British Universities Film & Video Council

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Tea with Mussolini

Alternative title
Tea with Mussolini
Synopsis
Feature film comedy drama, based on Zeffirelli’s autobiography, concerning a group of elderly expatriate English women living in Florence in 1934. One of the group (Mary), who are known as the ‘Scorpioni’, finds herself looking after the illegitimate son (Luca) of her employer, after the boy’s mother dies. As the fascist regime tightens its hold, the diplomat’s widow (Lady Hester) contacts Mussolini who invites her to Rome for tea and reassurances. In one scene Mary and Luca enact the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet using a toy theatre. The scene is interrupted by the brownshirts outside. Later, when Luca is sent to Austria, the women send him away with a heartfelt rendition of Henry V’s Crispin Crispian speech.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain; Italy
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1998
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); toy theatres

Credits

Director
Franco Zeffirelli
Producer
Clive Parsons; Giovannella Zannoni; Riccardo Tozzi
Cinematographer
David Watkin
Music
Alessio Vlad; Stefano Arnaldi
Costume
Alberto Spiazzi; Anna Anni; Jenny Beavan
Art Direction
Carlo Centolavigna; Gioia Fiorella Mariani
Cast
Baird Wallace 
Charlie Lucas 
Cher 
Joan Plowright 
Judi Dench 
Lily Tomlin 
Maggie Smith 

Production Company

Name

Business Affair Productions

Name

Cattleya Films

Name

Cineritmo

Name

Film & General Productions

Name

Medusa Film

Distributor (Sale)

 

Available from retail outlets

View this record on the Shakespeare site for additional details

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