Marcellino (1991) - full transcript

In the 15th century, in a poor Italian village, the monks of a modest convent take up an abandoned baby. Unfortunately, for all their efforts, they prove unable to trace his parents. So they set up providing tender loving care to the little boy. Marcellino lives a happy life among the men of God but, as he grows up, he misses his mother more and more. To compensate for her absence, he tends to identify her with the Virgin Mary. One day, the local lord, in search of a child to raise, decides to adopt Marcellino and to bring him up in his castle. He dresses him in rich attire and gives him a strict education. But Marcellino feels miserable there and eventually runs away.Back in his dear convent, he gleefully resumes his former life. He still misses his mother but his life changes when he finds a crucifix in the attic. A wonderful friendship between Jesus and him is born.

Welcome Ladies and gentlemen

This monastery is commonly known as
Marcellino's Monastery,

because this is where Marcellino lived
as a little boy.

His extraordinary story
has been passed down,

from generation to generation
to this very day.

- Inside the monastery
you may purchase booklets.

- written in many languages.

- Be Careful, They're Fragile.
- How much? -5000 Lira.

- various souvenirs created by local artists
- It would make a beautiful souvenir.

- Children come on let's go!
- and several photographs to choose from.

What are you looking at?
It's a book about Marcellino.



You don't need that, we've heard the story
a million times.

This is where my story begins.

It was here, in the year 1600..umm..I Don't
remember the exact year.

What I do remember was that
there was a war going on.

The monks always came down from the
monastery to bring comfort to the people.

Oh God, my god, I look for you.

My soul is thirsty for you. My flesh longs
for you like the arid deserted land

without water.
-Have faith man, God will help.

Let's absolve their death, by thinking that
they will live on.

I absolve you in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Father, I'm only wounded.

Well then keep your blessing
for when you really die.

It happens to us all sooner or later.

In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit...courage brothers.



May God protect you.
-God go with you -God hear you.

Pray for us, Father!

Do you hear that?

It's a baby.

Huh? There! There!

But that's not possible.

And this is me.

Do you see where the baby is?
...under the cabbages! - Yes, I see.

- Pick him up!
- I don't want to.

- I don't want to harm him.
- me either.

Well we can't just leave him here.

- But what about it's parents?
- I don't know.

What do we do under these circumstances?

We can't leave it here.
Take the feet, I'll grab the head.

Yes, yes! Careful now.

- Slowly...slowly,...gently...
- Hello, brothers!

What have you found there?

- We found this child here!
- A baby!

You've never seen a baby before?
-In a cabbage patch? Certainly not!!

Neither have I.

It was left here all alone. There was no one
...what should we do with it?

Give it to me! Give it to me.
Children like me a lot.

Ah, beautiful!

We need to go and see if the
parents of this baby can be found.

- How beautiful!
- Let's take him to the monastery.

- See...he doesn't cry with me.
- Brothers, come and see!

It is not true that a small baby
can't understand anything.

He understands, he just doesn't
know how to speak.

The reason I stopped crying,
was that suddenly I felt calm.

The reason I was calm was that
Brother Giocondo held me tight,

and it made me feel
secure and comfortable.

Open! ...Open the door, Brother!
Open the door, Brother door keeper!

Ah, did he frighten you?
Excuse him.

Look! We found a little baby!
-Why are you shouting? ...I can hear.

Oh, I'm sorry.

- I'm not deaf, Look at him!
- What's this?

Isn't beautiful?

Ah, it's so beautiful!
Let's go...

Who is that child? Can you tell me
where that child comes from?

- He doesn't have a father or a mother.
- Are you certain?

We asked everyone about the baby.
He was abandoned behind a house.

In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

Tomorrow we'll begin the search again.
Ask around, investigate.

If we find that this child has no parents,

we will have to find an honest
man and a capable woman

to be it's father and it's mother.

Beautiful, beautiful, ...
you see how it likes me?!

- What's that? Look at that!
- Oh, a child of God!

- How sweet! - He's smiling!
- Where does it come from?

Be careful.

The first thing I remember seeing
were the faces of all the monks.

Some were smiling and some were not.

Most of them had beards,
but on top of their heads,

it looked like they wore a soup bowl.

If he's not a male, I can't let him in!

- It's the rule!
- Now what do we do?

Giocondo, so tell me...
male or female?

- Well, I'm not sure.
- It's true, ...hmm...He's right.

Our rules don't allows us to bring in
the child, unless he is ... male.

- Let's find out.
- Yes.

- What should we do?
- Shhhh

Look! He is a man!
Then, he can enter!

Let's see if we can feed him something.
Come on, eat something, baby.

Ah, open up your mouth.

- Such a tiny mouth, huh?
- Let me try, my finger's a bit smaller.

- Here we are... See? See there?
- Look!

Children like me! Drink, little fellow.
- He's drinking!

The milk was very salty,

but I drank it anyway, even though
it didn't taste very good.

- He seems to like it.
- He's taking it.

Ah, yes!

See what I have?

Hey! Why can't he come to me?

He just ate, I'm taking him out for air.

Who's that?

My God! He's a little child.
Look how petite! Ha!

