Mieux veuve que déshonorée

I wish this hilarious and romantic movie was on DVD/VHS! I would love to see it again and again, own it for my library. I saw this movie years ago on TV and have never forgotten its wonderfully irreverent view toward romance and the Mafia. Please, please, release this movie on DVD/VHS!

The beautiful Virna Lisi stars in this Italian-made absurdity. She portrays the undefiled daughter of a progressive member of the Mafia, who has betrothed her to a more conservative member. When a young Englishman (Peter McEnery) comes to town, however, she begins indulging in clichéd fantasy sequences. There are the usual Mafia jokes, feuds, and outlandish killings, none of which are able to revive this lifeless comedy.

I saw this film years ago, but have never forgotten how hilarious it was. Virna Lisi is so beautiful. The leading lady is kept out all night, her father makes her marry the man, even though she swears nothing happened. She has to save face. Of course, the kicker is their belief that she is "Better a Widow." The Italian countryside and caves are rugged, yet lovely too. The story takes place in a small village where among the common people, there are criminals connected with the mafia. The love story is simple, but there are little plot twists that make this movie hard to forget. For instance On the night of a celebration there is a fierce gun battle, the next day our hero sees a huge amount of coffins and looks around questioningly, only to be told "The excitement was too much for them." My mother watched this with me and she thought it was wonderful. Great entertainment. I too wish I could include it in my personal library.