Tea with Mussolini - The Movie [01/11]

Semi-autobiographical tale from the early life of director Franco Zeffirelli looks at the illegitimate son (Charlie Lucas as a child, Baird Wallace as the teen) of an Italian businessman. The boy's mother has died, and he is raised by an Englishwoman (Joan Plowright) in pre-WWII Fascist Italy. Living to each other in Florence, and presided over by an ambassador's widow (Maggie Smith), a group of Englishwomen live a sheltered existence which they believe is guaranteed personal protection in a tea reception given by Il Duce. However, as war breaks out, the women are interned. Occasionally in this English colony is a wealthy American (Cher), who visits among her travels and marriages to wealthy older men. She respects the "Scorpioni", as they are known, and secretly arranges for their stay in a hotel. The ambassador's widow finds her vulgar and tries to ignore her, but when the United States enters the war, the American too is taken into custody. Only then does she discover that her Italian lover (Paolo Seganti) has tricked her into signing over all her money and modern art collection to him, and is now arranging her execution. This obliges all to join forces. Lily Tomlin also appears as an American archaeologist working at a dig in the city.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Tea
• with
• Mussolini
• Cher
• Joan
• Plowright
• Judi
• Dench
• Maggie
• Smith
• Lily
• Tomlin
• Charlie
• Lucas
• Baird
• Wallace
• Franco
• Zeffirelli

[actheaterstudent]

does Cher's character get killed?

[Lisilyn]

No, she doesn't

[cherforeverDiva]

I love this movie THANKS A LOT for uploading

[sweetab24]

so glad someone finally downloaded this movie. thanks so much. you're the best:)

[musicaltheatergeek79]

Love the song in the opening credits. What's it called?

[sunnymarky]

a delightful movie, Maggie Smith was wonderful , so funny

[suzannesadiiqa]

This must have been almost the last time Dame Judi had the chance to act with her husband Michael, very sad, but a lovely film...

[suzannesadiiqa]

Scorpions sting not bite!

[DGViDa]

talented actors wasted in this sloppily told story

[homealone2nana]

thank you. this is a keeper! a long time favorite as I follow Lady Plowright and others as well. this is what I call a 'sleeper'. Wonderful performances, this.

[homealone2nana]

thank you. this is a keeper!

[LeRoi715]

@kofixg

so am I! she is amazing and very talented; the movie without her will not be so good to watch.

Cheers!

[LeRoi715]

@kofixg