ISCHIA IN THE MOVIES
ISCHIA IN THE MOVIES
A look at Ischia's incredible legacy in film & cinema. The island has been the filming location for more than 30 feature films with some of the biggest names in Hollywood having graced its shores.
The Cast-List of actors and actresses that have starred in movies set in Ischia reads like a who’s who of Hollywood legends.
The likes of Burt Lancaster, Richard Burton and Liz Taylor blazed a trail in the 50’s and 60’s before some of the modern greats such as Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow joined forces in The Talented Mr Ripley. So what is it about this small island that makes it pack such a big punch in the movies? We explore Ischia’s rich tradition in cinema with a look back at some of the highlights on the big screen and the stories behind the movies themselves…..
The likes of Burt Lancaster, Richard Burton and Liz Taylor blazed a trail in the 50’s and 60’s before some of the modern greats such as Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow joined forces in The Talented Mr Ripley. So what is it about this small island that makes it pack such a big punch in the movies? We explore Ischia’s rich tradition in cinema with a look back at some of the highlights on the big screen and the stories behind the movies themselves…..
Angelo Rizzoli
The star-studded list of Hollywood greats who have made movies in Ischia is impressive by any standards, but it is to a far lesser-known name that Ischia owes its place in Hollywood history and also its place as one of Italy’s most popular and stylish tourist destinations.
In the early 1950’s, a successful publisher by the name of Angelo Rizzoli, first visited the tiny fishing village of Lacco Ameno in Ischia. Rizzoli was quickly enamoured by the charms of Ischia which was in those days, underdeveloped and relied heavily on its fishing and agriculture in order to survive. The visionary Rizzoli embarked on an ambitious project to transform the beautiful yet sleepy island in to a chic holiday destination for celebrities of the day from the world of Finance, Politics and most notably, the world of cinema.
Rizzoli laid the foundations for modern-day Ischia’s tourist industry by building a Hospital (Ospedale Rizzoli), Hotels and Thermal Spas on the island but it was his work in the movies with his production company “Cinriz” that inspired film-makers to follow in his footsteps and to become smitten with Ischia’s natural charms and beauty.
In the early 1950’s, a successful publisher by the name of Angelo Rizzoli, first visited the tiny fishing village of Lacco Ameno in Ischia. Rizzoli was quickly enamoured by the charms of Ischia which was in those days, underdeveloped and relied heavily on its fishing and agriculture in order to survive. The visionary Rizzoli embarked on an ambitious project to transform the beautiful yet sleepy island in to a chic holiday destination for celebrities of the day from the world of Finance, Politics and most notably, the world of cinema.
Rizzoli laid the foundations for modern-day Ischia’s tourist industry by building a Hospital (Ospedale Rizzoli), Hotels and Thermal Spas on the island but it was his work in the movies with his production company “Cinriz” that inspired film-makers to follow in his footsteps and to become smitten with Ischia’s natural charms and beauty.
The Crimson Pirate - 1952
Ischia soon started to attract film-makers with its iconic locations such as Sant Angelo and Castello Aragonese and the Hollywood stars soon followed. In 1952, screen giant Burt Lancaster swashed his buckle in the comic romp “The Crimson Pirate”. The film was set in the Caribbean yet filmed in the studio at Teddington Studios in Middlesex and on location in Ischia.
Although it wasn’t strictly speaking the first film to be shot in Ischia, The Crimson Pirate was the first there to be made originally in English, following on from the smaller budget and lesser known earlier Italian efforts of “Il Corsaro Nero” (The Black Pirate) – 1937, Il Dottor Antonio (Doctor Antonio) – 1937, Campane a Martello – 1949, Il Mulatto – 1950 and La Scogliera del Peccato (The Cliff of Sin) also in 1950.
In the following trailer clips of The Crimson Pirate you can see Castello Aragonese as the backdrop (from 43 seconds in to about 55 seconds on the first clip) as an army of soldiers approach Ischia Ponte. The second clip is of the Italian dubbed version called “Il Corsaro dell’Isola Verde” and contains some more lengthy clips of Castello Aragonese.
But it was from this point onwards that the iconic jewel of Ischia became known to the wider world and the cache of the island started to grow.
Although it wasn’t strictly speaking the first film to be shot in Ischia, The Crimson Pirate was the first there to be made originally in English, following on from the smaller budget and lesser known earlier Italian efforts of “Il Corsaro Nero” (The Black Pirate) – 1937, Il Dottor Antonio (Doctor Antonio) – 1937, Campane a Martello – 1949, Il Mulatto – 1950 and La Scogliera del Peccato (The Cliff of Sin) also in 1950.
