John T. Ryan WE WELL RECALL how every good, little Catholic school boy or girl were urged to go and see this one. It did appear that every one of them did in our neighborhood & parish in Chicago. Our neighborhood was called either South Lynne or Ogden Hill and was a segment of the greater community known as West Englewood. The Parish was St. Theodore; a now defunct and otherwise forgotten geopolitical subdivision of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, located at 62nd Street and Paulina Street.* THE FILM IS basically a pleasant story of an orphaned Italian boy who is adopted and being raised as the ward of a monastery of priests. Although little Marcel (hence the diminutive form of "Marcellino") has been dealt a sad hand in life, he is an example of the direct opposite of what one would expect. Marcellino is a total delight as a little guy, being the epitome of happiness incarnate.WE ARE PRIVEKEDGED to follow the little tyke as he explores the monetary and finds a large, lifelike statue of the Crucified Jesus. In his own, totally child's understanding of things, he brings gifts of bread and wine to the image and miraculously accepts them, coming to life and conversing with the child.MUCH TO THE chagrin of his older, holy men inhabitants of the cloistered digs, he continues this behavior. One day, he tells the living image of the Christ that the two things the boy wishes are "to see my Mother and yours!" He is then immediately taken to his eternal reward; amid both the mourning and celebration of the friars.WHEN WE RE-EVALUATE what we originally saw, some 62 years ago, we find that what we have is a sort of hybrid story. It is somewhere between a Catholic/Christian morality play and a classic Fairy Tale. That's not to say that it is not without its merits. It surely has that; particularly to the children who are being brought up in the Faith.AND THAT IS perhaps the main message of the story; that we should strive t have the Faith of a Child. Didn't Jesus say something about "unless one comes to him with his Faith like a Child...." ONE OBSERVATION THAT we have made is the special effects that bring the crucifix's statue of Jesus to life are very similar to that of the German silent picture, THE GOELEM (1920).THAT'S JUST AN observation and is not intended in any way to be derogatory to MARCELLINO.

MartinHafer This review is for the Spanish language version. While I know that it was also dubbed into English, I chose to watch the subtitled version instead.I am not Catholic and did not, like so many other reviewers, grow up watching this film. I just stumbled upon it recently and am glad I did. It's a nice little morality tale--one that you really need to stick with, as the ending comes as a real surprise.The film begins with the founding of a monastery. Years later, a foundling is left at the front gate. The monks try to find the mother or a surrogate family but without success--plus, it looks as if many of the monks were so taken with the baby that they didn't try especially hard! Plus, the only person willing to take the child was the cruel mayor--who obviously wanted to use the kid as cheap labor! Years pass and the little boy has remained with the monks. While he is quite mischievous, the monks adore him. He's not really bad--just a 6 year-old who is full of energy and silliness. What happens next you'll just have to see for yourself--I really don't want to spoil the amazing direction the film takes near the end. I will say, however, that it really did come as a surprise and was very sweet.Technically speaking, this is a lovely film. The actors were wonderful as the monks--coming off as very kind men--the sort you'd hope would become men of God. As for little Marcelino, he was simply adorable and effective in the role of this precocious child. Casting couldn't have been much better. As for the writing, the story is terrific but probably not a film an avowed Atheist would enjoy--after all, it's a religious tale. The cinematography is in lovely black & white and the director's touch was gentle and worked well with the story. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot you could do to make this a better story, so I was surprised to learn from the DVD that there is a remake. It might be very good as well, but can't imagine it being any better.This one might just put a tear in your eye--sweet and memorable.

ma-cortes 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 ruled by a humble Father Superior(Rafael Rivelles). The little boy named Marcelino(Pablito Calvo) who lost his mother and became a pure and simple of heart kid 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 a touching scenes, Marcelino finds at the loft to Jesus and gives him bread and wine, then happen an ecstasy at the final.This a sensible and feeling movie full of mirth,humor touches, and enjoyable message based on novel 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 oration, sacrifice, work,companionship and various situations happen in monastic existence.Its perfect developing resides on superb characters well played by all casting monks and the sympathy, simplicity of Pablito Calvo-Marcelino. Musical score by Pablo Sorozabal responds appropriately to the ambient, originating a religious atmosphere . Precious and luminous cinematography by Enrich Guerner(Vadja's ordinary)who give us an accurate scenario of the times is developed . The motion picture is excellently directed by Ladislao Vadja, born in Hungary, he's author of magnificent movies, such as 'The Bait', and 'Cord of prisoners', 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 around the world. Rating: Above average.

adlib_ 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.