The Battle of the Villa Fiorita is a 1965 British drama film
directed by Delmer Daves.
It stars Maureen O'Hara and Rossano Brazzi
Set in contemporary Italy, it tells of three children aware that their mother
has left them for a lover and both stay at the Villa Fiorita.
They go there to get their mother back.
This film was Daves' last film followed by retirement:
it was also the first film for British actress Olivia Hussey,
who later appeared in the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet.
This OK teenage travel adventure fantasy, was moralistic
but typical of this period and genre.
Two kids travel across Europe, to bring their Mom
away from another man, back home to Dad.
Maureen was OK, and that man Rossano Brazzi,
(who I thought was hopeless, in Legend of the Lost!)
lost out, as the film was stolen by the kids.
The young Olivia Hussey, was there,
prior to her starring in Romeo and Juliet.
Also some good old Brits,
including Richard Todd, known to Duke fans,
for his part of Maj. John Howard
in The Longest Day
Nice scenery!!
User Review
Views of the villa and surrounding area.
23 October 2003 | by (Fushnique)
QuoteI liked the movie mainly for the picturesque views of the lake,( Lake Como?) the surrounding area, and scenes of the villa itself. So much of the architectural style is remincient of the paintings done by Maxfield Parrish in the early part of the 20th century. You sort of have to look around the actors in the various scenes to get glimpses of ornate retaining walls, stairs and elaborate ballusters around and into the lake. There is an elegance about marble (or granite, or just old concrete?) stairs going down into the water. And old world gardens full of flowers. Itn reminds me of the book "Italian Villas and their Gardens" by Edith Wharton, 1907, Which was illustrated by Parrish. And yes, the children in the movie steal the show; All three have a much stronger determination to achieve their goals than do any of the adults. It's a good story line , dated for the sixties. And is'nt this Olivia Hussey's first feature film?