She is one of only seven actresses to have won in both categories. First, that an ensemble cast of talented actresses and lavish scenery in an exciting place and time is a certain formula for cinematic success. As such, he often runs away looking for his mother. Here are the pros & cons of this film as I see it, I hope this helps. Dame Margaret Natalie "Maggie" Smith CH DBE (born 28 December 1934) is an English actress. Was this review helpful to you? You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Understated but none the less effective, probably more so, because of it.If you haven't seen this film, see it as soon as you can. A haunting ghost story spanning two worlds, more than a century apart. View production, box office, & company info. In July 1944, as the British Army advances toward San Gimignano, Arabella frantically defends her beloved frescoes from demolition by German troops and is heroically joined in the line of fire by Georgie and the English women, including Lady Hester. Judi Dench and her dog being thrown out of the cathedral, sharply contrasts with the chilling moment when the Jewish arts professor is taken away by the Gestapo. The film was produced by three Italian companies (Medusa Produzione, Cattleya and Cineritmo) and one British ( Film and General Productions Ltd), Mussolini's declaration of war on Great Britain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tea_with_Mussolini&oldid=999666842, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Tessa Pritchard as Connie Raynor, a journalist for The Morning Post, Baird Wallace as Luca Innocente, as a teenager, Charlie Lucas as Luca Innocente, as a child, Mino Bellei as Cesare, an art dealer and close friend of Elsa. They are saved when the Germans receive orders to retreat, leaving the women and the towers untouched. Elsa still refuses to believe Vittorio's betrayal and is ultimately convinced only when Lady Hester, informed by Mary and Luca of what Elsa has secretly done for all of them, repents of her contempt for Elsa and offers her gratitude and help. This film marks his last on-screen appearance. Because the United States is not at war, Elsa and her American compatriot Georgie Rockwell (Lily Tomlin), an openly lesbian archaeologist, remain free. List actors include Cher, Judi Dench … Luca is aware of the deception but does not tell anyone out of jealous spite against Elsa. He is an actor, known for Tea with Mussolini (1999), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and The Boy Who Cried Bitch: The Adolescent Years (2007). Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Enter the answer length or the answer pattern to get better results. Tea with Mussolini (1999) is a Anglo-Italian semi-autobiographical film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, scripted by John Mortimer, telling the story of a young Italian boy's upbringing by a circle of British & U.S. women before & during WWII. Cameron Diaz – Being John Malkovich as Lotte Schwartz; Cate Blanchett – The Talented Mr. Ripley as Meredith Logue; Mena Suvari – American Beauty as Angela Hayes; Thora Birch – American Beauty as Jane Burnham In 1935 a group of elderly British women, whom the Italians have named the Scorpioni, have chosen Italy, specifically Florence, as a place to live to blend their proper British sensibilities with their love of Italian art and culture. Maggie Smith – Tea with Mussolini as Lady Hester Random. Tea with Mussolini 16-year old novice Maria leaves her convent and returns home to avoid the plague. Harry Potter Collection - Years 1-6. She was the dowager of the community. Add the first question. Tea with Mussolini (1999) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Mary Wallace (Joan Plowright), who works as the man's secretary, steps in to care for him, turning for support to her Scorpioni friends, including eccentric would-be artist Arabella (Judi Dench). The film begins in 1935 in Florence, Italy, where a group of cultured expatriate English women – called the "Scorpioni" by the Italians – meet for tea every afternoon. 1999 – Golden Trailer Awards – Best Drama. A depressed housewife whose husband is having an affair contemplates suicide, but changes her mind when she faces death by a killer hired to do her in. Elsa Morganthal (Cher), a brash rich young American widow whom Scorpioni matron Lady Hester Random (Maggie Smith) barely tolerates, sets up a financial trust for Luca when she learns of the death of his mother, whom she was fond of and to whom Elsa still owes money for her dressmaking services. Michael Williams, who was married to Judi Dench in real life, died not long after the film was finished. The Crossword Solver finds answers to American-style crosswords, British-style crosswords, general knowledge crosswords and cryptic crossword puzzles. Pros: 1. Maggie Smith. In 1920s Ireland, an elderly couple reside over a tired country estate. Tea with Mussolini is a 1999 Anglo-Italian[1] semi-autobiographical film directed by Franco Zeffirelli,[2] scripted by John Mortimer, telling the story of a young Italian boy's upbringing by a circle of British and American women before and during the Second World War.