Bella Mafia
Tags: revenge, murder

Plot synopsis:
Lynda La Plante (who also created Widows) scripted this TV miniseries about the family life surrounding a Mafia don. Sicilian magnate Don Luciano (Dennis Farina) and his wife Graziella (Vanessa Redgrave) live comfortably at Villa Rosa in Palermo, Italy. Their son Michael (Michael Hayden) has an affair with Sophia (Nastassja Kinski), leaving her pregnant but unmarried. After Luciano refuses to traffic drugs, angry U.S. mob boss Carolla (Tony Lo Bianco) retaliates by having Michael killed. While at a convent, Sophia is given a hard blow when another pregnant woman tells her of his death; she almost immediately gives birth to Luka, Michael's son. Living at the convent, but determined to keep her son, she goes alone by herself to confront the Luciano family for money to support her son. However, the Lucianos are still coping with Michael's death and refuse admission to anyone, unless its family or those that work for them, through the gates. Despite the guard's insistence, Sophia still continues to try to seek an audience with them, only to be violently handled by the guards and almost thrown on the road. One of Michael's brothers, Constantino, taking pity on her, lets her in. He and his mother, Graziella, nurse the tired Sophia.
During her time there, she and Constantino fall in love. However, none of the Lucianos, including Constantino, know of her being Michael's former lover or of her son's existence. Roberto (Farina), sees Constantino's affections for Sophia and makes it clear to his wife that he doesn't approve of her, mostly due to being poor and considered lower class. However, Graziella eventually gets her husband to understand Sophia and accept her. While the engagement is good news, Sophia secretly learns something devastating. Because she spent so long at the Lucianos and took too long of time to contact the convent, the nuns had to treat her son as an orphan and gave him up for adoption. Sophia still keeps this a secret. She eventually recovers and marries Constantino. The story begins to show some of the other brothers, Alfredo (Tony Maggio) the one who constantly hopes to please their father and Fredrico (W. Earl Brown), who is something of a troublemaker and doesn't like being told what to do.
Teresa Scorpio (Illeana Douglas), daughter of Mrs. Scorpio, owner of a highly successful business in New York, is chosen by Graziella for Fredrico to marry. But Fredrico is openly opposed to it. Despite, his objections, he and Alfredo are sent to New York to meet with her. Fredrico happily sees Moyra (Jennifer Tilly), the former girlfriend of an American casino owner, Nicky Diamond. After still remembering his one-time with Moyra, Fredrico blows off his "date" with Teresa. Alfredo, reluctantly goes in Fredrico's place. Both men fall in love with the women, during their dates. Alfredo and Teresa marry and stay in America to run her family business. During the wedding, it is clear that Sophia is feeling unhappy in her marriage, though mostly because everyone, including Graziella, is pressuring the couple into having children.
While the couple have been trying, they've had no luck with conceiving. Fredrico makes a surprise appearance at the wedding with Moyra (who is wearing a heavy coat); this clearly appalls Roberto, seeing her as a tramp. At the wedding reception, Roberto pulls his son aside and angrily demands he kick Moyra out and meet a nice girl that Graziella has picked and that this time he won't refuse. However, both he and Moyra argue loudly about leaving. Sophia comes to the couple, attempting to quiet down the argument. But Moyra has had enough of keeping quiet and loudly announces that she and Fredrico are married and is pregnant with his son. Tired of being treated badly, she therefore announces she won't have the baby without the Luciano family support it. However, this triggers her to go into labor.
She loses the baby, most likely due to either her smoking and drinking. She tells Sophia in her hospital room "I had a son, perfect in every way, he just wasn't breathing". She cries to Sophia out of worry that Fredrico will divorce her because she lost the baby. After directing Fredrico to Moyra's room, she and Constantino have a small disagreement because his family clearly disapprove of Moyra. Coming from lower class like Moyra, Sophia stands up for her but during this she breaks down. She sobs due to her inability to conceive and also, secretly still missing her son. During that same night, she attempts to ask one of the nuns where her son is.
