La montagne de verre

I too saw this film when I was a youngster and of course didn't understand most of it except that I loved the music and always remembered the main melody even after 50 years! The main attraction is the wonderful singing of Tito Gobbi, baritone, heard near the beginning when he sings the familiar theme song, with an accordion to accompany him. There's also the performance later on of the new opera "The Glass Mountain" and he is splendid in this as well.

Mostly the story revolves around a young married couple, Richard Wilder, as a music composer (Michael Denison) and his wife Anne (Dulcie Gray). In the aftermath of recuperating from a plane crash in war torn Italy Richard also meets Alida, a lovely Italian lady, and from her he learns about the legend of the Glass Mountain and seriously plans to write an opera based on it when he returns home. This opera would of course be written with his newfound friend in mind, Tito Gobbi, the baritone, as the central figure, and thank goodness for once a baritone is the hero! Let the tenors wait their next turn.

Eventually Richard must choose between a wife back home who loves him and the Italian new love who is devoted to him too. It is during the premiere of his new opera that events take a sudden turn when there's news of a plane crash in which his wife Anne was traveling in - this gives him the answer.

A very romantic film and beautiful music as well. An experience not to be missed.

Only in the movies could an Englishman in difficulties in the Dolomites come round to find himself being tended to by Tito Gobbi (who promptly bursts into song), as happens to Michael Denison in this delirious piece of frightfully British hokum enhanced by spectacular Alpine scenery and a sequence in Venice.

Aided by the crashing chords of Fellini's later collaborator Nino Rota on the soundtrack and a charming young Valentina Cortese making her debut, audiences in postwar austerity Britain just lapped it up.

That The Glass Mountain featured Tito Gobbi and was scored by Nino Rota are immediate selling points. And they do not disappoint. Gobbi when he appears is on top form, not the most beautiful or powerful voice(but still a good sturdy one) but his intelligence and musicianship really shines through as does his acting ability. Nino Rota's music is both musical and sweeping, an outstanding score and one of the best of his early ones. The gorgeous Alpine scenery and that The Glass Mountain is beautifully shot are other things to like, as are the songs that Gobbi sings and the amusing, powerful and moving story. The rest of the acting is fine and the singing is top-drawer. The Glass Mountain always engage, the film is nicely scripted and the direction doesn't undermine anyone or anybody at all. If there is anything to criticise The Glass Mountain for, it is that the ending is somewhat of a cop-out though Rota's music does elevate it a little. Other than that, it is a marvellous and charming film. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I saw this film in the 1950s, as has been said previously the music and the singing are supreme and memorable. I have not seen the film since its first showing, mainly I think because it must have been shown on TV whilst I was at work if it ever was on the box

It is definitely a film that should be viewed a second time, so perhaps I will buy the DVD now that I know it is available

Dulcie and Michael are very good acting together, usually playing the typical English couple . I do not think that the music would appeal only to opera lovers. its tuneful melodies should be appreciated by all music lovers.

I faintly remember this film ... and mostly because of the main theme song, the melody of which haunts me. Of course, Tito Gobi is the star as far as that theme song is concerned. I should mention that several month ago I did connect with a webpage that offered a short DEMO of Tito Gobi singing this Glass Mountain song... but I cannot find it again. Perhaps you, the reader, can tell me the URL of this website. I do not remember the plot of this film; just the music. Greetings!