A story of civilized disobedience regarding some expatriate women and on Zeffirelli's own childhood who seems to be the illegitimate son called Luca (Baird Wallace) of a wealthy Italian . The boy's mother has died, and whose neglected father (Massimo Ghini) has all but abandoned him , the latter is happy when the boy is taken in a peculiar group of eccentric women. As Luca's raised by a group of middleaged woman , known as the Scorpioni, in 1930s Florence, they are the following ones : Judi Dench as Arabella , Joan Plowright as Mary Maggie Smith as Lady Hester , Lily Tomlin as Georgie . He is specially raised by an Englishwoman(Joan Plowright , Laurence Olivier's wife) in pre-World War II Fascist Italy. Living to each other in Florence, and presided over by an ambassador's widow, a group of Englishwomen live a sheltered existence which they believe is guaranteed personal protection in a tea reception given by Il Duce (Claudio Spadaro). However, as war breaks out, Mussolini consolidates his power and Luca is sent away to school and the women are interned , and while they find themselves unwelcome foreigners , but he cannot sever ties to his surrogate mothers when is enlisted . This English colony is occasionally joined by a flamboyantly rich American-Jewish (Cher) , who visits them amongst her travels and marriages to wealthy older men.
Semi-autobiographical tale in the Fascist Italy from the early life of writer/director Franco Zeffirelli, describes his early existence with an expatriate community of women. Amusing if not always focused comedy drama with great interpretations , including the stunning cast , three Award winners: Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, and Cher . Being well co-written by Franco Zeffirelli and John Mortimer and regarding historic events as the rise and fall of Mussolini. Lush Production Design and Art Design by Biagio Fersini ,Fiorella Mariani , Marco Allegri , though the war scenes late in this movie are shots taken from A bridge too Far (1977) . And being very well-performed, protagonists are adequate for the roles , a veteran star studded-cast , such as : Cher, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith , Lily Tomlin . And supported by notorious secondaries such as : Massimo Ghini, Paolo Seganti , Claudio Spadaro Chris Larkin as Major Gibson is Dame Maggie Smith's son and final theatrical film of Michael Williams as British Consul who was the actor-husband of Dame Judi Dench and Jackie Basehart as Count Bernardini was son of American actor Richard Basahart and Italian Valentina Cortese .
It contains exquisite cinematography by Davit Watkin , a magnificent Italian cameraman , being shot on evocative location in Florence . Unforgettable and auntingly wonderful musical score by Stefano Arnaldi and Alessio Vlad. The motion picture was well written and directed by Franco Zeffirelli . He was a production designer and director, known for The taming of shrew (1967), Romeo and Juliet (1968), La traviata (1982) , Champion , Jane Eyre , Endless Love , Hamlet , Otello , Turandot , Sparrow , Callas Forever and the TV series Jesus of Nazareth . Received a Special 1962 Tony Award "for designs and direction of the Old Vic's 'Romeo and Juliet'." The following year, in 1963, he was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Scenic Designer for "The Lady of the Camellias." Being one of eight Italians to have been nominated for the Academy Award for 'Best Director'. Rating : 7/10. Worthwhile watching , better than average .
Semi-autobiographical tale in the Fascist Italy from the early life of writer/director Franco Zeffirelli, describes his early existence with an expatriate community of women. Amusing if not always focused comedy drama with great interpretations , including the stunning cast , three Award winners: Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, and Cher . Being well co-written by Franco Zeffirelli and John Mortimer and regarding historic events as the rise and fall of Mussolini. Lush Production Design and Art Design by Biagio Fersini ,Fiorella Mariani , Marco Allegri , though the war scenes late in this movie are shots taken from A bridge too Far (1977) . And being very well-performed, protagonists are adequate for the roles , a veteran star studded-cast , such as : Cher, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith , Lily Tomlin . And supported by notorious secondaries such as : Massimo Ghini, Paolo Seganti , Claudio Spadaro Chris Larkin as Major Gibson is Dame Maggie Smith's son and final theatrical film of Michael Williams as British Consul who was the actor-husband of Dame Judi Dench and Jackie Basehart as Count Bernardini was son of American actor Richard Basahart and Italian Valentina Cortese .
It contains exquisite cinematography by Davit Watkin , a magnificent Italian cameraman , being shot on evocative location in Florence . Unforgettable and auntingly wonderful musical score by Stefano Arnaldi and Alessio Vlad. The motion picture was well written and directed by Franco Zeffirelli . He was a production designer and director, known for The taming of shrew (1967), Romeo and Juliet (1968), La traviata (1982) , Champion , Jane Eyre , Endless Love , Hamlet , Otello , Turandot , Sparrow , Callas Forever and the TV series Jesus of Nazareth . Received a Special 1962 Tony Award "for designs and direction of the Old Vic's 'Romeo and Juliet'." The following year, in 1963, he was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Scenic Designer for "The Lady of the Camellias." Being one of eight Italians to have been nominated for the Academy Award for 'Best Director'. Rating : 7/10. Worthwhile watching , better than average .