In the following trailer clips of The Crimson Pirate you can see Castello Aragonese as the backdrop (from 43 seconds in to about 55 seconds on the first clip) as an army of soldiers approach Ischia Ponte. The second clip is of the Italian dubbed version called “Il Corsaro dell’Isola Verde” and contains some more lengthy clips of Castello Aragonese.
But it was from this point onwards that the iconic jewel of Ischia became known to the wider world and the cache of the island started to grow.
Vacanze a Ischia - 1957
Angelo Rizzoli showed his versatility by producing two films set in Ischia in quick succession. In 1956 he created “Suor Letizia” a neo-realistic tale about a Nun who attempts to rescue an ailing monastery in Ischia. The black and white Suor Letizia was in stark contrast to the bright and cheerful rom-com “Vacanze a Ischia” (Holiday in Ischia) which showcased Ischia’s charms and attractions as a stylish holiday destination.
Although the film was made only in Italian, it’s possible to see from the clips below how Rizzoli used the film as a vehicle to promote Ischia’s tourist industry. In glorious technicolour you can see bronzed holiday-makers enjoying themselves in the trendy swimming pools and water-skiing around the Mushroom (Il Fungo) rock in Lacco Ameno which was where Rizzoli first arrived in Ischia and the town that was to first benefit from his ambitious plans.
It’s difficult to watch the film without being charmed and intrigued by the picture-postcard locations such as Sant’Angelo, Chiesa del Soccorso and Maronti Beach or by the ancient roman springs at Cava Scura, all filmed under perfect blue skies and Ischian sunshine.
Although the film was made only in Italian, it’s possible to see from the clips below how Rizzoli used the film as a vehicle to promote Ischia’s tourist industry. In glorious technicolour you can see bronzed holiday-makers enjoying themselves in the trendy swimming pools and water-skiing around the Mushroom (Il Fungo) rock in Lacco Ameno which was where Rizzoli first arrived in Ischia and the town that was to first benefit from his ambitious plans.
It’s difficult to watch the film without being charmed and intrigued by the picture-postcard locations such as Sant’Angelo, Chiesa del Soccorso and Maronti Beach or by the ancient roman springs at Cava Scura, all filmed under perfect blue skies and Ischian sunshine.
Le Plein Soleil/Purple Noon - 1960
Although not nearly as widely known as its modern re-make, the French adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel “The Talented Mr Ripley”, known in French as “Plein Soleil” and in English as “Purple Noon” is in many eyes the superior work.
The film shot French heartthrob Alain Delon on the road to fame with his portrayal of the character Tom Ripley but was also another feather in the cap for Ischia with many critics remarking on the brilliant cinematography which again showed some of the islands most iconic sights in their full glory.
Forty years later, the film was re-made as “The Talented Mr Ripley”, also shot partly in Ischia and starring Matt Damon in the lead role, but we’ll come back to that later in this article.
You can see a selection of clips from Purple Noon in the video below:
The film shot French heartthrob Alain Delon on the road to fame with his portrayal of the character Tom Ripley but was also another feather in the cap for Ischia with many critics remarking on the brilliant cinematography which again showed some of the islands most iconic sights in their full glory.
Forty years later, the film was re-made as “The Talented Mr Ripley”, also shot partly in Ischia and starring Matt Damon in the lead role, but we’ll come back to that later in this article.
You can see a selection of clips from Purple Noon in the video below:
Appuntamento a Ischia - 1960
Just a year after Purple Moon, Ischia was once again the star of the show in Appuntamento a Ischia . 60’s Italian pop-star Domenico Modugno (Nel Blu dipinto di Blu/aka Volare) croons his way through the movie, sent to Ischia by cause of a plot by his young daughter who wants him to marry a woman that she met.
The film winds its way around some of Ischia’s beauty- spots and focuses on the area around Lacco Ameno and its hotel La Reginella Isabella. It’s a light-hearted musical rom-com that again shows Ischia as a glamorous holiday destination.
The whole film is available below, and although an English translation is not available, you can see the island showcased after the 39th minute when the location switches to Ischia.
The film winds its way around some of Ischia’s beauty- spots and focuses on the area around Lacco Ameno and its hotel La Reginella Isabella. It’s a light-hearted musical rom-com that again shows Ischia as a glamorous holiday destination.
The whole film is available below, and although an English translation is not available, you can see the island showcased after the 39th minute when the location switches to Ischia.
Cleopatra - 1963
It was to a backdrop of moral outrage that the mega-budget historical epic Cleopatra began its filming in Ischia. The island was chosen as the setting for the spectacular barge scenes that depicted Cleopatra arriving in Tarsus, in full regalia and with an army of hand-maidens dressed in an array of flamboyant costumes.
The real drama however, was being created in real-life by the film’s two main protagonists and Hollywood legends. Just a few months before filming arrived in Ischia, the pair – both married at the time (not to each other!) were filming together in Rome when they started to conduct a love affair in full public view. With the Paparazzi in hot pursuit, the pair continued their affair, seemingly careless and impervious to the scandalised headlines they were creating around the world.
