- Mollywood director Rupesh Paul is all set direct a tale of love, which borders on sexuality. Though the film is titled Kamasutra, the director says it has nothing to do with Meera Nair's 1996 movie. "It is going to be an entirely different movie and ...
More Movies Set in Italy
You might also enjoy these films in (and about) Italy
Reader Suggestions for Italian Location Films
Thanks for the recommendations
Stunning Italian Scenery
Scenes from Bella Italia
Want to make your own Squidoo page...
and earn some money too?
It's fun and easy to write for Squidoo, costs nothing,
and might make you some money too.
If you don't yet have a Squidoo account,
simply join here to rate pages or to create your own!
Have You been to any of these Movie Locations in Italy?
Would you like to?
-
-
vikksimmons
Apr 27, 2012 @ 4:19 pm | delete
- What, no Michaelangelo with The Agony and the Ecstasy? I mean, Charlton Heston played the heroic artist and the late great Rex Harrison did a stellar job as Pope Julius and it was set in Rome amongst great beauty. :) Great page!
-
-
-
WordCustard
Apr 27, 2012 @ 4:20 pm | delete
- Ah Vikk, I've had so many great suggestions (not least this one) that I definitely need to make a sequel to this page!
-
-
-
JoshK47
Apr 9, 2012 @ 9:17 am | delete
- I'm afraid not - but I'd certainly like to! Blessed by a SquidAngel!
-
-
-
---Chazz
Apr 6, 2012 @ 10:43 am | delete
- Great choices. We have a particular fondness for films shot in Venice -- and have seen some good to excellent ones (Summertime, Everyone says I love you, Wings of the Dove come to mind) but also have sat through some very bad movies with a beautiful setting.
-
-
-
oxfordian
Nov 29, 2011 @ 9:43 pm | delete
- I'm amazed that I knew all the movies you talked about!! I had a hard time choosing which one out of the first group you picked to vote for because I liked them all. My all-time favorites are Roman Holiday and Dangerous Beauty (the later being a true story too -- in fact, the leading character, Veronica Franco had a friend, who was also a courtesan, who lived with Edward De Vere (the man who was Shakespeare) during the year he lived in Venice. Very nice lens! I love it.
-
-
-
dolcevitavillas
Aug 14, 2011 @ 7:33 am | delete
- This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
-
-
-
Rankography
Jul 30, 2011 @ 5:25 pm | delete
- nice lens, but have some others. some of my favorite are The Italian Job, Ronin, Dangerous Beauty, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Roman Holiday.
-
-
-
WordCustard
Jul 31, 2011 @ 6:05 am | delete
- Many thanks, great suggestions. I've now added them!
-
-
-
italy-travel
Jul 28, 2011 @ 10:20 am | delete
- I've been to all these locations, but I would suggest you another English-language movies set in Italy. Genova by M.Winterbottom, Miracle at S.anna by Spike Lee and the next film by Woody Allen, "the wrong picture" (but the title isn't definitive). Have you seen it another movies set on different Italian locations?
-
-
-
WordCustard
Jul 31, 2011 @ 6:05 am | delete
- Thanks very much -- added!
-
- Load More
Learn More About the Author
WordCustard's Bio... and how to work with me
It's easy to see why I love Squidoo -- I get paid to write about my passions! These include face painting, dance, European travel, photography, and more. Click on my picture if you'd like to join me here.
I'm a member of Squidoo's Giant 100 Club which means that I have over 100 unique and high quality web pages here on Squidoo. You can also find me writing for other sites on the web.
See the full list of topics I have written about: WordCustard on Squidoo.
If you'd like to hire me for an online project, pay a visit to WordCustard: freelance writer to discover how I can help you.
About my Avatar: When I first joined Squidoo I used a photo of a smiling green pear that I had made myself. So you may well see a pear somewhere on my pages. Here in my bio I'm using an awesome avatar created just for me by the talented graphic designer and Squidoo writer arncyn.
Copyright Notice:
No part of this page may be copied or rewritten.
All images copyright of their owners and used
within stated terms of their respective licences.
Quick View Guide to Movies Set in Italy
Click to jump back up
- Florence, Tuscany: A Room with a View
- A Room with a View -- TV Adaptation
- Tuscany: Under the Tuscan Sun
- Under the Tuscan Sun trailer
- Umbria: My House in Umbria
- My House in Umbria trailer
- Lake Como: A Month by the Lake
- A Month by the Lake trailer
- Which of these movies set in Italy do you like best?
- Discover Movies set in Italy
- More Movies Set in Italy
- Reader Suggestions for Italian Location Films
- Stunning Italian Scenery
- Want to make your own Squidoo page...
- Have You been to any of these Movie Locations in Italy?
by WordCustard
Discover the magical Italian countryside, lakes and cities in this selection of movies set in Italy.
Explore related pages
- Tiziano Ferro: Songs, News, Videos and More Tiziano Ferro: Songs, News, Videos and More
- The Best of Opera Singer Andrea Bocelli The Best of Opera Singer Andrea Bocelli
- The Visitor: Movie Review The Visitor: Movie Review
- The Best Ballet Movies: From The Red Shoes to Black Swan The Best Ballet Movies: From The Red Shoes to Black Swan
- Movies Set in Scotland Movies Set in Scotland
- Movie Musicals Quiz: The Sound of Music Movie Musicals Quiz: The Sound of Music
Discover Italy
One of the world's most beautiful countries
Visions of Italy
Amazon Price: $21.89 (as of 06/02/2012)
Take a journey through Italy as seen from the air. Join this musical journey as you explore the different regions of this lovely country. Very highly-rated.
Movies Set in Scotland
Discover Scotland through Films
Take the Mamma Mia! Quiz
Seen it? Loved it? Discover Mamma Mia trivia here
