Luca Bernabei Movies
Raised in a Catholic orphanage in provincial France, young Coco Chanel never imagined that her life would one day become an epic story worthy of a Lifetime original movie, full of passionate romance, and trailblazing pioneering in the world of fashion. The movie opens on 1950's Paris, as a 70 year old Coco (Shirley MacClaine), now a household name, is embarking on the second wave of her career with her first new collection in over a decade. Soon, a series of flashbacks illustrate how she got to be where she is today, both personally and professionally. Young Coco (played by Barbora Babulova) is seen working tirelessly as a seamstress, showing a unique talent for making garments more flattering and convenient despite her lowly position. Pursued by a rich man named Étienne, she soon leaves the thankless job for the comfort of life as a kept woman, but class differences eventually tear them apart. The relationship gives Coco the chance to perfect her skill as a hatmaker, however, and she leaves Etienne to open her own shop. A new romance with an Englishman named Arthur (known affectionately as "Boy") soon blossoms, and proves to be the greatest happiness and greatest tragedy of her life - but will the effects of this epic tale of love, war, and betrayal eventually prevent the burgeoning fashion maverick from fulfilling her true potential? ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley MacLaine, Barbora Bobulova, (more)
Oscar-nominee Omar Sharif stars as devoted disciple Peter in director Guilio Base's look at the tension that arose between the Christians and Romans following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the unwavering faith of the disciples makes them the target of persecution in the Roman Empire, Peter begins to realize that in order to prove their loyalty to the word of God the followers of the Christian faith may be forced to endure the same humiliation and suffering that Jesus experienced when crucified on the cross. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Omar Sharif, Daniele Pecci, (more)
One of several dramatized tributes to the late pontiff to be telecast in 2005, the two-part CBS biopic Pope John Paul II is a remake of a popular Italian miniseries, and was filmed on location in Italy and Poland. The film begins with the attempted assassination of the pope on May 13, 1981, whereupon the story of the man once known as Karol Wojtyla is unfolded in flashback. The familiar highlights of Pope John Paul II's life and work are vividly realized: his early theatrical aspirations, his staunch resistance of both the Nazis and the Communist party in his native Poland, his meteoritic rise through the church ranks (at 38, he was his country's youngest bishop), and his ultimate ascendance to the Vatican throne in 1978. Also, this is one of the few English-language films to officer a meticulous recreation of the papal election process. Throughout much of the film, the pope's career is firmly linked with that of his countryman, Polish labor leader Lech Walesa; it can be inferred that without the input of both men, Poland would never have freed itself from Communist domination, nor would the Soviet empire have ultimately fallen. Cary Elwes plays John Paul from ages 18 through 50, whereupon Elwes morphs (quite literally, thanks to a brief -- and controversial -- special-effect sequence) into Jon Voight, who takes over as the older pope. Pope John Paul II was first telecast in two parts on December 4 and 7, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Voight, Cary Elwes, (more)
The life and times of Augustus Caesar are brought to the screen in this made-for-television historical epic. After assisting Julius Caesar in a string of military campaigns, Augustus is adopted by the Roman leader, and when Brutus and Cassius kill Julius, Augustus joins forces with Marc Antony to rid them and their associates of the Roman leadership. As Augustus becomes Rome's new and uncontested leader, he falls for the beautiful Livia and is forced to turn against Marc Antony on the field of battle. While Rome enjoys a period of wealth and progress, Livia becomes politically ambitious and Augustus finds he has become the center of an assassination plot. Augustus stars Peter O'Toole and Charlotte Rampling, who respectively portray the mature Augustus and Livia. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter O'Toole, Charlotte Rampling, (more)
- 2000
Originally seen on Italian television in April of 2000, Mary Magdalene was one of several feature films produced and written by Gareth Jones and Gianmario Pagano which dramatized the lives of the Bible's supporting characters. Maria Grazia Cucinotta plays the title character, the reformed prostitute who became one of the most fervent and pious followers of Jesus Christ. The film recounts Mary Magdalene's conversion with help of John the Baptist, and her presence at the Crucifixion and the Resurrection (with forgivable doses of dramatic license). Advertised with the ever-so-slightly lurid tag line "She lived the greatest sin, the great love. And she kept the greatest secret," Mary Magdalene made its American TV debut over the PAX network on February 11, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
In keeping with its ongoing policy of dramatizing the lives of Biblical figures heretofore bypassed in "traditional" filmed biographies, America's PAX TV network served up a newly dubbed and re-edited version of the 1999 Italian TV movie Giuseppe di Nazareth. The focus is on Joseph (Tobias Moretti), the carpenter husband of the Virgin Mary (Stefania Rivi). Having already accepted the notion that his wife has given birth to the Son of God, Joseph continues to cope with events beyond his control as 11-year-old Jesus (Jurij Gasparini) becomes aware of His purpose in life. Joseph is also shown struggling to survive under the harsh administration of King Herod (Ennio Fantastichini), who of course is no friend to the Nazarenes. Under the title Joseph of Nazareth, the film made its PAX debut on April 29, 2001, just after the network's presentation of Jeremiah and not long before the telecast of Mary Magdalene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Bear witness to the rise of the most corrupt and ruthless ruler ever to preside over the Roman Empire as filmmaker Paul Marcus tells the tale of Nero's unlikely ascent to the throne, and his historical fall at the hands of his own vengeful kingdom. After murdering his sister's husband on grounds of conspiracy, the increasingly incoherent Caligula exiles his grieving sibling and sets into motion a devious plan that will one-day find her son Lucius presiding over all of Rome. Beset on all sides by tyranny and bloodlust, Lucius rises to power as Nero while facing the constant wrath of all who oppose his legacy. His paranoia soon reaching a fever pitch, Nero struggles to maintain power as his army, his people, and his own mother, ultimately turn against him. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergio Castellitto, Chiara Caselli, (more)
