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Captain Corelli''s Mandolin

Movie Captain Corelli''s Mandolin Director John Madden Producer Kevin Loader Cast Nicolas Cage, Penélope Cruz, Christian Bale

By Ad-Lib There have been war movies made and many love stories made and yet more that have combined Love and War together but in all of those movies, one diluted the other and usually the love story seems an unnecessary part of the script. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin has focused on both aspects yet stayed far enough so that the same mistake is not repeated. A beautiful Mediterranean island, which belongs to Greece, called Cephallonia is the canvas on which Director John Madden paints the movie. A laid back and easy town that is God fearing, innocent, believes in laughing, living life to the fullest and yet from past experience acknowledges the fragility of this Utopian existence. It is in this town that Dr. Iannis (John Hurt) and his daughter Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) live and work. Pelagia is in love with one of the local boys called Mandras (Christian Bale), who in modern terms can be called an illiterate Jock but they both love each other. In this ideal world comes the prospect of war with Mussolini’s Italy and Mandras signs up to fight at the front. Pelagia and Mandras however get engaged before he leaves and she awaits his return and writes to him everyday. The news finally comes that the Greeks defeat the Italians but Hitler’s army comes to their aid and crush the Greeks. Mandras can only be considered dead since there is no word from him. This is the point when after an amusing exchange at the town square, the town surrenders to the Italian and German forces. Enter the handsome, oddball Captain Corelli (Nicholas Cage) who wields a rifle and a mandolin and is in charge of artillery. He is smitten by Pelagia (who has a sworn hatred for all Italians). By circumstances and an arrangement between the Doctor and the Italians, Corelli ends up staying at his home. After many altercations she finds out that he and his men were actually coerced into joining the war effort. But now all of a sudden Mandras makes a comeback! But makes an equally swift exit after confusing Pelagia with old feelings that she had suppressed. At one instance Corelli plays his mandolin for Pelagia. She is taken in by its magic and Love blossoms between them. The war makes its first turn when the Mussolini is toppled in Rome and the Army stationed in Cephallonia is only more than happy to go home. But then in an act of betrayal, the Germans turn on the Italians and many are killed. Corelli sees the treachery and gives his arms to Mandras and his resistance fighters while surrendering however, they are caught and his group is killed. Corelli survives, saved by Mandras and nursed back to health by Pelagia and the Doctor. He eventually leaves the Island when it becomes too dangerous to stay. Times passes and the war is over, life returns to normal in Cephallonia and the village is back to laughing, drinking and enjoying life. Pelagia now practices medicine. The Doctor knows that her heart aches for Corelli. An Earthquake that devastates the town but they are back on there feet in no time and Corelli does come back for Pelagia. And there’s a happy ending! More than romance it’s the Evil of war that highlights itself in the movie. Love that crosses boundaries and politics is crushed by the brutality of war. The performances are stunning. Cage, Cruz and John Hurt are fabulous with Christian Bale being a real surprise. Cinematography is superb and Direction is so good that it reminds one of the war movies that starred Richard Burton and the like. However this is a movie for a mature audience and only those with some kind of knowledge of history can understand the circumstances. But otherwise it’s a must see. I would rate this movie a cool 8 out of 10- a good start to the year.