I would like to see him,
put him down.

Alright, I'll let you seem him, but
be careful not to scare him.

Gently... Ah look at those eyes!
Gently

- Oh, look at those eye, eh?
- We should go.

You can't leave without letting me
hold him, just once!

You never know if tomorrow
we'll be in paradise, eh?

He's so beautiful. - Ah, even I,
at one time, was small like that.

Now, I'm so tired...
I'm so old and sick!

You have been entrusted to find
a home for the baby.

Two heads can reason better than one.

And remember, you must evaluate very
carefully the seriousness of the people

who are interested in
taking home this baby.

Our Lord has entrusted us.

We have to watch over
and decide for this baby.

Uh, give him to Brother Strillone.
- yes - Here.

Provided that you don't find anybody soon,
take the baby over to the convent.

They are women and perhaps they can
handle this situation with a baby

better then we poor men.

I shall. Peace and good will.
- Peace and good will.

May God assist you.

Brother Giocondo cried
because I was leaving.

I cried, too.

I had made friends
and now I had to leave.

Eh, here's a gift.

I'd like to send some flour back to
your monastery as a homage.

You see, I'm quite in your debt.

As long as I'm under your protection,
nothing bad can happen.

You remember last year?

That lightning that struck last year?

Well, instead of falling and striking my
house, by God's will, it hit my brother-in-law.

It killed him, but he was very sick anyway.
So you see, it was very fortunate for me.

Uh, can we go?
- Of course, ...come with me.

Don't be embarrassed,
Rosa, they're monks!

Permit the monks' child to
have a drink, alright?

But why?
- Just do as I tell you.

Fine, ...let me.

What a beautiful baby!
-Gentle, he's not used to it.

God made it possible for us to find him.
- under a cabbage.

(laughter) Under a cabbage!?
- Stop that silliness right now!

Leave here and go right to work,
you lazy good-for-nothings!

All my boys work,
even my three year old!

They all work, or else!

- I thought you said it was a boy?, eh?
- Yes, yes.

No, no, no, no!
She's a girl! She's a girl!

A girl? Are you sure?
- Our mistake... Very sorry.

Thank you, thank you very much.

Peace and Grace.

Don't escape!

Hurry up, Brother, and thank the Lord!
- God be blessed!

I was very happy they took me
out of that place.

If I could speak, I would have told them
that it's useless to try to get rid of me.

Because, what I really wanted
was to stay with them.

If only I could tell them, but
I didn't know how to speak.

Forgive us, Sisters, but we must find
a good mother for this baby.

He desperately needs mother's milk,
something we cannot provide ourselves.

Yes, it's very difficult, I would have to say,
impossible, for us to find woman's milk.

With God's help...
- What is it you're trying to say?

We thought that one of you...
- could give milk?

Yes.
- What are you suggesting?

We're nuns!
You mustn't get upset!

We just thought that women could feel
so much, uh...

We thought you could give milk,
if it was needed.

Maybe one of you could...
- No! We're pure, virgins, and immaculate.

Come along, Sisters, let us pray.

Holy Mary, Mother of God
- Yes, Mother Superior.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
- Yes, Mother Superior

Lost Child! Who wants this lost baby?!

Who want this lost baby?!
- No, no!

Who wants it?!
-Be quiet! Don't say that!

We're looking for the mother of this child.

or, uh, even the father.

Search for someone who could love him
- Someone's coming!

She looks like a real momma.
She'll take him away.

Hello.

Look well at this little child.

Yes?
- Does he belong to you?

Uh, no.
- Are you certain?

Perhaps you are mistaken.

I thought perhaps, he might be
one of my sister's sins.

Good day.

If it was her sister's,
she would have said so.

Shh! Here comes another one!

Yes, come and examine this baby, and ...
and see if perhaps it is not one of yours.

How much you want for him?

This child is not for sale. - No?
- And don't insult us!

We are looking for this child's family,
...or a very loving family.

Ah, don't waste my time!

Alright, let's leave.

Alright. No one recognizes him anyway.

Come on, little boy, let's take you back.

You see? We returned triumphant!

I was afraid I wouldn't see the monastery
again, but now I was coming home.

They came back with the baby!

Oh, thank God!
I was afraid they gave the...

No one recognized him,
no one wanted him.

We even showed him at the town square, but
nothing happened, no one would take him

We tried hard.

Uh, excuse me, but

I think the only thing to do is to keep the
child and make him a good monk.

Yes, that's how I feel, too.

Is this the truth?

Yes, Father -Yes Father
-Nothing but the truth - Nothing but the truth

Good.

Leave me alone now.

I'll pray to the Holy Spirit to guide me
with this problem.

The Lord has enlightened me.

The child will stay with us.

May Jesus be praised.

What sins have you committed,
Brother Strilloni?

Oh, I've said some lies, with good
intentions. - hmm

And do you sincerely repent?

I sincerely repent with all my heart.

For penance, you have to
say ten ''Hail Mary's''

and then I will absolve you
of all of your sins.

In the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Jesus be blessed. Amen

And what sins do you wish to confess,
Brother Contrario?

I've told many lies...

I've lied to the miller and his wife and
I mistreated a woman and a gypsy.

