Mary is delighted to see that Luca – now in British uniform – has become the "English gentleman" his father wished him to become. A young man ushers an older woman into a dark exploration of her past - back to the time when, as a young girl, she met a stranger who affected her life forever. With Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher. 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. Living with them are their high-spirited niece, their Oxford student nephew, and married house guests, who are trying... See full summary », Catania, Sicily, 1854. 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. This page was last edited on 11 January 2021, at 09:27. Tea with Mussolini is a 1999 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 and American women before and during the Second World War. He said: "I don't remember if she was called Hester, but I remember this terrible, fantastic woman. It is probably the best performance I have seen by Maggie Smith, who often seems to be playing the same character actually. 16-year old novice Maria leaves her convent and returns home to avoid the plague. 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 Franco Zeffirelli's semi-autobiographical Tea with Mussolini implies two things. (1999). Because the United States is not at war, Elsa and her American compatriot Georgie Rockwell (Lily Tomlin), an openly lesbian archaeologist, remain free. 2000 – Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards – Best Period Hair Styling Feature; Vivian McAteer. 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. Here are the pros & cons of this film as I see it, I hope this helps. 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. It has a wonderful ensemble cast featuring Cher, Lily Tomlin, Judi Dench, and two great character actresses Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith. 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. The film tells of a boy named Luca, born out of wedlock to a clothing manufacturer in Florence. Five years later, Luca (now played by Baird Wallace) returns to Florence with the intention of using Elsa's trust fund to study art. 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. Title: His attitude changes and he gives his trust fund money to members of the Italian resistance movement, which Wilfred has joined. 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). Here are the pros & cons of this film as I see it, I hope this helps. When 13-year-old Tolly finds he can mysteriously travel between the two, he begins an adventure that unlocks family secrets laid buried for generations. Before she departs, Elsa tells Luca how she once helped his young mother choose to go through with her pregnancy, thus allowing him to be there for her. She has won a record four BAFTA Awards for Best Actress, including for A Private Function (1984) and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1988), a BAFTA Best Supporting Actress for Tea with Mussolini … An American inherits an apartment in Paris that comes with an unexpected resident. Maggie Smith. Judi Dench stars as bohemian art lover Arabella Delancey who never goes anywhere without her beloved dog Billyboy. First, that an ensemble cast of talented actresses and lavish scenery in an exciting place and time is a certain formula for cinematic success. 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. However Luca becomes jealous when she forms a romantic alliance with Vittorio (Paolo Seganti), a shrewd Italian lawyer. But this is her best since Miss Jean Brodie, and Joan Plowright, Judi Dench, Lily Tomlin and Cher are all equally impressive.The settings are skilfully designed to draw the viewer in, and when you are setting your movie in Florence and its environs you can't go wrong anyway. She was the dowager of the community. The city rejoices as the Scots arrive, with Luca now serving as their commander's Italian interpreter. This FAQ is empty. 1999 Press Photo Actress Judi Dench and co stars in ""Tea With Mussolini" This is an original press photo. The Crossword Solver finds answers to American-style crosswords, British-style crosswords, general knowledge crosswords and cryptic crossword puzzles. Maggie Smith – Tea with Mussolini as Lady Hester Random. At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Composer Giuseppe Verdi's birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean (Dame Maggie Smith), an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents. The major has orders to evacuate the Scorpioni but Lady Hester refuses to cooperate, resolved that they will resume their former lives in Italy. 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. Notebook/August Rush/Ladies In Lavender. 38 used & new from $4.20. Meet the cast and learn more about the stars of Tea With Mussolini with exclusive news, pictures, videos and more at TVGuide.com Harry Potter Collection - Years 1-6. View production, box office, & company info. Two sisters befriend a mysterious foreigner who washes up on the beach of their 1930s Cornish seaside village. A haunting ghost story spanning two worlds, more than a century apart. Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy. 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]. TEA WITH MUSSOLINI seems to be marketed as the "Cher Movie" but it's not. Luca has lived in an orphanage since his dressmaker mother's death, death a concept that Luca does not yet understand. Closing texts explain the mostly happy fates of the characters, concluding with the remark that Luca went on to become an artist and "helped in making this film" – in other words, as writer and director. An epidemic of cholera is hitting the region. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Elsa falls for Vittorio's scheme to embezzle her art collection and money, which would deliver her to the German Gestapo in a phony escape to Switzerland. 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. Together, they teach Luca many lessons about life and especially the arts. Tea with Mussolini According to IMDb, Tea with Mussolini has been shot in and around locations of Italy. 38 of 39 people found this review helpful. Amazon.com: Tea With Mussolini: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher, Lily Tomlin, Baird Wallace, Charlie Lucas, Massimo Ghini, Paolo Seganti, Claudio Spadaro, Mino Bellei, Paul Chequer, Franco Zeffirelli, Clive Parsons, Frederick Muller, Giovannella Zannoni, Marco Chimenz, Pippo Pisciotto, Franco Zeffirelli, John Mortimer: Movies & TV. Dames Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Joan Plowright, and Maggie Smith get together for tea to reminisce and discuss their acting careers. Enter the answer length or the answer pattern to get better results. Tea With Mussolini Critics Consensus. Lady Hester Random is based upon a real resident of Florence whom Zeffirelli knew in his childhood. 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). Huggo. Was this review helpful to you? Elsa uses Luca to deliver forged orders and funds to have the ladies moved from their distressingly barracks-like quarters to an upper class hotel. From Ilford, Essex, England, UK. As such, he often runs away looking for his mother. Select from premium Tea With Mussolini of the highest quality. Her stepmother and her half-sisters ... See full summary ». Luca has lived in an orphanage since his dressmaker mother's death, death a concept that Luca does not yet understand. I remember the many outrageous things she did because she could afford to be arrogant and bossy. Find the perfect Tea With Mussolini stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Here are some well-known faces from Sundance over the years, as they brought their early movies to the festival. When the United States enters the war in 1941, Elsa and Georgie are interned with the British women. They are saved when the Germans receive orders to retreat, leaving the women and the towers untouched. Born in December 27th, 1934. Zeffirelli mentions her and a couple of other ladies of the Scorpioni in his autobiography. The last days of legendary opera singer Maria Callas. The ongoing clash between two worlds i.e. 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. An unlikely group of people find solace and friendship after being thrown together in the wake of a terrorist attack. Tea with Mussolini (1999) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Here are the pros & cons of this film as I see it, I hope this helps. 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. Luca is aware of the deception but does not tell anyone out of jealous spite against Elsa. But the political situation continues to deteriorate and the Scorpioni find their status and liberties diminishing. Rated PG for thematic elements, language, brief nudity and some mild violence, Franco Zeffirelli, Italian creator of sumptuous visuals, dies at 96, Franco Zeffirelli, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Director, Dead at 96. The Crossword Solver found 21 answers to the Tea with Mussolini actress, Judi ___ crossword clue. Add the first question. "[citation needed]. The movie is popular for showing the Italian art and culture and … Tea with Mussolini contains few surprises, but this amiably ambling drama is too likable -- and well-cast -- to completely resist. 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". 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 … 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. Young Luca (Charlie Lucas) is the illegitimate son of an Italian businessman (Massimo Ghini) who shows little interest in his son's upbringing; the boy's mother, a dressmaker, has recently died. 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 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. This film marks his last on-screen appearance. 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. 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. 1999 – Golden Trailer Awards – Best Drama. 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. She is one of only seven actresses to have won in both categories. Gosford Park/Ladies In Lavender/Before You Go. Pros: 1. 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. 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. 2000 – Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists – Best Costume Design (Migliori Costumi); Anna Anni, Alberto Spiazzi. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. and Dame Margaret Natalie "Maggie" Smith CH DBE (born 28 December 1934) is an English actress. Mary learns of it from Elsa's art dealer (Mino Bellei) and scolds Luca. The film opened tenth at the U.S. box office with $1,633,183 for the weekend, eventually grossing a total of $45,566,200, considerably more than its budget. Baird Wallace, Actor: Un tè con Mussolini. 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. 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