Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A
Date: 1966
Director: Richard Lester
Production Company: Melvin Frank Productions
Stars: Zero Mostel, Jack Gilford, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton, Michael Crawford, Michael Hordern, Annette Andre
Location(s): Castile and León, Madrid
Region(s): Spain
Storyline:
To earn his freedom, a cunning slave must unite his dim young master with the courtesan that he’s fallen for.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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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.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
"Our principal characters live on this street, in a less fashionable suburb of Rome, in these three houses. First, the house of . . . . . "
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
"Erronius (Buster Keaton), a befuddled old man, abroad now in search of his children, stolen in infancy by pirates."
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
"Second, the house of Lycus, a buyer and seller of the flesh of beautiful women. That's for those of you who have no interest in pirates."
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
"And, finally, the house of Senex, who lives here with his wife and son. Also in this house dwells Pseudolus slave to his son. Pseudolus (Zero Mostel) is my favourite character in the piece - a role of enormous variety and nuance, and played by an actor of such versatility, such magnificent range, such . . . . Let me put it this way - I play the part." The end titles confirm that the film was shot on sets at Bronston Studios in Madrid.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
To stop him philandering while she is away, Domina takes her husband along when she visits her Mother. A few Roman roads survive around Castile and León and Madrid, so could this be one of them?
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Senex (Michael Hordern) looks down at the damaged bust of Domina (Patricia Jessel) that he kicked from the chariot before suggesting to her that he return to Rome and get it repaired. There's a castellated wall in the distance and a white building that looks authentic in the left background.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Pseudolus, Senex, Marcus Lycus and Hysterium sing "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid". This is the genuine article, the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia in the city of Segovia, Castile and León.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Erronius continues his search as Hysterium suggests to Senex that he use the wanderer's house for a meeting with his new maid, Philia.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Domina rushes home when her Mother tells her that Senex is probably cavorting with courtesans.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Believing that his beloved Philia is dead, Hero runs to the arena to throw himself to the lions. Plaza de toros de El Espinar on Calle Víctor Espinos in El Espinar, Castile and León identified by Andy Hall.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
The Gatekeeper (Alfie Bass) tells Hero (Michael Crawford) that there's no performance today before he is hurried into the amphitheater along with a group of Slaves. Andy Hall found Plaza de toros de El Espinar at El Espinar.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Inside the arena, an Instructor (Roy Kinnear) explains to a Gladiator how to use a ball mace as the new Slaves are lined up. Plaza de toros de El Espinar on Calle Víctor Espinos, El Espinar in the province of Segovia. located by Andy Hall.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
The untrained Gladiator stands powerless to stop Pseudolus when he arrives to rescue Hero. Andy Hall's research turned up Plaza de toros de El Espinar on Calle Víctor Espinos in El Espinar, Castile and León.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Learning that Philia is alive, Hero rides to the Temple of Virgins.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Hero rescues Philia from the temple before a chase sequence leads to the film's finale.