Sophia, once again faces more heart-breaking news, that her son disappeared and his adopted parents had given up on searching for him. Again, unknown to all, still believing she's depressed over her inability to conceive, Roberto decides to cheer up his daughter-in-law by giving her money to start her own boutique and fashion. Over the years, Teresa and Alfredo have a daughter named Rosa (Gina Philips), Moyra's accepted into the family, and Sophia's boutiques have become very popular. She and Constantino also gain wonderful news, she's pregnant. She soon gives birth to twin sons, named Roberto and Nunico.
Elsewhere, Sophia's son called Luka (James Marsden), is revealed to be alive. But he's a violent child (hinting he's been heavily abused) and is almost feral with the monks who tend to him. He eventually befriends a sickly young man named Giorgio (Christopher Shaw), the son of Pietro Carolla. Over the years, he and Luka develop a brotherly friendship. However, Luka's violence and personality hasn't changed that much, much to Giorgio's dismay. Giorgio soon dies, but makes his father promise to look out for Luka. To appease his son's dying wish, Pietro adopts Luka, not knowing of Luka's sociopath-like personality.
Not too long after, the Lucianos are finally able to have Pietro arrested and face trial for Michael Luciano's murder. Rosa is also expected to marry a young man, close to Roberto's family. Believing their family is finally getting closure, all of the Luciano men (including Rosa's fiance) go out for dinner to celebrate. Meanwhile, back at the Villa, the women are helping Rosa prepare her wedding dress. Unknown to all, the sadistic Luka, along with Carolla's men, decide to get their own revenge. Carolla's allies have the men's wine poisoned, making it seemingly appear like they had heart-attacks. Luka sneaks onto the Villa and cruelly and quietly shoots Sophia's sons while they were in bed; not knowing he's murdering his own family.
The women are struck with grief and mostly anger for what has happened and vow revenge. It won't be an easy road, as apparently they lose all their money (mostly through Carolla's men interference). Mario Domino (Franco Nero) commits suicide. There are threats of Carolla's men. Luka goes to his father, proudly admitting he killed Sophia's sons to please him. Pietro is greatly disgusted by Luka's sadistic side and curses him. The next day, during Pietro's trial, the women plan to get their revenge and shoot him in court. But Luka, under a heavy disguise shots Pietro and escapes the courthouse. He is accidentally hit by the Luciano women's car during his escape. They tend to his wounds and befriend him, unknown to his connections to Carolla or for that matter his true connection to Sophia.
Luka tells them he's an American. Over time he charms all the women and eventually gains Rosa's affections, but he still tries to seduce all the women, including Graziella and Sophia, not knowing of his genetic relation to them. During his stay, he gets back at some of Carolla's men by murdering one of the hitmen and placing him in their car. To gain some money back, Luka, Teresa, Grizella, Rosa, and Moyra go to Vegas to get money from her ex-boyfriend, Nicky Diamond. He and Moyra struggle, but Luka aggressively gets Nicky to tell them the combination to the lock of the safe. Moyra leaves with the money, not knowing that Luka has killed Nicky, and the women find that Graziella has oddly enough won a big lottery.
Meanwhile, back in New York, Sophia befriends an apparent American mafia man named Vito Giancamo(Peter Bogdanovich) and his son Michael (who is around Rosa's age). While Michael is interested in Sophia, Sophia politely declines Vito's offer and instead offers Rosa as his fiancée. Through Sophia's persuasion, Vito agrees and Michael(David O'Donnell) is soon arranged to be engaged to Rosa. Not long after getting that settled, the police come to her and reveal Luka's true identity and that he's murdered several people, including the American whose name he used. Realizing he's responsible for the men's death, she goes to Carolla's mansion and prepares a poisoned meal for him.
When Luka arrives with the women, she informs them of his identity and they all help her serve him the poisoned food and wine. As he becomes weak, the women immediately bind him to his chair and confront him. He shows no remorse for the deeds, including killing the children. The women all leave the room and wait for the poison to kill him. Rosa, still apparently having feelings for him, tries to show him mercy or pity. Luka, is ungrateful and spits in her face, leaving her heartbroken to see his true colors.
