Tea with Mussolini
Directed by:
Franco ZeffirelliCinematography:
David WatkinCast:
Cher, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith, Lily Tomlin, Massimo Ghini, Chris Larkin, Paolo Seganti, David Agranov, Roberto Farnesi, Michael Williams (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Pre-war Florence is the place to be for any proper British woman who relishes culture and the arts. These ladies have everything they could ever want or need - including a promise from Dictator Mussolini himself that not even the imminent World War will impose upon their lifestyle. But when it appears that his word is not kept and these expatriates are in trouble, it takes a young outcast boy and a brazen American woman to keep them in the high life and out of harm’s way. Director Franco Zeffirelli, with co-screenwriter John Mortimer, based Tea with Mussolini on his own experiences growing up in Florence. (Via Vision Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (1)
I haven't seen the film very often since its premiere in the movie theater, but it's clear to me now, after seeing it again, how much of a service it did to the general acceptance of wartime Italy. It's of little use, though. It's still always just the evil and one-sided Germany in the regular movies, but Italy lived with its Duce for an entire 11 years longer... The fates of the elderly English ladies and one American Jewish woman are chosen with grace and deliberation.
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