The Miracle of Marcelino (1955) User Reviews

Sensitive story proceeded in simplicity and delicacy by Ladislao Vadja

[ma-cortes · 8/10 · 26 December 2008]

The film starts in a long flashback narrated by a priest (Fernando Rey), he tells how an abandoned baby is picked up by monks residing in a monastery run by a humble Father Superior (Rafael Rivelles). The little boy named Marcelino (Pablito Calvo) who lost his mother , becomes a fine kid , pure and simple of heart , and devoted friend of Crucified Jesus . Meanwhile , he gets into mischiefs , he plays and puts nicknames to monks , as Brother Door (Antonio Vico) , Brother Cookie (Juan Calvo), Brother Bad (Mariano Azaña) , Fray Giles (Juanjo Menendez) and Brother Ding Dong (Joaquin Roa) . But in some touching scenes , Marcelino meets at the loft to Jesus and gives him bread and wine, then happening an ecstasy at the ending .

This a perceptible and feeling movie full of mirth , humor touches , and enjoyable message based on novel written by Jose Maria Sanchez Silva. At the same time the film gives us an agreeable panorama about monastery life , its pity , and goodness ; furthermore , the religious oration , sacrifice , work , companionship and various situations happen in monastic existence . Its perfect developing resides on superb characters incarnated by the good-natured monks, well played by all-Spanish-star-cast , and the sympathy , simplicity of Pablito Calvo-Marcelino . Musical score by Pablo Sorozabal responds appropriately to ambient , originating a really spiritual and religious atmosphere . Precious and luminous cinematography by Enrich Guerner (Vadja's ordinary cameraman) who give us an accurate scenario at the times is developed . The motion picture was excellently directed by Ladislao Vadja , born in Hungary , he's author of magnificent movies , such as 'The Bait', and 'Carne de horca', and three with Pablito Cavo : 'An Angel over Brooklyn' (along with Peter Ustinov) and 'Uncle Jacinto' (with Antonio Vico) . In my opinion this is one of the best films to come out of Europe in the decade of the 50s. The picture touched the hearts of numerous spectators all around the world. Rating : Above average.

Touching innocence

[rrupnik · 8/10 · 8 January 2019]

My Dad loved this film My Dad lost his parents and sister in the same month when he was just 5 years old

I don't know if that is why he has almost a reverence for this movie, but he always would look through the channels and the tv guide to find out if it would be airing during the Christmas season. Dad passed away just about a week before Christmas in 2002. He was 81 Each year as Christmas approaches, I find myself looking through the channels and the tv listings to find out if it will be airing during the Christmas season. The actor playing Marcelino did an amazing job expressing innocence, wonder, and an inner sadness when remembering his Mom who he never really got a chance to know. The cinematography...angles, vistas etc. are top notch. The short scenes make the film seem almost dreamlike, jumping from one short poignant topic to the other. The simple, peaceful presentation contrasts to a lot of other films which scream at you to keep you paying attention. This film does not need to do that. Next December, I will find myself scanning the channels and looking through the tv listings.....

Blessed are the candid souls ....

[ulicknormanowen · 8/10 · 2 February 2020]

An user pointed out that some imdb reviews (particularly the early one) were very negative ;but in spite of a huge success,many leftish (Marxist ?) comments were scathing too when the movie was released :remember that Spain was a dictatorship and a French critic went as far as to write that 'if Christ allows the mother-and -child reunion ,it's in a better world ,and thus it solves the problem of the orphanages maintenance".

Today ,when compared to the Joselito Jimenez weepies,which have sunk into oblivion, "Marcelino pan y vino " holds up quite well .That a great director such Luigi COMENCINI made a remake is proof positive that the movie has worn well ,even though today's children may not get something out of it.

Everyone will agree that Pablito Calvo gives one of the best child actor performances of all time ;one can,however ,prefer to the scenes in the attic :

-the bread which diminishes ,much to the monk /cook's surprise .

-the fair ,where the stolen apple creates a "butterfly effect" in miniature .

-the boy learning his alphabet,under a monk's watchful eye.

-the meeting with the woman with a madonna face(wish she could be my mama).

-the hidden treasures in the wall.

