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 |
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. Written by alfiehitchie
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.