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.

I saw this film in the UK when I was 7 and now in 2020 on the day that we rightly commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz I have watched it again. I urge every being that lives to watch this film, and never say yes to those who discriminate against any being that breathes. A donkey is equal to any so-called ' human ' being and it takes the love of a young boy in this film to prove it. Beautifully acted the film portrays those early years after WW2 in a gentle, if sometimes sentimental way. If a young boy ( and equally his young friend who loves his cat ) can do their best to cherish, and neither of them accept the obstacle of the word ' no ' which has so often in history been used as a verbal drawbridge against goodness, so can we. Cruelty and the dismissal of suffering and following those who accept both is inadmissible. It should be easy now after all these years of our living memory, but look at the world and see how hard it is to save and to love and to heal. And we do not need to be ' religious ' to believe in humanity. Maurice Cloche is not considered a particularly good director, but for this film we should truly thank him.

This movie used to air around Easter time, and when I was growing up, still living in New York, my entire family would watch it. I was probably around 10, in the 1960's and I remember how much I cried because I knew how much this little boy loved his donkey and how much his faith and trust meant, to have the courage and love to do what he needed to do for his beloved animal. These movies need to be reintroduced today, to show the true aspects of values and respect we need to be using again. I would love to have this movie for our collection, but unfortunately it is not yet made on VHS or DVD.

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.

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.