Immensely Uplifting

[gakridge · 18 September 2002]

***SLIGHT SPOILER*** I like a previous viewer saw the movie around 1958 ('57), but it was shown by WGN in Chicago. They showed it yearly around Thanksgiving or Christmas every year for several years. Each holiday season, I awaited with great anticipation for this movie. The first time I saw it it brought tears to my eyes (hard to do for a boy of 10). I've been married now for 33 years and have been wanting to have my wife and children/grandchildren to see it. I will soon have the opportunity to do so for I have just acquired the newly mastered version.

It appeals to the pure in heart, compassion, loving and tenderness in all of us. At the end of the movie when Marcelino leaves us, I was met with sadness, but I understood that his love and desire was to be with Christ and this was Christ's gift to him.

Simply beautiful. Count on foreigners to make such a wonderful movie.

Interesting and strange, yes, but heartwarming?

[mritchie-874-156787 · 7/10 · 28 July 2015]

During a time of war in Spain, an orphaned infant is left at the door of a monastery. The monks are charged with finding a permanent home for him, but because they want to keep him, they don't try very hard. Finally they reject the mayor's demand that he be given the boy—even when the mayor threatens to evict the monks—and so they wind up raising him, calling him Marcelino. He grows into a rambunctious but likable lad who wonders why he doesn't have a mother like his village buddy Manuel. Though he's been forbidden from wandering up to the monastery attic, one day he does; there he finds a life-sized damaged wooden crucifix. At first, Marcelino is scared of it, but soon he begins talking to Jesus, going so far as to being bread and wine to the figure on the cross because he looks hungry. Suddenly, we see (from a vantage point behind the crucifix) the wooden arm of Jesus become human, taking the food and drink from the boy. The two share meals and chat, and when Marcelino tells Jesus that his fondest wish is to be reunited with his mother, Jesus makes it happen.

SPOILER: Most reviewers of this film, especially ones of the Catholic persuasion, like it and find it heartwarming. As a former Catholic, I do have a soft spot for mystical religious fantasies (like THE BISHOP'S WIFE) and even the occasional non-mystical non-fantasies (GOING MY WAY). But this one, though well-made, comes off like a creepy Twilight Zone episode: Marcelino gets his wish because he dies. Off the top of my head (and aside from versions of LITTLE WOMEN in which the doomed child is more a supporting than starring role) I can only think of one other classic-era movie in which a central child character dies, the 1939 fantasy ON BORROWED TIME. I have to say that killing off a child whom you assume will live is an effective way to stun a viewer, and it works well in ON BORROWED TIME, but here, it just seems unsavory. The boy in BORROWED seems unhappy with his life on earth, but Marcelino does not—Jesus couldn't think of a better way to handle this kid's wish? I didn't dislike this movie—indeed, I would commend it for being different—but I think the people on IMDb who call it tender-hearted or inspiring or sensible either saw a different movie or need a dictionary.

Holly Pablito!

[marcosaguado · 10/10 · 12 March 2004]

A film for ever in my brain. Not a bad thing for a film. I saw it for the first time when I was 8 and stayed with me always. I'm amused by some of the comments leveling this beautiful tale as "sick" and "twisted". I imagine it's the power of goodness that usually provokes more outcries than the power of evil. The film is what it is, no disguises to send its message as in Forrest Gump for instance. The film is a masterpiece no matter how you look at it and Pablito Calvo, the Marcelino at the center of it all, gives a performance that goes beyond any performance of any child actor has gone before.

A Film Worth Seeing (Again)

[jtarrant · 6/10 · 5 May 2003]

