User reviews

For those who enjoy a soap opera, Brazil is fertile ground, as the overwhelming majority of general TV channels in the country transmit, on average, four soap operas daily. Invariably, much of this material eventually goes around the world, being bought and broadcast in other countries. One of the most permeable markets for Brazilian teledramaturgy is, of course, my country, due to its cultural and linguistic proximity. However, I watched "Terra Nostra" only once in my life, which I remember, was the first time it was broadcast in Portugal, around 1997.

The story revolves around a romance between two Italians who end up traveling to Brazil as immigrants in the first half of the twentieth century. In fact, Brazil was a country strongly marked by immigrants, who still play an important role in the economy and culture of that South American country. Portuguese, Italian, German and even Japanese were so important that they constituted considerable immigration waves, that Brazil accepted and mixed in its famous cultural pot. This soap opera, nowadays somewhat forgotten, had a huge melodramatic charge, but this is an almost omnipresent feature in Brazilian soap operas. Being a period soap opera, the re-creation of the sets, the choice of the filming locations and the preparation of the costumes took great care and historical rigor, although the same can not be said of several details of the plot that appeared, at the time, displaced or a bit anachronistic. The cast was very good, but I would emphasize, for the quality of performance achieved, the actors Antônio Fagundes, Raul Cortez, Ana Paula Arósio, Thiago Lacerda e Maria Fernanda Cândido.

"Terra Nostra" is a Brazilian telenovela or soap opera that is set in the late 1800s. It takes place at a time when slaves were freed in Brazil and there was a need for workers, especially on the coffee fazendas (plantations) of Brazil. As a result new laborers were sought and a large number of Italians, looking for a better life, immigrated to Brazil to work there.

This historical telenovela tells the story of these Italian immigrants. It focuses on the relationship of Giuliana Esplendore and Matteo Batistela (Actors Ana Paula Arosío and Thiago Larceda) who meet each other during the voyage to Brazil.

Giuliana and Matteo immediately fall in love and plan a life together. Unfortunately, fate and some people do not plan it that way. A series of mishaps befall the couple and keep them apart. When they finally reunite, their conduct affects not only their lives, but also other people they have met along the way.

Moral issues arise which produce fruitful debate for the television viewers. There are no simple answers because none of the characters or issues are strictly right or wrong, black or white. The issues and personalities are gray and will cause the viewers to change their minds during the storyline.

Unlike many telenovela stories, the characters are not larger than life in "Terra Nostra." Instead, they are like everyday people who make everyday decisions. Consequently, the viewers can relate to what is happening in the story.

"Terra Nostra" is written by Benedito Ruy Barbosa and directed by Jayme Monjardim. Both men are responsible for writing and directing other first-rate stories. The telenovela is full of beautiful shots of nature and scenery. The pacing of each episode properly moves so that the viewers can savor the panorama, the story and the acting.

Musical director, Marcus Viana, puts together a heavenly music soundtrack for the telenovela. It is mainly filled with traditional Italian songs that are performed by well-known and talented musicians such as Charlotte Church, Caetano Veloso, Zizi Possi, and Jerry Adriani. The soundtrack also includes original instrumental music by Viana, also a gifted musician experienced with soundtracks for other shows. Three CDs, titled "Terra Nostra" "Terra Nostra 2" and "Speranza" have been successful produced.

"Terra Nostra" has been successfully shown worldwide, from countries such as Tahiti, Russia, Greece, Canada, the United States of America, Hungary, and Philippines to Italy, Spain, Croatia, Portugal and many more.

The combination of a great story, enchanting music, wonderful directing makes "Terra Nostra" a memorable telenovela to watch.

I have seen many telenovelas which are very popular in our little sunny island (Mauritius)and I can say that it is the best I have seen. The story is captivating and all the actors are brilliant. I watch a lot of movies and tv series and I can say that the brazilian actors are among the best. Sandy

The most beautiful love story; that will entice all Of your being!

maybe, a historical film more than telenovela. story of a beginning. not easy, not well known, but impressive for the force of story and the links who define it. a film like a book. and the impression of lecture remains the same episode by episode. the atmosphere, the dialogues, the gestures and the portrait of each character transforms Terra Nova in a pleasant experience. it is difficult to define it . because, at its end, the flavor of a page of history at the levels of family and society, the roots of Brazil modern grow up , the XIX century - the same from the history book but more seductive and dramatic and out of expected recipes- are the virtues of this beautiful series.