And you repent.

Yes...I repent.

Even if I did all of this out of good faith.
- hmmm

Say twenty ''Our Fathers'' and ''Hail
Marys''. I absolve you of all of your sins.

In the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed by thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done...

My brothers, I propose we make a sacrifice
to the Lord, our god, to fast for the day,

so that the beautiful little child that we
have adopted will grow up honest.

Once he gathered up all of the game
that he had caught,

he loaded up his wagon and headed
for San Francisco.

A quiet man, he had special compassion
for the animals, especially the meek.

Particularly, the animals he felt that had
encountered many tortures in their lives.

Oh youth do good, and
be badly slaughtered...

During meal time, Brother Sapiente
always read stories.

I really enjoyed listening to him.

He always read about birds
and other animals.

I didn't realize how hard
the life of a monk was.

Everyday they woke up early,...
even before the sun would rise.

Shhh!
- And they would go to church and pray.

Are you taking him with us?
- Shhh!

(The angels help save us.)
-The angels help save us.

God, come now to save us
in all of your glory.

Glory to the Father, and to His son,
and the Spirit of the Lord.

Cause us, Lord, to remember

how it was in the beginning

is now and always, forever

Hallelujah!

Oh God, you are my god. The Dawn.
My soul hungers for you.

Hallelujah.

Praise Thy name forever...

Keep us from all temptation.

At daybreak, they wake up again,
and return to the church.

I have very many fathers,...
but no mother.

Hello...Hello, pretty, hmm?
pretty little baby doll.

This little child cannot be called
''Little Love'' or ''Little Baby Doll''.

He's entitled to a Christian name.

all him ''Orlando''.

I think we should call him Giocondo.
It's a good name

Orlando is better, how can you
compare the two?

Uh, what's the name of today's saint?

According to the calendar, Saint Marcello.

Beautiful! From this day on
we'll call him ''Marcello''.

Make it ''Marcellino''.

He's just a baby.

Dear Lord, we pray you to
watch over this child.

Please keep him in good health.

While the brothers were in prayer,
a mysterious thing happened.

I saw my real mother.

She was a very sweet woman,
but only I could see her.

She would take me in her arms
and I could feel the tenderness

and warmth of her caresses.

It was a new sensation for me.

One that I had never felt before.

She was my mother.

And she was the one who took me to
the fountain that day to be baptized.

Marcellino, I baptize you in the name of
the Father, and the Son,

and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

And she left, ...
without anyone having seen her.

Merry Christmas!
- Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
-Peace and good will!

Merry Christmas!
-Peace and good will!

It was my very first Christmas.

It looks like the little baby is moving.
-He is moving, he's real!

See there! He's moving!

Look! It's real! -It's a real baby!
-Go sit down!

A miracle. A miracle!
- A miracle. A miracle!

But this is not a miracle!

This is the child that the Friars
brought to my place!

You told me it was a female!

(Latin chant)

Six years had passed
and nothing had changed.

The life inside the monastery
was the same.

The only thing that changed
was that I had grown.

And what letter is this?

This is the saint that burned himself.

Um, all over?

He was burned alive.

Can you tell me?

Saint Lorenzo?!
- Right

And what letter is it?

''L''
- Yes. Very Good.

And...what letter is this?
And which saint is it?

It's Saint Sebastian.

Yes!

Letter?
- ''S''

''S''...Very good!
You're doing quite well.

Now, this other letter...
Tell me what it is...

...the saint....and what happened to him.

He's the one they put on the cross,
just like Jesus.

What's his name?

Andre.

Then the letter is?
- ''A''

Yes, butjust a little.
- Oh?

And...why just a little?

Because I just wanted to
ask you a question.

Very well, butjust a little question...
What is it?

Why was Jesus crucified?

Some very bad men crucified him.

But why did the men crucify Jesus?
Because they were bad and he was good?

Probably, that must have been the reason.

Then they were really bad men?
-Yes! Very bad.

That's enough for today, Marcellino.

Why did God permit it?

Permit what?

The crucifying of His son.

Because the Lord ...
allowed His son to be crucified

to purify the world of the sins
committed by men.

Even mine?

No, not yours....you are good.

And Jesus smiles at you and protects you
in all moments of your life.

But he's dead.

That's right, but on the third day
he was resurrected.

And he lived again and went to Heaven
to live with his father, understand?

But why did he fake his death?

Marcellino, it is a beautiful day today.
Why don't you go outside and play?

Enjoy the fresh air.

Actually, I'd rather go play in the church.

I felt more at home there.

Marcellino!

Where are you? Marcellino!?

Marcellino!

Marcellino?
Marcellino!

Ah! Good, there you are.
-Yes, what is it?

Here's a treat for you.
It's a brown egg.

You'll love it!
It's still warm!

Thank you, Brother Pappina!

Are you sleeping?

Look what I brought for you today!

I have a brown egg with me today,
and I brought it for you!

Oh, how sweet! An egg.

What a sweet boy you are, to think
of your old sick friend laying here.

Soon I'll be in paradise.

Not long ago, I was young and
not tired and sick, like now.

Help,Help..Dad..Dad

Help,Mama..Mama

A child has fallen!

