Sicily on film

Plan your sicilian film tour

Castle of Savoca

Sicily’s cinematic heritage is waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a fan of classic neorealism, Mafia dramas, or poetic tales of love and exile, the island offers a unique blend of storytelling and breathtaking scenery. Experience Sicily on film firsthand and walk through the settings of some of the most iconic movies in Italian cinema history.

A Timeless cinematic landscape

Sicily has long been an irresistible muse for filmmakers worldwide. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and deeply rooted traditions, this island has played a central role in Italian cinema history. From neorealist masterpieces to Hollywood blockbusters, Sicily on film is a compelling narrative of beauty, drama, and culture.

Sicily Through the lens of legendary directors

Visconti, Verga, and the Roots of Neorealism

One of the first directors to capture Sicily on film was Luchino Visconti, a pioneer of Italian neorealism. Inspired by Giovanni Verga’s novel I Malavoglia, Visconti directed La Terra Trema (1948), an evocative depiction of the struggles of Sicilian fishermen. He later turned to Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s Il Gattopardo (1963), crafting an epic tale of aristocratic decline, starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, and Claudia Cardinale.

Rossellini’s Stromboli
Nature and human struggle

Roberto Rossellini’s Stromboli, Terra di Dio (1949) showcases the island’s raw, untamed beauty. Starring Ingrid Bergman, the film captures the isolation and hardship of life on the volcanic island of Stromboli, blending neorealism with poetic storytelling. This film marked the beginning of a famous off-screen romance between Rossellini and Bergman, adding to its legendary status.

Mafia and Cinema
A genre of its own

Sicilian cinema is also deeply intertwined with stories of the Mafia, exposing both its dark legacy and the resilience of those who oppose it.

Early Mafia Depictions

Pietro Germi’s In nome della legge (1949) was one of the first films to explore Sicilian organized crime. This was followed by Francesco Rosi’s Salvatore Giuliano (1962), which blended investigative storytelling with historical drama, shedding light on the life of the infamous Sicilian bandit.

The Hundred Steps
A story of resistance

A more recent entry in this genre is I Cento Passi (2000), directed by Marco Tullio Giordana. The film tells the true story of Peppino Impastato, a journalist and activist murdered by the Mafia in 1978. It won Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival, reinforcing the power of cinema as a tool for social justice.

Giuseppe Tornatore
The magic of Sicilian cinema

Palazzo Adriano, nuovo Cinema Paradiso

No discussion of Sicily on film would be complete without Giuseppe Tornatore. Born in Bagheria, he has masterfully depicted Sicilian life, traditions, and nostalgia.

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
An ode to film

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990, Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988) is a love letter to cinema. Shot in the charming town of Palazzo Adriano, this film follows the bond between a young boy and a cinema projectionist, set against the backdrop of a changing Italy.

Baarìa
A personal story of Sicily

Tornatore’s Baarìa (2009) is a semi-autobiographical epic that chronicles three generations of a Sicilian family. The film beautifully captures the traditions, struggles, and transformations of Sicily throughout the 20th century.

The Godfather and Sicilian movie locations

One of the most famous representations of Sicily on film is The Godfather trilogy by Francis Ford Coppola. Rather than filming in Corleone, Coppola chose the picturesque villages of Savoca and Forza d’Agrò for their authentic Sicilian charm.

Savoca: A Timeless Setting

The town of Savoca is home to Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) first meets his future wife, Apollonia. This bar remains a major attraction for film enthusiasts and offers a taste of Sicily’s cinematic past.

Forza d’Agrò: A Hidden Gem

This small hilltop town provided the setting for several key scenes in The Godfather Part II. With its historic churches and stunning sea views, it embodies the old-world Sicily that Coppola sought to portray.

The Postman
Poetry and exile in Sicily

Salina, Isole Eolie

Michael Radford’s Il Postino (1994) is another poignant film set in Sicily. Starring Massimo Troisi, it tells the fictionalized story of Pablo Neruda’s exile on the Aeolian island of Salina. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1996 and remains a beloved classic.

Vulcano
A rivalry between legends

Vulcano (1950) was a direct response to Stromboli, starring Anna Magnani, who had been replaced by Ingrid Bergman in Rossellini’s film. Shot on the islands of Vulcano and Salina, this film narrates the tragic fate of a woman seeking redemption, against the dramatic backdrop of erupting volcanoes.

Sicilian movie locations
A journey through cinema

For travelers inspired by these films, Sicily offers a chance to step into cinematic history. Whether exploring the streets of Palermo, the volcanic landscapes of Stromboli, or the baroque beauty of Ragusa (featured in Inspector Montalbano), visiting these locations brings the magic of the big screen to life.