The Small Miracle

"Never Take No for an Answer" is based on the story "The Small Miracle" by Paul Gallico. The British-Italian co-production was called "Peppino e Violetta" in Italy. It is about an orphan boy named Peppino who lives in Assisi and who seeks permission from the pope to allow his ailing donkey (Violetta) into the crypt of Saint Francis in the hope of curing him. Much less schmaltzy than one would surmise, the film has some genuine pathos. It is certainly not of the same stature, of course, as another donkey film, "Au Hasard Balthasar" by Robert Bresson. This touching story was one of the few films actually allowed to be shot inside the Vatican. Vittorio Manunta is a remarkable trouper and is the same boy who played alongside Paul Muni in Joseph Losey's "Stranger on the Prowl." A remake of this movie is the one that circulated on American TV as "The Small Miracle." It was made in 1973 and featured Vittorio De Sica and Raf Vallone and was directed by Jeannot Szwarc. This IMDb entry is using, incorrectly, the title of that remake and spreading confusion elsewhere on the internet.

The original in Italian was entitled PEPPINO E VIOLETTA, the English-dubbed version going with two names: DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER and THE SMALL MIRACLE.

Needless to say, if you can get by with some Italian, that is the better, more naturalistic version, but, albeit somewhat stilted, the English-dubbed does no harm to this wonderful tale of love for all creation, animals included, which the Catholic Church saw for centuries as soul-less.

Seven-year-old Peppino (Vittorio Manunta) delivers a terrific performance as a child mature well beyond his years after losing his parents in recently ended WW II. Violetta, his donkey, is his family, and the purity and candor of his love for her shines from the first to the last frame.

Prepare a hanky, tears are sure to come to your eyes and, yes, Peppino manages to reach his goal through faith, perseverance, never accepting the refusals that he keeps getting as he labors to have Violetta cured of her breathing problems.

This film also affords you a unique opportunity to see the Vatican's museum, as Peppino runs from the Switzer guards much like Harry Lime fleeing his pursuers in THE THIRD MAN, with a very good use of light and shadow to boot.

You will find cinematographical flaws but good intentions drive this film and make it a must-see. 9/10.

'm not usually the greatest fan of children topping the bill in a film, but I really enjoyed the engaging effort here of the ten year old Vittorio Manunta. He, "Peppino", is an orphan who is a regular sight in his famed town of Assissi at the head of his donkey. They collect firewood and do some basic odd jobs to keep the wolf from the door, and it's all going fine until one morning the creature just doesn't feel like moving. "Peppino" fetches the vet who is concerned that "Violetta" is about to give up the ghost. The youngster, pretty devastated, hits on the idea of having her talk to St. Francis but the friendly, but firm, clergy tell him that animals cannot go into the church. There must be a away, he thinks - and after a conversation with the friendly "Fr. Damico" (Denis O'Dea) is left with just one option. The Pope! Only he can authorise "Violetta" to get into to talk to the saint. Now, in best "Mudlark" (1950) fashion, he sets off on a seemingly impossible quest. His arrival at the Vatican sees him repeatedly seen off by the Swiss guards, but he is a shrewd wee fella, and soon realises that perhaps there is more ways than one to skin a cat. Perhaps a bouquet of flowers might just succeed where his noisy persistence has not. It's Mantuna's charm that helps this stand out. He is a natural for the part - a caring and tenacious young man who wants to do right by the only thing he loves - or, quite possibly, has ever loved him. There's some fine photography illustrating the down-at-heel post war Italy and the beauty of the Vatican architecture, and if - at the end - you don't well up ever so slightly, well then... This is one of those life-affirming eighty minutes of cinema that tugs at the heart-strings without being cloyingly sentimental.

Maurice Cloche has not a good reputation in his native France.Now and then,however,in his career,some works stand out and show the good director he could have been;his adaptation of Daudet's "Le Petit Chose" was a good surprise.In 1947,abetted by Pierre Fresnay on top form,he released a memorable "Monsieur Vincent''(De Paul).

"Monsieur Vincent" already displayed spiritual concerns which would emerge again,for worse ("Les Filles De Nuit" ) or for better (this movie).

"Monsieur Vincent " was a revolutionary ,his life was devoted to the poor,he was not part of the high clergy who would live in luxury.Peppino ,the endearing Young hero of this beautiful fable,although he is a priest's friend ,is not understood by the almighty clergy:his donkey is ill,and he does believe that Saint Francis Of Assisi (Peppino lives in Assisi)can cure his pet. After all,He did heal his pal's kitten (the two boys are adorable);but to get a donkey into a crypt comes against a refusal .Nevertheless, the boy "never takes no for an answer" and he will walk all the way to Rome to see the holy father.

The story might seem trite in the beginning,but it grows on you and gets better and better till a final which avoids the usual cliché (pay attention to the boy's and the priest's last conversation:the conclusion makes sense ) Memorable scenes :

-Saint Francis celebration when all the children gather in the crypt.

-The "crying " statue.

-The boy running in the corridors of the Vatican and the multiple echo of the voices .

-The discovery of the "treasure",which tends to show that these men of God have nor really renounced worldly goods ,with the exception of the brat's chum.

In Cloche's uneven career,it is really a small miracle in itself.I recommend it to my compatriots.

I saw this film in the cinema when I was 8 years old. I am now 80. It made a deep impression on that little lad and he has never forgotten it, although he must have seen hundreds of films in the intervening years. At that age I could not form any judgement on the quality of the film making or the acting, but that doesn't matter at all. It was clearly of the first rank because that little film has stayed with me for over 70 years, and I only saw it once. If there were viewing lists for children as there are reading lists, Never Take No For An Answer would forever be at the top of mine.

I commend it to everyone.

Such a simple storey, yet such a powerful message.