User Reviews

I wish I could have seen this in Italian because the dub makes it sound like a cheap Christian production. I can imagine it being absolutely magical in the original language!

This Italian two-part television series inspired by the Cinderella story raised a fascinating issue of assessing dubbed, English-speaking foreign language films. In watching and listening to the apparently English dialogue from a definitely Italian characters and setting made for a difficult, prejudicial experience. At times, the stunted English dialogue made the viewing experience associated with the cheap old fashioned poorly and cheaply made Chinese martial art films of the 1960s. Overlooking such difficulties, the script and storyline of this Cinderella story was also fascinating in its complexity and depth with three storylines occurring within this movie. There was the traditional Cinderella story that evolved in different ways to involve a ball, a carriage, and Midnight deadline, and even a slipper. There was the piano conservatory theme. There was also a love story relationship among the staff. The photography and cinematography at times were also compelling with some powerful closeups. The European ambiance radiated as sense of romantic fantasy. The director's oversight teetered between stock old American parody and a refreshing avoidance of the typical stereotypical brashness of American simplicity in goodness and badness. This extended Cinderella film offered the audience a greater fullness of plot building on the Cinderella story but at the same time retaining some rough patches, especially towards the end of the film. This mixed bag of scenes and performances would have likely been better served with Italian dialogue with subtitles and a bit more careful, patient direction and script-revision. Instead of a "seven," this film could have been an "eight."

Free on YT. I prefer period productions, especially English settings in the 1800s. This was set in 1950s Rome. I couldn't tell if it was dubbed in English or not. The lips seemed to always be in sync with the dialogue. In any case, the actors, especially the leads, were charismatic and likable. The scenery and cinematography was rich and interesting. I positively get bored by modern urban, gritty scenes set in NYC or LA. Why watch something visually boring that I can see anywhere by looking out my window or driving down the street. In any case, the story was a bit long winded, but I didn't mind since it held my interest. There are no mind blowing messages or wisdom to be bestowed. Just the standard boy meets dolled up girl and falls in lust. It must be stated that she was only 13 when her puppy love for her Prince began. Soulmates from the start. It wasn't clear if Aurora hadn't become wealthy in her own right, whether her privileged Prince would have chosen to marry her or not.

Italian actress Vanessa Hessler does an excellent job playing a modern day princess. Even though technically, she isn't. Since this story take place in 1950s Italy where an upper class girl and classical piano prodigy Aurora de Luca falls in love with one of the Ausperg brothers who lived next door to her who was very kind to her when she was thirteen years old and he dreams of becoming a writer. When her beloved father died suddenly, she is forced to live with her evil stepmother and mean-spirited stepsister who turns her family home into a hotel. She ends up working for her stepmother as a maid until she becomes of age to inherit her inheritance. She grows up to her into a beautiful young woman where an older maid and the cook protects her and love her like she is their surrogate daughter. When one of the brothers from her childhood return to their old home next door, now older and a successful businessman in the family business along with his parents, Aurora becomes excited and hopes it's the brother who befriended her when she was thirteen. Also, a rich, old lady with a mysterious past stays at the hotel and Aurora befriends her and learns she is in competition with the brother in order to secure a deal with another businessman both the brother and the old lady want to win a deal with. The brother's family uses the hotel for meals and Aurora deliver them food. The brother who name is Sebastian Ausperg doesn't remember her and treats her with much respect given to a someone who is the help. He has become a businessman obsessed with pleasing his father and gave up his dream of being a writer. Aurora is determined to get him to see her as more than the maid and hopes to bring back the kind spirited boy she remember as a teenager.

I really liked this two part minseries because the set, the location, the characters, and the location were great. It goes more deeply than the 1950s Disney's Cinderella where the characters just meet once and instantly fall in love. In this movie, the characters get to know one another. They aren't perfect and make mistakes. It's also a story about forgiveness and taking chances on one's self and never giving up even if the odds seemed against you. It's a story about following one's dreams. Yes, the story does get very Italian at points especially during the ball dance scene but it was still a great enjoying movie with a great message and compelling characters and a heroine you root for even when she is too scared or stubborn to follow her heart and dreams. A great movie you should give a chance to and one of the great adaptation of the Cinderella score with a beautiful score too.

I loved this movie! It was fantastic on so many levels! The plot was so sweet, yet suspenseful. It was sometimes predictable (Cinderella style), but there were plenty of plot twists to keep it quite interesting. I wish this movie were more popular because it really is very sweet! I will definitely watch it again!

