For those who haven't read the book: it's 1940, on the Greek island of Cephalonia. Pelagia (Cruz), daughter of Dr Iannis (Hurt), is engaged.

Despite her father's wishes, Pelagia has chosen an uneducated, patriotic fisherman Mandras (Bale) as her future husband.

Mandras enlists to fight the Italians in Albania. Though Pelagia's letters to her fiancé receive no reply, she resists overtures from Captain Antonio Corelli (Cage).

Corelli is a music-loving bon viveur of sophistication, kindness and charm billeted at Iannis's when the Italians occupy the island.

Will attraction get the better of Pelagia? In times of war nothing can be certain. Loyalty, betrayal and hatred run deep.

The book's fans may take issue with some of the script changes made for this glossy period romance, softening the tone.

But if you assume that the film can never match the book - you'll probably enjoy the more romantic pared-down version.

The exceptional cast, including Bale, Cage and Cruz, are completely outdone by the wonderfully stoic yet sensitive John Hurt, Pelagia's father, who takes this film onto a more sophisticated level than the usual war dramas that have been coming out of Hollywood by the dozen lately.