Sophia, deciding to face him, stays by his side as he is dying. After a somewhat Oedipal moment between them, she eventually stabs Luka out of rage. After she does, she sees the necklace she had once left with her son. Before Luka dies, she begs him to demand where he got it from, with his dying breath, he says his mother left it to him. Sophia is shattered to discover that Luka is her son, and that she has murdered him. Afterwards, the women burn his body and her clothes, in Carolla's backyard. They do not know that Luka was Sophia's son, but know that Sophia was the one with his blood on her hands. Graziella makes Sophia the new head of the family. The scene then goes to show Rosa and Michael's wedding, with the women celebrating with many guests, including Carolla's allies.
As Sophia and Teresa watch the young couple, it is revealed the women plan to finish out their revenge on Carolla's allies who helped murder their husbands. The Giancamo family will remain in the dark about it. Moyra eventually comes to Sophia, with the poisoned wine glass for Victor Muzetti (Michael Kagen) one of Carolla's men. It is hinted that Moyra may marry Vito Giancamo, since he's a widower, mostly through Sophia's encouragement that he'll take care of her. As Sophia watches Muzetti leave (almost immediately suffering from the poison, appearing like a heart-attack), she goes to a table. Nostalgically looking at Michael's picture, she soon opens it and it is revealed to have another photo behind it. The photo has all of Carolla's men, crossing Muzetti's face first.
The movie ends with her staring into camera with her eyes, ones the men call the "devil's eyes".

Review: No matter how many times I see this movie I just love it more and more.
Vanessa Redgrave is a great matriarch and James Marsden is great at being the evil and insane Luca.A JOY!.
'Bella Mafia' was a TV mini-series that is available on VHS tape in two versions: one an apparently truncated version of 117 minutes on one tape while the preferable version is over two tapes and 180 minutes or three hours (but that includes seven minutes of previews of other films).
One could think of this as a poor cousin to 'The Godfather,' but from the point of view of the women.
It has a nice look to it, but seems to overly draw from 'The Godfather' by using the name Michael and without compelling supporting character actors.
Hence, the movie is dominated by two presence's: Vanessa Redgrave as the matriarch of the family and Nastassja Kinski, one of her daughters-in-law.
All of the male actors seem to be weak and are easily overshadowed first by Vanessa Redgrave and then by the take-control of the film by Nastassja Kinski.
Just never mess with Nastassja's Sophia character, otherwise one is likely to end up dead..
It is such a shame that such truly talented and wonderful actresses are showcased in such a horrible, terrible, poorly written, and laughable waste of film.
Ever since Tess you have been one of my favorite actors in the world, so it actually hurt to see you do this film.
I think the kernel of thought that spawned this film was actually a pretty good idea...and the actors who signed up may have thought so as well, but from genesis to filming, something went terribly, terribly wrong..
when i saw this movie when it was released as a mini series,i was elated to find that this italian mafia film had plenty of sustenance and not filler like many minis do.plot was strong,acting well done,and all the ladies were gorgeous.i'm ready for a second installment, like a book II perhaps..
Worth watching only if you're REALLY into Mafia films.
One of the challenges with any film concerning the Mafia is that they're usually compared (intentionally or subconsciously) with "The Godfather" trilogy.
Then there are films like "Bella Mafia"."Bella Mafia" is well-acted.
How can it not be with capable actors like Redgrave, Kinski, Tilly, Farina, etc.?
At one point about half-way through the film I looked at my wife and said, "They should re-name this "Those Wacky Lucianos".
Some of the situations, dialogue, and mannerisms of the performers seemed like it was almost poking fun at the mob-movie genre.
Even my wife, who LOVES mob movies, admitted it was more than a bit weak.Here's the bottom line.
If you REALLY like movies about the Cosa Nostra, then check it out.
This 1997 tv movie starts off with great promise only to quicklysink.
