La belle et le cavalier

amusing. nice. mixture of fairy tale, eroticism and humor. one of slices from a period of cinema who suggest more than present, who knows the right tools of seduction, who use the actors more for atmosphere . Sophia Loren in a wild role who gives new nuances to the old Cinderella. Omar Shariff as a not ordinary Prince Charming. and a lot of challenges. a film who is useful for its special flavor. because it is not a blockbuster, it is not surprising but has the perfect dose of charm for seduce and remind the sparkles of a world for who the film was more than entertainment. an easy film. comfortable. may best choice for nostalgics. but , first, a show who remands importance of small things who make the beauty of life.

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.

I remember watching this movie as a child and falling in love with Sophia Loren. She was beautiful, proud and more importantly, independent! When I grew up, I wanted to be her! It's taken me until 40, but now I can say I have hopefully finally gained the "Sophia Loren" attitude! No, this isn't an Academy Award winner, it's just fun! (And if you have young daughters, they'll love this fairy tale!) I also must say that although I saw Omar Sharif in many wonderful movies, I will always remember him in this one. It was a little lighter fare than his normal "leading man" role and he seemed to enjoy the banter with Loren. (Of course, what man wouldn't?) I am buying a copy of this movie for my collection and am having a girl night with my 8-year old niece and her friends very soon. You don't have to worry about nudity, language, etc. (even though Loren has been known for her racy roles.) Check it out!

When our romantic charming Prince (Omar Sharif) puts his eyes on our delicious merry heroine Isabella (Sophia Loren), he thought about the amusing dish-washing contest and decided to make her part in the competition for the would-be royal brides...

Isabella, the peasant girl, could be the fastest in the field... For her, washing dishes without breaking anyone, is very easy...

But our Cinderella fails... and is eliminated from the contest for breaking too many dishes..

Taken by surprise, the Prince is astonished and deceived... Isabella, humiliated and with all her dreams dispersed, runs away, all sad...

Brother Joseph De Copertino (Leslie French) comes to her rescue and reveals to her that she was cheated...

Feeling blessed and lucky, Isabella returns to the palace to demonstrate to her Prince that she was tricked...

If you need a sumptuous look to a fairy story, starting off as 'Once upon a time...' and you want to see pretty girls, witches and flying monks, plus a glamorous Sophia hidden in a barrel... Well, don't hesitate to see "More Than A Miracle"!

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.