The Best Movies set in Venice Italy

Get in the Mood with Great Films - Dramas, Comedies, Travel Shows

Jul 14, 2009 Christina Gregoire

These are some of the best movies to rent before a Venice vacation. Why not get in the mood with great films, including: Dramas, comedies, and travel shows.

Here are some of the best movies to rent before a Venice vacation. Travelers, who want to start their holiday ahead of time, can get in the mood or plan for their upcoming trip, with these great films. There are amazing dramas, comedies, and travel shows for every taste.

The Best Movies for Drama Lovers

The Merchant of Venice:

From Shakespeare's Play
2004, Rated R
Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes

This is a beautiful version of Shakespeare’s drama about passion and justice, and it's, also, a painless way to understand a bit of Venice's societal history. The movie is set in 16th Century Venice. And, many believe that Al Pacino’s portrayal of the Jewish merchant is the best performance of his life. The acting is so good throughout, that even those with no knowledge of Shakespeare’s old English verse, should be able to follow the author’s intent.

The Merchant of Venice is not appropriate for people with a short attention span and the language is difficult. There are topless women in one or two scenes. Filmed in Venice Italy.

Dangerous Beauty:

1998, Rated R
Jacqueline Bisset, Rufus Sewell, Catherine McCormack

This gorgeous period romance is set in 16th century Venice and is a Hollywood version of a true story. The historical heroine, Veronica Franco, is left with only two choices in her young life: Become a nun or a courtesan. She refuses to join a convent, and Veronica rises to power in Europe's major center, Venice. She becomes the most famous courtesan of her time and, then, the Vatican accuses her of witchcraft.

This is one of the best movies for a look at Venice Italy during its decadent peak, mixed with some Italian history. It is filmed in Venice and Rome. Dangerous Beauty contains nudity.

Summertime:

1955, Unrated
Katharine Hepburn, directed by David Lean
This movie is titled Summer Madness in the UK

Katharine Hepburn plays a vulnerable American Spinster who falls for a married antiques dealer in Venice, Italy. This is a great movie for women who like to travel independently, especially those who hope for vacation romance. Katharine Hepburn gives an honest performance, showing bittersweet melancholy and a sense of loneliness, while surrounded by such a beautiful, but past its prime, European city. This is one of the best movies for women and is much more evocative than Roman Holiday.

Summertime, a picture postcard perfect movie, is filmed in Venice.

Romantic Comedies for Venice Vacations

Bread and Tulips:

2000, PG 13
Foreign, Italian with subtitles

An unhappy housewife is left behind when her family rides off on the tour bus without her. She hitchhikes to Venice to meet up with her husband, but, instead, gets a job and starts a new life for herself. She works for a lonely, suicidal waiter and they become more than friends.

This foreign comedy is clever and amusing; and it captures the charming back streets and narrow passageways of Venice. While Bread and Tulips can be a bit obvious in its plot, it's a great way to get ready for a Venice vacation. Filmed in Venice.

Only You:

1994, PG
Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr.

A young girl is told that she is destined to marry a man named Damon Bradley. Years later, she is engaged, but gets a phone call from someone named Damon Bradley, so the young woman runs off, with her best friend, to Italy to track him down. They fearlessly follow the phantom fellow around Italy, narrowly missing him at every turn.

Only you is a cute, satisfying chick flick, and it's a great movie for adventurous romantics. Filmed in Venice, Rome, and Positano, Italy.

Documentaries for Travel and Italian History

Rick Steves: Italy's Cities 2000 - 2009:

2009, Unrated
Rick Steves

Rick Steves is known for his popular PBS travel series about Europe and guide books such as: Rick Steves' Italy and Rick Steves' Venice. He also has free information on his website, at the graffiti wall. This travel show covers Italy's major cities: Venice, Florence, Naples, and Rome. And, the DVD has a whole section devoted to Venice and the surrounding areas in Veneto, such as Padua, Verona, and Ravenna.

The travel show, Rick Steves: Italy's Cities 2000 - 2009, is a good rental for anyone who loves to explore. Take notes.

Ancient Mysteries: The Miraculous Canals of Venice:

2005, Not Rated
A & E
Narrated by Leonard Nemoy

This documentary is about more than just the Grand Canal; it covers the rise and fall of Venice, though the acceptance of the canals, for water transportation, is what permitted the city to prosper. Learn about this amazing, enticing city, and how it was built on a swamp, with a foundation of nothing more than pylons. The Miraculous Canals of Venice is filled with history, maps, architecture, and beautiful photography, and it explains why Venice is sinking.

All of these movies can be found at Netflix.com.

The Merchant of Venice, Dangerous Beauty, and Summertime are some of the best movies to get travelers in the mood for a Venice vacation. For something other than dramas, try Bread and Tulips or Only You for light romantic comedy. Rent Rick Steves: Italy's Cities 2000 - 2009 and The Miraculous Canals of Venice to see great documentary information about travel and history. All of these DVDs are wonderful for armchair travelers, as well as for romantics, everywhere.

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