C'era una volta

I only saw the last half hour of this movie on the Turner Classic Movie (TCM) channel on cable one early morning last month and incidentally, was the climax of the movie. I was immediately pulled by the beauty of Sophia Loren as she competes with the other princesses in the dishwashing contest. That scene alone is a classic! I've never seen quite like it before. Too bad the movie is not available on VHS or DVD because I sure would love to own this one. Considering that I am not familiar of Sophia Loren and her movies (she peaked before my time), it is amazing to see how ravishing she looked! She joins the ranks of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe, for me, as the most beautiful women on the silver screen.

As an admirer of the Italian neo-realist film director Francesco Rosi, I was delighted when a friend mentioned that he'd obtained a copy of Rosi's long forgotten film, "More Than A Miracle." Released in 1967, it only lasted for a couple of weeks (which explains why I missed seeing it back then), before quickly disappearing from sight. Now, forty-five years later, I finally sat down to watch it. I knew that "More Than A Miracle" was a fairy tale set in 17th. Century Spain. And that it starred Omar Sharif as Prince Ramon and Sophia Loren as the peasant girl, Isabella who the Prince falls in love with. I'm not a huge fan of fairy tales. However, as this was a Francesco Rosi film, I figured it would be a cut above films tackling similar subject matter. Prince Ramon has refused to choose a bride from the seven marriageable princesses whom his mother has selected as most deserving of becoming his wife. Out on his horse he comes across a monastery, and meets friar Brother Joseph who amuses the local children by leaping into the air and flying about the countryside. The friar presents the Prince with a donkey and a bag of flour and instructs him to search for a woman who will make him seven dumplings. Despite trying to remain 'engaged' with the film, I soon found myself checking how long still had to run. Seeing a peasant girl picking vegetables, he orders her to make seven dumplings from the bag of flour he gives her. Which she dutifully does, but overcome by hunger, she eats the seventh dumpling. To punish her for her disobedience, the Prince feigns death and then disappears. While I understood that it was after all just a fairy tale, my attention was beginning to wander. I must have dozed off, as I was woken up by a sharp poke in the ribs from my wife. On the TV, Isabella was being rescued from a wooden barrel by a group of street urchins. By then, Francesco Rosi or no Francesco Rosi, I'd had enough and went to bed. Next morning, my wife insisted on telling me how it all ended. Apparently, Isabella ended up marrying the Prince and they both lived happily ever after. Born in 1922, Francesco Rosi directed some of the finest neo-realist films to come out of Italy. Such classics as "Hands Over The City", Salvatore Guiliano", "Moment of Truth" and "The Mattei Affair" Those alone elevate him to the Pantheon of Italian film directors. To me, "More Than A Miracle" was just a "glitch" and in no way detracts from his reputation as a great film director.

My favorite Sophia Loren film, sprinkled with occasional medieval magic and fantasy. I think the best of various modern takes on the classic Cinderella fairy tale. Sophia and Omar were never more handsome and sexy than in this one. But, I can't believe that two such proud and strong-willed people could last long as a pair. Yes, they would respect each other for these qualities, but there would be frequent incidents that would bring out their temper and stubbornness and make for a very volatile relationship, similar to what we saw in the film....Famous Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio, now in her 60s, is the queen mother, in one of her last film roles. Unfortunately, I could not find a commercial source of this film on the internet at present, although I previously obtained a DVD copy.

it is not a blockbuster or an art film. it is not the best film of lead actors filmography. but it is romantic, amusing, funny , nice, ironic. a fairy tale from fairy tale old fashion books. and that is all. the eroticism of Sophia Loren - model for feminist tendency -, the charm of Omar Shariff ,a new meeting with legendary Dolores del Rio or presence of an original Catholic saint are perfect pillars for nostalgic memories and pure delight discovering an easy film about prediction, spell, love and adventures, choices, adventures and victory of truth. confuse in few parts, it is far to be serious. because it has all seduction of childhood and youth seduction. and because it is work of a smart, inspired team who gives to a little joke all force of a great movie.

Rodrigo Fernandez (Omar Sharif) is an arrogant Spanish prince occupying 17th century Italy. His mother wants him to choose from amongst seven princesses but he rather breaks horses. A flying priest gives him some flour and challenges him to eat seven dumplings. He encounters head-strong peasant Isabella Candeloro (Sophia Loren) and is intrigued by her. He gives her the flour but she only gives him back six dumplings.

I don't always like Rodrigo. Omar Sharif has plenty enough charm to play the selfish prince with some heart. The problem seeps in when the character has an angry streak and he sneaks in some brutal undeserved violence. I don't always like Rodrigo. This is a spaghetti fairy tale. I like the seven motif. I like the attempted fantasy. The chicks are adorable. I do want to know what happened to the seventh dumpling. It would be funny to have her steal it for herself. Did she run out of flour? It would be nice to know for sure. This would be a much nicer Cinderella-like story if the prince isn't so mean.