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Well told story of the Italian occupation of a tiny Greek island during WWII. The Greeks had successfully thrown the Italian Forces out of Greece in the beginning of the war, but backed by the Germans, they reoccupy the Greek mainland and islands. Early in the war, Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) becomes engaged to Mandras (Christian Bale)in a promise ceremony, just before he and all of the other young men went off as volunteers to fight the Italians. Pelagia is studying to become a doctor under her father who is the only doctor on the island. He is not in favor of her betrothal to Mandras, because aside from being only a fisherman, he is illiterate. All of a sudden, the Italian Army is back. The Germans have come to back them up. As a part of the Italian force, there is an artillery unit commanded by a college educated soldier, Captain Corelli. He and all of his men are all members of an opera society back home and are constantly singing. None of them want to be in Greece, and unlike the Germans, they are sympathetic to the feelings of the Greeks, and try to make the best of the situation. Under the occupation, Italian officers are billeted in private homes, and Corelli (Nicholas Cage) is billeted with Pelagia and her father. She acts adversarial towards Capt. Corelli, but an affection soon grows between them. Mandras has now returned from the war and becomes active with the Partisan forces. All while he was gone, Pelagia wrote him daily, with never a reply. As her frustration and worry increased, her feelings for Mandras are beginning to be reevaluated. She is falling deeply in love with Capt. Corelli, and is torn between him and Mandras. Her father once told her that she should marry a foreigner, because she was so much smarter than Mandras or any of the other men there. All of a sudden, in Italy, the Italian Army surrendered to the Allies. The Germans seize all of the Italian soldiers weapons and begin killing many of them. Capt. Corelli and his artillery men turn over many weapons to Mandras and his followers. They are all shot by the Germans. Just barely alive, Mandras finds Corelli and brings him to Pelagia and her father for help. Pelagia tells Mandras that she no longer loves him. With the help of Mandras and his partisans, Capt. Corelli is able to escape the Germans and return to Italy. Pelagia is heartbroken. The war ends and life gradually returns to normal on the tiny Greek island. Suddenly a terrible earthquake strikes and causes more death and destruction. After years of war, now this. Practically everyone is devastated. Then one day Capt. Corelli returns. He just can't go on without Pelagia. This is a touching love story born out of war. This film is loaded with beautiful scenery and lots of good music.Read full review
A romance which takes place on a rustic Greek isle during the Axis invasion in WW II. Cage turns in an understated, but credible performance of a Corelli, an Italian artillery officer who is bowed by the winds of war and conflicted over his duty, beauty, and morality. In the midst of this he falls in love with the daughter of the doctor of the Greek village is occupying along with some unsavory Germans. The daughter, Pelagia, is played as an innocent, rustic, but sultry, Grecian goddess who aspires to follow in her father's footsteps. Miss Cruz is delightful to view on screen — it is seemingly impossible to get an unattractive shot of her. The story works as a romance, war story, and morality play. There are a few subplots — a love triangle brought about by the Greco-Italio attraction of Cage and Cruz is complicated by her engagement to a village fisherman, who is fighting the German invaders. I'm not going to reveal too much here, but the real star is John Hurt, who plays the folksy doctor who is a loving father and dedicated patriot. His performance is at once entertaining and refreshing. The music is great and the real life scenery of Cephallonia is breathtaking. A must see and a worthwhile addition to one's dvd collection.Read full review
A sensitive, strong chemistry, and powerful performance that bonds suspense, humor, drama and pure love together. The ending is very sweet!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
YES IT IS A 5 STAR MOVIE......WE GOT 1/2 WAY THRU THE MOVIE AND IT WENT BAD, SO WE BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE OF THE SAME MOVE BECAUSE IT WAS SO GOOD.... GLAD WE BOUGHT A 2ND ONE, BECAUSE THE ENDING IS WORTH THE EXTRA EXPENSE....AND GOOD MUSIC ALSO INCLUDED.... HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS VERY FINE MOVE.....!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I like Nicholas Cage but in this movie. He presents a whole different persona. We are going to cruise the Greek islands next year and wanted to know more about the Greek islands.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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