Sparrow (1993)
"Storia di una capinera" (original title)

Catania, Sicilia 1864. A serious epidemic of cholera is hitting the region. Maria a 16 years old novice leaves her convent and returns her home to avoid contamination. Here she finds a ... See full summary »

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

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

Stars:

Angela Bettis, Johnathon Schaech, Eva Alexander

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Angela Bettis	...	Maria
Johnathon Schaech	...	Nino
Eva Alexander	...	Annetta (as Sara-Jane Alexander)
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

Storyline

Catania, Sicilia 1864. A serious epidemic of cholera is hitting the region. Maria a 16 years old novice leaves her convent and returns her home to avoid contamination. Here she finds a difficult situation, in fact her stepmother and her half-sisters prevent Maria to live the normal life of a teenager. In their minds Maria is the promised "bride of God" and a regular life for her is inappropriate. Nino, her handsome neighbor, falls in love for Maria who isn't indifferent to him. But when Maria comes back to her convent the way to become nun is compelled. Now Maria can understand Sister Agata, and realizes she became mad cause a lost and impossible love like the one between Maria and Nino.

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Plot Keywords:

love | convent | nun | novice | cholera | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1994 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Sparrow

Filming Locations:

Catania, Sicily, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica, Officina Cinematografica, Nippon Film Development and Finance

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final cinema film of Denis Quilley.

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Connections

Version of La storia di una capinera (1943)

User Reviews

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")