Elizabeth Taylor in London Sophia Loren in Rome

These TV-Specials (produced in the early 1960s) were unseen anywhere for decades and feature Hollywood icons Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren traveling through the cities close to their heart and reflecting on them – in the case of Taylor through oft reciting poetry from Wordsworth and Shakespeare among others, in the case of La Loren in a more natural style.

These two documentaries were shown over consecutive years and produced by the same men (Philip D'Antoni and Norman Baer) - featuring the two mega movie stars who were then considered by many to be 'the world's most beautiful women’ – both then very much in their prime. Taylor (born in 1932) had just finished appearing in CLEOPATRA (hailed at the most expensive film ever made at that time) and Loren (born 1934) featured in MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE with co-star Marcello Mastroianni. An enterprising idea then to have Taylor and La Loren talk us through the history and customs of their respective towns (although according to some sources Loren was actually born in Naples).

ELIZABETH TAYLOR IN LONDON has a script provided for her by two New York writers - Lou Solomon and top humourist S.J. Perelman - which seems a little odd given the fact that E. T. In London has hardly any humour in it. Taylor tells us of her background born in the posh and leafy London suburb of Hampstead though of wealthy American parentage (she lived in Hollywood from a very early age and has a very Americanised accent - e.g. Canturberrry and not Canterbury). It is interesting to see clips of London of that time (heaven knows what she'd make of the city now) and her own observations and reflections are interspersed with clips depicting London street life and its inhabitants who come from all walks of life. The film begins with Taylor in her luxurious Dorchester Hotel suite where she recites from Wordsworth's 'Upon Westminster Bridge'; though later on and posing in front of various London landmarks she also quotes Shakespeare, Elizabeth Barrett Browning (here she attempts a little more passion - perhaps she got advice from Richard Burton) and Churchill among others. Perhaps we could have seen a few more important landmarks. Arguably the most interesting segments are the various Londoners themselves talking briefly about their respective jobs...ma drayman, a riverboat policeman (soon these 'old' London accents will be a thing of the past), a Bermondsey Vicar on the Mayflower departure site by the old church... Here Miss Taylor recites from the famous William Pitt speech. For all this Taylor got paid a staggering near quarter of a million (well, she never came cheap) and yet she fails to convince on any level – far from it she comes over as emotionally cold and far too studied and controlled. A pity as one gets the impression that the film, although a good idea, could have turned out less pretentious: how about her Ladyship in one of her favourite London pubs 'The Salisbury' for example, having a chat with the locals? Hard to believe it was also released as an L.P. If that isn't bad enough, the extravagant costumes for this demanding diva were designed by Yves Saint Laurent and I’m afraid to say are either rather awful or verging on the ridiculous - is that a flower vase attached to her hat? This also extends to the music composed by the great John Barry – which is used to embarrassingly schmalzy effect in the 'How Shall I Love Thee?' segment with Taylor down by the Palace and the Queen Victoria monument.

SOPHIA LOREN IN ROME is, however, an altogether different kettle of fish (or bowl of pasta). It was actually produced by the same people but here we have a script provided for Loren by Sheldon Reynolds (written in collaboration with Basilio Franchina) who also directed. The result is altogether more palatable and down to earth and La Loren comes over very well – exuding warmth and passion (well, she is Italian after all). She is both affable and likeable and does not give the impression of being in anyway self-conscious. The film starts with her looking out of the window of her luxuriously furnished apartment (ah...the rewards of success) overlooking a famous Italian square telling us something of its history. Of course there is a splendid fountain in the square – one of many. The eternal city (far, far older than 'olde' London) can boast a number of Rococo-style fountains (who can possibly compete?) as well as magnificent ruins dating back to around 1900 AD - yes, we are talking about The Colosseum (the place where Christians were fed to the lions). Loren walks in elegant repose (and in high heels which must have been a pain to wear) around the City's many landmarks, on every occasion informing us about their histories. She even pays her friend Marcello Mastroianni a visit (she refers to him as one of the greatest actors) and this impromptu get-together provides us with a delightful comic interlude. A vain actor may have said something Iike “Well, I don't wish to be disagreeable…” but Marcello refuses to speak English in jest and we get some subtitles instead. He later reminds Loren that she is actually from Naples to which she points out that so is he. Loren then continues wandering through various parts of Rome including old cobblestoned alleys and explains how every day the city comes to a standstill during Siesta time and that Italians prefer to eat their spaghetti as a starter (with wine), followed by a usually meat-based main dish (with wine), followed by desert (with wine again) – they must all be sozzled by afternoon! The film crew even stages a fake traffic accident just so Loren and Co. can amuse themselves over the different reactions from passers-by. You may also recognize the Trevi Fountain as it is now forever identified with a famous scene in Fellini’s LA DOLCE VITA, namely when statuesque Anita Ekberg takes a late night dip in it. Here John Barry's music is more appropriate (like the Liz Taylor piece it was also released as an L.P.) and the script has nothing pretentious about it. Director Sheldon Reynolds (perhaps refers to him as one of the greatest actors best known for the 1950's Sherlock Holmes series) does a pretty good job all round. Sophia Loren’s outfits (no designer given) are also easier on the eye.

Special Features of this HD-Blu-ray edition include: Limited Edition booklet by John Barry experts Geoff Leonard & Pete Walker, Liz Taylor in London: original US broadcast presentation, Image gallery incl. Behind-the-scene stills