With lots of fanfare & build up, this movie looked very promising.
Like alot of the works of STEPHENKING where it is apparent that he got a terrific premise for a story,only to drop the ball because he just didn't know where to go with it.This tv movie appears to have been written by several different writers,none of whom knowing what the others have done, so that continuity oftone is downright impossible.
Lynda Laplante has written brilliant material in the past, especially the `Prime Suspect' series but with `Bella Mafia' she is ham-strung by the medium, i.e. U.S. TV which forbids the level of sex, violence and profanity that gives her best stuff its edge.Attempts to reproduce elements of `The Godfather' and `Romeo & Juliet' are almost pathetic, Vanessa Redgrave is the only principal cast member to age as the generations pass, Nastassia Kinsky is beautiful throughout.
I have seen this movie about 4 years back and I couldn't forget it ever since.
I got mixed up with the name of the movie and now that I have finally found it, makes me so happy.
I really liked this movie and would recommend it to others.
Maybe there are some faults with the acting or the age of the actors that don't change throughout the whole movie, but I have never really seen a movie, which was perfect.
Bella Mafia, actually keeps you tensed and you can hardly take your eyes off the screen.
It's a really good movie.
I've probably seen Bella Mafia a dozen times and it never fails to hold my attention.
Vanessa Redgrave is excellent as always, Nastassja Kinski is wonderful in her role as well.
But I'd have to say that Illeana Douglas performed the role of Teresa Luciano with such perfection I almost forgot I was watching a movie!
I think one of the most moving scenes, for me at least, was when Sophia (played by Nastassja Kinski) walked in to her sons bedroom.
I can't leave out James Marsden, his role as Luka Carolla was wonderful as well, carrying out his adopted father's vengeance with a very hard heart..
Great movie-thanks to James Marsden's breathtaking performance.
James Marsden's talent was at its best in this movie.
I hope the movie would delve more on how he became such a devilished person, thus giving James more screen play.
I hope they would make a dvd out of this great movie.
James Marsden's breathtaking good looks and extraordinary talent make him the very best.
Look forward to his new movies Interstate 60, X2, The 24th Day, and The Preacher in theaters in Fall 2002 and sometimes in 2003..
This movie was much better than I had anticipated!
The acting of the Luciano women and Luka was exceptionally well done!
The only thing I have to say about the film BELLA MAFIA is that it is utterly amazing.
I was sort of just looking for a film to past the time.
Even though the plot had some violent scenes, the writer managed to put in aspects of loyalty and love which made you kind of root for vengeance against the opposite characters.
If you want drama and action, see this movie..
I have seen this film about 3 times.
Vanessa Redgrave is always a wonderful actress.
James Marsden is great as Luka.
I too be honest was not really interested in the story line, more like the acting, for one James Marsden being angry and messed up.
Caught me off guard, Partly cause I have only seen him play more up-beat cheerful roles in movies like "hop" and as some prince in "Enchanted" here he was like all angry and getting hardcore and stuff.
Now I would not be surprised.The best acting in the whole movie was by the fellow who played Giorgio Corolla (pig face)Christopher Shaw.
I actually started paying attention to the movie when he was present as this deformed person being hidden in the church by his father.
He was the best character in the whole film you could actually root for with ease, and it was played the best.
The extravagant look, sunny locations and the "distant lands" atmosphere make this movie a great escape on a winter's day.
Good novel, pretty good actors all wasted in a godfather "wannabe" movie..
Unfortunately the acting of the main characters is the only reason to recommend this film.
Vanessa Redgrave was at her elegant best, but the dialogue of her role left her with little/no opportunity to demonstrate her art.
I do not know what the director was thinking, but when the a set of four women remains unchanged and un-aging through the interval of twenty years--the viewer may well question the quality of the film.
To make a long story short (too late?), the actors struggle valiantly against overwhelming odds to do a good job in the mess of a script they must work with, but their battle is lost..
This was quite possibly the worst movie I have ever seen.
I was extremely disappointed with Bella Mafia.
