Fantaghirò
Tags: psychedelic, fantasy, romantic

Plot synopsis:
For many centuries two kingdoms have been at war at each other, though neither side remembers what the war is for. In one of the kingdoms, the warrior king has three daughters: Catherine, Caroline and Fantaghirò. Although Catherine and Caroline are well-behaved princesses, Fantaghirò is outspoken, rebellious, and longs to fight in battle. She constantly argues with her father and two sisters who disapprove of her behaviour.
Fantaghirò secretly learns to fight when she befriends the White Knight, a mysterious warrior whom she meets in the forest. As they are training, she briefly crosses paths with Romualdo, the newly-crowned king ruler of the neighbouring enemy kingdom. Romualdo is enchanted by Fantaghirò's eyes, but is unaware that they belong to the daughter of his sworn enemy.
Romualdo is tired of the war and sends an offer of a single duel to determine the outcome. Fantaghirò's father is told by the magical White Witch that only one of his daughters can win that duel. Seeing no other option, the King commands his three daughters to disguise themselves as male knights so they may fight Romualdo.
Fantaghirò relishes the opportunity and cuts her hair to make her look like a boy, but Catherine and Caroline are fearful. While traveling to Romualdo's kingdom, the three sisters argue about the wisdom of their fighting, and Catherine and Caroline decide that their youngest sister is the most qualified to win. Catherine and Caroline return to their father and Fantaghirò continues on her journey.
Fantaghirò eventually meets with Romualdo, who is confused when he recognises her eyes. After various attempts by Romualdo to discover her true gender by trickery, they eventually battle and Fantaghirò emerges victorious. However, she cannot kill him and returns home in shame. Fantaghirò's father, who is proud of what his daughter has achieved, forgives her. The King also allows Romualdo to continue to rule his people, on the condition that he marry one of the three princesses. Although at first Romualdo is hesitant to agree, when he sees Fantaghirò dressed up as a woman, the two kiss happily.

Review: I love fairy tales.
A beautiful Italian production that can take you to a far away time, filled with magic and romanticism.
Great characters, locations and costumes.
I would like to know if the story is based on a legend or something but anyway, it's great.
The other 3 parts are also good, but not THAT good.
If you liked this movie I recommend you to look for the other three parts and another movie called "Sorellina e il principe del sogno", starring Raz Degan (he is so hot) and Veronica Logan.
Not recommended for too serious or pretentious people, it's just a fairy tale, but if you are like me and you enjoy dreaming of princes, kingdoms, horses and archery, then this movie is for you..
The best movie.
I'm now 19 years old and I've watch many movies.
But, I think that Cave of the Golden Rose (Fantaghiro) sequels are the best movies I've ever watched in my life!!!
It has the best storyline, the best music and special effects, and most important of all, it has the best actress, Alessandra Martines.
She really brought up the fabulous Fantaghiro character with full of emotions and feelings.
Personally, I think that Alessandra Martines is the most beautiful actress in the world.
Whatever she do in Fantaghiro; whether she smile, she cry, she was angry, or whatever, she is so beautiful that I watch over the movie again and again.
Honestly, until now, I've watched Fantaghiro for 7 times, Fantaghiro 2 for 5 times, Fantaghiro 3 for 3 times and Fantaghiro 4 for 8 times.
I am still searching for the last sequel, Fantaghiro 5 but I still couldn't find it.
Wish me luck..
I Love This Show!!!!!!!.
My most favorite is the first movie.
Fantaghiro is truly my inspiration of my dream princess in my book.Although I prefer watching it in Italian but TV2 only had it in English.
I want to buy the full movies but it is rare in Malaysia.
Maybe I go to Italy and went through all their DVD stores.I watch this...
the TV2 made re-runs every year but it stop when I was about 10..
sad...The perks in the first movie is when Fantaghiro disguise as a man.
My favorite part is at the swimming competition, when she wore a lot of clothes and made a desperate sigh.
So cute.Although few awkward scene like, How come her hair grew long after she cut it?
And how come the short hair style is the same through ALL the movies?
And grew back LONG?!?!?!?
She wear a wig or something???
After the first movie, the second movie seems nice but I don't like the puppet part and the White Witch actress had change.In the third movie, I don't like Tarabas much and Romualdo part in the movie only in a few minutes.What worst in the forth, THERE ARE NO ROMUALDO!!!
My interest dull around Tarabas parts.
Still hanging around with a married woman??
I accept if the producer gave him a love interest but Fantaghiro is Romualdo's!!
I don't like much a lot of new characters as I prefer the old ones.
As the movies grew, the lesser the original characters is.There's a lot of voice castings, re-scene and so on.But still, The Cave of The Golden Rose 1 is worth the full stars..