Cleopatra was an artistic triumph, winning 4 oscars, but a financial disaster as costs spiralled out of control and despite its huge popularity among viewers it is one of hollywoods biggest financial failures.
You can see the some of the barge scenes referred to above in the following clips:
The real drama however, was being created in real-life by the film’s two main protagonists and Hollywood legends. Just a few months before filming arrived in Ischia, the pair – both married at the time (not to each other!) were filming together in Rome when they started to conduct a love affair in full public view. With the Paparazzi in hot pursuit, the pair continued their affair, seemingly careless and impervious to the scandalised headlines they were creating around the world.
Cleopatra was an artistic triumph, winning 4 oscars, but a financial disaster as costs spiralled out of control and despite its huge popularity among viewers it is one of hollywoods biggest financial failures.
You can see the some of the barge scenes referred to above in the following clips:
After the Fox - 1966
Ischia was again chosen as the perfect location in 1966, this time for the movie “After the Fox” starring Peter Sellers, his wife at the time Britt Ekland and Victor Mature who was persuaded to come out of retirement to star in the spoof cult-classic.
In the clip below, Sellers can be seen “Directing” Victor Mature in his role as an egocentric Italian film director. The scene is shot in the picturesque fishing village of Sant’Angelo on the strip of beach that links the island to the giant rock in the bay.
Although at the time of release the movie was widely criticised, it subsequently gained a cult following with its thinly-veiled swipes at some of the movie-world’s biggest egos such as Federico Fellini, Cecil B. de Mille and John Huston.
In the clip below, Sellers can be seen “Directing” Victor Mature in his role as an egocentric Italian film director. The scene is shot in the picturesque fishing village of Sant’Angelo on the strip of beach that links the island to the giant rock in the bay.
Although at the time of release the movie was widely criticised, it subsequently gained a cult following with its thinly-veiled swipes at some of the movie-world’s biggest egos such as Federico Fellini, Cecil B. de Mille and John Huston.
Avanti/Che cosa e successo tra mio padre e tua madre - 1972
Jack Lemmon and Juliet Mills starred in the Golden Gobe winning comedy Avanti, in 1972. Lemmon played the role of the son of a rich industrialist who spent every August in Ischia enjoying therapeutic mud-baths at The Grand Hotel Excelsior. Lemmon travels to Ischia after his Dad dies in an accident and starts a romantic affair with Juliet Mills who plays the role of the daughter of the woman that Lemmon’s father was having an affair with.
Ischia Porto, Lacco Ameno and The Grand Hotel Excelsior feature throughout the movie and can be seen in some of the clips in the video below:
Ischia Porto, Lacco Ameno and The Grand Hotel Excelsior feature throughout the movie and can be seen in some of the clips in the video below:
The Talented Mr Ripley - 1999
Hollywood director Anthony Minghella created a second adaptation of the book “The Talented Mr Ripley” with his film of the same name. As mentioned earlier on in this article, the first film adaptation of the same book was created 40 years before and called Purple Moon starring Alain Delon in the role of Tom Ripley but to modern day cinema-goers, it is instead Matt Damon with whom they associate the role of Ripley.
The 1999 version of the film which also starred Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, was partly shot in location in Ischia and also neighbouring Procida. These dual locations are referred to as the fictional town of “Mongibello” and depict the part of the story where Tom Ripley tricks Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow) into believing that he is an old school buddy and embarks on his task to persuade playboy Greenleaf to return to work for his father in the USA.
The villa in which Dickie and Marge live and are later joined by Tom is a house in Ischia Ponte whilst the scenes involving Dickie’s tragic affair with the local girl Silvana are filmed in nearby Procida.
Opinion remains split on which of the two adaptations deserves the greater merit, but in both films Ischia performs its role as a glamorous backdrop to perfection.
You can see some of the clips mentioned in the following video:
The 1999 version of the film which also starred Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, was partly shot in location in Ischia and also neighbouring Procida. These dual locations are referred to as the fictional town of “Mongibello” and depict the part of the story where Tom Ripley tricks Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow) into believing that he is an old school buddy and embarks on his task to persuade playboy Greenleaf to return to work for his father in the USA.
The villa in which Dickie and Marge live and are later joined by Tom is a house in Ischia Ponte whilst the scenes involving Dickie’s tragic affair with the local girl Silvana are filmed in nearby Procida.
Opinion remains split on which of the two adaptations deserves the greater merit, but in both films Ischia performs its role as a glamorous backdrop to perfection.
