A must! Whatever you do, the setting has
to be perfect for your intentions. That is why a rigged vintage Mercedes Benz
awaited right in the middle of the luxuriant Parque Lage. A film crew bustled
about, providing last minute adjustments for the continuation of the filming of
Ronald Biggs’ script “Prisoner of Rio”.
It was the end of the 1980s, on a
calm Saturday morning of early Fall. Only a select group were privy to the
explosion about to happen and all present awaited for the big star to arrive. As
usual, he was late (no it is not Ronnie!): Mr Lech Majewski, the Polish
director contracted to orchestrate the filming, would take the set by storm
sometime soon (or not), accompanied by his considerable big entourage. After a
few hours, he would order champagne be served lavishly.
A small group of foreign investors
gathered at the park to watch the activity with their Brazilian partners, and many
of the latter had their hearts bleeding: imported cars were rare in Rio de
Janeiro by then and the crazy director was about to destroy one beautiful model!
Parque Lage was among the fine
choices of scenic views of our city as background for “Prisoner in Rio”. It is
located between Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and the foot of the Corcovado with its
500 hectares of gardens, forest, historic building, trails and art school.
Primarily a sugar cane mill, the site was transformed to residence later on.
The British landscape architect John Tyndale designed the gardens by mid 1800s
and the majestic house was built only in 1920, as a declaration of love: an
homage to his wife, the owner imported its marbles, tiles and decorative bricks
from Italy, along with the draftsman Mario Vodrel.
The park now is a heritage of the
city and belongs to the Government of Rio de Janeiro, since it was given to
Banco do Brasil to pay for debts.
It is worth exploring Parque Lage to
discover its hidden treasures: an aquarium, a romantic cave, the Tudor entrance
of the stables, the Café, plus, those with artistic veins will find a variety
of courses offered at the Escola de Artes Visuais. The address is Rua Jardim
Botânico 414, telephone 21 3257 1800 and further information may be found at www.eavparquelage.rj.gov.br.
Despite many Brazilians cast in the
movie, the account of the 1963 Great Train robbery with almost 3 million
sterling pounds by Ronnie Biggs never reached the carioca’s big silver screens.
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