Just finished watching this 2 part series on a different twist on the Cinderella story set in the 1950's. My wife & I really enjoyed this! The previous reviewer has done a fantastic job on describing the story, so please read it! I just want to support their great review and to say it was a great story line with great actors & actresses. At the end it left an indication that there might be more shows later, which would be wonderful; however, since this was filmed in 2011 and apparently nothing more as yet, then it probably isn't happening. A shame. The shows are in English though filmed in Italy. Very enjoyable!!!

One of the best romantic movies I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of movies! The Hallmark Channel should take some lessons from this beauty! Not your typical Cinderella flick! Italian Actress Vanessa. Hessler is giving Julia Roberts and Italian Actor Flavio Parenti reminds me of a young Al Pacino! The plots and twists keep you totally enthralled and the gorgeous Italian scenery is breathtaking! I also loved the score and I cried throughout the film which is rare! I only do that with Old Hollywood films! A must see for all! I never knew this film ever existed! It is only being publicized now! A MUST SEE for sure!!!

Oh my life!! 3 hours and 22 minutes I will never get back. I persevered because I wanted to see it through. I watched it in 5 sittings.

The voice overs were awfully dubbed, they were speaking English so I'm not sure why it needed dubbing.

Honestly I've sat through more interesting church sermons!

Save your 3 hours and 22 mins for something else in your life that will have meaning.

One of the best Cinderella retellings! (Up there with ever after and Ella enchanted-the book) it's got history and gorgeous setting and amazing chemistry between actors and beautiful music and meaningful character arcs.

Absolutely loved this movie!!!!! The actors all did a fantastic job! Nice to see a movie with no profanity and sex scenes. Vanessa Hessler was perfect for her role as was Flavio Parenti for his. Ruth Maria Kubitschek was wonderful as the grandmother. Loved supporting actors Frank CrudeleIt and. Mariella Valentini in their roles.

The little boys in the movie were adorable. The music was fabulous! Loved the scenes on the scooter and in the garden. The costumes at the ball were very nice. Glad the movie was in two parts. I was not expecting this when it came on.

I will definitely watch this movie again.

Ok, I have to confess, I STOPPED watching this on Tubi after about 50 minutes in, it dawned on me that along with two or three other chain smokers in this production, prince charming was incapable of not having a cancer stick in his hand and mouth. That was all I could take, srry all.

It used to be that movies like this got kick backs from the cigarette industry. Now maybe the same thing. I know script writers are kicking kick backs for LGBT content, so who is to say some of the old ciggy guard is not still around.

I really wanted to enjoy this as it seems like it was promoting music, however, it was promoting something else much much more.

My Sista Cheryl told me about this movie and said it was her favorite movie of all time . I watched it 2 weeks ago and watched it again. I love it too. The best Cinderella story ever told.

The story takes place in Rome about 1950's. Aurora is an aspiring piano player living with her father. Her father later on marries a woman who have 2 daughters, after her father's death s Aurora was forced to work as hotel maid.

One day she was trapped at the maze of her neighbor's and saved by Sebastian, it was love at first sight for Aurora and years later she still couldn't forget Sebastian, however Sebastian totally forget about her and preparing to get engaged with another woman.

Aurora was protected by the maid & cook working for her step mother all the time, they always gave her the support & love whenever she needed.

One day a rich mysterious old lady starts staying in the hotel, Aurora friends this lady, she helps Aurora to go to the party and at the party Sebastian falls in love to Aurora without knowing it's Aurora behind the mask.

This old lady is holding a big secret, you need to watch the drama to find out the secret.

It was nice to see Rome, the view was amazing.

I love the OST but I wish they used more Italian music from the 50's

For those who are wondering about the OST the main theme is Per Aurora composed by Andrea Guerra & The Other one is Isabelle Yardley - When Will You See

As much as I liked the mini series English dubbing killed all the spark and magic.

I don't understand why dub when they can release it with subtitles, it would have been magical to watch it in Italian.

The same person who dubbed Beast in the Italian Beauty & The Beast is dubbing Flavio as Sebastian.

I have to admit that Flavio looked very handsome as Sebastian, he has got amazing green eyes.

Over all The best Cinderella story ever, better than Disney.

Vanessa fits perfectly into Cinderella with her innocent look.