"Roman Holiday” by William Wyler (1953)
The first movie that comes to mind when thinking of Rome is Roman Holiday. The classic romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck that won Hepburn an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film was also nominated for 10 Oscars and won 3 of them.
Roman Holiday will have you drive around Rome touring some of the most charming streets and landmarks, including The Spanish Steps, the Mouth of Truth, Via Condotti, and the Trevi Fountain. The comedy is a perfect match for a lazy night at home with friends or family or for a cappuccino on a Sunday morning.
“The Bicycle Thieves” by Vittorio De Sica (1948)
The Bicycle Thieves tells the story of a poor man that roams Roman streets in search of his bicycle. The movie received an Academy Honorary Award and a Golden Globe as Best Foreign Film, and is regarded as a masterpiece of Italian neorealism.
The movie was filmed on slightly unusual locations such as the bridge on the Via Nomentana Nuova, Piazzale di Porta Pia, Via del Corso, and Porta Portese. Explore the entire city with the characters!
“Three Coins in the Fountain” by Jean Negulesco (1954)
The American romantic comedy starring Clifton Webb and Dorothy McGuire tells the story of three American women working in Rome and dreaming about finding their Romeos.
The movie is worth watching, if only because of the amazing soundtrack by Frank Sinatra, the perfect background song to long walks across the city from one Roman fountain to another.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Antony Minghella (1999)
A mysterious movie, starring Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow, The Talented Mr. Ripley is maybe the best adaption of Patricia Highsmith’s novel. From New York City to Rome, Mr. Ripley sets off on a long journey to accomplish his mission. In Italy, tables turn, and viewers are left hanging as they roam Roman streets with the characters, hiding somewhere between Piazza Navona and The Spanish Steps.
“La Dolce Vita” by Federico Fellini (1960)
La Dolce Vita ("the sweet life") is an Italian tragicomedy about a journalist’s discovery of the Roman “sweet life” in search of love and happiness. La Dolce Vita won the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival and an Oscar for Best Costumes.
Get cozy and dream of your own love story as you follow the characters in their long walks, glamorous evenings, and romantic dinners in the heart of Rome.
“The Great Beauty” by Paolo Sorrentino (2013)
"To travel is very useful, it makes the imagination work, the rest is just delusion and pain. Our journey is entirely imaginary, which is its strength." (Louis-Ferdinand Céline, Journey to the End of the Night)
The long walk of an aging writer (Toni Servillo) down memory lane lets the viewer discover Roman monuments, crowded streets and silent places. The film won the Academy awards,the Golden Globe,and the BAFTA award as the Best Foreign Language Film.
If you are interested in cinema, learn more about studying Communications in Rome!
Anastasiia Komarova
Communications Major
Class of 2018
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