You can see some of the clips mentioned in the following video:
Further film successes
After the success of The Talented Mr Ripley, Ischia starred in three further feature-length movies. In 2003, popular Italian Director/Actor Leonardo Pieraccioni created and starred in Il Paradiso all’Improvisso (Sudden Paradise) – a romantic comedy set in Ischia, whilst 2008 saw a further two movies made in the same year - another Italian comedy “Un Estate al Mare” was followed by the French drama “Villa Amalia” in which a woman who finds her husband has been having an affair, flees to Ischia for spiritual inspiration and befriends a local woman who shows her a different way of life.
MOST RECENTLY : AND WHILE WE WERE HERE (2012)
The appetite for making movies in Ischia seems insatiable to this day. As recently as 2012, award-winning America film director Kat Coiro pitched up in Ischia to create "And While We Were Here", a romantic drama starring American actress Kate Bosworth, previously famed for her roles in Superman Returns (2006) and Beyond The Sea (2004).
Bosworth plays the role as Kate, a writer unhappy with her life she shares with her husband, Leonard (played by Iddo Goldberg) who seems oblivious to her needs. The story takes an interesting turn when Jane, fleeing from the tedium of spending time with her husband in their hotel room, takes a walk through the streets of Ischia Ponte before bumping into Caleb, played by Jamie Blackley.
The cheeky Caleb at first masquerades as an Italian before revealing that he is in fact American and the two embark on an affair that takes places principally around Ischia where the film was mainly shot and then also in Naples.
The film won critical acclaim, chosen to be the official selection for both the Tribeca Film Festival and the Locarno International film festival but these notable achievements aside, it was widely panned by film-goers, scoring a mediocre 5.6 on IMDB and 43% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Whether you like the film or not, it does once again showcase the beauty of Ischia and it's easy to see why so many producers and directors choose the island as the backdrop to their films. Click on the link below for the movie trailer.
Bosworth plays the role as Kate, a writer unhappy with her life she shares with her husband, Leonard (played by Iddo Goldberg) who seems oblivious to her needs. The story takes an interesting turn when Jane, fleeing from the tedium of spending time with her husband in their hotel room, takes a walk through the streets of Ischia Ponte before bumping into Caleb, played by Jamie Blackley.
The cheeky Caleb at first masquerades as an Italian before revealing that he is in fact American and the two embark on an affair that takes places principally around Ischia where the film was mainly shot and then also in Naples.
The film won critical acclaim, chosen to be the official selection for both the Tribeca Film Festival and the Locarno International film festival but these notable achievements aside, it was widely panned by film-goers, scoring a mediocre 5.6 on IMDB and 43% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Whether you like the film or not, it does once again showcase the beauty of Ischia and it's easy to see why so many producers and directors choose the island as the backdrop to their films. Click on the link below for the movie trailer.
THE Ischia Film Festival & ISCHIA GLOBAL FILM & MUSIC FEST
As if to underline its role in movie history, Ischia has had its own Film Festival since 2003, with the 11th annual event taking place between 27th June and 4th July this year (2015). Fittingly, the Festival is devoted to the art of film location and attracts stars from every part of the world and from every facet of film production.
Shortly after the Ischia Film Festival, the island is then home to the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest, an arguably larger affair with a whole host of Hollywood stars visiting the island to attend a series of public open-air screenings of the nominated films.
Shortly after the Ischia Film Festival, the island is then home to the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest, an arguably larger affair with a whole host of Hollywood stars visiting the island to attend a series of public open-air screenings of the nominated films.
Punching above its weight
Given the rich history and legacy that Ischia has given to the film industry, it comes as no surprise that the island holds a special place in the hearts of movie fans all around the world. From stylish dramas to romantic comedies, Ischia has proven to be a massive success in its role as a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to the scenes being played out on the screen.
Tourists and movie-buffs alike continue to be fascinated to walk in the footsteps of their film star heroes and heroines from times past and present. When you consider this incredible film legacy as well as the myriad of other attractions that Ischia has to offer such as the Thermal Spas, the Incredible views, the food, the sunshine and of course the warm welcome of the Ischian people – it makes a trip to the island the easiest decision you will ever make.
Dion Protani
Ischia Review
Tourists and movie-buffs alike continue to be fascinated to walk in the footsteps of their film star heroes and heroines from times past and present. When you consider this incredible film legacy as well as the myriad of other attractions that Ischia has to offer such as the Thermal Spas, the Incredible views, the food, the sunshine and of course the warm welcome of the Ischian people – it makes a trip to the island the easiest decision you will ever make.
Dion Protani
Ischia Review
SEE ALSO:
ISCHIA FILM FESTIVAL
This year's Ischia Film Festival takes place between 27th June and 4th July. We keep you up to date with all the latest news, gossip and photos of the event.
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ischia global film & music fest
This year's Ischia Global Film & Music Fest takes place between 11th and 19th July. Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip and photos of the event by clicking on the image above.
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