Although the plot was the best thing about this movie, it was lukewarm at best.
The passion (when Vito loses Sonny), orchestration of events (like when Michael takes out the five families), and epic feeling are all missing from this film.
Vanessa Redgrave is wonderful, although only about three people from the entire cast could actually pull off sounding Sicilian.
Overall, I was VERY disappointed with Bella Mafia...not that I expected anything more from a "T.V. Movie," but that it wasted so much potential..
A major disappointment, Bad writing, poor script, unbelievable story line.
In the world of outstanding Mafia movies this is the ugly sister no one wants to admit they are related to.
Bella Mafia was not,by any means, an excellent film.
There was an abundance of good actors in the film, especially Vanessa Redgrave and Jennifer Tilly, but even they had their moments, probably due to bad directing and the script.
This film is fine for a slow day with absolutely nothing to do, but overall, the script is dead and horribly written, and the actors are put in too many awkward and uncanny positions..
I was really surprised as I read through them how many did not like the movie or James Marsden as Luka.
Could it also be possible that there is a little jealousy over the incredible good looks of James Marsden (who I thought was a great Luka)?
Apparently, I must have seen the cut-down version of 'Bella Mafia' - running time: 113 minutes - because like every fifteen minutes there was a time leap into the future (sometimes only months, sometimes years).
But than, at the 1-hour mark, a lot of people suddenly get killed in two simultaneous scenes and this made-for-TV movie promptly becomes very, very interesting.
Nastassja Kinski's role is the pillar of all the drama & intrigues in 'Bella Maffia' and the best part of it all is that nobody knows about it (except for one person at the very end).
There seems to be a two-part mini-series of this film (with a lot of extra scenes, I imagine - 2x105 minutes).
So if you're interested in seeing 'Bella Mafia', I could advice you to watch the full mini-series.
Oh, and there's quite a few shocking scenes in this movie, especially considering it was made for TV.
Jennifer Tilly, to me, is always very watchable and Denis Farina as Redgrave's husband actually looks and plays the part.
First of all, don't get me wrong, I am an mafia-film kind of person.
I like the atmosphere these movies breath.
The whole Italian culture is reflected in films like the Godfather trilogy.
Is Bella Mafia one of these movies?
Most women in this movie have the most non-Italian features, it's a shame.
The casting of the men is better, especially James Marsden, who plays Luka is a good portrayal of the character.
Interesting and moving, the movie portrays the life of a Italian family (the standard ingredient of a mafia film) in Sicily.
Don Roberto Luciano swears revenge on Corolla but before he can do so the whole male side of the family is murdered by Corolla's adopted son Luka, the twisted, uneducated son of Sophia.
A very interesting movie to watch, but please do not expect a great mafia movie like the Godfather.
Never in all my years of film enjoyment have I passed 3 hours watching such painfully good, yet bitter irony.
Although, at the begging one automatically considers this a sad failed remake of The Godfather storyline, one soon comes to the realization that this film has nothing to do with the weakness or shortcomings of the Don and the future patriarchs of the Luciano family.
If you enjoy irony that draws out every last sweat drop, this is the film to watch and remember not the judge this book by its cover --or first scenes..
This is my favorite movie, I love mafia movies but this one shows the strength of women and their ability to run things just as good as if not better than a man.
I would recommend everyone see this movie it is wonderful!
The actors and actresses were great you would think that you were watching their real lives and not just a movie they auditioned before because everything was so natural.
There were some little tweaks that I would personally make to the movie to make it more interesting and more tuned to my personal taste but other than those few minor things this is the best movie that I have ever seen..
One of the best movies I've ever seen......
One of the best movies I've ever seen......
Until I saw this movie I did not take James Marsden seriously as an actor...but then again I had only seen two movies of his (Cherry Falls and XMen).
He was one of the best depicted characters I had ever seen.
Of course kudos to the actresses that played the mafia widows, they are a very talented bunch.
The rest of the cast is also great but I can't help but acknowledge Marsden's performance.From watching this movie you can conclude the fact that you should never mess with a sicilian woman..
