Tea with Mussolini 1999

In Florence’s picturesque landscape, a coterie of refined English expatriates, known as the Scorpioni, convene for afternoon tea in 1935. This ensemble of cultured women, including Arabella, an aspiring artist with a flair for the unconventional, and Mary Wallace (played by), Luca’s caregiver, form a supportive network that extends to his seamstress mother, recently deceased. When Luca’s father, a wealthy Italian businessman, demonstrates little interest in his son’s upbringing, Mary steps in, seeking guidance from her Scorpioni friends.

As fate would have it, Elsa Morganthal, a young American widow of considerable wealth, had been fond of Luca’s mother and establishes a financial trust for the boy upon learning of her passing. This benevolent act is met with Lady Hester Random’s condescending approval, as she tolerates Elsa’s presence among their group.

Their tranquil existence is disrupted when Italian Fascists launch an assault on the café where they gather, reflecting the growing uncertainty facing the expatriate community. As tensions escalate, the Scorpioni find themselves increasingly marginalized and their liberties eroded. Luca’s father, now convinced of Italy’s future alignment with Germany rather than Britain, decides to send his son to an Austrian boarding school.

Five years pass, and Luca returns to Florence, determined to pursue a career in art with Elsa’s trust fund as his financial backbone. However, he discovers that most British nationals are fleeing the country, anticipating Mussolini’s declaration of war on Great Britain. Mary has taken up residence with Lady Hester and her fellow English hold-outs, awaiting their uncertain fate.

As the United States remains at peace, Elsa Morganthal (played by) and her American companion, Georgie Rockwell, a trailblazing archaeologist unafraid to express her lesbian identity, find themselves free from the constraints of war. Elsa seizes this opportunity to utilize Luca as a courier, facilitating the clandestine transfer of forged orders and funds to secure the Scorpioni’s relocation from their Spartan quarters to an opulent hotel. Lady Hester, buoyed by her delusion that Mussolini’s benevolence had facilitated this move, proudly brandishes a newspaper photo of her meeting with the Italian dictator.

As the war rages on, Elsa - a Jewish woman shielded from persecution by her nationality and wealth - secretly collaborates with Italian Jews to procure fake passports. She enlists the aid of Luca (her enamored admirer) to deliver these crucial documents, unaware that his affections are soon to be complicated by her growing involvement with Vittorio, an Italian lawyer. However, as tensions escalate and the war reaches a boiling point in 1941, Elsa and Georgie find themselves interned alongside British women.

Meanwhile, Vittorio - driven by deceitful motives - pilfers Elsa’s art collection and financial assets, intending to hand her over to the German Gestapo under the guise of a fake escape route to Switzerland. Luca, consumed by jealousy, keeps this treachery hidden from everyone, including his friends Mary and Wilfred. However, when Mary discovers Vittorio’s betrayal through Elsa’s art dealer, she scolds him, prompting Luca’s conscience to stir.

As Luca’s attitude shifts, he decides to channel his trust fund into the Italian resistance movement, which Wilfred has already joined. Elsa remains oblivious to Vittorio’s deceit until Lady Hester, having been reprimanded by Mary for her excessive praise of Mussolini, reveals the truth and offers her gratitude and support. With Mary, Luca, and Wilfred’s help, Elsa hatches an escape plan.

Before departing, she confides in Luca that she had secretly supported his mother through a difficult pregnancy, allowing him to be there for her. The trio’s daring escape is set in motion as the British Army advances on San Gimignano in July 1944. Arabella valiantly defends her frescoes from destruction by German troops, joined in the fray by Georgie and the English women, including Lady Hester.

As the Germans retreat, the city of San Gimignano is left untouched, its towers standing tall. The arrival of the Scots Guards brings jubilation to the community, with Luca now serving as their trusted Italian interpreter. Despite orders to evacuate the Scorpioni, Lady Hester remains resolute that they will rebuild their lives in Italy.

Mary finds joy in witnessing Luca, now clad in British uniform, embody his father’s wish for him to become an “English gentleman.” As the war concludes, the characters’ fates are revealed, with Luca emerging as a talented artist and contributor to the film.