Tale of Tales

Date: 2015
Director: Matteo Garrone
Production Company: Archimede, Le Pacte, Rai Cinema

Stars: John C. Reilly, Salma Hayek, Toby Jones, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees, Vincent Cassel, Hayley Carmichael, Stacy Martin, Bebe Cave, Guillaume Delaunay, Shirley Henderson
Location(s): Abruzzo, Lazio, Sicily, Taranto, Tuscany

Region(s):

Storyline:

Based loosely on the fairytales of Giambattista Basile. It concerns three neighbouring kingdoms: Longtrellis, Highhills and Strongcliff.
The Queen of Longtrellis cares only for a child she can possess, the King of Highhills cares more for a flea than he does his own daughter, the King of Strongcliff caring only for the youth and beauty of his latest sexual conquest.

Additional Information:

Compiled by Neil Webster

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

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A circus troupe arrives at the Royal Castle of Longtrellis to entertain the King and Queen. Vialetto Corrado Arezzo de Spuches, Donnafugata, Sicily, Italy

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The Queen is told that to have a child, she must consume the heart of a sea monster. The King (John C Reilly) dons a diving suit and goes hunting. Gole dell'Alcantara, Catania (IMDb)

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Contented she now has the heart, the Queen (Salma Hayek) takes it to the royal kitchens. The King, mortally wounded in the battle, lies dead on the bank. Gole dell'Alcantara

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The King of Highhills (Toby Jones) en route to the funeral of the King of Longtrellis. Ponte della Maddalena (Devil's Bridge), Borgo a Mozzano, Tuscany

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The funeral procession. Castello di Donnafugata, Donnafugata, Sicily (IMDb)

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A queen alone. The Queen's son, Elias (Christian Lees), now 16, escapes his mother's grasp and rides off with his exiled twin Jonah (Jonah Lees). Labirinto, Castello di Donnafugata (IMDb)

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The twins explore the undersea kingdom together. Outdoor thermal pool at Hotel Niccolo' V, Strada Bagni, Viterbo

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The King of Strongcliff (Vincent Cassel) hears a woman singing nearby. (reversed shot) Castello Caetani di Sermoneta, Latina, Lazio

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Looking down on the mystery woman, Dora (Hayley Carmichael). Unidentified location, possibly Sermoneta

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Establishing (matted) shot of the Royal Castle in Highhills kingdom. Castel del Monte, Andria, Bari, Apulia (IMDb)

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Side view of the Queen of Longtrellis' castle. Castello di Donnafugata

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Babe in the wood. Dora (Stacy Martin), after being breast-fed by a kindly old crone, undergoes a miraculous rejuvenation. Bosco del Sasseto, Acquapendente, Viterbo (www.italymoviewalks.com/il-racconto-dei-racconti-italia-da-fiaba)

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At Highhills, the King organises a contest to win the hand of his daughter, Princess Violet (Bebe Cave). When an Ogre (Guillaume Delaunay) wins, Violet is distraught. The king tries to console her. Castel del Monte

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Valley of the Ogre. Gravina di Laterza, Via Selva S. Vito, Laterza, Taranto

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Back at the Ogre's cave, Violet still hasn't been won over. Il Villaggio Rupestre di Casalrotto, Mottola (www.italymoviewalks.com/il-racconto-dei-racconti-italia-da-fiaba)

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Elias arrives at Jonah's home village. Civita di Bagnoregio, Viterbo, Lazio

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Elias is mistaken for his twin. Castello di Balthus, Montecalvello (www.italymoviewalks.com/il-racconto-dei-racconti-italia-da-fiaba)

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View from Bagnoregio looking south-east over to Civitella d'Alviano

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A view of the Royal Castle of Strongcliff. Matted with augmented castle and village nestling below. Castello Medioevale di Roccascalegna, Roccascalegna, Chieti, Abruzzo

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Dora's sister, Imma (Shirley Henderson) returns to Strongcliff castle. Castello Caetani di Sermoneta

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Violet flees the Ogre. Network of ancient roads, dug from the tuffaceous rock, connecting the municipalities of Sovana, Sorano and Pitigliano. Via cava di Poggio Prisca, Sovana, Grosseto, Tuscany