From Heaven?
-He fell out of a cart!

The people were singing opera.
The little boy fell out there.

And they just left!

Just calm down. Calm down.
- Are you alright? Are you hurt?

Alright, gently, let's take him back.
- Gently

Carefully!

Does your head hurt?
Uh, uh.

You saw how it happened?
- Yes!

A Wagon was going by and some people
were inside playing some music.

He fell out and no one
even noticed him there.

Just wait, when they find out he is missing,
they will come back here for him.

Does this hurt?
-No.

Let him stay with you.

I want you to play with him
until someone figures he's gone.

Do you know any games we can play?

What would you like to do?

No! You shouldn't touch that, Manuel.
That is food for the monastery.

The hen has probably laid an egg.
Want to go and see it?

I wanted to make friends with the other boy,

but I didn't know the right words to say.

HA! Go away! You heard me!

HA!...HA!...Go Away! Go Away!

A-ha!

Hey, you're scaring the chickens!
They're all running away!

Open up! Open Up!
-I'm coming! I'm coming!

Open the door!
- Open the door!

We lost a child! He must
have fallen from our wagon!

Calm down.

It must have happened over there!
- One at a time!

Oh, Manuel!
-Manuel!

Manuel! You have saved him!
-Oh, thank God, he's alright.

What a lucky child, that you're not hurt.

Presto, chango, ah!

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Ha...chu! Hey!

I don't think that Marcellino
is doing well here with us.

He is not happy because a child
without his mother cannot be happy.

For him...we're a dozen fathers,
but never a momma.

I must admit, Marcellino always says to me,
''You're like a momma to me.''

He says you are like a momma,
not ''his'' momma.

Yes, but I love him like a true mother!

Enough, Brothers! Too much talk.

It is true, Marcellino is sad
and we must amuse him.

The Lord has willed him to us
and therefore, we are his family.

I always try to prepare him
some things that he will like,

like sweets or some chopped up fruits.

The fair is in our area next Sunday.

Marcellino!

Would you like to go to the fair?

Uh, who could take you?

Oh, me! Marcellino, choose me!
-Me! - Me! - Me! -Choose me!

Silence! Brother Girolamo has
something to say!

Ch...Ch...Ch...Choose me!

How does he do that?
Magic?

Try Giovanni! You can do it!

Try one more time!

One for you...and one for you,
my little friend.

Five!...Six!...Seven!

Fresh vegetables!
Fresh vegetables!

Fresh vegetables!

They're good!

Steady now...I'll give you a boost.
Hold on!

How come they are doing that?

They do that to entertain the people.
They're acrobats.

Shall we look at the crafts?

Look! It's Manuel!

Marcellino, you're right!
It is Manuel!

Push harder! You can reach it!

Come on! Keep trying!
- What are they doing?

Come on! - Come on!
- It's called the tree of abundance.

You see, it's difficult to get
to the top, but if can,

you get to keep the good things
in the sack.

Marcellino, I have to stop here and go and
see this old man who wants to confess.

You wait right her for me alright?

What a beautiful young boy, Father,
all dressed up like a monk.

It is the first time I have seen him. Who
is this charming young boy, Father?

Marcellino.
He lives with us.

How dear he is!

It was a beautiful festival.

Everyone seemed to be having fun,
but I couldn't help but feel out of place.

Oh, what a beautiful little monk.
Come over here, come on.

I give you an apple...the best I have.

Thank you!
- You're welcome!

In the name of charity
...a piece of bread?

You take it.

Thank you, will you bless me?
- I can't, sorry.

(Have some fruit, my lord...beautiful
fruit, mad 'am, come and see.)

You there! Come and compare my fruit!

Beautiful fruit!

Manuel.

Is there anyone else who thinks they can
climb the tree of abundance?

Here! Give it to me!

Here.
-Thank you!

It's heavy. You want me to carry it
for you? - No, no.

I had found Manuel.

But I never saw him again.

His work always took him to
different and far off places.

He and his family were wanderers.

Meanwhile, I had to return
to the monastery.

The others tried to climb
the tree of abundance,

but Manuel was the only
one that succeeded.

How did he do it?

No one else could, but he did.
It was truly a miracle.

He did not realize it...
but it was a miracle.

I can never tell him.

It will be our secret.

You know, it was nice seeing him
today. I wish I could play with him.

Look! I caught another frog!

Oh! What in the world is this?!

How did these frogs get in here?

Oh, my Lord!

Oh!

Look at this. What's in there?
What is it?

Ah, little ships.

Little ships?
- Yes, little ships made of walnut shells.

How inventive!
- What an imagination! Incredible!

It was driving me mad!

He had wrapped rags around the clapper

and I couldn't understand why the bell
didn't ring anymore.

He's becoming most impertinent.

Ah, no, these are harmless pranks.
Let's be patient, he's just a child.

He amuses himself. Remember,
you were once a child yourself.

But Prior... - We need to think about this
philosophically, God be with you.

Oh! - Oh!
- This time he's gone too far!

Are you hurt?!
- Uh, no, no, it's nothing.

Oh, thank goodness!

Oh, laugh...laugh! You little rascal!

