The Lives of the Saints

A Canadian/Italian Soap Opera Has Its Moments!
THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS began as three novels by Nino Ricci and became a television miniseries for Canadian TV with a screenplay by Malcolm MacRury under the direction of Jerry Ciccoritti. It is a sweeping epic that covers Italy, Canada, Alaska and other parts of the US over a number of years in a non-linear fashion that weakens the plot progress. But despite the sudsy aspects of the three-hour plus DVD, there are moments of tenderness and memorable acting that deserve attention.

The story opens in Italy where Vittorio Innocente as a child (Flavio Pacilli and as a teen by Joseph Marrese) observes his mother Cristina (Sabrina Ferilli) in the stables, bitten by a snake but obviously having just had a consignation with a soldier with blue eyes. Vittorio seeks solace from his maiden teacher aunt Therese (a luminous Sophia Loren) who consoles him, protects Christina when she becomes visibly pregnant (her husband Mario - Nick Mancuso - has been absent...), and helps him...

The Lives of the Saints
It's great Italian story by great aitalian actress Sopia Loren and talented too, a woman of passionate love of life and family. She dominates the picture as well she should because it is her talent as an actress and her incredible personality that brought her to this point in her career. Her dramatic turns and use of Italian gestures turn this into a joyous romp for both her and the audience.

Deep emotions with great acting.
I have been a great fan of marvelous Sophia Loren since I saw her in Vittorio De Sicas film "Il Viaggio", I was at seventheen years old, and sat in a dark cinema three times. So;-I don't even try to be objektivy, but I'l write what I really feel.
This TV-miniserie called "Lives of the saints" has done with very high level of artistic cinematic solutions; cinematography, colours which emphazise when worm mediterrainian landscape of soul-or cold of Canadian new-comers life, where somethin seems to be missing, specially at their past. Every little details has put on together to move characters with their own profiles- and stil holding story at balance, and focused to the drama of humans life. As a most shining diamond on this warm and powerfull story, is Theresa-playing by perhaps one of the most greatest moviegoddes ever-Sophia Loren. Her performance doesn't need any over-acting or aggressive-attitude; what is so usually to her younger golleges. Her outstanding...

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