A previous commentator regarded this movie as a piece of sick and twisted propaganda. While I can understand that point-of-view, the movie should also be viewed within its larger genre as well as a work of genuine film art. I also saw the film (twice) as a child who attended parochial school in the late 1950s and was tremendously affected by it, even haunted in a way, at the time. Back then, the nuns did not have the training to prepare children for films about children and death; I doubt many schools today would show the film to children 7 - 12 even though many children - ironically - routinely watch TV and videos that have violence and death as a regular feature. This film is deeply affecting precisely because the relationship to death is hinted at and never seen. Yes, this film seems somewhat manipulative, but mostly in the way the Church's distribution of it targeted children. However, that kind of overt propagandizing was pretty common in the middle years of the 20th century, and often much more crudely done than in this film. Seen from the perspective of either a child or an adult (at least in my memory of more than 40 years ago) there are many good things about the film. The cinematography I thought was quite good, the scene settings stark and simple yet emotionally appealing. The acting is also pretty good, especially the principal character of Marcellino, all the more so for a foreign language film (i.e., foreign at the time to this viewer). I really see this film as worthy of its genre, which I would put in a group with other magico-religious plays and films. All films are manipulative in some way. The fact that this film was used for religious propaganda at times does not, in my view, take away from its artistic power.

An Innocent, Tender Movie From The Mid '50s

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 11 August 2007]

Wow, this was stunning, both in photography and in content. Here's a nice, old-fashioned "religious story" you rarely see anymore. The English title goes under "The Miracle Of Marcelino."

It's a simple tale of a group of monks who discover a baby at their monastery doorstep one morning and then raise the boy. They try to find suitable parents for the infant but are unsuccessful. The infant scenes don't run too long because, before you know it, they have fast-forwarded it to when the boy was six years of age....and that's where he stays until the end of the film.

Pablito Calvo as the title character, Marcelino," is excellent. Kudos to cinematographer Heinrich Gartner for beautiful black-and-white photography. The DVD transfer was outstanding, too. The lighting, particularly on faces, is terrific.

Other reviewers here at IMDb, such as Albert Sanchez Moreno, have described the story nicely. I will just add I found it oddly captivating the entire way and very touching and moving in the last 20 minutes or so, after the boy discovers the big statue of Christ and begins communicating with Him. Yeah, I'm sure it looks really far-fetched to almost everyone, especially non-Believers, but I enjoyed and marveled at the end of this film.

I'm not quite sure what to make of the monks in here and why they would "warn" the young boy against going up in the attic, where the statue is located, unless they somehow supernaturally knew what was going to happen.....yet they still should have put their trust in Christ, anyway. Their actions are puzzling at times. There is a real mystery to this story overall, anyway. Not being Catholic, maybe I missed something in the translation. This is a very "Catholic" film but a Christ-believing Protestant as I am can still fully appreciate this story, too, as much as anyone, and I did.

You'll never find this at a rental store but those you are curious, you might want to add it to your queue if you belong to one of those mail-in rental programs. This film was a collaboration of Spanish and Italian filmmakers, I think. There was a color re-make in the early '90s, but I haven't seen it.

It's a film of tender "innocence" like few I've ever seen, which makes it very memorable.

A Sort of Fairy Tale for the Vatican.

[redryan64 · 7/10 · 6 January 2016]

WE WELL RECALL how every good, little Catholic school boy or girl were urged to go and see this one. It did appear that every one of them did in our neighborhood & parish in Chicago. Our neighborhood was called either South Lynne or Ogden Hill and was a segment of the greater community known as West Englewood. The Parish was St. Theodore; a now defunct and otherwise forgotten geopolitical subdivision of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, located at 62nd Street and Paulina Street.*

THE FILM IS basically a pleasant story of an orphaned Italian boy who is adopted and being raised as the ward of a monastery of priests. Although little Marcel (hence the diminutive form of "Marcellino") has been dealt a sad hand in life, he is an example of the direct opposite of what one would expect. Marcellino is a total delight as a little guy, being the epitome of happiness incarnate.

WE ARE PRIVEKEDGED to follow the little tyke as he explores the monetary and finds a large, lifelike statue of the Crucified Jesus. In his own, totally child's understanding of things, he brings gifts of bread and wine to the image and miraculously accepts them, coming to life and conversing with the child.

MUCH TO THE chagrin of his older, holy men inhabitants of the cloistered digs, he continues this behavior. One day, he tells the living image of the Christ that the two things the boy wishes are "to see my Mother and yours!" He is then immediately taken to his eternal reward; amid both the mourning and celebration of the friars.

