From a technical point of view, it is not one of the greatest movies. It is a movie for nostalgic fable lovers. The actors are great, especially Alessandra Martines (just check out the last scene). And of course Romualdo, played by Kim Rossi Stuart has been every girl's fantasy for the last two decades. (!) Interesting, too, is that the actors are all from different countries. I would give the movie a 10/10 for the story/idea, 10/10 for the characters/development, 10/10 the actors, 10/10 for the scenery, 9/10 to director Lamberto Bava (it would be too much to say , that he's perfect too, just because I like his movies), 7/10 technology (it's the 90ies/small budget).

The Cave of the Golden Rose or Fantaghiro may hold a handful of cliché's found in the most popular of fairy tales yet somehow it also gives off a nostalgic appeal. Ironically, it is also unconventional at the same time.Many portions may be predictable, maybe even to an extent far too surreal for a realist, a critic of the entire concept of love at first sight yet somehow all of these are balanced off by an "out of the box" storyline, a beautiful cast, a highly memorable soundtrack (Der Prinz un Fantaghiro as an example)and an often intelligently planted lighting.Special effects and cinematography-wise, it may not compare to films that have been digitally manipulated such as The Lord of the Rings and all the others that have impressed us tremendously with three-dimensional graphics. It draws interest through its flowing narrative that is rather old-fashioned, episodic and reminiscent of chronicled epics. It's the sort that one would appreciate due to its ability to develop gracefully its main character, a trait that is a rarity to most films these days.Recently we have come to know of female heroines who could parallel their male counterparts in a duel yet most of them lose their grace, their radiance, their ethereal majesty within their leather tights and lashing whips. Most certainly they have proved themselves to be worthy adversaries and valued allies yet we hardly see them employ that breathtakingly feminine charm that Fantaghiro has successfully maintained in an intriguing balance. I will not speak of it further as my thoughts might spoil your entertainment. ;) Overall however, The Cave of the Golden Rose is a masterpiece not meant to be described through words. It is the kind that is worthy of being experienced.

About ten years ago in Holland we saw the international production of Fantaghirò(cave of the golden rose and the sequel, of which I cannot remember the name right now) in English with Dutch subtitles as Saturday morning series. We loved it then and it's a shame there's never been a rerun. We tried to purchase the video or DVD in English with Dutch subs but they aren't out there(only a few smart as*es who have taped it from the TV are now selling these tapes for far too much money and in poor quality) so if anyone can help me get these series in English with Dutch subtitles on DVD(preferably) or video please contact me. If you've never seen the series, make sure you do, it's an international masterpiece! It's a blend of fantasy and romance which makes it fantastic to watch and dream away with it.

My most favorite is the first movie. Fantaghiro is truly my inspiration of my dream princess in my book.Although I prefer watching it in Italian but TV2 only had it in English. I want to buy the full movies but it is rare in Malaysia. Maybe I go to Italy and went through all their DVD stores.I watch this... when I was 7 or 8.... the TV2 made re-runs every year but it stop when I was about 10.. sad...The perks in the first movie is when Fantaghiro disguise as a man. My favorite part is at the swimming competition, when she wore a lot of clothes and made a desperate sigh. So cute.Although few awkward scene like, How come her hair grew long after she cut it? And how come the short hair style is the same through ALL the movies? And grew back LONG?!?!?!? She wear a wig or something??? After the first movie, the second movie seems nice but I don't like the puppet part and the White Witch actress had change.In the third movie, I don't like Tarabas much and Romualdo part in the movie only in a few minutes.What worst in the forth, THERE ARE NO ROMUALDO!!! My interest dull around Tarabas parts. Still hanging around with a married woman?? I accept if the producer gave him a love interest but Fantaghiro is Romualdo's!! I don't like much a lot of new characters as I prefer the old ones. As the movies grew, the lesser the original characters is.There's a lot of voice castings, re-scene and so on.But still, The Cave of The Golden Rose 1 is worth the full stars.