Although it has always been a very little known church (and perhaps for this reason), the church of S. Maria dell'Orto has been chosen in the past as the location of many important films. Below we report some essential information about the films in question, accompanied where possible by an identification frame.

 

Rome open city (1945)

Directed by Roberto Rossellini - With Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi and others

 

The church hosts, inside, an interview between Magnani and Fabrizi. However the external facade is that of S. Elena in Ponte Casilino. Some unpublished curiosities about the shooting of the film can be found in the book by Domenico Rotella (current Camerlengo dell'Arciconfraternita) “Santa Maria dell'Orto and its secrets”, which can be purchased on the internet channels or at the church itself.

 

 

La Romana (1954)

Directed by Luigi Zampa - with Gina Lollobrigida, Daniel Gélin and others

 

Lollobrigida is talking to a priest in the church's Oratory, where it is also possible to glimpse some disassembled parts of our famous “Quarantore machine”.

 

 

Our times - Zibaldone n. 2 (1954) in episodes

Directed by Alessandro Blasetti

 

In the episode “Il pupo” Lea Padovani and Marcello Mastroianni enter the church where she wants to leave the child, in the side chapel of San Sebastiano.

 

 

The Bachelor (1955)

Directed by Antonio Pietrangeli - with Alberto Sordi, Nino Manfredi and others including Fernando Fernàn Gomez

 

Paolo (Sordi) is an unrepentant bachelor. At the beginning of the film he witnesses the wedding of his friend and partner Armando (Gomez) in the church of S. Maria dell'Orto. After many adventures, the film ends with the scene of Paolo kneeling in the same church to get married too. Deaf - as is well known - has never married even though in his films he often appeared in the role of her husband. However, no one was ever seen at the moment of the wedding ceremony. Except in this film, the only one in his entire career! And being Sordi a true trasteverino (from piazza San Cosimato) he could only do it in Trastevere.

We chose the frame where Deaf appears from behind, rather than from the front, because in this way you can see the area of ​​the presbytery much better.

 

 

The 4 taxi drivers (1963) - in episodes

Directed by Giorgio Bianchi - with Gino Bramieri and others

 

Episode "The Groom" - In Milan , Baldassarre Boldrini (Gino Bramieri), a shy and frustrated big boy, is about to marry his cousin. On the way to the church (which in fiction is in Milan) where he is expected for the ceremony, he is persuaded by the charming taxi driver Filomena to change his mind and run away with her. The car goes along via Madonna dell'Orto and stops in front of the church, where all the final action takes place.

 

 

Monsters (1963) in episodes

Directed by Dino Risi - with Vittorio Gassman and many others

 

Episode "jack from life" - A director , then easily traceable to Federico Fellini , he kidnaps a poor elderly lady from personnel c asting (Vittorio Gassman) to use, in spite of himself, in a scene from one of his films. The lady is seen coming out of the church and then being chased and kidnapped by Gassman in a deserted Via Madonna dell'Orto.

 

 

If you allow, let's talk about women (1964) in episodes

Directed by Ettore Scola - with Vittorio Gassman, Antonella Lualdi and others

 

The fourth episode (untitled like the others) is known as "The hasty bride". Gassman and Lualdi spent a very "hot" night together. In the morning she suddenly wakes up and - realizing she is very late for an appointment - dresses quickly while Gassman tries to get her to take it easy. She finally runs away because …… she has to get married. Change of scene: she is dressed as a bride in front of the church with her unsuspecting new husband.

 

 

Giovanna's Dad (2008)

Directed by Pupi Avati - with Silvio Orlando, Alba Rohrwacher and others

 

The church (which in fiction is located in Bologna) houses the funeral of Giovanna's friend. A false pulpit was set up for the scene in which the priest gives the homily.