WHEN WE RE-EVALUATE what we originally saw, some 62 years ago, we find that what we have is a sort of hybrid story. It is somewhere between a Catholic/Christian morality play and a classic Fairy Tale. That's not to say that it is not without its merits. It surely has that; particularly to the children who are being brought up in the Faith.

AND THAT IS perhaps the main message of the story; that we should strive t have the Faith of a Child. Didn't Jesus say something about "unless one comes to him with his Faith like a Child...."

ONE OBSERVATION THAT we have made is the special effects that bring the crucifix's statue of Jesus to life are very similar to that of the German silent picture, THE GOELEM (1920).

THAT'S JUST AN observation and is not intended in any way to be derogatory to MARCELLINO.

I Dubbed the English Voice of Marcelino

[pespada · 9/10 · 4 July 2007]

After 49 years, the memory of seeing this movie remains very fresh. Because, you see, I was the English voice of Marcellino in the dubbed version of "Marcellino Pan y Vino" that was, from the comments I've read, shown in just about every Catholic school in North America. Back in 1958, my parents and I were living in Rome, Italy--my dad was stationed at the American Embassy. I was about 8 years old. My mother saw an ad in the American newspaper looking for English-speaking voices to dub in the dialog in European-made movies slated for export. We went to the famous Cinecitta' studios, I auditioned, and got the job. "Marcellino" was the second or third movie I did. From what I recall, it took a couple of days to do, and I was only allowed to see the scenes that I actually had lines in, and they weren't many, when you come right down to it. I stood on a platform before a lectern in a very large studio facing a screen and microphone. I had to stand on a box to reach the microphone and read the script. I got a lot of coaching and we did dozens of takes. I don't know if they ever used the work I did, but I was there and I got paid--or my mother received the money. I only saw the movie once with the English dubbing just a few years ago--never saw it in school and never really mentioned it to anybody because I thought no one would believe me or be interested. I just purchased the DVD but it's only Spanish with English subtitles. Does anyone know where I can get the English dubbed version?

One of the best religious movies ever made

[Atreyu_II · 10/10 · 8 March 2008]

I don't know and never knew many religious films, but despite my lack of knowledge on this sort of films, I can say that "Marcelino pan y vino" is a very good movie.

"Marcelino pan y vino" is one of those movies that conquers our hearts for its simplicity. It proves that it's possible to make great movies through a simple story. This is a beautiful but sad story. Simple but unpredictable and absolutely charming. Simple yet with a particular magical touch. Perhaps a sweet, innocent, heartwarming and emotional story? Of course! This movie is a great mix of emotions. Not to mention that the ending is completely unforgettable. Yes, it is that memorable. The soundtrack by Pablo Sorozábal is powerful and combines perfectly with the movie's nature.

Although this movie is also known as "The Miracle of Marcelino", its title means "Marcelino bread and wine".

"Marcelino pan y vino" is a Spanish film, beautifully directed by Ladislao Vajda. Let's be very, very frank: this is really one of the best foreign movies of all time. Luigi Comencini directed a remake of this in 1991 under the title "Marcellino" but I never saw that one.

The actors are all great, but cute little Pablito Calvo steals the show as the title character, Marcelino. And those eyes of his are so expressive!

This should definitely be on Top 250.

Good Grief!

[milovac-1 · 3/10 · 20 April 2020]

I saw this film as a child and it scared me to death. I didn't see it as a beautiful tale about the power of goodness. I would say it was the first horror film I ever saw. That a statue could come to life and then cause the boy to die at end was traumatizing to me and gave me many nightmares. I'm glad my church had no statues, or I would have refused to go!

A reply to the previous comment--

[critic-2 · 10/10 · 24 July 2002]

I feel almost provoked to comment on this film here, and I say this not as an especially religious person (which I am not), but as someone who feels that a film should not be unfairly criticized because of someone's faulty--or would it be more accurate to say willfully (?) -- distorted summary of the plot.

SPOILERS AHEAD

To begin with, Marcelino is bitten by the scorpion while he is playing outside the monastery, but at no point in the film does he ask to see the crucifix for any reason. He has been frightened by tales of a "bogeyman" in the attic by the monks, who wish him to stay away from it. OUT OF CURIOSITY, and for no other reason, he ventures in, sees the Christ figure, thinks it is the feared bogeyman, and tears back down the stairs. (The figure, incidentally, is a beautiful wooden carving, not gory in the least.)

