The 5 Most Iconic Movie Locations In Italy. Whether or not your cinematic experience takes you to Ancient Rome, the origins of the mafia or the canals of Venice, Italy has been used to film some of Hollywood’s most recognisable movies. Take a look at our list of iconic Italian movie locations to see if your favourite actors, films or directors have come to our country.
Ischia
As seen in
Cleopatra (1963), The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)
This small, volcanic island off the coast of Naples has featured in some iconic cinematic moments throughout the history of Hollywood. Most recently, Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting) filmed there for The Talented Mr Ripley.
Most famously, it played host to several major scenes in the 1962 epic Cleopatra, which won four Oscars and starred Elizabeth Taylor (National Velvet) and Richard Burton (The Robe) as Cleopatra and Marc Antony. The most exciting romance happened in reality on Ischia Ponte, though; the stars began a love affair (despite each being married) on the set of the film.
Venice
As seen in
Casino Royale (2006), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Moonraker (1979)
Venice plays host to La Blennale, the oldest film festival in the world, so it’s no wonder that the beautiful city plays host to so many great cinematic moments.
Indiana Jones visited Venice in 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In this Steven Spielberg action-adventure, the eponymous hero (Harrison Ford) travelled to Italy in search of his father (Sean Connery) en route to the Holy Grail. Unfortunately for him, he found a bunch of Nazis instead!
Most recently, Venice was the location for the climax of the rebooted James Bond franchise and gambling adventure Casino Royale. This is not the first time that James Bond has visited the canals of Venice, though, as Roger Moore filmed a speedboat chase there for the 1979 film Moonraker. The fascinating world of gambling plays a central role in Casino Royale and with the many online gambling sites it is easy to try out at home before travelling to a real-life casino.
Matera
As seen in
The Passion of the Christ (2004), Ben Hur (2016)
Matera, Basilicata, is known as “la Città Sotterranea” and is well-known for its historical city centre, considered a World Heritage Site since 1993.
Because of Matera’s aesthetic, it has been the site of innumerable biblical epics. Most famously, Matera served as the climactic crucifixion scene in Mel Gibson’s controversial 2004 retelling of the story of Jesus, The Passion of the Christ.
Just recently, Matera was once again called upon to double as a biblical backdrop, this time to the 2016 remake of Ben Hur. The scenes taking place in Jerusalem were filmed in Matera.
Rome
As seen in
Mission: Impossible 3 (2006), Angels and Demons (2009), Eat Pray Love (2010),
Naturally, the capital of Italy has been the location for a huge number of films. When you think of films set in Rome, you think of all the cinematic masterpieces that have been set at the height of the Roman Empire. You might think of the likes of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000), the classic Spartacus (1960) or Ben Hur (1959).
However, Rome is such a well-known and beautiful city that many modern films also take place there. Tom Cruise’s third run as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise came to Rome, as did the Julia Roberts (Erin Brokovich) chick flick Eat Pray Love.
Angels and Demons, the adaptation of Dan Brown’s prequel to The Da Vinci Code, saw a lot of action in Rome, owing to the fact that Tom Hanks’ (Forrest Gump) character, Robert Langdon, investigates a murderous conspiracy at The Vatican.
Monte Gran Sasso
As seen in
Sergio Leone’s western movies
The term “spaghetti western” was coined by cinema critics to refer to the successful western films that are trendsetters in the cowboys and outlaws genre. The term refers to a huge number of western films that emerged in the 1960s following the success of Sergio Leone films such as A Fist Full of Dollars (1964).
They’re known as spaghetti westerns for two reasons: the genre was hugely influenced by Italian director Sergio Leone, and for budgetary reasons they were often filmed in Europe. While the deserts of Spain often served as the venue for a lot of Mexican and Texan stand-offs, Italy saw her fair share of gunslingers.
Valle del Treja, near Rome, played host to many a cowboy. Sardinia, Gran Sasso Mountain, Castelluccio and many more Italian locations were used for this ground-breaking genre to make classic western moves that are still iconic today.
