Bought this dvd because we had booked a holiday in Kefalonia and thought the film might get us in the mood. It is basically a love story set on Kefalonia during the second World War when the island was occupied by Italian and German forces. An excellent cast and lovely story with beautiful scenery.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Perhaps I should not have read the book first, as film adaptations are always a disappointment, but although I understand the limitations of film, some changes here are unforgiveable. I understand the need to change the ending, the ending in the book just wouldn't work in a film, but it seems bizarre to turn the partisans into heroes when in the book they are thugs and butchers, almost as bad as the Nazis, who are also cowards who stay away from the Nazis, The treatment of the character of Mandras is particularly galling. In the book he serves to illustrate how an innocent man can have his mind corrupted and be turned into a murderer and rapist, but in the film he is a pinnacle of virtue who tries to win back Pelagia's love by saving Corelli. In the book he becomes a monster who thinks he has the right to take whatever he wants and Pelagia has to shoot him to avoid being raped. Although this film is shocking in parts for me it has the feeling of having been sanitised. I quite like Nicolas Cage, but I don't feel that he was right for this role. Of course John Hurt was superb as always and perfect for the role, as was Penelope Cruz, but the real star was Cephalonia (but, the scenery in the book is better). I would recommend any one to read the book. It's a bit long, but it's very well written and I found it a very easy read.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Having just come back from Kefalonia (where the film was made) we had high hopes for at least some beautiful scenery. But the film fails on virtually every level. Nick Cage makes every effort to bring some life to the proceedings, but his co-star Penelope Cruz is lacklustre in every way and their romance never remotely convinces. Scenes jump from one to the other and it often feels like important information/motivation is missing to make sense of them. The story doesn't know what it wants to be and is just a jumble of half-formed plots. Disappointing.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Very well made scenery was lovely Kefalonia is nice the story was extremely good not just a love story Quite harrowing at times
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you want to visit kefalonia you must watch this film.. Nice film nit very good acting by Cage tough
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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