Just perfect...

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

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 wish everyone would watch this movie, there is so much magic between the 2 of them making this film, love it!!! Can someone tell me how I could purchase this movie, please!! This is a film that used the most beautiful locations, costumes and makeup artist ! The close ups of her eyes are so beautiful and pure at the same time! They both had so much energy and passion that was not fake or staged, they both where not fighting for the leads or there egos where not clashing. This movie could not be redone unless it was filmed with the forgien actors with lovely accents! The magic that was used with the older ladies and the spell are true ( evil eyes ) and love spells are still used in Europe and the superstition that surrounds villages and old school thinking.

Creepy witches in the bush , evil scary Princesses , Flying Monks, Sofia Loren in a barrel, dish washing competitions and a cast of a thousand chickens. Whats not to like . This is such a way out bizarre take on the fairy princess story it really should be held aloft and worshiped. And for all you sickos Omar Sharif drinks a cup of urine.Strangely enough its a favorite of my whole family.In the early 80's this movie came on every school holidays and then it vanished . It was so strange I almost thought I'd dreamed it, until it resurfaced on TCM. I was quite surprised how well it held up . Like most films watched when your a child the ideas distort, but its just as I remember , the princesses are still as creepy as ever, and the girl still gets the guy . Pleases MGM release it on DVD ya gotta love it

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"!