5 Films Shot on Lake Como

Lake Como is now a well-known destination for its elegant beauty all over the world. This is also thanks to many directors who have chosen to pay tribute to it through their films shot right on Lake Como

Although it’s advisable to see it in person, the footage provides a taste of its charm and feels like it transports you directly to its shores.

Over the years, the greatest artists have managed to capture its grace and turn it into an unforgettable story

No matter the plot being told, the lake’s landscape will warmly envelop it and turn it into a story.

WHY IS IT SO POPULAR AMONG CELEBRITIES?

It might be its elegance, perhaps its microclimate, or maybe its history that makes the lake a true international icon.

However, it has certainly won the hearts of several celebrities, who have even chosen it as a place to escape from everything and everyone. At least once, you’ve seen the imposing villa of George Clooney, which has had the honor of hosting figures like Barack Obama and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Many actors have had the fortune to visit the lake for work, such as Liam Neeson, Antonio Banderas, Laura Linney, Robert De Niro, Richard Gere, and Tom Cruise, just to name a few.

Each of them has played a role in at least one film shot on Lake Como, and even when the cameras were off, they declared it to be the most beautiful place they had ever worked.

THE PLEASURE GARDEN

Produced by a young Hitchcock, The Pleasure Garden is a silent film from 1925 shot across the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany.

The young director had already visited Lake Como before his debut film. In fact, the year before, he had gone there as an assistant director to Graham Cutts for The Prude's Fall. Luck was not on their side, as they were forced to halt the shooting due to a storm.

Despite this, Hitchcock did not forget Lake Como. In fact, the following year he returned as a director to film The Honeymoon with Virginia Valli, the American silent film star, and Miles Mander.

He always spoke fondly of his stay at the lake, even recalling the more unpleasant incidents with a sense of humor. For example, at the border, he was advised not to declare the film to avoid a hefty tax, but unfortunately, it was seized, leaving him without money to pay for his hotel. He had booked Villa d’Este.

Among the filming locations like Villa d’Este and Isola Comacina, the village of Nesso particularly captured Hitchcock's heart. The picturesque waterfall flowing through the center of the village, which he referred to as "the stuff of a romantic grand tour," and the medieval Civera bridge, located between the districts of Coatesa and Borgovecchio, added to its charm.

007 CASINO ROYALE

The British spy James Bond, born from the mind of Ian Fleming, has been portrayed by various actors over time.

However, Daniel Craig had the opportunity to bring his character to life in the film Casino Royale, which was partly filmed on Lake Como. Director Martin Campbell chose the enchanting Villa del Balbianello for 007's recovery a

Filming began in January 2006 in London and continued in Prague, where scenes of the Miami airport attack and Bond and Vesper's stay at the Venice hotel were shot.

After spending two months in the Bahamas, the crew returned to the Czech Republic and then moved to Lake Como.

OCEAN’S TWELVE

Three years after the success of *Ocean’s Eleven*, *Ocean’s Twelve* was released in 2004, where the "thieves" enjoy their riches thanks to the heists they pulled off in Las Vegas casinos.

Unfortunately, they find themselves in deep trouble and need to settle a massive debt, so they decide to plan a robbery in Europe..

They face their rival, Night Fox (Vincent Cassel), and decide to visit him at his villa in Italy, specifically in Cernobbio. Villa Erba serves as the perfect setting for the villa of a thief, with its elegant yet imposing appearance.

The lake's views are not limited to the villa; the film also captures picturesque scenes as Vincent Cassel drives along the State Road Regina or as Danny Ocean crosses the lake between Cernobbio and Torno aboard a "Riva" speedboat.

STAR WARS EPISODE 2: ATTACK OF THE CLONES

For Star Wars fans, it’s no secret, but not everyone might realize that a Lombard villa was chosen to celebrate the secret wedding between Anakin and Padmé.

Star Wars is one of the films shot on Lake Como that has motivated viewers to buy a ticket to Italy just to experience a day as their favorite characters.

The villa that serves as the backdrop for the wedding is Villa del Balbianello in the municipality of Tremezzina. In the film, the lake is actually known as the planet Naboo, Padmé’s home planet.

Since the film’s release, there has been a huge increase in requests from couples wanting to celebrate their love at the villa, many of them being fans of the saga.

However, getting there isn’t exactly simple, but couples would do anything to experience their special day like Anakin and Padmé.

HOUSE OF GUCCI

The 2021 film directed by Ridley Scott (the director of *Alien* & *Mad Max Fury Road*) delves into the lives of the Gucci family across Italy.

This film is also among those shot partly on Lake Como. One of the chosen locations was the tiny town of Ossuccio on Lake Como, overlooking the unique Comacina Island. Filming began here in March 2021, featuring Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani and Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci.

Although there’s limited information available about the film, it appears that a scene set at a lavish reception involving the entire Gucci family was filmed at Villa Balbiano. The family members featured include Rodolfo Gucci (played by Jeremy Irons), Uncle Aldo (played by Al Pacino), and Paolo Gucci (played by Jared Leto).

In addition to the villa, filming also took place along the Statale Regina between Argegno and Colonno, and concluded in the municipality of Tremezzina.

THE MURDER OF MAURIZIO GUCCI

Milan, March 27, 1995, 9:00 AM.

Maurizio Gucci, heir to an empire founded in Florence in 1921, is about to start his typical day by entering the lobby of his office. As every morning, he receives a good morning greeting from the doorman Giuseppe Onorato, but that wasn’t just any morning.

Suddenly, the hitman approaches and fires three shots at Gucci and two at the doorman. As he flees in a green Clio, the assassin runs over a second witness, a girl who notices a baseball cap on the suspect's head.

Initial theories point to an international angle, possibly involving Gucci in an unpaid debt in Japan or a major project in Switzerland, where a casino opening was at stake.

While the focus is on foreign possibilities, another valid lead emerges involving Gucci’s wife, Patrizia Reggiani, who had never hidden her animosity towards her husband.

This incident shocked the “good society” of 1990s Milan and ended with the arrest of Patrizia Reggiani and her “accomplices”: Benedetto Ceraulo (the hitman), Orazio Cicala (the driver), Pina Auriemma (the organizer of the murder), and Ivano Savioni, who allegedly negotiated with Reggiani a reward of 600 million lire for the act.