Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Critics Consensus

The cinematography is gorgeous, but the movie plays it fast and loose with history and the novel it was adapted from. Mostly, the movie fails because the romance between the leads strains credulity and the story is largely uninvolving.

28%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 117

50%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 34,407

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Movie Info

An epic tale about the enduring hope of love and the devastating brutality of war, set amid the Italian occupation of Greece during World War II. An officer falls in love with the daughter of the village doctor and he begins to question his reasons for fighting. As the war grows closer the two are forced to choose between their allegiance to their countries and the love they feel for one another.
  • Rating:
    R (Sexuality|Language|Some Violence)
  • Genre:
    romance, war, drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Madden
  • Producer:
    Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Kevin Loader, Mark Huffam
  • Writer:
    Shawn Slovo
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $25.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Universal Pictures, Working Title Films, Le Studio Canal +
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Nicolas Cage
Captain Antonio Corelli
Penélope Cruz
Pelagia
John Hurt
Dr. Iannis
Christian Bale
Mandras
David Morrissey
Weber
Irini Pappas
Drosoula
Piero Maggio
Carlo
Patrick Malahide
Colonel Barge
Gerasimos Skiadaressis
Mr. Stamatis
John Madden
Director
Shawn Slovo
Screenwriter
Louis de Bernières
Writer (Book)
Tim Bevan
Producer
Eric Fellner
Producer
Kevin Loader
Producer
Mark Huffam
Producer
John Toll
Cinematographer
Jim Clay
Production Designer
Mick Audsley
Film Editor
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Critic Reviews for Captain Corelli's Mandolin

All Critics (117) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (84)

View All Critic Reviews (117)

Audience Reviews for Captain Corelli's Mandolin

  • Jul 29, 2014
    An Italian officer occupies a Greek home during WWII and falls for the daughter of a local doctor. This film adaptation of a decent novel includes only what is mediocre about the book and leaves out everything that is good. The most glaring issue occurs at the end, which I won't give away, but I will say that the best line of the book "You owe me a life" isn't included. Nicolas Cage's performance is as bad as most of his other performances, but with an inconsistent accent, waffling motivations, and looking just plain stupid when he tries to be goofily charming, this might be Cage's worst. And Christian Bale, whose character is stripped of its most interesting aspects, seems lost, and when the plot makes him vanish, he goes quietly and unmemorably. Overall, while I'm not sure if I can recommend the book, I know that I can't recommend the film.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Oct 27, 2012
    Nicolas Cage ruins yet another movie that might have been good.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Oct 02, 2010
    "Capt. Corelli's Mandolin" is an old fashioned romance set on the Greek island of Cephalonia, where Italian and German occupation has taken over the otherwise peaceful town during World War II. Nic Cage plays an Italian soldier who loves opera and believes in making love, not war. Penelope Cruz plays the Greek girl who is betrothed to a fisherman (Christian Bale) but who falls in love with Cage. John Hurt did a credible job as the local doctor. The main problems with the film are the dubious accents of all the main actors, its sluggish pace and the dialogue is a bit on the sappy side of things. What I did like about the movie was the scenery. The landscapes were absolutely beautiful.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Jul 27, 2010
    (2001 Director: John Madden) The wonderful direction of this incredible novel (by Louis de Bernieres) brought to the screen is one of my new favorite films. Acting and casting were superb. Left me breathless, similarly to "Memoirs of a Geisha." John Hurt's performance as the father of Pelagia, betrothed to Mandras, who eventually leads the rebellion against the invaing forces, simply blew me away....Penelope Cruz au naturel is even more lovely as an innocent farm girl betrothed to Mandras, her long-time childhood friend. Madden and the raw performances of this amazing cast did justice to Berneires' novel of life-altering life experiences. [more review to follow]
    Teresa S Super Reviewer
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