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.

Good product

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.

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.

A

i was unfamiliar with the WW-2 history surrounding the Greek island of Cephalonia until I happened to read about the incident in a book on Mussolini where the author tells the story and cites this movie as one of a few places where it has been publicly acknowledged. The book reference peaked my interest in the story of Cephalonia, so I ordered the movie on Amazon.and was not disappointed. Of course the story of Captain Corelli's personal experience in the war is fictional, but the story line is the vehicle used in the movie to tell of the atrocity committed by he German military on this small Greek island near the end of the war after the surrender of the Italian Army. The role of Captain Corelli is played by Nicolas Cage; I'm not typically a big Cage fan, I don't go out of the way to see his movies, but in my opinion this film is some of his best ever dramatic work. This film is fairly recent, but I don't recall ever seeing it advertised running in local theaters when it was released. Anyone who's a history fan should add this movie to their collection; it should, in my opinion,join movies like Gallipoli, The Lost Brigade, and The Hunley as another historical war movie. I think The History Channel should also schedule Captain Correlli's Mandolin periodically on that channel as well.

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.

I appreciated this movie overall. I've read reviews criticizing it, and many are valid. They, however, mostly address Nicolas Cage's acting or the quality of mandolin music, and right so, I suppose.There is one scene which I think is so incredibly important and we would all benefit from watching it and understanding the concept. I recommend this movie, as it's enjoyable if you don't hate Cage's acting. Even if you do, watch the scene I've described below and consider it. I use it often in pre and early martial counseling.The character opposite Cage (Penelope Cruz) is taking with her father about love, and he tells her what she's describing isn't love. "This is what love is..." (Search YouTube for "Captain Corelli's Mandolin This Is What Love Is", posted by TheFunFlicks. I'm in no way affiliated with that channel, BTW.) I think the clip will also entice many watch the film.I purchased this product with personal funds and was in no way compensated for this review

Tutto ok 👌, 9

Love this dvd great story

ras

I am a little surprised that this film has been panned by some of the critics, I suspect that is because it doesn't conform to the typical stereotype of a Hollywood film about the Second World War.Perhaps many of the critical reviewers here got to the scene on the beach and switched off ? I have news for you guys, it is the only scene like that in the whole film. Persevere, you will be pleased that you did.I think that ultimately it is quite a moving film.Despite the fact that it is somewhat different to the book (on which it is based) it is still a very well made film with a very positive storyline.Penelope Cruz is excellent, as is John Hurt. I was a little surprised (and apprehensive) at the casting of Nicholas Cage but overall he doesn't make a bad job of things.The filming is wonderful, the story is good, and the scenery breathtaking and, as others have already pointed out, it can usually be purchased for next to nothing, which genuinely surprises me.This is a good film !Buy this film, you will not be disappointed !

Good film