Tea with Mussolini (1999)
Adult themes, Low level coarse language
Florence 1934: A diverse group of cultured ladies meet for tea each afternoon: Lady Hester Random (Maggie Smith), widow of the British Ambassador to Italy, Arabella (Judi Dench), an artist and singer, Georgie (Lily Tomlin), the exuberant American archaeologist, and the brash and uninhibited Elsa (Cher). One of their fold, Mary (Joan Plowright), becomes surrogate mother to a young boy, Luca, and he is soon virtually adopted and brought up by the group of ladies. But the shifting political climate begins to have serious consequences for this unconventional community and the maturing Luca must face up to a personal challenge of independence. Director Franco Zefferelli (Hamlet, The Champ, Romeo and Juliet), with co- screenwriter John Mortimer, based Tea With Mussolini on his own experiences growing up in Florence.
| Status: | LongWait |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 117mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (43)
43 Member
Reviews
says
very good, semi-true, superb acting. Highly recommended
Nicoletta
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Fabulous period drama with a brilliant cast, beautiful scenery and clothes. The story itself also keeps your attention. Well woth a look.
kevin
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Excellent
Steph
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Can i give it six stars?!? This movie is absolutely a must to see, showing amazing landscapes of Florence and San Giminiano. I enjoyed the clever conversations and the fact that the Mussolini thing is just a concept; the plot is delicate and powerful at the same time. Especially interesting for me to see an Italy of the past from the eyes of English/American Immigrants. Go for it!
Barb
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I loved this, the actors, the story and especially the location, having been to Italy only last year I can't get enough of it!!
cutsnake
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This was a weird one. The actors were speaking English but there was a voice-over in Italian and along with English subtitles it was a complete mess.
Greynan
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Heavens..I was in heaven watching all the glorious "old" dames of the world theatrics (I am of the same vintage) a beautiful film fully deserving of awards etc.
Easy to become enthralled in the story...we all know the outcome so was spared the white knuckle feelings....beautiful costumes. wonderful scenery and just the atmosphere of that era...the first shot of the black shirts filled me with doom but the film never descended into the "nastiness" for which I was grateful..sometimes we all need this type of uplifting, delightfully made escape into a world of the past...when being eccentric was Ok...
JoanM
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Maggie Smith...always a good show and a delightful performance as usual!!
Had a little trouble with the "jumping/loading " on the copy I had, maybe needed cleaning or something?? Can you do this to DVDs??
catherine
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beautiful movie,did not expect such a sensational cast and story line,a rare find
Jules
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I settled into this movie and its eccentric characters. I enjoyed the photography of Florence as well. A touching movie in all. Most enjoyable!
Robina
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Didn't know what to expect with this DVD. Great actors - but plot fell short! I would have rated this 2 1/2. The only thing that held it up was the location!
Osti
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If you want an adventure story go elsewhere. This is a character story, of indominatability, courage, and love, on a stage darkened by war and fascism.
I have seen this story on film before, though that version is not acknowledged anywhere. It was good, but this is better.
I have seen this story on film before, though that version is not acknowledged anywhere. It was good, but this is better.
Lynette M
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The movie was very enjoyable to watch set in the II War Period on how some other people had lived, surived and what they had to be put with.
The actors were well known to most and enjoyed seeing them in a different theme, but you can't forget their sound of voices even if they do looked different!
Glad it was Sub-title or I would have been quite upset.
The disk is faulty though it did jump a few times and one time it went black and had to start or select the scene.
Tony
says
Four and a half really. A great collection of stars and a great semi-autobiographical story together with the beautiful Italian countryside and cities. The Italian character caught with absolute delight, no wonder we love them so much. Just one jarring note, why, oh why did they give the Germans an American tank to advance through one of the Italian towns?
One to watch again and again.
Carole
says
Nice film, great actors, good story with a good ending.
Matthew B.
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I love the cast, but really I found this film quite underwhelming and not all that well made.
Tab H.
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This is a true story. It was very pleasant viewing. Great actors such as Judy Dench, Cher and Maggie Smith. A family movie if a couple of swear words had not been used.
William C.
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entertaining well acted great cast worth watching
Gordon M.
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Very interesting pre world war 2 story of expatriates living in Italy. Good dialogue, great settings, intriguing relationships and well known stars.
Audrey F.
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I enjoyed it very much, I hadn't expected this story.
Gerry V.
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An excellent movie with terrific actors. Really different story
Barbara S.
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Jeffrey C.
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Excellent Movie. Great Stars. Wonderful story.
Christopher H.
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William M.
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Bev M.
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Sue E.
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Sue E.
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Wonderful performance by Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Cher!
Kathleen S.
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great actors, great scenery, good story, interesting time & period in history.cher was very good.
Betsy F.
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Richard H.
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Troy C.
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A wonderful war movie that tells the story from the point of view of some very different women. Superb cast with fantastic performances.
Ironside L.
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Jennie A.
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War story from an enchanting angle. Very much a chick flick.
Rob
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How could a movie fan not like a film with Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright and Cher? It was an excellent study of the manners of the times, 1930s Florence seen through the eyes of the resident slightly scruffy and faded English community, with all their antiquated and snotty attitudes, and the vulgar, rich and Jewish American woman (Cher - a marvellous portrayal) and what happens when Mussolini sides with the Germans in WW11 - sadly most of it horribly true - we know what happened to the Jews. The story was very moving and at times funny, with terrific acting from all players. A must see.
Ronnell G.
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I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this movie and can't believe that I missed it at the cinemeas.
Steve R.
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Superb movie with a great cast. My wife and I loved it so much we visited San Gimignano! Must be viewed while enjoying a bottle of Chianti!
Les H.
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Definately A ladies picture, My wife Liked it
Marilyn K.
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Great cast with subtle characterisations. Giving an insight into Florence during the start of World War 11. Strong performances by outstanding performers proving the staunch English aritocratic beliefs of many ex English patriots. Always worth a second viewing!!
Judy W.
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we really enjoyed this movie,viewers female 65yrs &male 39yrs, kept us entertained all the way through, lots of history included, great actors. loved it
Margaret K.
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Vic
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I love any movie with Maggie Smith and Damr Judi Dench and this one doesn't let me down. Set before the 2nd world war in Florence, scenery, actors and story all brilliant.
Zito P.
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