CAPTAIN Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres's best-selling novel, has caused the English middle classes to descend on the idyllic Greek island of Cephalonia in their droves.

And the much-awaited film of the book is likely to have even more packing their passports to journey to the island on which the novel is set and the movie filmed.

The brilliant turquoise of the Ionian sea, the unspoiled countryside, the timeless villages - the breathtaking vistas are enough to take the film-goers eye away from the central romance. Which can't be a good thing.

Set in the Italian occupation of Greece during the Second World War, John Madden's handsomely photographed film focuses on the heated affair of islander Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) and jovial Italian officer Antonio Corelli (Nicolas Cage).

Pelagia is engaged to be married to fisherman Mandras (Christian Bale), who is away fighting for his country. Her relationship with the outsider ignites a scandal which consumes the entire community.

Mandras's wizened mother Drosoula (Irene Pappas) tries to nip the romance in the bud, warning Pelagia that reputation means everything. Her words fall on deaf ears.

Love flourishes under the blazing sun until the harsh realities of war crash upon the island's shores. Both lovers are faced with heartbreaking choices - personal and political - as Hitler's garrisons take charge.

Despite the soaring temperatures on Cephalonia, Cage and Cruz barely smoulder as the lovers. They stare lovingly at one another, but there's no obvious sexual charge. Their all-consuming, momentous romance becomes little more than a holiday fling.

Cage plies the charm as the eponymous officer, plucking his mandolin and Pelagia's heart-strings with confidence, and Cruz looks ravishing in a succession of summer frocks.