Rome, Sweet Rome Trivia Quiz

Answer: La Dolce Vita

Released in 1960, this is widely considered one of Fellini's greatest films. It tells the story of a journalist looking for happiness and love. The use of religious iconography throughout the film led to it being condemned by the Vatican, and it was completely banned in Spain until 1975.

Frederico Fellini was one of the most influential and respected film makers of the 20th century. He had a distinctive style that blended fantasy and baroque. During his career he won five Academy Awards.

Answer: A face carved out of marble

Released in 1953 and starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, "Roman Holiday" is a romantic comedy. Audrey Hepburn is a princess from an unnamed country who escapes her minders and explores Rome, incognito, with Gregory Peck, who plays the journalist accompanying her. Audrey Hepburn won the Best Actress Oscar for this film.

The Mouth of Truth is a carved face which, legend says, functions as a lie detector. Anyone who tells a lie with their hand in the mouth will have their hand bitten off. In the film Gregory Peck places his hand in the mouth and when he draws it out his hand appears to have gone. Audrey Hepburn screams and he pops his hand out of his sleeve.

Answer: Trevi Fountain

"Three Coins in the Fountain" was released in 1954, and is the story of three girls looking for romance in Rome, whilst working for the American Embassy. Stars were Rossano Brazi, Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, Maggie McNamara and Louis Jordan. In addition to Best Music the film also won the Oscar for Best Cinematography, Colour and was nominated for Best Picture.

Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain you will return to Rome.

Answer: Peter Ustinov

With a stellar cast that included Laurence Olivier, Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Peter Ustinov (who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar) this story of a slave revolt against Roman rule won four Oscars in total. It is rated as fifth best film in the "epic" genre by the American Film Institute, and the "I'm Spartacus" scene is one of the best known film moments of all time.

Answer: The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone

When Karen Stone's husband has a fatal heart attack on a plane on the way to Rome, his widow decides to stay on in the city and rents an apartment. She is introduced to Paolo and soon begins an affair with him.

The film was based on a Tennessee Williams book and was the only film directed by Jose Qintero.

Answer: Angels and Demons

Tom Hanks once again played Professor Robert Langdon in this film based on the Dan Brown book. The plot centres on him trying to stop a secret society, The Illuminati, from destroying Vatican City with newly discovered antimatter. In this he is aided by the daughter of the scientist who made the discovery.

Much of the filming had to be done in the studio rather than in Rome itself, because the Catholic church was upset by "The Da Vinci Code" and would not allow any filming to take place in any of its churches in Rome.
The film did not receive great critical acclaim, the general feeling being that the book had not translated well to the big screen.

Answer: Quo Vadis

Released in 1951 "Quo Vadis" was one of many films that took 'Roman falls in love with persecuted Christian' for a theme. Robert Taylor, as Marcus Vinicius, falls in love with devout Christian Lygia (Deborah Kerr). Set against Nero's persecution of the Christians and his blaming them for the burning of Rome, this is both a love story and the story of the struggle of the early Christian church to be allowed to worship freely.

The film was originally intended to star Elizabeth Taylor and Gregory Peck, but the production company changed before filming started and it was re-cast. Sophia Loren makes a brief appearance in the film as an uncredited extra.

The film failed to win any Oscars despite having eight nominations.

Answer: John Gielgud

John Gielgud played Caesar in this film, which was the first time the play had been filmed in colour. Robert Vaughan as Casca and Richard Chamberlain as Octavius were also in the cast, and Diana Rigg played Portia. This was an independent production, directed by Stuart Burge.

The film attracted negative reviews, with Jason Robards coming in for severe criticism for what was seen as a wooden portrayal of Brutus.

Sir John Gielgud was a renowned Shakespearean stage actor who, along with Sir Laurence Oliver, gave what many consider to be the definitive performances of many roles, especially Hamlet, which he played over 500 times. Although he appeared in several films during the 1930s and 1940s his love remained for the stage, where he directed as well as acted. In film he will probably be best remembered for his role of the somewhat sardonic butler in "Arthur". His final film appearance was s Pope Pius V in the 1998 film "Elizabeth".

Answer: Michelangelo

Directed by Carol Reed, and starring Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II, this 1965 films looks at the conflict between the two during the painting of the Sistine Chapel. It is partly based on Irving Stone's book of the same name.

The film was nominated for five Oscars but failed to win any.

Michelangelo was one of the greatest of Renaissance artists. His masterpiece is probably the ceiling and alter wall of the Sistine Chapel, but he also sculpted Pieta and David, two of the best known sculptures in the world. At the age of 74 he took over as architect of St Peters Baslica and the western end was completed to his design. He was the first western artist to have a biography, written by Giorgio Vssari, published while he was still alive.

Answer: Robbie Coltrane

The film is based on the premise that the Mafia control the Vatican. When the Pope dies they get their candidate elected. Unfortunately the wrong name is announced, and Robbie Coltrane becomes Pope instead. When he discovers the various illegal activities that have been going on and confronts the Mafia they decide he must die.

The movie is based on the various conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I.

These days Robbie Coltrane is best known for his role as Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" movie series. He started life as a stand up comedian, but quickly moved to acting, especially in television, where he played criminal psychologist Eddie Fitzgerald in the series "Cracker".