After an unfortunate incident, in which he is taken to a festival and unwittingly causes a commotion by accidentally letting some animals run wild, the new mayor, an enemy of the monks who have raised Marcelino, swears to shut down the monastery. Marcelino is given the silent treatment by the monks, and it is then that he goes again to the attic, realizes the "bogeyman" is only a statue of Christ, remarks that it looks hungry, steals some bread, and offers it to the statue. It is then that a miracle occurs---the statue comes to life, eats the bread, and eventually, because of Marcelino's repeated visits, becomes Marcelino's teacher and confidant (Marcelino realizes who he is). And the vision is *not* a hallucination. The statue's final act in the film is intended only as a reward for Marcelino's kind actions, and it is done at Marcelino's innocent, but completely self-aware, request.

This is by no means a vicious, sadistic film; it is a beautiful, gentle one. It is a pity that there are those who would distort its meaning.

Great movie

[azlacary · 10/10 · 21 November 2009]

It is funny to see some comments that say that this film is awful and propagandistic. First for a Catholic to die and go to heaven is a bless (actually the biggest bless), so I don't understand why so many people get offended or shock by the idea. Second, if you don't believe in god or have the Catholic views of religion, it is okay, you may want to see it as a piece of fiction or just as another story, I don't get why there can be a reason to get offended or say that the film is bad.

I saw this film as a kid many times and I never got to be "psychological traumatized" or anything likely and probably is the kind of film I would not mind my kids to see.

If you want to see a good 1950's film, this is it. I have to be honest, it is not perfect, but is really good for its time.

small masterpiece.

[janbet · 10/10 · 22 January 2005]

Ah, human nature!!. No matter how great a film may be there is almost always someone who will post inane comments about the movie that makes me shake my head in wonder, This is a small masterpiece, a little gem with a surprising outcome that I thought about for days after seeing the film.

They remade the film in 1992, with an older too Hollywoodish child actor.. The child in the earlier version gives a one of a kind performance. A six year old actor playing a six year old kid, how the director got such a moving performance from someone that young is a wonder. His voice was dubbed so I initially thought it was the actor doing the voice-over who was playing the part so well. Then I saw the film in Spanish ( I speak the language) the dubbing doesn't do justice to the original performance.

You will not find the movie at Blockbuster, so you have to buy the DVD. They issued two versions last year, first a digitally remastered copy, THAN a version that was not computer enhanced. I know, it is confusing.

I love this little movie, I have already sent a copy to my granddaughter in Florida who was weaned on 70's films with Technicolor, Dolby and all that stuff. I expect a call in the next few days asking how I found this "great" movie

Memories

[lrayhale · 30 September 2003]

I saw this film with my parochial school in the late 1950's and I have never forgotten it. Went to school one day and the nun said we were going to see a movie. All the students in our school went. The movie petrified me at the time. I saw a portion of the film broadcast on a religious television station last year. After all these years the crucifix of Jesus coming to life has been a memory I have never forgotten. The film was handled beautifully although the ending was a bit unexpected. I didn't remember Jesus taking Marcelino, but the scene was handled very well. This is a gentle, family film. Maybe we need more films like this one and less of the sex and violence genre. I will let the negative reviews pass.

A film for the gentle-hearted

[adlib_ · 9/10 · 26 May 2006]

A baby loses his parents and is left at the door to a monastery. The monks take him in and he grows into a mischievous but essentially good little boy. One day he sneaks into the attic and sees a life-sized image of Jesus on the cross...

For pre-teens and younger, a parent should probably watch it with them, since some children will be disturbed by the ending. With understanding, this film helps the viewer to grow a little in faith, hope and love.

... well, that is all I really wanted to say, but IMDb now requires ten lines of text for a review. I noticed the early reviews of Marcelino were extremely negative. If you have a lot of anger towards Christ or the Church, you will *not* like this film since it shows different types of people turning their hearts towards Jesus to varying degrees. This is not sinister propaganda, but the way the world really is. Christians are not the monsters you imagine them to be. If the Nazis *had* made films like this, as one reviewer suggested, instead of the inspirations to resentment and violence they actually did make, the world might have been a better place. Peace to all.

