On a small Greek island in 1940, Dr. Iannis’ daughter Pelagia falls in love with Mandras. The doctor is opposed because Mandras is from a lower class. When the Italians invade Greece, Mandras goes off to fight. He doesn’t return Pelagia’s letters (it turns out because he can’t read or write). The Greeks win the battle, which causes the Germans to intervene. Italian soldiers come to occupy the island, and Captain Corelli is billeted with the doctor. Pelagia has realized she doesn’t love Mandras and falls for the captain who is soon in love with her. Mandras returns and joins the insurrection. When Italy surrenders, Germans take over the island. Corelli leads his artillery unit into battle on the side of the Greeks. When they are defeated, the Germans take them out and shoot them all. One of Corelli’s men shields him and saves his life. Mandras finds him and takes him to the doctor’s house where Pelagia nurses him back to health. Mandras helps Corelli return to Italy. In 1947, just after a huge earthquake, Corelli returns and finds Palagia who has been pining for him.

Nicolas Cage would be great at playing the part of a wooden Indian. His Italian accent was atrocious. But the setting was neat, Penelope Cruz was beautiful and the story was interesting.