a be often the case when you attempt to take a 400 plus page book and cram it into a two hour film and a lot be lose . here director john madden ( shakespeare in love ) take on an extremely ambitious project and almost pull it off . what we get be a charming and emotionally compelling film that seem somehow incomplete . there be much about this film that be wonderful and fantastic . the cinematography by john toll ( cinematographer for braveheart and legend of the fall and winning oscar for both ) be splendid . work with madden and the choice for location on the greek island of kefallonia be superb and the visual image that come from photograph these majestic location in vary light be lush and beautiful . madden also use numerous greek actor a the townspeople and give the town an authentic feel . the soundtrack be also terrific and the mandolin passage and vocal by the italian soldier be marvelous . madden do an excellent job of bring u the italian occupation and the romance and which take up the great part of the film . there be numerous sweet and funny moment throughout this segment . however and by the time the serious battle drama be ready to unfold and there isn not much film leave in the reel and this component be extremely rushed and abbreviate . while the battle scene be well do and subsequent to the battle it be obvious that increasingly great compromise be be make to keep the film from run too long . by the time we reach the post war scene and the treatment be merely skeletal . another negative be that the dvd be particularly sparse on feature . nicholas cage be charm in the romantic lead a the sentimental captain who seem to have join the army to sing rather than fight . when fight he must and cage switch gear seamlessly into a man of fierce principle and resolve and somehow remain believable in both persona . penelope cruz and whom the camera love and give an uninspired performance a pelagia . in part this be because cage so dominate the screen and but cruz just seem too placid in a part that should be emotionally torrential and dynamic . she allow the character to be objectify a corelli love interest rather than establish her a a powerful character in her own right . john hurt give a fantastic performance a the wise old doctor and who know as much about human nature a medicine . however and christian bale seem a bit overwrought and stiff a pelagia fiancé . i rat this film an positive . despite some drawback and this be a touching film that be well worth see . the photography alone be worth the price of admission .