Captain Corellis Mandolin

John Madden directed the film of the book written by Louis de Bernieres with screenplay by Shawn Slovo. The film was released at the end of September 2001.

In Sami the filmset was constructed around the Hotel Kastro to portray Argostoli in wartime. When the Italians first arrive in Argostoli, this set is used as Captain Corelli and his men march towards the harbour. Other scenes include the battle between Italian and German troups. Sami waterfront passes as Argostoli harbour as Italian soldiers disembark. A later scene shot here is the party where Pelagia is seen dancing.

Antisamos beach was the location used to set up the Italian encampment with further shooting taking place on the headland above.

The famous beach was the scene of the exploding mine as well as the La Scala members out with Italian prostitutes.

Known as Mandras's beach as here he is seen fishing from his boat as well as kissing Pelagia on the jetty before she throws him into the sea.

Horgota beach is on the East coast of Kefalonia between Fiscardo and Aghia Efimia and is accessible by road.

Various scenes were shot at Domata where troups marched towards battle; old Karavomylos was used for the firing squad. In Keramies trucks of Italian troups travelled towards battle. Near Sami the village of Dihalia was used for Dr. Iannis's home, Drosoula's house, village square with kafeneion and local church.

The remains of the monastery at Ag Fanentes near Sami as well as the monastery of Sia near the sea between the Assos peninsula and Myrtos were used for scenes in the film.

At Ag Fanentes there are scenes of village feasting singing and dancing. This is wher Velisarios fires a cannon and Father Arsenios cellebrates Aghios Gerasmos day with villagers witnessing a iracle.

At the monastery of Sia romantic scene with Pelagia and Corelli was shot.

Nicolas Cage as Captain Antonio Corelli -
Nicholas Cage was enthralled by the script and romantic prose but had to have mandolin lessons and learn an Italian accent.

Penelope Cruz as Pelagia -
Penelope wanted this part as it 'touched her heart' as she read the book.

John Hurt as Dr. Iannis
In contrast, John Hurt took his character from the screenplay, growing a moustache and having dentistry for a gold tooth to give him the Mediterranean touch.

Christian Bale as Mandras the fisherman
Christian was Welsh born and had to perfect an authentic Greek accent to play the part of Mandras.

Irene Papas as Drosoula -
Irene was in a good position to appreciate the hardships of wartime having been a child when the war began although she is far better looking than the ugly Drosoula depicted in the book.

Piero Maggio as Carlo
Piero was not a well known actor having been a boxer before appearing in the film for which he had to learn English.
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Gerasimos Skiadaressis ... Mr. Stamatis
Aspasia Kralli ... Mrs. Stamatis
Michael Yannatos ... Kokolios (as Mihalis Giannatos)
Dimitris Kaberidis ... Father Aresenios (as Dimitris Kamperidis)
Pietro Sarubbi ... Velisarios, The Strongman (as Pedro Sarubbi)
Viki Maragaki ... Eleni, Pelagia's Friend
Joanna-Daria Adraktas ... Young Lemoni
Ira Tavlaridis ... Older Lemoni
Katerina Didaskalu ... Lemoni's Mother (as Katerina Didaskalou)
Emilios Chilakis ... Dimitris

Captain Corelli's Mandolin
The Illustrated Film Companion
by Steve Clark

Captain Corelli's Mandolin
the novel by
Louis de Bernieres