Quiet excellence.
From a technical point of view, it is not one of the greatest movies.
It is a movie for nostalgic fable lovers.
The actors are great, especially Alessandra Martines (just check out the last scene).
And of course Romualdo, played by Kim Rossi Stuart has been every girl's fantasy for the last two decades.
(!) Interesting, too, is that the actors are all from different countries.
I would give the movie a 10/10 for the story/idea, 10/10 for the characters/development, 10/10 the actors, 10/10 for the scenery, 9/10 to director Lamberto Bava (it would be too much to say , that he's perfect too, just because I like his movies), 7/10 technology (it's the 90ies/small budget)..
The best film I have ever watched.
I first started to watch this show 2 years ago.
After watching the first part I fell in love with this show.
To me, it is the most touching and loving film I have ever watch.
Recently, the show had been repeated once more and I recorded the whole 4 series and I never get bored watching this show.
In fact, it is so touching that I have to use couple sheets of tissue paper to wipe of my tears.
I introduce this to all my friends and my friends agree with me that this great film.
I like the character of "Fantaghiro" so much and sometimes I wish that my past life was that interesting and romantic.
And not forgetting "Romualdo" with that charming and handsome look of yours.
It's killing me.
Just joking!
Anyway, to me, it is the best film I have ever see and will always be..
Simply the best :).
I'm from Milan and I saw the five episodes (in Italy Fantaghirò is divided in 5 movies) of this beautiful film at least ten times.
It's so simple, but even so touching...
It's a mix of romance and fantasy that only this director can make up!
Great actors for great characters: if you want to see the most romantic-fantastic story ever played, well you MUST watch this creation!.
a magical phenomenon indeed.
Never have I thought of writing a review which contains biased and partial opinions.
Nevertheless, neither a typical review which scrutinizes the show's technical aspects namely the acting, directing and plot, nor one that appraises it from a literary point of view, would give you a comprehensive picture of what this show is truly about.Frankly, I've seen an array of movies with a much more poignant plot and entrancing acting but have never given any a 9 out of 10 rating.
Perhaps it is the concoction of a simple but elegant plot, casual and unexaggerated acting, beautifully coordinated music, a not too original but not too cheesy storyline, and a touch of magic which makes Fantaghiro worthy of a nine out of ten rating.I believe if given a chance, all four installments (I don't particularly like the fifth) would make every child's day, arouse bittersweet memories in every teenager, and provide a perfect escapist fantasy for every adult who has long embedded in bitter reality.Fantaghiro is indeed an enchanted piece of art -- a true magical phenomenon..
Critique.
The Cave of the Golden Rose or Fantaghiro may hold a handful of cliché's found in the most popular of fairy tales yet somehow it also gives off a nostalgic appeal.
Ironically, it is also unconventional at the same time.Many portions may be predictable, maybe even to an extent far too surreal for a realist, a critic of the entire concept of love at first sight yet somehow all of these are balanced off by an "out of the box" storyline, a beautiful cast, a highly memorable soundtrack (Der Prinz un Fantaghiro as an example)and an often intelligently planted lighting.Special effects and cinematography-wise, it may not compare to films that have been digitally manipulated such as The Lord of the Rings and all the others that have impressed us tremendously with three-dimensional graphics.
It draws interest through its flowing narrative that is rather old-fashioned, episodic and reminiscent of chronicled epics.
It's the sort that one would appreciate due to its ability to develop gracefully its main character, a trait that is a rarity to most films these days.Recently we have come to know of female heroines who could parallel their male counterparts in a duel yet most of them lose their grace, their radiance, their ethereal majesty within their leather tights and lashing whips.
Most certainly they have proved themselves to be worthy adversaries and valued allies yet we hardly see them employ that breathtakingly feminine charm that Fantaghiro has successfully maintained in an intriguing balance.
I will not speak of it further as my thoughts might spoil your entertainment.
;) Overall however, The Cave of the Golden Rose is a masterpiece not meant to be described through words.
It is the kind that is worthy of being experienced..
Fantaghirò cave of the golden rose.
About ten years ago in Holland we saw the international production of Fantaghirò(cave of the golden rose and the sequel, of which I cannot remember the name right now) in English with Dutch subtitles as Saturday morning series.
We loved it then and it's a shame there's never been a rerun.
We tried to purchase the video or DVD in English with Dutch subs but they aren't out there(only a few smart as*es who have taped it from the TV are now selling these tapes for far too much money and in poor quality) so if anyone can help me get these series in English with Dutch subtitles on DVD(preferably) or video please contact me.
If you've never seen the series, make sure you do, it's an international masterpiece!
It's a blend of fantasy and romance which makes it fantastic to watch and dream away with it.