A portrait of Innocence and goodness with some humor

[mmunier · 30 January 2006]

January 2006, and we're talking about a film made in 1955! I too saw this movie possibly 50 years ago and have never forgotten it. I tried to get some more information on it in Sydney with our so called movie experts but got nowhere. The internet was not much help either, then last week, lo and behold, I found a DVD in "Parklea Market" Sydney Australia (sort of organised flea market) And it was selling for 5 Australian dollars (perhaps 2.5 Euros). Only one problem the tittle was "The miracle of Marcelino" ... It had to be the same though so I bought it. I could not wait to run it on my DVD player... and there it was "Marcelino Pan y Vino"! Yes try to search for Marcelino pan y vino, chances is you'll get nothing. Of course the reason I'm here is because of my newly acquired knowledge of its English title. I then was a little boy in France and I think the film was in Spanish with french subtitle. I personally think the dubbed version does some damage to the integrity of this beautiful story. I have to be honest here too. I found the movie rather rusty in the light of the ever growing technology in this field and I don't agree that the music is beautiful; it's markedly aged and I don't think I'd like a sound system with this quality.

But what a reunion, I had almost given up any hope to see it again. I think My parents took me to watch it in Paris. They were non religious as I am now. They only love it for it's beauty and artistic value. I'm pretty sure if you're reading this you've read other entry and you already know the story, so I won't go into it. I just hope you'll give it a chance in your lounge room, I think the reward will be great

mm Feb. 2006. I had to come back to this movie and read more commentaries since I was here. I felt saddened by some, expressing some kind of paranoia or just pure negativism. One entry asked us to take off our "rosy" glasses to watch this movie... For one I wish I could find my 'rosy' glasses again as the world I see today needs badly to be seen through such device or we'll soon run out of Prozac. Then people wear all kind of glasses with all kind of colours and so see things accordingly that is not to say that other should join in. I wander what colour of glasses Mother Theresa, "l'abbe Pierre" or the like of them wore to achieve what they did. I see Marcelino Bread and Wine" as a simple,touching and beautiful story despite not having entering a church for decades. MM PS Having mentioned my difficulty to search this tittle I tried again because I forgot to bookmark it. This time I made sure to enter in the search field "The miracle of Marcelino" and for result got : Marcelino Pan y Vino (Aka the miracle of Marcelino)...How this for contradiction!

Wonderful Experience

[djmny-1 · 10/10 · 13 February 2007]

I happened to be browsing this site and saw the Marcellino Pane e Vino description. I hadn't thought about this film for years. I was born in Italy and in 1955-56 this was a huge success there. I can still remember the song that accompanies the movie. I was too young to know it was dubbed from Spanish. The movie was so popular that my grandfather, who was a barber, would give me and countless little Italian boys the "Marcellino" haircut..that is, front comb and bangs. I've seen photos of me many times but only now remembered the reason for my hairstyle. It has also brought back many memories of my grandfather and our life together in Italy, which at the time wasn't so different from the Spanish countryside depicted in this movie. A lasting memory..wonderful!

Most Moving Movie I've Seen

[huibie88 · 10/10 · 27 November 2006]

First of all I'm not religious. The first time I saw it as a child I didn't really think about religion and stuff like that. My grandmother, Catholic, recorded this show when it was on the television so I could watch it. And boy, it truly is a moving movie. I did cry, and I still do when I see the last part of the movie. Yet it's not a sad movie. I cry because it is so beautiful that Marcelino gets what he wants and therefore has to leave this world. I still do not believe in stuff like that, but it would be great if it were all true.

Why do I rate this one 10 out of 10? Because it is beautiful and it sticks. I know every single thing that happens in this movie, even though it has been 10 years since I've last seen this movie. Unlike some of the violent, graphic movies like Pulp Fiction and Boondock Saints (which are great) this one is great without being violent nor graphic. True classic. Amazing. Masterpiece.

I'd love to get this one on DVD sometime in the near future.

