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

Aida (excerpts)
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Conducted by Eugene Kohn
Performed by Aprile Millo, Carlo Bergonzi with Orchestra e coro del Teatro Petruzzelli Bari and Anthony Cook

User Reviews

Misunderstood and Underrated

The story behind the making and breaking of this film probably deserves close scrutiny. The whole things, at least at first, seems to be a giant mystery. Franco Zeferelli directed (yes, he was capable of doing poor work e.g. Endless Love despite its cast) but this one is not a bad job. C. Thomas Howell, as Young Toscanini, gives a fine performance and one that should have propelled his busy career into a leading man category. His work is excellent. Elizabeth Taylor likewise performs with the professionalism that is often overlooked. She is every inch the operatic diva the story requires. True, the ending scenes involve sloppy, how-do-I-finish-this-one moments. BUT the remainder of the work features excellence in acting, set and art decoration, cinematography, etc. The script has its lapses, but the rest of the film, despite its easy ending, may not be true to Toscanini but makes for splendid film-making. Why did this one slip by in the middle of the night?

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