Seven Hills of Rome, The

The opening credits show the train ride by Mario Lanza as American singer Marc Revere from Monte Carlo to Rome, illustrated with various shots from the picturesque trunk line along the Italian Riviera between Genova and Pisa. And so we have provided extra stills of the train journey using Manuel G's railway expertise, along with his identifications. On the northern outskirts of Sestri Levante the southbound train leaves the offset tunnel portal of the two single-track tubes.

Sori with the view from above of the road bridge of the SS1 Via Aurelia and the railway viaduct of the main line Genova – Pisa across the Torrente di Sori. On the left side the clock tower of the Chiesa di Santa Margherita di Antiochia looms.

The same train from Capture 1. Actually this spot on the Via Aurelia at the southern outskirts of Cavi di Lavagna is located nearby the northern entrance of the same tunnel shown in Capture 1. In the centre background the beach called Bagni Giovanni can be recognised.

The view from above of the dominant and then three tracks railway viaduct in Zoagli, located next to the beach called Bagni Silvano. In the very background the coastline at Santa Margherita Ligure can be recognised. By the way, Tonino delli Colli later became famous as director of photography for "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly", "The Name of the Rose" and “Life Is Beautiful”.

This is still at Zoagli with the view from the Via Aurelia towards the viaduct with another southbound train. In the centre is the campanile of the Chiesa di San Martino, while in the foreground the cemetery chapel can be seen.

Until now a tricky location somewhere on the Tyrrhenian coast, certainly south of Genova because of the catenary type with an overhead wire of 3000 Volt DC. Maybe the railway viaduct with the nearby ancient watch tower gives a hint... And Manuel Gurtner has it. Facing along the main line south of Livorno, with a southbound train passing the nearby Torre di Calafuria, situated just next to the Via Aurelia. The watch tower was part of a complex defensive system that from Livorno extended along the southern coast of its current province. The tower can be seen also in Dino Risi's "Il sorpasso" (1962) with Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant.(SJ)

The view from the Via Aurelia towards the port of Bogliasco behind the striking viaduct with an northbound train. In the background on the right side the clock tower of the Chiesa della Natività di Maria Santissima can be recognised.

The train arrives in the main station Roma Termini. The then ultra-modern railway terminus, named after the nearby ancient Baths of Diocletian, was inaugurated in 1950.

Lanza, having helped out Allasio on the train, arrives at Roma Termini.

They decide to take a carriage from outside on the Piazza dei Cinquecento to take Alassio to her uncle's.

Unusually the striking Colosseo would be on the route to where they're heading.

But then they drift a little arriving at the Viale del Campo Boarle from the Via Nocolo Zabaglia rather than passing the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, which can be spotted to the right in the capture.

Allasio funds only rubble where her uncle once lived. This has since been built on.

Lanz suggests Alassio stays at his cousin's place quoted as Piazza Farnese.

And indeed it is. Rascle lives on the north-east side of the square. SJ

Lanza and Allasio arrive at their destination.

Near the corner of Via dei Ballauri. SJ

During the helicopter flight by Lanza and Allasio this FS electric multiple unit train from Frascati to Rome can be seen next to the Aqua Claudia, the ancient Roman aqueduct finished by Emperor Claudius. Details by Manuel.

After a glorious helicopter tour of unlikely-to-match aerial shots (see above), Rascel shows the two the sights, including the Piazza San Pietro, from the ground. The continuity suggests the helicopter drops them off here which would be very unlikely!

Looking to the south-east at dawn. SJ

They admire Bernini's colonnade.

It was quite tricky to match the perspective here. SJ

Another carriage drive, while Allasio sleeps off the rigours of the day's touring ... "They reach the Piazza di San Gregorio at the foot of the basilica Santi Andrea e Gregorio al Monte Celio, while in the farther background the distinctive administration building of the FAO headquarters can be recognised." Manuel

Google/MG (SJ)

This is just round the corner. Somewhere in the Gianicolo perhaps? ... "Not really, because the carriage travels up the ancient Clivo di Scauro archway to Caelian Hill, one of Rome's seven hills." Manuel, who's being very polite as this is to the south of the Colosseo, and my guess of the Gianicolo is the wrong side of the Tevere.

Google/MG (SJ)

Lanza does the round of clubs for a singing job.

No mistaking the Foro Traiano with half of Trajan's Column and the Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano in shot. SJ

Lanza turns the corner.

And this brings the Monumento Vittorio Emanuele II into shot. SJ

Lanza realises that his US fame holds no sway in a city of singers ... "He walks along Via della Pace in direction of the intersection with Via di Tor Millina and Via di Parione, while in the background the main entrance of the church Santa Maria della Pace is visible. But this is definitely not the way towards Piazza Navona." Manuel.

But it's close by just to the east of here, so he's not too lost! Google/MG (SJ)

He passes a selection of people going about their daily business singing along happily...

Manuel found the left corner by the northern end of Piazza Navona, just opposite of the Fountain of Neptune, completed in 1878 by Antonio della Bitta, as in the next capture. A temporary google shot. (SJ)

A pair are singing for money in the Piazza Navona. The location appears in several other productions including 'Locker Sixty Nine', 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow', 'Blue Murder at St. Trinian's', 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone', 'The Adventurers' and 'Rome Adventure'.

Lanza invites himself to join in.

A different time of day. SJ

And now is the moment for Arrivederci Roma.

Amateur night at Luiggi's (sic).

He finally catches up with Castle on the Via Vittorio Veneto.

Castle encourages him to stay at a party delivering him home late for his appointment.

Back at the Piazza Farnese. SJ

Lanza returns to the club visited before when looking for a singing job.

Just off the Foro Traiano. SJ

Allasio emerges from her class on the Spanish Steps. The location also features in 'Roman Holiday', 'Blue Murder at St. Trinian's', 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone', 'The Talented Mr Ripley', 'Light in the Piazza' and 'If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium' amongst many other productions.

Lanza awaits her.

She approaches.

Lanza and Allasio enjoy a union just below the Via Monte Tarpeio in the Foro Romano.