The nextjoke may well be on you!

It was the summer and Brother Giocondo
and I were gathering blackberries.

See here? The darker ones
are the sweeter ones.

Oh no, look! Our hands are filthy.

It'll wash off.

Yes, yes.

Our Lady is Jesus' mother,
is that true?

That's right.

You mean even Jesus has a momma?

Yes, all children have a momma.

Not me.

For the children without a momma,

Don't forget there's
always the mother of Jesus.

Hey, who is that?

Who is that?

Uh, I don't know...
Strangers make me nervous.

The Count!

Open up there!
- The Count!

Open up! Open Up I tell you!
- At the door!

Open the door...let them inside.

Open this door immediately!
- I hear you!

Open at once! I say!
- I'm coming! I'm not deaf.

Have the mason raise this gate

or next time I'll have my soldiers
remove it with a pair of swivel guns!

Understand?!

Peace and good will.
- Peace and good will.

I have no intention of lowering
my head or dismounting...

when I come in.

Actually, I expected a better welcome.

Your visit here fills our hearts
with great happiness.

I want to embellish your church with
the work of a great painter.

I hope your monastery will appreciate
that it costs a lot.

We'll go into the church there,

and find the best place
for this work of art.

Hmm...I don't want a nativity,

... or a decent from the cross.

There are too many here already.

I want a maternity...there.

There...

a Heaven of great purity.

The virgin, with a child.

Yes, and what face will the virgin have?
My late wife's.

This is a portrait of my late wife.

A pious woman,...
she deserves tribute.

Very well.

What else?...We shall put a figure
in the middle there.

Right there.

And I, as the donor,...
shall have the honor.

Meaning...

It will be my face which
looks towards the believers.

Of course, this will all be done
in the highest of taste,

since I am giving you this painting.
I believe this is my honor.

If any of you disagree, please say so.

Good, we all agree.

And who is this?

A poor orphan.

He's like a son to us.

A fine face.

Yes, Your Grace, you are correct!
He has the face of an artist.

I, myself, come from
a long line of artists.

And then Saint Lodovico, King of France
in pilgrimage, was visiting...

He was visiting the great sanctuaries
of the world,

to hear the great words of Brother Egidio,
and decided to personally visit him.

He had come all the way from Perugia.

After a long trip, he finally arrived
at the doors of the monastery.

He arrived only as a pilgrim stranger,
along with just a few

trusted traveling companions.

Put him in his room, he's asleep.

There now,... Marcellino?

Marcellino, say your prayers
before you go to bed.

But can I say a prayer for my momma?

Of course you can, Marcellino.

Mother, I'm saying this for you...
- Momma yes.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come...

Ah! Are you hiding there,
curious fellow?

Don't you know, it's forbidden to see
the painting before the Count?

Sorry, I'll leave.

No, stay....Come and take a look at it,
tell me if you like it.

What is it? I don't see anything.

Who is she?

That is Our Lady.

The mother of Jesus.

She's very beautiful.

Shh...silence! I still have to
finish painting her eyes.

You know that...

Our Lady is also my momma?

She is the mother of all children.

Peace and good will!

Ah! What happened to your leg?
- Gout.

Truth is, I ate like a Cardinal.

I want to talk to you.

Of course! Come in.

What a beautiful boy
I saw the other day.

Of course, I know it's not appropriate
to take a child like a play-thing.

Ah, that's right.
A child cannot be a play-thing.

I did not mean to imply he was
a play-thing... My apologies.

But, you think growing up here is such
a good thing for a little boy like that?

God sent him to us.

No one wanted him, but here he was
able to have a happy, peaceful childhood.

And now... - And now he has the right
to a good education.

And for that reason,
I'd like to take him back.

There is also the strong possibility that
this little boy, ...is my own son.

Your son?

Yes. I find that he resembles
my first wife a great deal.

He has her same beautiful face.

Don't you think so?

And everyone knows...

that my wife was with child when she
was attacked on the way to the castle.

I fought hard, but we never saw her again.

You remember, ...
you know what I'm saying is true.

Yes.

Of course!

That's why I have reason
to believe the boy's mine.

Only God knows that.

What's really important is that I have a
male child to rule over my domain.

I'm almost forty years old.

If I don't have a male heir, my estate will
be passed on to my cousin and his son.

But you have remarried, have you not?

Yes, but I'm afraid she's sterile.

I want... my son.

Come here.

Next to me.

Me?
- Yes, it's alright.

Go and kiss the hand of the Count.

Are you frightened?

I'm not some ogre in a fairy tale.

Don't worry, I won't eat you.

Would you tell me who those
people are... in the scene...

...painted by this great artist?

This one's you.
- hmm

This one is Jesus...

and this one is my momma.

You heard that?!

This is a portrait of my wife!

It is the voice of God that speaks
through this child.

This is a miracle!

A miracle, I tell you!
I found my son again!

Listen, little one.

If that's your mother,
then I'm your father.

Umph, Ouch!

Do be careful!

No...it's fine.

What's your name?

Marcellino.

Marcellino.

Tell me, what can I do...
or say...

Is there anything that you want?

I want to ride on a horse.

