Delmer Daves, director, has to have had one of the most unique careers in Hollywood. Take a look at his filmography, and you'll see there's an unusual spectrum to his films. And quite a few soap-opera-ish films later in his career...and this is one of those, although Daves does 2 things here that make this film work. First, you're never quite sure where the plot is going; so you have to pay attention! Second, once you learn the story is more about the children than the adults, Daves could have gotten maudlin...but didn't...or silly...but didn't.
The nominal stars here are Maureen O'Hara and Rossano Brazzi, who go from an affair to lovers living together in Italy (rather than England where O'Hara is from in the film). The jilted husband -- in a rather short role -- is Richard Todd. But then the kids step in, and historically most interesting is Olivia Hussey, in her first film role, as the daughter of Brazzi; however, I was not impressed.
By the way, the on-location scenery is stunning!
Whether or not you like this film may come down to whether or not you like the ending. I didn't. Still, it was an interesting film, although that ending dropped this from a 7 to a 6.
The nominal stars here are Maureen O'Hara and Rossano Brazzi, who go from an affair to lovers living together in Italy (rather than England where O'Hara is from in the film). The jilted husband -- in a rather short role -- is Richard Todd. But then the kids step in, and historically most interesting is Olivia Hussey, in her first film role, as the daughter of Brazzi; however, I was not impressed.
By the way, the on-location scenery is stunning!
Whether or not you like this film may come down to whether or not you like the ending. I didn't. Still, it was an interesting film, although that ending dropped this from a 7 to a 6.