Religious Classic; Glorious Simplicity

[marcin_kukuczka · 9/10 · 7 June 2012]

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man." (Rabindranath Tagore)

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." (Stacia Tauscher)

I have selected two quotes which, at first sight, have little to do with the film. However, when we look deeper at this Spanish classic, the 1955 winner at Cannes and Berlin festivals, we are led to draw a conclusion: it's a movie about a CHILD, a friend of God who, by being fully himself, did not have to become mature in order to address adults and enrapture them with awe and beauty.

The thing that has touched me most in this religious classic is its simplicity. A religious theme depicted in movies may absorb different manifestations of spirituality. You can preach something and you make others hear powerful slogans. But conveying values without love has occurred barely useful. Instead, you can address hearts and you make others feel it so intensely that no additional explanations or lectures are necessary. Simplicity is something that touches various people and, meanwhile, something paradoxical: we own it as innate and yet, we lose it somewhere forgetting that this simplicity of life can constantly renew us. Where can we find it more than in such an ingenious, partly naive yet touching story about a child? THE MIRACLE OF MARCELINO (1955) written by Jose Maria Sanchez Silva and directed by Ladislao Vajda is a movie of such influence.

The opening sequence is marked by crowds of people who head for a town located in the picturesque landscape of Spain. One monk (Fernando Rey), however, chooses the opposite direction in his journey because he is going to visit an ill child. This is a festival of Marcelino, his feast day which makes so many people celebrate. "Do you know who Marcelino was?" becomes a question addressed to the child in her bed and to viewers in their seats alike. He will be our little protagonist - an orphan boy with such a sweet sounding name who was abandoned as a baby at the gate of a monastery and looked after by twelve Franciscan monks. The flashback brings us to the 19th century Spain and its unique story. Is it a legend? an adventure? a fairy tale or a miracle? As people helped brethren rebuild the monastery, God helps them tackle the dilemma of what future to 'invest' for a crying baby at the gate. Although there are some people who would adopt the boy, including the mayor of the town, brethren know what it means to be good (note the scene at a blacksmith's). They decide to keep him at the monastery as the thirteenth one among them and baptize him Marcelino. From this day on, a great adventure begins for all of them, an adventure filled with the supernatural, awesome experience...

The film beautifully handles the core idea of a child that has a spiritual power to change people around him. Many religions stress the aspect that even little children may achieve the heights of spirituality. 5 year old Marcelino (Pablito Calvo) is such a sympathetic protagonist because he owns all childlike characteristics. When he learns, he is curious, when he prays, he is joyful, when he plays, he forgets about the world. There is a lovely scene that presents his everyday activities through a song. At the crucial moment of the film, he shows no fear - he knows who is talking to him. Yet, how can he be afraid of a Friend? Let me highlight one psychological aspect.

Although Marcelino seems to have much fun in his everyday life, there is one dream that absorbs him: MOTHER. The little boy is among twelve men but he has no mum. When encountering a woman (Manuel's mother), he is lifted up. His eyes sparkle at once and he imagines the bliss of being in Manuel's shoes, bliss of having a mother (mind you the meaningful name, Manuel, in the course of later events). He immediately creates a friend in his mind whom he never meets. He plays with him, he talks to him...as long as it occurs that there is Someone who can fill this need for true friendship in his little heart. This aspect is important since there have been many critical views that religious films barely carry any psychological development. MARCELINO proves otherwise.

Fantasy blends with reality, mysteries with facts and a legend with a historical background. That is also what makes this film so captivating. The scene when he climbs the 'forbidden staircase' and discovers the attic is one of the best moments in the film. Each single detail plays a role in the inner experience, explains a lot: near the stairs, we read the excerpt from Psalm 33 "Humiles Spiritu Salvabit" (God will save the humble of spirit); the close-up of Christ's hand, though considerably influenced by the cinema style of the period, supplies the moment with mystery and piety.

HUMOR: Brethren's behaviors and Marcelino's tricks draw our attention and amuse us. One of the most hilarious moments are the missing slices of bread. Moreover, the town sequence offers some moments of laughter. At the same time, the artistic pluses are executed in cinematography and music. But who deserves the credit for being the best Marcelino on screen is PABLITO CALVO. He gives a powerful performance skillfully avoiding the danger of shallow sweetness. His character moves us as a saint child but still a CHILD. Note the subtlety and mystery of the scenes when Marcelino talks to Jesus. We see the boy's face marked by various feelings: from surprise and a little confusion to confidence and peaceful communion.