Ah...to ride...a horse?

Yes.

He has lead a rather simple life
in this poor monastery.

He knows nothing of the real world.

Yes, yes. He will know then.

I don't believe it. It's not the truth,
it's a swindle.

Don't forget, my brothers, that things
happen and often with good reason.

I have to think of what's best for him.

What's he trying to say there?

What is it?

Now listen to me.

Let's try to think this over calmly.

You all need to think about if we should
send him away without his permission.

I don't think that that's fair
to Marcellino.

I think...

I think we should ask him.

I think that is a wise suggestion.

Then I'll go ask him.

I'll go, too!
- Me, too! Me, too!

Bu- Bu-...

Marcellino?

Marcellino, wake up!

Hey...

Listen to me, Marcellino.

The Count wants to take you to
live with him at his castle.

Is this something you would like to do?
Do you understand what I am asking you?

You will have lots of clothing
and learn many things.

But you will be very far from us.
- He'll be influenced!

He probably doesn't realize the situation.

How do we know
he'll make the right decision?

Let him speak for himself.

Through his mouth we'll
hear the Holy Spirit.

Marcellino, would you like to go
with the Count?

Yes, I would like to go there.

But no, we can't let...
- Shh!

We have to respect the boy's wishes.

At the moment I was leaving, I began to
wonder if I was doing the right thing.

All the brothers seemed so sad at my leaving
that no one even waived ''Goodbye'' to me.

But on the other hand, I looked forward
to seeing my mother.

A whole new world was about to be
opened up to me.

And that part was very exciting.

Peace and good will.

Peace and good will.

Peace and good will.

Peace and good will.

He didn't say ''Goodbye'' to me.

He was excited to ride in the carriage.

Let's go!
- Yah!!

Come on!

Let's go!

Listen.

Listen! When you great the Count,
you will call him ''Father''.

And the Lady Countess,
you shall call ''Mother''

We shall see how it goes.

Come, kiss my hand.

Come! Kiss my hand!

Do as you are told!

Ahh! You should touch your mouth
lightly, not bathe it with your saliva.

But I want to give my momma
a great big kiss.

No! Never!

You have to wait quietly.

You have to wait until
you are kissed first.

Do as I say.

You must always do as I say!

Do what you are told to,
and I will see that you'll come to no harm.

What are you staring at?

Ah, behold the Count.

Come along, ...
Kiss the hand of your father.

Good morning, my father.

Good morning.

Now go and kiss the hand of your mother.

Go ahead!

No! This is not my mother!

No, no, no! Don't say that!

Do as you were instructed!

He saw the, uh, portrait.

The portrait of the Virgin Mary.

He face resembles that of my dead wife.

He has it in his head that
that is his true mother.

That mother is in Heaven, this mother
here...is on earth.

And she will love you like
a proper son, alright?

Now go over and kiss her hand.

Go, Marcellino, go on!

Come to me, my child.

You needn't be afraid, really.

Come here, kiss you mother's hand.

No! You're not my mother!

Hmmph!

You haven't taught him very well!

I expected better of you.

I'll mend it, Your Grace.

I told you how to behave!
You must obey me!

Do you hear me?!

Listen to me when I tell you how to behave.

The rules are different than
they were at the monastery.

Now what is it?
What's the matter?

What's that?

That's a suit of armor.

Soldiers wore them at one time
to save their necks during battle.

What's inside?

A bad man who eats children
who do not obey.

No! It's not true!
- Yes it is true!

And if you don't start listening to me,
I'll send him to see you!

Bless, oh Lord, these gifts,

which we receive through your generosity,
oh trust, our Lord, Amen.

Ugh, you see what happens?

When you disobey the orders of the Count?

You must eat here...in the kitchen...

with these vulgar servants...

and maids.

And no meat.

Only vegetables to eat.

And I have to suffer, too.

I don't like meat anyway.

Remember boy, 'tis what the rich eat

that distinguishes them from the poor.

The rich only eat meat!

And, uh, the poor eat vegetables.

The rich are fat.

And the poor...
are skin and bones.

Wouldn't you rather be rich?!

I want to be a friar.

Keep me from temptation and
deliver us from evil, Amen.

Would you let me pray for my mother?

Very well, but hurry up,
you should be asleep.

My mother, who art in Heaven,

That's not it, for the mother the
prayer is different.

Hail Mary, Mother
- I know!

Very good,
then tomorrow you can say it.

Now go to sleep.

Agnes, can you snore?

Oh, I don't snore.

At the monastery where I was
all the friars snored.

Did they?
- I can't sleep if you don't snore.

What do you want me to do?
I don't snore at all.

If you don't snore, I can't sleep.

Are you Jesus?

But you don't have the nails.

I came here because
I wanted to see my momma.

But she's not here.

I want to go away.

Help me find the monastery.

Very well, I won't go away.

I'll talk to you later,
I won't go away.

Good morning, little Count, it's time to
get up and go to the dress maker.

What? He's up and already out of bed.
- Huh.

Here he is, we found him.

You should not go out alone!

Why? At the monastery

I did what I wanted to.
- You're not at the monastery!

Among other things,
you're right next to a prison.

