Captain Corelli's Mandolin [DVD]

Outstanding movie. Reasonably complex story with a great cast. Mixing romance with war is a dificult task. It either winds up a chick flick with a cheezy war or a guy flick with cheezy romance. This blended the quality and screen time of both war and romance very well. Both the wife and I really enjoyed this.

Fabulous music. Fabulous movie too

I have seen a lot of criticism of this movie. It is a wartime romance movie with some history thrown in. This is the story of how World War II affected the inhabitants of the Greek island of Cephallonia in the Ionian Sea. When the Italians occupy the island, Captain Antonio Corelli is billeted in the home of Dr. Iannis and his daughter Pelagia. Pelagia is engaged to a local fisherman who has joined the partisans to fight the invaders. The Italian occupation is benign and Captain Corelli steals his way into Pelagia's heart. When Italy surrenders to the allies, the Italians and the Greeks are happy. But the Germans arrive to take over the occupation. The Italians are disarmed and massacred. Corelli is severed wounded, but Dr. Iannis saves him. The Greeks help him escape by boat at night. The war comes to an end, and life on the island returns to normal. But in 1953 a terrible earthquake levels most of the buildings on Cephallonia. Pelagia, her father and their adopted daughter Lemoni survive. On the next celebration of St. Gerasimus, held in the ruins of the local church, Corelli returns to be reunited with Pelagia. Nicolas Cage may have been miscast as Captain Corelli. His Italian accent sometimes grates on the ear, and his happy-go-lucky attitude seems forced at times. But the rest of the cast, Greek and non-Greek were wonderful. The entire film was shot on Cephallonia, and it is a beautiful place. The sets were all built, but they look perfect in their locations. The music is good enough to stand on its own without the movie. Yes, the director John Madden and the screenwriter Shawn Slovo made changes to the story. It is impossible to be completely faithful to a book when you have only two hours to tell the story. I have read the book, and I think that the movie captures the essence of the book quite well. Penelope Cruz does not get the credit she deserves for her role. She translated Pelagia's serious nature and her fierce temper onto the screen very well. I think it is Ms. Cruz's best work.

Classic beautiful scenery and good acting get your hanky!

I read the novel, Corelli's Mandolin prior to watching the film. And I would suggest you do the same. The novel is rich in history and beautifully written. A true historical novel that gets into the hearts and minds of each character. As all films, some of what was important in the novel was left out of the movie. The back story of the character Carlos and the quick ending come to mind--which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. But the film is satisfying and moving. The setting, the actual Greek island where it took place, is gorgeous. The actors were wonderful.

Excellent movie

I am not a big Cage fan, but he does a nice job in this role. The casting in this film is really good and the location is perfect. It's too bad this film really doesn't get much press because it covers a very contentious period of the war. It captures the difficulties everyday Italians had with being allies of the Third Reich, and the following tragedy when that ended. It also touches on the relationship of Greeks and Italians which is also the subject of the film, " Mediterraneo". If you are a WWII film buff don't pass this up as a romantic novel film, since it's much more than that.

Good movie, bu does not closel follow the book. (which is much better than the movie). Excellent actors.

Good film

ras

Absolutely fab film No problems plays great Recommend

Great 😃👍

Merci