It is 1941 and the Second World War has come to the quiet Greek island of Kefalonia. Italy has allied itself with Germany and has invaded Greece. One of the Italian officers, Captain Antonio Corelli (Nicholas Cage) adopts an attitude of peaceful coexistence with the local residents. He organises music festivals (in which he plays his mandolin) for the island and begins courting Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) the daughter of a local doctor. At first Pelagia is resistant to the idea of dating someone she sees as the enemy, but as they are forced to share her father’s home, Corelli’s charms begin to win her over. Their gentle romance is however once again threatened by the war. Italy surrenders to the allies and changes sides, so Captain Corelli must defend the island against a German invasion.
