A Couple of Ways of Viewing ‘the Eternal City’

Rome is filled with countless historic, artistic and architectural treasures that support its claim to the title, “The Eternal City.”

It’s also a city of elegant shops, outdoor markets, museums, cappuccino bars, trattorias, gelaterias, sidewalk cafes and monumental traffic jams.

In two diverse Rome videos, each of which is less than an hour and reviewed below, the producers capture its essence very well.

“Rome” (International Video Network, Video Visits, 55 minutes. 1989).

Most of the historic attractions in this mosaic are at the numerous piazzas that dot the city. At the piazzas, Romans are usually surrounded by tourists attracted by the classical palazzos, churches, monuments and fountains.

Some of the many popular places are the Piazza del Popolo, with its huge Egyptian obelisk; the Piazza di Spagna with the Spanish Steps and the piazzas Barberini, Navona and Trevi, with their wondrous fountains.

Other stops include the Palazzo dei Conservatori (city of hall) on Capitoline Hill, where viewers are guests at a wedding, and the impressive Pantheon, the oldest and best preserved of Rome’s ancient buildings.

In the shadow of Capitoline Hill is the ancient Forum, where scenes include the Colosseum, the site of the Circus Maximus and the ruins of Palatine Hill, where Rome was founded. A side trip follows the Appian Way to the historic catacombs.

The video also makes visits to the beautiful Borehese Gardens, lake and art gallery; the Mouth of Truth sculpture, which is said to bite the hand of a liar who puts his hand in it; the island of Tiberina, and the old Left Bank Trastevere district, with the lovely 3rd-Century Church of St. Cecilia.

The segment on Vatican City includes the Ponte Vittoria Emanuele (bridge), Castel Sant-Angelo and St. Peter’s for scenes of the Pope, the Vatican Gardens and museums and the Sistine Chapel dominated by Michelangelo’s monumental ceiling.

Other churches to see include the basilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter in Chains and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.

The video concludes with scenes of Rome at night, the Via Veneto at sunset and lighted views of fountains.

Although it holds no surprises, this is a well-photographed and well-narrated traditional travelogue that will appeal mainly to the armchair traveler.

It offers no tips or travel recommendations.

A tape is available from International Video Network, Video Visits, 2242 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, Calif. 94583, (415) 866-1121. Price: $24.95.

“Rome” (VPI/AC Video, produced by Robin Williams, 50 minutes, 1988). Travel film maker Williams’ video focuses on the cultural attractions found in Rome, concentrating on classical art, architecture and ancient history. It should have a special appeal for armchair travelers, and if used in conjunction with the above “Rome” video, should enrich the trip of a vacationer.

Williams’ interest in the piazzas of Rome centers on the fountains created by such artists as Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and on the history and architectural significance of the surrounding churches and palazzos.

A few that he examines include the charming Tortoise Fountain in tiny Piazza Mattei; the Boat Fountain and the Spanish Steps in the Piazza di Spagna; the Triton Fountain in the Piazza Barberini, and the impressive Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Moor and the Neptune in the Piazza Navona. Others are the Fountain of Trevi and the elegant churches of the Piazza Quirinale.

On an extensive tour of the Vatican, Williams describes the design of St. Peter’s Square and basilica and singles out the famous “Pieta” by Michelangelo and “The Throne of St. Peter’s” by Bernini, for special attention.

The highlight is a visit to the Sistine Chapel and its ceiling for close studies and a history of Michelangelo’s magnificent work. Also studied is Raphael’s “School of Athens,” as well as many of his other paintings in the Papal quarters.

The Vatican visit concludes with a history and film on the Swiss Guard and a tour of the Vatican Gardens.

A segment of interest follows the journey of St. Paul from the time he landed in Italy through his trial, death and burial, including scenes of the Appian Way, the Forum (with drawings as it looked then) and the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls where he is buried.

The video and narration also describe the founding of Rome, the building of the Colosseum and give a detailed examination of the Forum and its ruins, including the Arch of Septimus Severus that Napoleon used as a model for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Other ancient sites include the Palatine Hill, the Circus Maximus and the Trajan Markets and column.

Two pleasant side trips visit the tower of Tivoli with the Villa d’Este and its beautiful gardens and fountains and to the lakeside summer retreats of Nemi and Albano in the Alban Hills.

It seems as if Williams’ video was filmed by two cameras. The scenic shots are often fuzzy, but the artworks are good and the musical score is effective. It will be helpful to those interested in an aesthetic view of Rome.

No tips or travel recommendations.

A tape is available from VPI/AC, 381 Park Ave. South, New York 10016, (212) 685-5522. Price; $24.95.