Reviews

I was watching this movie in my Italian class several years ago and after watching both parts, I can confidently say this is a fine example of very exciting Italain television. To place this movie under "drama" would be correct, but i encourage anyone who would like to view action movies outside of the Hollywood origin to really consider this two-part series.

The story follows a team of Policemen lead by the man codenamed "Homer" who is played by Luca Zingaretti who recently appeared in the "Inspector Montalbano" series. When the team is asked for protection by 'Sinatra' who is played by Leo Gulotta who was seen in "cinema paradiso". Sinatra is to be escorted from Northern Italy to Sicily where he has promised to give in the location of the Mafia Godfather Don Parvitano. But during the journey, Sinatra seems to always lead the police into hostility and trouble.

Given the basic storyline, I must also say that there are many surprising twists of betrayal, death and loyalty. But one must really remain attentive to catch onto the separate stories surrounding each individual character.

The action scenes follow in a "spaghetti western" style: a lot of gunfire but nobody seems to get hit. But there is fantastic cinematic work behind these scenes and the general atmosphere of an action film is delivered successfully.

Overall, this is a fantastic television series that really grips even a non-italian speaking audience (if subtitles are on of coarse). If you come by "operazione odissea" on your television guide, I encourage you to really consider watching this well-made program.

A very good children's program contains a suspenseful plot and situations on a level where children would be able to comprehend the storyline. An excellent children's program contains all these things and yet, captivates an older audience. Spellbinder definitely is an excellent children's program from my perspective.

Paul reynolds is a boy in his mid-teens who opens a world-portal by playing with electricity and is lost in a world of civilization where the industrial revolution never happened, and science never advanced. A a person of the 21st century, he becomes hunted by the world's leaders: spellbinders for his chemical knowledge on how to make gunpowder on top of his attempts to get home. He finds a friend, Riana who helps him throughout the storyline. Much of the story involves Pauls plight and in returning home, but is also extended, when Riana becomes lost in our world therefore putting the storyline in reverse. The story picks up in pace when one of the spellbinders, Ashka realises that she can use the science of our world to dominate hers, and the main characters are now faced with trying to stop her.

(That is the most brief version i could come up with to summarise the enormous 26 episode long series.)

What really proves captivating is the cinema art used to create the parallel world and the way the audience learns with the characters about each others worlds. There is very good acting by both the young and old cast and a lot of credit must be given to the shows artwork designers.

Overall, "Spellbinder" is a highly recommended Australian television program which has very good ideas to excite the imagination of both children and adults alike.