Fr Geoffrey G. Attard, Victoria
Qala house in 1963 film demolished
Few people may perhaps still remember the movie Treasure in Malta which was produced in 1963 by Derek Williams in which various Maltese actors had a particular role to play. Many places in Malta and Gozo featured in the film.
One particular place was an old house in the village of Qala in Gozo which was characterised by its reddish stone and which had the appearance of a small villa. Recently I was in Qala visiting the Institute of Tourism Studies which sits next to the primary school and which is only a stone's throw away from this old house.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this very house, which featured in the 1963 movie, being quickly demolished; such a sad experience indeed! Is it possible that neither the Mepa nor the Qala local council could stop this little architectural treasure from being destroyed once and for all! I would have thought that a place with such historical value would have been treasured for future generations to enjoy. What a shame indeed!
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Joseph Buttigieg Attard
Jan 20th 2010, 10:31
To cite a house that appeared is some kind of movie as ‘Historic’ is unbelievable and much more unacceptable! Shameful perceptions indeed!!
LESS SAID THE BETTER!!!
Galea. L
Jan 19th 2010, 22:00
Sue Mercieca
People with the same opinion as yours have brought the country to the dire situation it is in with masses of unoccupied buildings and destruction of houses of character to build more concrete matchboxes which are never going to be sold and occupied.
oliver mallia
Jan 19th 2010, 20:05
@ Charles Sammut
It’s name was Il Villa L Hamra ! Next to the Wigna Tower.
RIP
Charles Sammut
Jan 19th 2010, 18:57
Another beautiful building which featured in that film, was the villa and gardens in Tower Street, St Paul's Bay. It was demolished ages ago to be replaced by apartments. I remember it had a wonderful garden with ponds and bridges and towering auricaria trees. What a shame.
enzo gusman
Jan 19th 2010, 13:48
@ R, Azzopardi
Wonderful memories of Malta in that movie.....I do have it on DVD
Please contact me on enzogusman@waldonet.net.mt
michael buttigieg
Jan 19th 2010, 13:01
@Fr.geoffrey G.attard
what historical value had this house cause it was featured is a film? Its a 50 year old house and nothing of historical value.
Galea. L
Jan 19th 2010, 12:56
Dear Father Attard, dont you know what is happening in Qala where a certain family together with MEPA are ruining the belvedere with their restaurant?
Sue Mercieca
Jan 19th 2010, 12:14
I disagree that on such a tiny island we can afford to keep and restore all that we think might have some importance. I strongly disagree that we keep film sets. Those have no historical value but commercial value, the outdated Popeye's Village comes to mind - which area i am to understand was given by a simple declaration in the Government Gazette (correct me if i am wrong) to the detriment of all the people who enjoyed the beach beforehand! One needs to understand that time cannot be stopped no matter what one can try to do. Another appeal has now just been made to keep former Prime Minister's childhood home from demolition. At this rate - we will have half of Malta 'preserved'! Nostalgia can get to us of course.
Joseph Sammut
Jan 19th 2010, 11:44
Does a house which featured in a movie become historic? Don't get me wrong, I love these old houses and I agree to not demolishing them, but not because they featured in a movie. However, the movie in question, should be featured on TV every so ofter, because yes, it is a historic movie - we have lost that Malta.
Joanna Saliba
Jan 19th 2010, 10:37
Mr Azzopardi
I think you are a bit out of point here. Fr Geoffrey is not concerned about the film and especially Land Rovers (although I share your interest here ) but about our historic sites which are being demolished.
R. Azzopardi
Jan 19th 2010, 10:04
I watched the film 10 years ago. It was lent to me by the late Guido Saliba who had a prominent role in the movie. Apart from enjoying the movie for its story and fantastic acting, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing various parts of Malta as they were before my time (I was born in 1979) and I had the added bonus of seeing various Land Rover Series Ones (vehicles which have a special place in my heart) being used as daily runabouts, military trucks and farmer's pick-ups. If my memory serves well, I also believe that the Gozo ferry shown in the movie was the Imperial Eagle which has since been scuttled to be enjoyed by the diving community. I wish I could get my hands on that movie again.