The Battle of the Villa Fiorita

The Battle of the Villa Fiorita is a 1965 British drama film, based on the 1963 novel by Rumer Godden, directed by Delmer Daves. It stars Maureen O'Hara and Rossano Brazzi.

This was the last film for Delmer Daves who, two years earlier, wrote, produced and directed another film in which Maureen O'Hara played the female lead, Spencer's Mountain. His retirement lasted twelve years, until his death in 1977. This is the first film for Argentina-born English actress Olivia Hussey who, three years later, played Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet.

Synopsis
In Italy, two children, Michael (Martin Stephens) and Debbie (Elizabeth Dear), are aware that their mother, Moira (Maureen O'Hara), has left them for a lover, a famous Italian composer, and they are staying at the Villa Fiorita. Michael convinces Debbie to run away to the Villa to fetch their mother, and forces her to sell her prized pony to afford the journey. They arrive, and the lover, Lorenzo (Rossano Brazzi), calls their father to inform him that the children have run away and that he will be sending them home. However, Michael falls ill and Lorenzo allows them both to stay. Debbie joins forces with Donna, the daughter of their mother's lover, to manipulate Moira into returning to Britain. A hunger strike by the girls ensues which fails and culminates in Moira slapping Debbie and Lorenzo spanking Donna. Lorenzo finally decides to send the children home but Michael and Donna attempt to run away on a sailboat during a storm. After the two nearly drown, Moira and Lorenzo agree that they have lost the battle, and a heartbroken Moira returns to England with her children.

Cast

 * Maureen O'Hara as Moira
 * Rossano Brazzi as Lorenzo
 * Richard Todd as Darrell
 * Phyllis Calvert as Margot
 * Martin Stephens as Michael
 * Elizabeth Dear as Debbie
 * Olivia Hussey as Donna
 * Maxine Audley as Charmian
 * Ursula Jeans as Lady Anthea
 * Ettore Manni as Father Rossi
 * Richard Wattis as Travel Agent
 * Finlay Currie as Concert emcee
 * Clelia Matania as Celestina

Home media
Warner Bros. has released the film for digital streaming through Vudu and Amazon Prime Video, albeit in standard definition.