I am the mother of four children 3 girls and 1 boy. I am a stay at home mother, why go out to work ...
I am the mother of four children 3 girls and 1 boy. I am a stay at home mother, why go out to work when you do not need to?
Instead of going out to work I do things like running a mums and toddlers group and a 10 to 12 year olds group(not on my o...
Member since:29.03.2001
Reviews:82
Members who trust:10
With the book in my mind I decided that it was time to watch the film ready to be disappointed. I knew the film could not be as good as the book as the book had given me hours of entertainment and the film would only take 124 minutes. I was prepared and keen to watch ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
Valentines Day arrived; we sent the children to bed, opened a bottle of wine, and settled down on our sofa to watch. Maybe it was the wine or the romance of Valentines Day but I really enjoyed this film. It was not a film of the book, there were some of the same characters in it, but they did not behave in the same way as they did in the book. This film was a different and romantic story. The ending was what I would have wanted for the people in the book not what happened in the book.
This film is a love story with all the classic ‘Mills and Boon’ problems. She is betrothed to another man, he is the enemy, she can not stand the sight of him, and they both fancy each other like anything.
Penelope Cruz brilliantly plays Peligia, she is a woman in love facing many trials and dangers with the strength of character to make a difference. Nicolas Cage plays Captain Corelli who is a very attractive and well-educated Italian occupier who is more interested in music than war. The part is played well enough for the audience to start to fall in love with him. John Hurt plays Dr. Iannis, the wizened old Greek man who is Peligia father. He plays the part in a convincing manner, I could believe that he was the greek doctor who has the wisdom for the whole island.
The setting of the film is beautiful, it makes a city dweller like me want to go there and live the simple life implied in the story. If the life on this island could stay the same then all would be well and happy but war brings hatred and destruction. War is not the only thing that brings destruction to this idyllic location, after the war is over we get further destruction in earthquake. Maybe I would be better living here!
The music on this film is a major part with the captain being a musician. We have troops of soldiers singing together no matter what they are doing be it in the washroom, on the beach or travelling around in jeeps. Then there is the Mandolin playing of the captain which there is far too little of!
One thing I would criticise in this film is the fact that the Italians although they are occupiers seem to be more like friends but the Germans are a totally different breed of people. I can not believe that the national differences could be so great. There is one part of the film which I felt dragged, but the rest of the film was great.
The other problem with this film is you do not know when people are speaking Greek, Italian or German and yet the language difference is an important part of the story. We do see the Captain translating at one part of the film but every one in the film talks English all the time.!
As I said at the start this is not a film of the book just based on the book so the story is a shallower one than the book but none the less very enjoyable. I am glad I watched this film and did not listen to people who told me that it would be a disappointment. This film was an excellent choice for Valentines Day.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Thanks for that I have read the book and was unsure about the film, but you have explained the differences very well. As for falling for Nicholas Cage, I already have...lol
WhileCaptain Corelli's Mandolinmay frustrate admirers of Louis de Bernières' densely ... more
detailed novel, it provesShakespeare in Lovedirector John Madden is a worthy craftsman of literary films. It's a tastefully old-fashioned adaptation, preserving the no...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
WhileCaptain Corelli's Mandolinmay frustrate admirers of Louis de Bernières' densely ... more
detailed novel, it provesShakespeare in Lovedirector John Madden is a worthy craftsman of literary films. It's a tastefully old-fashioned adaptation, preserving the no...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
With memorable performances from Nicolas Cage (Gone In 60 Seconds, Leaving Las Vegas) and ... more
Penelope Cruz (Blow, All The Pretty Horses), acclaimed director John Madden (Shakespeare In Love) creates breathtaking imagery set amid the Italian occupation of ...
In keeping with Hollywood's time-honored tradition of turning celebrated novels into ... more
cinematic spectacles director John Madden brings Louis de Berniere's acclaimed 1994 work 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' to life. Set on the Greek island of Cephalon...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: The fantastic sceneries, a chance to see Nicholas cage attempt an Italian accent. Disadvantages: A film with qualities that aren't particularly special
![Captain Corelli's Mandolin [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78528381.jpg "Captain Corelli's Mandolin [DVD] [2001]")
Feb 15th, 2002
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