[2]. How accurate "Tea with Mussolini" is, I cannot say, but it is based on the autobiography of the film director Franco Zeffirelli, who directed and co-wrote it, so we can be sure it is true to what he remembers, or wants to remember. The cast members of Tea with Mussolini have been in many other movies, so use this list as a starting point to find actors or actresses that you may not be familiar with. Baird Wallace, Actor: Un tè con Mussolini. Tea with Mussolini contains few surprises, but this amiably ambling drama is too likable -- and well-cast -- to completely resist. Zeffirelli mentions her and a couple of other ladies of the Scorpioni in his autobiography. When the United States enters the war in 1941, Elsa and Georgie are interned with the British women. "[citation needed]. The film tells of a boy named Luca, born out of wedlock to a clothing manufacturer in Florence. 38 of 39 people found this review helpful. One day when the ladies are in a restaurant for afternoon tea, it is vandalised by Fascists, reflecting the increasingly uncertain position of the expatriate community. Cher: The Film Collection DVD (Good Times/Chastity/Silkwood/Moonstruck/Mermaids/Tea With Mussolini) 20 November 2010; Scorecard Review; DVD Review With the upcoming release of … Five years later, Luca (now played by Baird Wallace) returns to Florence with the intention of using Elsa's trust fund to study art. As the war progresses, oppression of Jews increases and Jewish Elsa – protected somewhat by her citizenship and wealth – provides a group of Italian Jews with fake passports, enlisting Luca – who has become enamored of her – to deliver them. Written by Here are the pros & cons of this film as I see it, I hope this helps. Maggie Smith as the widow of a former British ambassador, the character that actually has tea with Mussolini, is the dominant figure in the film. Mussolini Crew Franco Zeffirelli Director, Screenwriter Albert Guiliani Assistant Hair Alberto Spiazzi Costume Designer Alessandro Lai Assistant Costume Designer Alessandro Loy Production Manager Alessio Vlad Composer (Music Score) Alistair Hopkins Post Production Supervisor Angela Allen Script Supervisor Anna Anni Costume Designer Anna Orazi An orphaned Italian boy is raised amongst a circle of British and American women living in Mussolini's Italy before and during World War II. Title: The last days of legendary opera singer Maria Callas. An unlikely group of people find solace and friendship after being thrown together in the wake of a terrorist attack. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. His attitude changes and he gives his trust fund money to members of the Italian resistance movement, which Wilfred has joined. One of those Scorpioni, Mary Walsh (Dame Joan Plowright), works as the English secretary for Paolo Innocente (Massimo Ghini), who, in part because of his own wife's adamant refusal, largely neglects his illegitimate adolescent son, Luca (Baird Wallace), despite Paolo's want for Luca to grow up to be a proper young man, much like the English. 38 used & new from $4.20. Notebook/August Rush/Ladies In Lavender. Tea With Mussolini/How To Make An American Quilt/A Thousand Acres. Four English women, after World War I, who are unhappy with their lives, and their time away on vacation in a beautiful Italian villa. The movie is popular for showing the Italian art and culture and … Tea With Mussolini Critics Consensus. I remember the many outrageous things she did because she could afford to be arrogant and bossy. Born in December 27th, 1934. Judi Dench stars as bohemian art lover Arabella Delancey who never goes anywhere without her beloved dog Billyboy. He finds that most British nationals are fleeing the country, anticipating Mussolini's declaration of war on Great Britain, and that Mary has moved in with Lady Hester and the other English hold-outs. From Ilford, Essex, England, UK. Lady Hester, widow of Britain's former ambassador to Italy, retains an admiring faith in Benito Mussolini (Claudio Spadaro) and takes it upon herself to visit him, receiving his insincere assurances of their safety, and proudly recounts her "tea with Mussolini". An American inherits an apartment in Paris that comes with an unexpected resident. In 1935 a group of elderly British women, whom the Italians have named the Scorpioni, have chosen Italy, specifically Florence, as a place to live to blend their proper British sensibilities with their love of Italian art and culture. The ongoing clash between two worlds i.e. The city rejoices as the Scots arrive, with Luca now serving as their commander's Italian interpreter. Lady Hester Random (Maggie Smith) versus Elsa (Cher) reaches a satisfying resolution which it would be unfair to reveal.There are splendid comic vignettes mixed into the overall drama. Gosford Park/Ladies In Lavender/Before You Go. On a mutual agreement between Paolo and Mary, Mary becomes Luca's guardian, she who will receive help in raising Luca by her fellow Scorpioni and financial help from Paolo as needed. 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