Marcelin, pain et vin

After 49 years, the memory of seeing this movie remains very fresh. Because, you see, I was the English voice of Marcellino in the dubbed version of "Marcellino Pan y Vino" that was, from the comments I've read, shown in just about every Catholic school in North America. Back in 1958, my parents and I were living in Rome, Italy--my dad was stationed at the American Embassy. I was about 8 years old. My mother saw an ad in the American newspaper looking for English-speaking voices to dub in the dialog in European-made movies slated for export. We went to the famous Cinecitta' studios, I auditioned, and got the job. "Marcellino" was the second or third movie I did. From what I recall, it took a couple of days to do, and I was only allowed to see the scenes that I actually had lines in, and they weren't many, when you come right down to it. I stood on a platform before a lectern in a very large studio facing a screen and microphone. I had to stand on a box to reach the microphone and read the script. I got a lot of coaching and we did dozens of takes. I don't know if they ever used the work I did, but I was there and I got paid--or my mother received the money. I only saw the movie once with the English dubbing just a few years ago--never saw it in school and never really mentioned it to anybody because I thought no one would believe me or be interested. I just purchased the DVD but it's only Spanish with English subtitles. Does anyone know where I can get the English dubbed version?

A film for ever in my brain. Not a bad thing for a film. I saw it for the first time when I was 8 and stayed with me always. I'm amused by some of the comments leveling this beautiful tale as "sick" and "twisted". I imagine it's the power of goodness that usually provokes more outcries than the power of evil. The film is what it is, no disguises to send its message as in Forrest Gump for instance. The film is a masterpiece no matter how you look at it and Pablito Calvo, the Marcelino at the center of it all, gives a performance that goes beyond any performance of any child actor has gone before.

The film starts in a long flashback narrated by a priest (Fernando Rey), he tells how an abandoned baby is picked up by monks residing in a monastery run by a humble Father Superior (Rafael Rivelles). The little boy named Marcelino (Pablito Calvo) who lost his mother , becomes a fine kid , pure and simple of heart , and devoted friend of Crucified Jesus . Meanwhile , he gets into mischiefs , he plays and puts nicknames to monks , as Brother Door (Antonio Vico) , Brother Cookie (Juan Calvo), Brother Bad (Mariano Azaña) , Fray Giles (Juanjo Menendez) and Brother Ding Dong (Joaquin Roa) . But in some touching scenes , Marcelino meets at the loft to Jesus and gives him bread and wine, then happening an ecstasy at the ending .

This a perceptible and feeling movie full of mirth , humor touches , and enjoyable message based on novel written by Jose Maria Sanchez Silva. At the same time the film gives us an agreeable panorama about monastery life , its pity , and goodness ; furthermore , the religious oration , sacrifice , work , companionship and various situations happen in monastic existence . Its perfect developing resides on superb characters incarnated by the good-natured monks, well played by all-Spanish-star-cast , and the sympathy , simplicity of Pablito Calvo-Marcelino . Musical score by Pablo Sorozabal responds appropriately to ambient , originating a really spiritual and religious atmosphere . Precious and luminous cinematography by Enrich Guerner (Vadja's ordinary cameraman) who give us an accurate scenario at the times is developed . The motion picture was excellently directed by Ladislao Vadja , born in Hungary , he's author of magnificent movies , such as 'The Bait', and 'Carne de horca', and three with Pablito Cavo : 'An Angel over Brooklyn' (along with Peter Ustinov) and 'Uncle Jacinto' (with Antonio Vico) . In my opinion this is one of the best films to come out of Europe in the decade of the 50s. The picture touched the hearts of numerous spectators all around the world. Rating : Above average.

This movie was excellent. I saw it many years ago as a child in my Catholic grammar school and still remember it. It is a beautiful moving experience and is a movie that can be watched by the whole family. I encourage everyone to see it. We need more movies like this one. I believe I may have seen it again on TV many years ago. I believe people of all faiths can enjoy this movie. The story is about innocence and faith. They also have made a remake of the movie, I believe in 1991. I have not seen the remake but, usually there is nothing like the original. So, if they thought the movie was good enough to be remade, you know it has to be good. Watch this movie, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

A baby loses his parents and is left at the door to a monastery. The monks take him in and he grows into a mischievous but essentially good little boy. One day he sneaks into the attic and sees a life-sized image of Jesus on the cross...

For pre-teens and younger, a parent should probably watch it with them, since some children will be disturbed by the ending. With understanding, this film helps the viewer to grow a little in faith, hope and love.

... well, that is all I really wanted to say, but IMDb now requires ten lines of text for a review. I noticed the early reviews of Marcelino were extremely negative. If you have a lot of anger towards Christ or the Church, you will *not* like this film since it shows different types of people turning their hearts towards Jesus to varying degrees. This is not sinister propaganda, but the way the world really is. Christians are not the monsters you imagine them to be. If the Nazis *had* made films like this, as one reviewer suggested, instead of the inspirations to resentment and violence they actually did make, the world might have been a better place. Peace to all.