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.

Plot
The da Franchi family is locked in a deadly vendetta with the de Giudici family in 19th century Corsica. Lucien and Louis de 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 Giudice.

Cast

 * Trevor Eve as Louis Da Franchi; Lucien De Franchi
 * Geraldine Chaplin as Madame De Franchi
 * Olivia Hussey as Annamaria De Giudice
 * Nicholas Clay as Giordano Martelli
 * Jean Marsh as Mazzere
 * Benedict Taylor as Georges Du Caillaud
 * Simon Ward as Duc Dechateau Renaud
 * Donald Pleasence as Chancellor
 * James Hazeldine as Vincente De Franchi
 * Patsy Kensit-Healy as Emilie Du Caillaud
 * Margaret Tyzack as Madame De Giudice
 * Mark Ryan as Bernardo De Giudice

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.

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

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

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."

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".

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."