Invitation to Capri

Year Published: 1960s

Creator: Poly Travel

Description: Presented by the UK's Poly Travel, this film "Invitation to Capri" was directed by Arthur Leslie. It dates to the 1960s and shows all the reasons to visit Italy's loveliest resort island. 0:00 Capri is introduced as a delightful island and popular holiday retreat since Roman times, known for its climate and scenery. Most visitors arrive by steamer at the island's only harbor, the Marina Grande. Marina Grande is the main port of the island of Capri in Italy, to the north of the main town of Capri and at the foot of Mount Solaro. Others take a 20-minute helicopter shuttle from Naples. The journey is a thrilling prelude to seeing Capri's dramatic coastline and clear, blue sea. 1:46:The island is presented as ideal for bathing, showcasing a "Hollywood-style" pool belonging to famous resident Gracie Fields on the Piccola Marina, as well as several delightful smaller beaches nearby. (Dame Gracie Fields was a British actress, singer and comedian. A star of cinema and music hall, she was one of the top ten film stars in Britain during the 1930s and was considered the highest paid film star in the world in 1937.) 2:21: The town of Capri is characterized by its white villas, smart hotels, and gardens. The main square, the piazzetta, is the fashionable, cosmopolitan focal point. Shopping areas offer colorful ceramics and decorative tiles. The island features delightful walks, often along winding, torturous roads that offer new and rewarding views at every bend. 3:21:: The Faraglioni, jagged rock formations, are shown as a famous landmark. For the stay, the film promotes the "Eden Paradiso" hotel, surrounded by luxurious gardens and groves of oranges and lemons. The rooms have hot and cold running water, a luxury compared to old local methods. Lunch is enjoyed in the garden, featuring fresh, locally picked fruit like grapes, figs, oranges, and lemons. 5:04: Siesta is highlighted as a pleasant Latin custom for relaxing after lunch. The film then showcases the world-famous Blue Grotto. Visitors must take a small boat to enter the narrow opening, through which sunlight filters, illuminating the grotto with a strange, phosphorescent blue light. 5:58:: The most famous name connected with Capri is Axel Munthe, the Swedish physician and author of the bestseller "The Story of San Michele." The film tours his beautiful villa, San Michele, which he built over 30 years on the site of a small chapel. Munthe was his own architect and filled the villa with rare marbles, sculptures (including a bust of Emperor Tiberius), and gardens with magnificent views over the Marina Grande. 7:42: The film briefly visits the Torre di Materita, a 13th-century tower that served as Munthe's last home on Capri until 1943, showcasing ancient relics like recovered Greek/Roman wine jars. They then move to Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island, reachable by a chairlift for "truly unforgettable views." 8:38: From the summit of Monte Solaro, the sea looks like "dark blue silk" pierced by the Faraglioni rocks. The Naples-bound helicopter is a reminder that the holiday must end. The film concludes by asking the viewer if the irresistible attraction is the calm seas, cliffs, sunshine, or color, and invites them to discover the magic of Capri for themselves through Poly Travel.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgE4SzJYwLs

Metadata Source:YouTube