Storia di una capinera (1993)

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Giovanni Verga (novel)
Franco Zeffirelli (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

February 1994 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Catania, Sicilia 1864. A serious epidemic of cholera is hitting the region. Maria a 16 years old novice...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Convent | Cholera | Nun | Novice

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Angela Bettis	...	Maria
Johnathon Schaech	...	Nino
Sara-Jane Alexander	...	Annetta
Andrea Cassar	...	Gigi
John Castle	...	Giuseppe
Valentina Cortese	...	Mother Superior
Sinéad Cusack	...	Matilde
Frank Finlay	...	Father Nunzio
Mia Fothergill	...	Giuditta
Pat Heywood	...	Sister Teresa
Janet Maw	...	Tecia
Denis Quilley	...	Baron Cesaro
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Sister Agata
Annabel Ryan	...	Filomena
Gareth Thomas	...	Corrado

Also Known As:

Nisou no koi/Maria no namida (Japan)
Sparrow (International: English title)
Storia di una capinera (Italy)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

Italy | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Spain:7 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Catania, Sicily, Italy

Company:

Mario e Vittorio Cecchi Gori - C.E.I.A.D.

Trivia:

The final cinema film of Denis Quilley.

Movie Connections:

Version of La storia di una capinera (1943)

Beautiful and Dramatic Story of a Forbidden Love

In 1864, in Catania, Sicily, Italy has a serious epidemic of cholera. The novices of a convent are ordered to return home, to the breast and safety of their families to avoid contamination. The teenager novice Maria (Angela Bettis) returns to her wealthy family, where her father, her stepmother Matilde (Sinead Cusack), who indeed wants to get rid off her, and her two half-sisters do not allow her to have a "normal" life of a young woman, since she is a "bride of God". Meanwhile, Maria meets her handsome neighbor Nino (Johnathon Scahech), who is studying to be a lawyer, and he falls in love with her. Maria becomes confused with the new situation and returns to the convent. Maria becomes a nun, and while assisting the disturbed Sister Agata (Vanessa Redgrave), she realizes that the sister became mad because of a lost love. However, the love of Nino for Maria is now completely impossible. "Storia di una capinera" is a beautiful and dramatic story of a forbidden love. The performance of Angela Bettis and Vanessa Redgrave are amazing, and Angela Bettis makes a perfect use of her face, magnificently expressing her feelings. It is very difficult to see a young actress having such a fantastic performance. Although being a sad and never corny story, it is worthwhile to see such a good movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Sonho Proibido" ("Forbidden Dream")