MovieChat Forums > Mafioso (1965) Discussion > Filming Locations

Filming Locations

posted 16 years ago by abenr
8 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone have an idea of where Mafioso was filmed. The NYC scenes are clearly filmed in NYC, but what of the Italian scenes?

[–] logan03 16 years ago

Several articles, including a NY Times review of the DVD release, mention the village as being Calmos, which is part of the province of Messina coast area (Messina is mentioned as they approach by ferry early in the film).

[–] maydom04 15 years ago

I was born in Sicily, and have never heard of a town or village of this name, and can't find one on any detailed map either.

I'm sure it was made up for the film, so as not to offend any residents of an actual town.

You will note that it sounds similar to some other Sicilian towns, such as Alcamo, and given names such as Talamo, so in this sense, the name has a very authentic flavour...

That said, I would really like to know the actual village it was filmed in !

[–] duke1029 15 years ago

Although initially Nino is taken to New York, the barbershop hit occurs in Northern Hudson County in New Jersey. Boulevard East in West New York and Bergenline Avenue in Union City are easily identifiable locations..

[–] tommymas123 15 years ago

The US shots obviously shows various landmarks in NYC such as Fifth ave, FDR highway, etc. As for the scene where he is dropped off to perform the "deed", it actually takes place on Bergenline Ave and 72nd St in North Bergen, not in Union City. The diner on the cormer is still there. And the Boulvard East location was also in North Bergen (around 75th and 76th Sts). I would also love to know the actually Sicilian town it was filmed in.

Great movie...

[–] ColDax 14 years ago

Yes, North Bergen. A street sweeper goes by and it says "Keep North Bergen Clean".

[–] Eric-1226 14 years ago

So... I guess Nino was just doing his part to keep North Bergen clean. lol

"I've always tried to teach you two things. First: Never let them see you bleed. Second: Always have an escape plan." - Q

[–] maydom04 11 years ago

The Sicilian town where the majority of the filming took place is Belmonte Mezzagno, about 15 kilometers south of Palermo. I have confirmed this with Google Streetview...the church in the main square is easily identifiable. The Villa scene, however, was filmed in Bagheria, about 20 k east of Palermo.

I found this info in the description from a youtube video of the entire film (in Italian)

[–] tedcoconut 14 years ago

In an interview with the director's widow (and Don Vincenzo's real life daughter) on the DVD extras she mentions that it was filmed in Bagheria.

Here is a link to a foto of Alberto Sordi at the Villa Palagonia in 1962:

http://www.fondazionebancodisicilia.it/it/sala_stampa/popup.php?idi=164