Mediterraneo

Most reviews have described it as a comedy, since Mediterraneo offers us a soldier who goes to war with a donkey called Silvana, an artistic battalion leader who would rather paint a cathedral then display any kind of leadership and a loud sargent trying to hypnotise his fellow soldiers in a soccer game, I would agree that it is a very funny film. But its more then that. With the help of cinematographer Italo Petriccione, director Salvatores's film is like a whimisical dream, a rose tinted memory. He seems aware that the virginal romantic soldier and the prostitute with a heart of gold are cliches, but in context of this picturesque little poem their romance made me inexplicably and ridiculously happy.

There is something enormously endearing about the Italian language. Maybe its the way the words stretch out, "Medeeteryaano", that makes it seem so passionate. My Italian is about as good as Roberto Benigni's English, but listening to the language spoken by its native speakers is always a pleasure. It just seems less cynical.

The film made me believe that these men could forget themselves for three years in the spiritual and sensual paradise they were sent to conquer. Underscored with some incredibly beautiful bazouki music, Mediterraneo possesses a giddy indescribable charm.


The Relaxation Primer pt. 1   March 28, 2003
Greekfreak (Pusan Korea (South))
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

I loved this movie when it came out; I realize it was a slight choice to win the '91 Oscar for best foreign film, but I think the Academy voters fell in love (as I did) with the notion of 'getting away from it all'.

Years later when films like "Life is Beautiful" started figuring prominently in overall public opinion, "Mediterraneo" deserved all the props it got, and then some. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the splendid cinematography, which will compel you to buy a Greek island just as well as any Fodor's Travel video. I screened this movie in a campus theatre for my friends, and they thought it was magnificent.

An idyllic little romantic comedy that is so lighthearted, you'll think it's heaven-sent. My copy is a region 3 version from Korea, and it's reasonably priced.


Why is this movie so moving?   June 10, 2004
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Well, it's difficult to explain why is this movie so moving... Essentially, nothing really happens most of the time (like in real life). The background is war but you actually dont see any. There's a love story, sort of, but no real love scene, or emotional romance... it's also a comedy, but there aren't any really great memoreable jokes that knock you off. There is some "philosophy", escapism, let's-enjoy-life-while-it's last or whatever, but that's not that revealing either... So why is it so good? Am not sure, although I've seen it many-many times, over and over, can memorize whole scenes and dialogs, completely obssesed with it. Maybe, it creates a certain atmosphere, a silly happy smile that wan't move from yr face for the duration and some time after... you fall in love
with some of the charachters, the italian language, the greek landscape, you watch it and want to ride (or better walk next to)a donkey, sit on a rock and eat some feta, hide in an olive barrell... every small detail of a scene is beautifully shot and sculpted, tasteful, subtle yet simple, every word in its place, it all fits together so well... everytime I see it I discover new details, change my opinion and preferences about the charachters. Now I am quite convinced "lo Russo" is the main personality, although at some pt I thought it was Farina, or perhaps there is no "main" one, like in real life etc.

I tried to show this movie to some teenagers but they got super bored, which was sad, so I wan't do it again, just watch it myself, over and over again...


Great Movie   September 4, 2001
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Just one quick thought: please release this title on DVD. Cinema Paradiso has been released, Il Postino has been released, now this movie should be released. It easily holds its own when compared to these 2 movies. Simply delightful. The acting, the plot, the scenery, easily give this movie a five-star rating. Makes you want to visit the Greek island where the movie was shot and live the experience of "la dolce vita" portrayed in this movie. This film shows you how, even in the thick of war, enemies are more alike then different. We are all linked by the same human spirit.
I await impatiently for the DVD version.


A great movie telling a story of forgotten soldiers   April 14, 2004
Franz L Kessler (Houston, TX, USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Every movie, like life itself, has a beginning and an ending. Comparing the beginning and the ending tells a lot about a movie. The opening picture in Mediterraneo shows a group of people, with little and common, shuffled together by fate. The ending shows a group of friends, who have learnt to share their lives.

It is 1941, and a fierce battle is raging through the eastern part of the Mediterranean, where Italian troops are battling British forces for the control of Islands, such as it happened in similar ways between American troops and the Japanese in the Pacific theatre.

On this background, an Italian platoon is sent to the tiny island of Kastellorizo, the southernmost island of the Dodekanesos, huddled against the Turkish coastline. The cruiser, that brought them to the Island, is sunk the same day, and their radio equipment fails. The soldiers gradually make contact with the Islanders. As the war progresses the soldiers and their little island are forgotten by the war-faring parties.

Step-by-step they find new lives. Some become goat herders, fishermen, while others fall in love with the village prostitute. The commanding lieutenant discovers his talent for fresco painting, and restores the island's church, whilst his eleven members of the platoon serve as models for the followers of Jesus and other saints.

In this movie, the soldiers collectively forget about their identity, and become part of the islander community. However, as the war ends, the island's male abducted population returns to reclaim their wives.

Reluctantly, the Italians leave the island. Only one of them hides in a barrel, after having married the village's prostitute.

This movie is not only highly entertaining. It plays in a rarely portrayed theatre of the WWII.
It portrays the development of human society in the context of compassion and friendship.

I highly recommend this movie to spectators interested in psychology, the absurdity of life, and human development.

Franz L. Kessler www.authorsden.com/franzkessler