MARCELINO PAN Y VINO is one of the most beautiful religious films ever made, a religious classic that you may watch with heartfelt attitude. Glorious simplicity where 'the small' equal to 'the greatest' in humanity.

A very sweet little tale....even if you aren't Catholic.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 16 January 2010]

This review is for the Spanish language version. While I know that it was also dubbed into English, I chose to watch the subtitled version instead.

I am not Catholic and did not, like so many other reviewers, grow up watching this film. I just stumbled upon it recently and am glad I did. It's a nice little morality tale--one that you really need to stick with, as the ending comes as a real surprise.

The film begins with the founding of a monastery. Years later, a foundling is left at the front gate. The monks try to find the mother or a surrogate family but without success--plus, it looks as if many of the monks were so taken with the baby that they didn't try especially hard! Plus, the only person willing to take the child was the cruel mayor--who obviously wanted to use the kid as cheap labor! Years pass and the little boy has remained with the monks. While he is quite mischievous, the monks adore him. He's not really bad--just a 6 year-old who is full of energy and silliness. What happens next you'll just have to see for yourself--I really don't want to spoil the amazing direction the film takes near the end. I will say, however, that it really did come as a surprise and was very sweet.

Technically speaking, this is a lovely film. The actors were wonderful as the monks--coming off as very kind men--the sort you'd hope would become men of God. As for little Marcelino, he was simply adorable and effective in the role of this precocious child. Casting couldn't have been much better. As for the writing, the story is terrific but probably not a film an avowed Atheist would enjoy--after all, it's a religious tale. The cinematography is in lovely black & white and the director's touch was gentle and worked well with the story. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot you could do to make this a better story, so I was surprised to learn from the DVD that there is a remake. It might be very good as well, but can't imagine it being any better.

This one might just put a tear in your eye--sweet and memorable.

Excellent! Wonderful! Moving!

[richpcowboy · 4 October 2004]

This movie was excellent. I saw it many years ago as a child in my Catholic grammar school and still remember it. It is a beautiful moving experience and is a movie that can be watched by the whole family. I encourage everyone to see it. We need more movies like this one. I believe I may have seen it again on TV many years ago. I believe people of all faiths can enjoy this movie. The story is about innocence and faith. They also have made a remake of the movie, I believe in 1991. I have not seen the remake but, usually there is nothing like the original. So, if they thought the movie was good enough to be remade, you know it has to be good. Watch this movie, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Regardless of the quality of the picture, you must see this film

[william-cermele · 10/10 · 12 December 2006]

This is by far one of the best family friendly movies I have ever seen. The first time I saw it I was 8 years old and with my dad watching on an old reel to reel, it was his favorite movie also as he felt connected to it because he grew up in a boarding home for fatherless boys. The sound was terrible, the dubbing was way off, the footage was grainy to say the least, and there were a number of cracks in the reel. Despite all those imperfections, I loved every second of this film. For the longest time I could remember every detail about the movie but its name. I wanted to see it again but had very little information to research. One day I described the movie to a friend (this is something I always have trouble doing because I get so choked up), the friend jumped up and said "thats my dads favorite movie, he grew up an orphan" We went to her dad and he knew the name of the movie right away, from there it was just a question of finding it on media other then reel to reel. The first copy I picked up was on VHS, picture quality much better then the reel to reel but still bad. I was going to burn a back-up copy of my VHS version on DVD, but for a movie this great, I will just buy the DVD version, maybe the DVD will be a little better then the VHS version, at least I know I will have the DVD version for a lifetime. Regardless of the quality of the picture, you must see this film

Great family movie.

[lunzy · 10/10 · 27 November 1999]

This movie was made in 1954.I first saw the film on television around 1963.This is a great family movie and it also has religious overtures.Being a Catholic it renews your faith in the Church.If you get a chance to see this movie you'll know what I am talking about.This gets a rating of 10 on a scale of 1-10.Once again great movie.