Look there! ... That's where people
end up who disobey the Count.

What's that?

A cage.

When the Count punishes someone who
disobeys or displeases him,

he locks him up in there.

Any more questions?

And then what do they do?

Die.

What do you do with him
when you catch him?

We eat him.
And we have a big feast.

Venison is tender meat.

Applaud them...
the bravery of the hunters.

Marcellino!

Prepare the kill.
I'm famished!

Marcellino.

Um...um.

Eat some, it's very good!

At least taste it,
please little Count.

Eat some.
- Be a good boy.

Just try a little, it's good!

I'm sorry, Sir. I've tried,
I don't know what else to do, Sir.

You may leave
and join the other servants.

As you wish, Sir.

Why are you not eating.

He won't eat meat.

The son of a count eats meat...
and enjoys it.

I know in the monastery you didn't.

Here we do.

Go ahead try it.

No, I don't want it!
- Yes!

No!

Marcellino!

I said, ''Eat!''

Marcellino!

Little Count, you must go back!

Let go of me! Leave me alone!
-You have to obey the Count!

Come back here!
- Leave me alone!

He won't listen, Sir!
Ehh!

Don't worry...
He won't get far.

Hmm...that's gratitude.

After everything you've done for him.
Hmm.

I ran away.

But really, I don't know where I was.

All I wanted was to get back to
my good friends, the monks.

The trouble was I didn't know
how to get back to the monastery.

And if I went back to the Count,

I ran the danger of
being put in the cage.

Therefore, I decided to wait for night to
fall and try to find it on my own.

Horses rode by me,

but I was too exhausted and sleepy
to know how close they were.

It was the rain that finally woke me up.

They tried to find me with dogs.

The dogs could not find me.

You see, the rain helped me.

It washed away my scent
so the dogs couldn't smell me.

The rain helped with the dogs.

But I was soaked clear
through to my bones.

Jesus, ...
please help me find the monastery.

With all the rain that fell last night,...

Ha ha...
There's a mountain of mushrooms!

Too bad we don't have a sack!
- Ah, yes!

Even if we had a sack,
we do not have the time to..

Help! ...Help!

Help me! I'm over here!

Look!

Marcellino! What are you doing here?

Why aren't you at the castle?
You're all wet. You're trembling!

I ran away.

I wanted to come back to
the monastery with you.

Father, we'll all pray for him.

Everything...is as it should be,
Marcellino.

Now rest.

Have a peaceful sleep.

Right away! Right away!

Stall him at the door, so we can
hide the boy in the attic.

Yes, Father.

Let's go! Hurry along!
- We're hurrying!

Hurry, take him up to the
bell room and hide him there.

Quickly now, ...
before they come in!

Make haste!
- Open up!!

Come here immediately!

Open this door!
By order of the Count!

Let's all go into the church...
- Open this door!!

and pray for Marcellino.

I command you to open this door!!

Better manners, please Sir!

Calm down...now tell me
what has happened.

It's Marcellino. He's disappeared!
We cannot find him anywhere!

You're hiding him! Don't deny it!

I'm not.

Then open up and hand him over now!

I will open the door.

But in order to hand him over
he must first be here!

Now wait here, ...
I'll get the Prior, you can ask him.

Who's moaning?

Who is it?

Who's whimpering is that?

The wind.

Who said that?

My goodness! Did you speak?

Is that you speaking, Jesus?

Would you mind making the wind stop?

It frightens me.

Thank you, Jesus!

That's much better.

Did you know my name
was Marcellino?

I got my name from the friars.

There are so many things
I want to tell you.

But I know that that is in vain,
because you already know everything.

That crown of thorns that they
have put upon your head and...

and the nails, do they hurt much?

It is not important. You ask many
questions, little one. What's done is done.

We can't find him. He must've gotten lost
on his way back to the castle.

He must've come back to the monastery.

I want to bring you something.
Stay right here.

I warn you!

You're obligated to report
his whereabouts.

You have entrusted him to the Count
and it is too late to change your mind.

Reassure the Count that Marcellino is as
dear to our hearts as he is to the Count's.

And that prayer is the only weapon we have,

and we must pray for his salvation.

Yes, I am certain that the Count also prays
for his salvation and wishes to find him.

The Count intends to take him to Rome
to meet the Pope for confirmation.

And to untie the knot of his estate.

Look what I have hear for you.

Fresh bread...
You didn't expect that, did you?

Here, I brought it for you.
Have some.

Brother Pappina made it.
Take it. Oh...you can't.

You have nails in your hands.

Uh, I beg you to leave now and
let us get back to our prayers.

It is the best way to help Marcellino.

Marcellino! Marcellino, wake up now.
The Count's men have finally left.

There's no more danger.

I had a dream.

No one will ever take you away from us
again...come on! - That's right!

That's right. Come on...come on.

Those friars are lying!

We need to watch their monastery.

We should send someone there
to find out all of their secrets.

I just don't trust any one of them!

Hm...don't get upset.
I shall not permit this personal affront.

Look what I brought for you.

Bread... and wine.

Thank you, Marcellino, my little friend.

You are a good boy.

Thank you!

