AHH Venice … a city of mystery and romance; with its labyrinthine streets, footbridges and canals, you never know where you will end up. It is a dreamy city, it would seem, that was made for the motion pictures.
One of the most famous films shot on location in Venice is a film that I have to date not seen, Don’t Look Now, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. As much as I am admirer of the works of Daphne du Maurier (whose story upon which this based). Several years ago, I caught a glimpse of the scene at the end with Donald Sutherland the ‘girl in the red raincoat’ and immediately removed it from my memory bank – just thinking about it makes me shudder. Don’t look now – indeed.
But along with the dark, there is the light; here are some of my favorite films set and shot in Venice:
Casino Royale (2006) the film that brought Bond back.
The Italian Job (2003) a rather fun, action-packed heist film directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday); remake of 1969 British film of the same name (starring Michael Caine). The 2003 version stars Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def and Donald Sutherland.
Summertime (1955) directed by David Lean and starring Katherine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi. An equally moving and beautiful story about a not-so-young woman who finds love while on vacation in Venice. Based on the stage play The Time of the Cuckoo by Arthur Laurents.
The Wings of the Dove (1997); see previous entry.
Italian for Beginners (2000) directed by Lone Scherfig (One Day, An Education). An enjoyable Danish film about a disparate group of villagers who band together and continue with their Italian lessons after their teacher dies. Not so fun fact: in 2010, Scherfig revealed that the plot was ‘borrowed’ from Irish author Maeve Binchy’s novel Evening Class (source: Wikipedia).
Of course there are several films that I have left off the list; but that is simply because I have not seen them – but maybe YOU have.
Let me know some of your favorite films set in Venice?
I close with a few more snaps from a trip to Venice.
ruth says
I LOVE the Venice scenes in Casino Royale, and the scenes in this enchanting city is one of the very few worthy things about The Tourist. I think Dangerous Beauty also have some beautiful shots of Venice. Nice pick of a city, Iba, I always treasure my time in Venice from a few years back. Our hotel room actually got upgraded so that it has a view of the canal!
iluvcinema says
Unfortunately I have not seen Dangerous Beauty. How was it? Wasn’t Rufus Sewell in it?
Alas we only spent a day there … but it was a nice day (side trip from Florence).
Any plans to go back?
Yvette says
The PBS series, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED has some beautiful and rather melancholy Venice scenes in it in one of the early episodes. Just gorgeous.
Also, of course, DEATH IN VENICE. Though the Venice shown in this film is rather gloomy.
By the way, a terrific series of books set in Venice are the Commissario Brunetti books by Donna Leon. If you enjoy mysteries, fine wine, good food and intelligent writing , then these are the books for you. 🙂
iluvcinema says
Thanks for the recommendations Yvette! I have not seen any those films unfortunately. I know there was a television adaptation of Casanova and also the Casanova with Heath Ledger but I have not seen either of those.
Eric says
I went to Venice a couple years back. It really is a beautiful and unique city. I loved all of the small roads and alleyways, though it was a bit too easy to get lost. 🙂 I can’t recall very many movies set there, so it would be fun to check out some of the ones on your list and compare them with my time there. Casino Royale is one I definitely plan on seeing soon.
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iluvcinema says
The one thing I would say that it is lovely, but for obvious reasons the best smelling place. I absolutely loved walking into dead ends. For such a small city you can discover so much!