The Corsican Brothers (1985 film)

The Corsican Brothers is a 1985 TV movie based on the 1844 novella The Corsican Brothers by Alexandre Dumas. It was directed by Ian Sharp and produced by Norman Rosemont.[1]

The Corsican Brothers
GenreAdventure
Drama
Romance
Based onThe Corsican Brothers by Alexandre Dumas
Written byRobin Miller
Directed byIan Sharp
StarringTrevor Eve
Geraldine Chaplin
Music byAllyn Ferguson
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerNorman Rosemont
ProducerDavid Rosemont
Production locationFrance
CinematographyFrank Watts
Running time100 minutes
Production companiesHallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Norman Rosemont Productions
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatColor
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseFebruary 5, 1985 (1985-02-05)

Plot

The da Franchi family is locked in a deadly vendetta with the de Guidici family in 19th century Corsica. Lucien and Louis da Franchi are twin brothers. Lucien wants to continue Corsican traditions, while Louis wants to end the vendetta and declare peace. Both brothers are in love with Annamaria de Guidici.

Cast

Production

The lead role was originally meant to be played by Pierce Brosnan, then best known for Remington Steele. However he read the script for the feature film Nomads and decided to make that instead. It turned out that Corsican producer Norman Rosemont was unable to accommodate Brosnan's limited schedule.[2]

Instead the producers cast Trevor Eve, who several CBS executives had seen on stage in London.[3]

The film was shot in Aix-en-Provence and the south of France hill village of Cipieres.[4]

Star Trevor Eve said "Lucien was the hunter. I played him as a rough, tough kid. The kind who as a boy yelled a lot and developed a hoarseness in his voice. He dressed roughly and wore the same clothes every day. His hair was wild and was never washed. Louis was more cerebral and refined. He was better groomed. It was easier to play Lucien. You could flop out of bed in the morning and go to the set without brushing your hair." [3]

Reception

The New York Times called it "giddy escapist hookum" which "nevertheless skillfully recaptures the flavour and rhythms of old-time Technicolor words-and-daggers romps".[5]

The Chicago Tribune said the film "has an old-fashioned look and a few drawbacks. Its sword play rings of clashing steel, but its dialogue has the clunk of wood, despite the best efforts of a sterling cast."[4]

References

  1. A DOUBLE EXPOSURE FOR 'THE CORSICAN BROTHERS' Richard, Julie. Los Angeles Times 2 Feb 1985: g1.
  2. PIERCE ('STEELE') BROSNAN UPGRADING HIS IMAGE: Incomplete Source Mann, Roderick. Los Angeles Times 4 Sep 1984: sd_d1.
  3. FROM CORSICA, THE GOOD AND THE BAD: [THIRD Edition] Buck, Jerry. Boston Globe 5 Feb 1985: 52.
  4. ROUGH EDGES DULL SHARPNESS OF 'CORSICAN BROTHERS': [FINAL, C Edition] Anderson, Jon. Chicago Tribune 5 Feb 1985: 8.
  5. 'Corsican Brothers,' Swashbuckling Drama By STEPHEN HOLDEN. New York Times 5 Feb 1985: C18.
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