Young Toscanini (1988)

A fanciful biopic of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini as a young man.

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

William Stadiem (scenario) (as William H. Stadiem), Franco Zeffirelli (original idea)

Stars:

C. Thomas Howell, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophie Ward

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
C. Thomas Howell	...	Arturo
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Nadina
Sophie Ward	...	Margherita
John Rhys-Davies	...	Rossi
Pat Heywood	...	Madre Allegri
Philippe Noiret	...	Dom Pedro
Franco Nero	...	Claudio Toscanini
Carlo Bergonzi	...	Bertini
Irma Capece Minutolo	...	Signora Mantelli
Nicolas Chagrin	...	M° Miguez
Simon Gregor	...	Carlino
Leon Lissek	...	M° Superti
Elsa Agalbato	...	Paola Toscanini
Andrea Aureli	...	Comparsa
Luciano Bacchielli	...	Comparsa

Storyline

In Rio de Janeiro in 1886, eighteen-year-old conductor Arturo Toscanini (C. Thomas Howell), in Brazil on an orchestra tour, is torn between an aging soprano attempting a comeback and a mistress his own age. Opera diva Nadina Bulichoff (Dame Elizabeth Taylor) has interrupted her stage career for Emperor Dom Pedro II (Philippe Noiret), the of Brazil. When Toscanini begins to coach his childhood idol for a return to the stage in "Aida", Nadina has fallen into deep depression. Toscanini is instrumental in her transformation as her performance proves to be an ultimate triumph and she is back the top of her art.

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Plot Keywords:

orchestra conductor | based on true story | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Not theatrically released in the U.S.

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Soundtracks

William Tell: Overture
Music by Gioachino Rossini
Conducted by Eugene Kohn

User Reviews

Obscure Zeffirelli

This film is the great Franco Zeffirelli's most obscure film and one of his most underrated. C Thomas Howell gives a very good performance as Toscanini. It has beautiful photography, great sets, locations and costumes. The film's only weakness is the script. Some parts are a bit too melodramatic. Although not his best, this film is better than Zeffirelli's ENDLESS LOVE and his latest film CALLAS FOREVER. A good film overall and worth seeing if you're a Zeffirelli or Toscanini fan. An 8 out of 10.

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1988 (Italy)

Also Known As:

El joven Toscanini

Filming Locations:

Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Italian International Film, Carthago Films S.a.r.l., Canal+

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1