I mean no disrespect, but my summary really is true. I am not a Catholic and didn't get a lot out of this film. However, perhaps Catholics will enjoy it far more. Keep this in mind when you watch the film.
The actor/director Vittorio De Sica stars in this film as a nice old priest who has spent his entire life in Assisi, Italy. He always seems to be annoying his very short-tempered superior (Raf Vallone). This irritation gets a lot worse when a boy named Pepino (Marco Della Cava) takes the priest's words very literally and takes an animal into the crypt of St. Francis to pray for its life. This is because St. Francis was legendary for his bond with animals and stories abound of him preaching to the animals. And, to me, taking the mouse there seems pretty reasonable. But Vallone is NOT happy and instructs Pepino never to do this again. But, when Pepino's donkey appears to be dying, he begs to get permission to bring it to the crypt. Naturally he's told no, and so he goes on a pilgrimage to Rome--to get the Pope himself to grant permission.
The problem I had with this film was not the plot. It was slight but moderately enjoyable. BUT, my problem was with Maro Della Cava. The child simply was annoying and I got very sick of hearing him yell and nag--he was VERY annoying and a terrible child actor. Fortunately, small miracles DO exist, as this was the only film appearance for this annoying brat.
The actor/director Vittorio De Sica stars in this film as a nice old priest who has spent his entire life in Assisi, Italy. He always seems to be annoying his very short-tempered superior (Raf Vallone). This irritation gets a lot worse when a boy named Pepino (Marco Della Cava) takes the priest's words very literally and takes an animal into the crypt of St. Francis to pray for its life. This is because St. Francis was legendary for his bond with animals and stories abound of him preaching to the animals. And, to me, taking the mouse there seems pretty reasonable. But Vallone is NOT happy and instructs Pepino never to do this again. But, when Pepino's donkey appears to be dying, he begs to get permission to bring it to the crypt. Naturally he's told no, and so he goes on a pilgrimage to Rome--to get the Pope himself to grant permission.
The problem I had with this film was not the plot. It was slight but moderately enjoyable. BUT, my problem was with Maro Della Cava. The child simply was annoying and I got very sick of hearing him yell and nag--he was VERY annoying and a terrible child actor. Fortunately, small miracles DO exist, as this was the only film appearance for this annoying brat.