Bella Mafia (TV 1997)

When Sofia marries into a Mafia family, she doesn't know what she's getting into. When her husband, all her brothers-in-law, and her father-in-law are murdered by a rival family, Sofia, her... See full summary »

Director:

David Greene

Writers:

Lynda La Plante (novel), Lynda La Plante (teleplay)

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, Dennis Farina, Nastassja Kinski

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Graziella Luciano
Dennis Farina	...	Don Roberto Luciano
Nastassja Kinski	...	Sophia Luciano
Jennifer Tilly	...	Moyra Luciano
Illeana Douglas	...	Teresa Scorpio Luciano
James Marsden	...	Luka
Gina Philips	...	Rosa Luciano
Richard Portnow	...	Anthony Moreno
Franco Nero	...	Mario Domino
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Vito Giancamo
Carmen Argenziano
Michael Hayden	...	Michael Luciano
Richard Joseph Paul	...	Constantino Luciano
W. Earl Brown	...	Fredrico Luciano
Tony Maggio	...	Alfredo

Storyline

When Sofia marries into a Mafia family, she doesn't know what she's getting into. When her husband, all her brothers-in-law, and her father-in-law are murdered by a rival family, Sofia, her mother-in-law and her sisters-in-law swear to get revenge upon the family.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | mafia | double child murder | fratricide | murder | 

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Taglines:

Hell hath no fury like the women of... [Bella Mafia]

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

16 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bela Mafia

Filming Locations:

Alverno High School - 200 North Michillinda Avenue, Sierra Madre, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Königsberg Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min 105 min (2 parts) 117 min (short)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After Signor Musetti (Michael Kagen) is poisoned and collapses in his limo, he is seen dancing with Teresa (Illena Douglas) at the wedding reception which he had already left.

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Quotes

Luka - Age 10: Are you some kind of prisoner?
Giorgio Corolla: Possibly, but only of my own physical deformities.
Luka - Age 10: You're not eating?
Giorgio Corolla: Help yourself.
Luka - Age 10: Whats that stink in here? Do you go in your pants?
Giorgio Corolla: [chuckles] No, not today, fortunatly
Luka - Age 10: How old are you?
Giorgio Corolla: Older then anyone anticipated I would ever live to be, especially my father. How old are you?
Luka - Age 10: I dunno... Watcha got all these books for?
Giorgio Corolla: I read.
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Bella Luna"
Written by Peter D. Kaye and Lorenzo Caccialanza

User Reviews

This movie should be renamed: Oh the Bitter Irony

Never in all my years of film enjoyment have I passed 3 hours watching such painfully good, yet bitter irony. Although, at the begging one automatically considers this a sad failed remake of The Godfather storyline, one soon comes to the realization that this film has nothing to do with the weakness or shortcomings of the Don and the future patriarchs of the Luciano family. No, this film is about the mistakes of everyday human beings and the most stinging, biting irony one could ever imagine. Even though much of the film is predictable there were twists that added to the pain and were completely unexpected. If you enjoy irony that draws out every last sweat drop, this is the film to watch and remember not the judge this book by its cover --or first scenes.