Captain Correllis Mandolin, the book, the film, the Greek island of Kaphalonia (Cephallonia) is where it happened. Captain Correlli fans can enjoy visiting the locations of the movie whilst lapping up the sunshine on a Kaphalonia holiday, safe in the knowledge that the island remains unspoilt.
When the book Captain Correlli’s Mandolin, written by Louis de Bernières, came out in 1993 it very quickly did the rounds as those who managed to get past the slightly heavy opening passages pressed the book on friends and family and it zoomed into the best selling position it merited. On the back of the books success came radio plays and the film which in turn became a big box office hit, Nicholas Cage was the star, playing the part of Captain Correlli.
The book revolves around the Captain and covers the period when the island was occupied by the Italians then the Germans during the last war. One of the most poignant moments is the massacre of Italian troops by the German soldiers, once their allies. There are also many beautiful moments, particularly involving Pelagia, daughter of the local doctor Dr Iannis. How we interpret history is an interesting theme also examined by the book.
The island has been disturbed little by the passing of book and film; there is the Captain Correlli café in the small, east coast resort of Aghios Efimia, that is all. It was just a small moment in the huge legacy of history the island has known, life on the island of Kaphalonia carries on as before.This is somewhat appropriate as Captain Corelli`s Mandolin was a rare phenomena, it was hardly promoted and rose in peoples affection on the basis of its merit and discerning recommendation. Which is also what accounts for the enduring popularity of Kaphalonia as a holiday destination and the knock on effect for other Greek island destinations as well as the mainland.
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