This is a excellent movie w/o you being able to predict the next move!.
This is an excellent movie, and this is why I rated it a 10!
The ending was beautiful yet sad at the same time Hopefully, there will be a bella mafia II and I get a chance to rate it as well..
A Nice Twist on a Mafia Movie.
Widows of murdered mafia bosses take over "the family business".
Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a nice mafia film.
Best Gangster Movie You Can Find!.
First I want to make this clear - there are two versions of Bella Mafia out there, one is a two hour edited version which doesn't tell the whole story.
You wont be disappointed.Vanessa Redgrove (Legally Blonde) is amazing in this movie, as with all the other women in the cast.
Bella Mafia is probably the best performances all these actors did.
Excellent movie.
Excellent cast,amazing plot,brilliant movie!!!.
One of the best movies that i have ever watched so far and i have seen a lot..i was ready to sleep when i accidentally discovered this movie on TV,it kept me awake all night!The cast was brilliant, Nastassja Kinski was amazing and no movie before have made me feel this way,so many conflicting emotions such as joy ,happiness ,sorrow , grieve, honor, proud, mercy, hate, anger and more!
No matter if you like mafia movies or not this one is simply outstanding!It's length may seems a lot(about 3 hours) but the last thing this movie does is get you bored cause the plot is very well put and needs time to evolve which is another plus for this great movie!!.
Best Movie Ever.
I think this movie is so amazing i've been looking for it ever since i watched it on Aussie TV ten years ago,its by far the best movie i've seen,amazing twist and really emotional.it has really good actors, and i'm still trying to find the movie i haven't tried purchasing online, but i'm gonna give that a try for the first time ever, just so i can get a copy of this movie,it is a very dramatic film and will make anyone cry, i hope UAE T.V channel one or MBC 2 decide to put on T.V because it will definitely be worth it.
Bella Mafia.
There have been many TV movies based on the mafia, but this particular film, BELLA MAFIA, is about the finest.
In my humble opinion, and even though I have seen a lot of his work I believe this is JAMES MARSDEN'S finest performance.
The guy is superb, as well as Natasha Kinski and Vanessa Redgrave.
This movie ranks up there with THE GODFATHER.
What a wonderfully moving movie!!.
Why did so many people in the past rubbish this movie?
Vanessa Redgrave was a wonderful actress and the wives of her sons all played their part extremely well.
Nastassja Kinski was particularly good.
A great piece of work and I haven't read the novel yet, but I will do now I've seen the film..
BELLA MAFIA is a moving story - which holds your interest for those with brains and intellect.
The women show power and raw emotion comes into play.
Nastassia Kinski and Vanessa Redgrave are brilliant actresses when it comes to underplaying emotions and living it all through the face.
It's where Nastassia discovers Luka is her son after killing him and she buries him without revealing this secret to the other women of the Luciano clan that we see the power of the Bella Mafia.
Only death can stop the Bella Mafia.
There is a play on all the characters but Nastassia and Vanessa Redgrave are outstanding in role as doomed lover, widow, vengeful mother/gun totting matriarch, shrewd defender of the brood and finally Head Of The Clan.
And I have no objection whatsoever against Vanessa Redgrave and, especially, Nastassia Kinski.
cliché.Spoiler: It might be that the reference to Oedipus is a spoiler, but a good movie is spoiler resistant..
Spoiler oh my god!!, i loved this mini series when it showed on our t.v screens in new zealand.I just love sofia's accent and thought she played her part well.When luka killed the children i hated him, but yet i was mesmerised by his looks and charm.
When is this movie coming out on DVD????.
I wish there was a sequel so we find out how Sophia and the rest of the "bella mafia" kills the others responsible.
Kinski was the perfect actress to be cast for this film.
I especially like her during the cooking scene in the Corolla house, "There's more..." as they drug Luka.
I especially like the end when Sophia, Teresa, and Graziella do a final toast with one of the mafia guys (I can't remember his name).
Love this movie!!!
Love this movie!!!