From this day forward, ...

you shall be known

as Marcellino...
Bread and Wine.

Marcellino Bread and Wine.

It's wonderful!

Open up!

Go on!

Open up, please! For pity sake,
give us a piece of bread to eat.

Who's there?
- Two very hungry pilgrims.

Just a moment, brothers.

Enter. We'll do what we can.

That's that.
You're not from around here.

We're from Gubbio.
- And where are you going?

To Rome, to fulfill a vow.

We promised the Virgin of Los Angeles
that we would go on foot

to the Papal Basilica, living only
on charity the entire trip.

You men are brave.

The mother of God saved a brother
from the illness of stone

To live off the charity of our fellow man
is a purpose that will honor you.

Come along, it will be well thought of
in the sight of God.

Down, down! Kneel down!

Here, have some soup.

I made it myself and it's hot.
- mmm... smells so good!

Excuse me, Friar.

Do you live all alone in this
monastery or do you have any guests?

Why?

Why? Because of that wonderful
smell of bread in the air

and this delicious soup. I'm
almost tempted to become a monk

and join the monastery myself!.

Marcelino! Where are you going?

Look Marcellino, you know that
Brother Pappina loves you,

but you must get well or
you'll make me mad, huh?

Now get back to bed right now.
You're still weak.

No, I don't want to!
- Yes!

I'm Marcellino Bread and Wine.

Bread and Wine?

What are you talking about, Marcellino?
- It's a secret.

...between me and Jesus.
What secret?

They are the Count's men!

The Count's soldiers here?!
Brothers!

Help! The Count's soldiers are here!

We must apprehend them!!

Please! Don't hurt us!

No! No!
- It's a mistake, I swear! Get off us!

Ow! Oh! Don't hurt me, please!
- It's a mistake! No!

You'll be lucky to get twenty days
on bread and water

for treating the Count's men like this.
Untie them!

But if we set them free they will
return to the castle and

the first thing they will do
is tell the Count

that Marcellino is really here with us.
- No! No!

Listen you two.

Are you willing to swear upon the cross
and upon the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that you'll say nothing to the Count?

Yes! Yes! We solemnly swear on
the blood of Jesus and His cross!

And may the hot flames of Hell burn
our flesh if we perjure ourselves!

May Satan rip all our flesh off our bones!

We won't say one word to the Count!

Very well, ...
We shall have to trust you.

And from this moment on, the salvation of
your souls are entrusted to your conscience.

Brothers, untie these gentlemen.
- Thank you!

You may leave, or you can stay with us.

No, no. We'll go away.
We've caused you enough problems.

I won't untie them!

Obedience is the first rule.

Once upon a time, there were
three evil thieves in the land.

The three were all very evil.

In order to be protected from the evil,

the brothers all prayed
for the Lord's protection.

They gave the men food...

Shhh!

Continue, Brother.

And in this way, the brothers hoped
that by giving them food,

their love for God would grow.

Many times they hoped this would be
the case, but the evil men never changed.

Brother Theodore!

They still wanted to devour
the poor charity

that had been bestowed
upon them by God.

Marcellino!

Marcellino!
- Marcellino, wake up!

Mmm?
- Marcellino.

Do I have to go up in the attic again?
- indeed. - That's right.

but only for a little while.

You'll be safer up there.

Don't you want to go?

Yes, I really want to go up there.

Bravo! You must not be afraid.

We will chase away all of them.

And then when you come down from the
attic you will stay with us forever and ever.

What do you think of that, eh?

Open the door! - Open the gate!
- By order of the Count! - Open the door!

Those two faced beggars when faced with the
Count's wrath, have chosen the depths of Hell.

We will destroy it! -You want us to smash it!?
- Open it now! - Open this gate!

Come Prior, don't waste time.

Bring me the child!

The Countess will be a good
mother to him.

A warm and tender mother.

The boy will stay with us.
You can't have him.

Bring the child right away!

I don't want to ask again!

May I feel your hand.

It feels like my momma's hand.

Do I frighten you?

No.

Do you know who I am?

Yes, you're God.

I repeat, Sir, you cannot have him.

I shall have him, Prior!

(Latin chant)

What are they doing?

I don't know.

This is all your fault!

This could all be avoided, Prior!

(Latin chant continues)

It's all your fault!

Give me the boy, save yourselves!

Give me the boy now,
or you'll all burn!

Everything is burning!

The brothers are in the
middle of the flames!

I'm afraid, Jesus!

Yah! ...Yah!

(Latin chant)

Ho! Ho!...Awww!!!
(Latin chant continues)

Thank you, Jesus.

May I take off your crown?

There, ... you don't have
to suffer anymore.

Can I hug you?

And now maybe you could
take me to go see my momma?

Please take me.

Marcellino has left us.

He's gone to the Heaven of his mother.

Hurry up, children!
The bus is ready to go!

Hurry up!...
Come on, quickly now!

The bus is ready to leave, come on.

Hurry up, children!
Let's go! Hurry up!

Where are you going?
- Okay!

And so...this is the end of my story.

Sometimes sweet, sometimes wicked,

just like all stories.

In all stories there are
miraculous things.

And in all miracles,
there is always stories.