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Product Description
Vitorrio De Sica's follow-up to 'Bicycle Thieves' won the Best Film Award at Cannes in 1951. Its fairy tale-like story concerns the plight of the poor in post-WWII Italy. A group of down-and-outs who when threatened with eviction by developers escape manage to angelic intervention, thanks to a magic dove given to Toto, a young orphan, by a fairy. The dove allows Toto to grant the beggars their wishes.
Review
The Guardian
Best label 2011
Arrow
"It's often the smaller-funded labels that do the best work. Arrow has released marvellous discs of many of cinema's classics, such as Bicycle Thieves, Rififi and Les Diaboliques, but it's for their horror releases that they truly excel. The more respectable directors like George A Romero and Dario Argento get their due here, but Arrow also pull out all the stops for such (unfairly) lesser regarded Gore-teurs as Lucio Fulci and Frank Henenlotter. Blu-rays of Fulci classics The Beyond and City Of The Living Dead show that the films are far more atmospheric and better made than they ever appeared before, and for Henenlotter (with the imminent Frankenhooker disc) you get extensive extras that cover the rarely examined scene of low-budget New York film-makers and the lost grindhouses of Times Square and 42nd Street."
--The Guardian
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By richgrom
Format:DVD
The group of Films that Director Victorrio De Sica and Screenwriter Cesare Zavattini created in the late 40s/early 50s may not in these cynical hard times be as cricticly acclaimed as they once were, but to me they are amongst the most likable, human and sincere in all Cinema.
De Sica followed up the ultimately tragic "Bicycle Thieves" with this much more light hearted fable "Miracle in Milan". But it is not without De Sica's usual social concerns ie the sharp division between rich and poor, and the cynical opportuinism that big business sometimes adopts (perhaps portrayed by figures who are delibrately exaggerated, but in a very witty way).
Without going too much into the plot, our hero Toto is a young man who manages to create a shantytown for the homeless of Milan whom he truly inspires. However, once oil is discovered on the land, business and the authorities coludes to move them out. That is when the magic of the Film, starts to happen leading to a literally "divine" finale in front of Milan Cathedral.
"Miracle in Milan" although in the Neorealist tradition (particularly in the first half) is more of a charming fantasy with a considerable comedic touch.
As for the DVD itsef, the picture quality is perfectly adequte. There are some extras, but it would have been nice to have had some more. These do include charming footage of the Films premiere, with introductions from De Sica himself and leading actor Francesco Golisano.
Great DVD!
De Sica followed up the ultimately tragic "Bicycle Thieves" with this much more light hearted fable "Miracle in Milan". But it is not without De Sica's usual social concerns ie the sharp division between rich and poor, and the cynical opportuinism that big business sometimes adopts (perhaps portrayed by figures who are delibrately exaggerated, but in a very witty way).
Without going too much into the plot, our hero Toto is a young man who manages to create a shantytown for the homeless of Milan whom he truly inspires. However, once oil is discovered on the land, business and the authorities coludes to move them out. That is when the magic of the Film, starts to happen leading to a literally "divine" finale in front of Milan Cathedral.
"Miracle in Milan" although in the Neorealist tradition (particularly in the first half) is more of a charming fantasy with a considerable comedic touch.
As for the DVD itsef, the picture quality is perfectly adequte. There are some extras, but it would have been nice to have had some more. These do include charming footage of the Films premiere, with introductions from De Sica himself and leading actor Francesco Golisano.
Great DVD!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Bob Monroe
Format:DVD
I bought Miracolo a Milano in Italy and I'm most impressed that Amazon is offering De Sica's little-known successor to his famous Bicycle Thieves. Whereas the earlier film is gritty and depressing, Miracle in Milan starts as a fantasy with the infant Totò being found in a cabbage patch and gets more and more astonishing thanks to a daring script and simple special effects.
The acting is brilliant with a handful of professionals amply supported by 100 down-and-outs (who supposedly had to be hosed down every morning to counter their hangovers). The music deserves special mention - don't be fooled by the naff cinema organ opening. It blooms into jazz, marching music and romantic schmaltz worthy of the best Hollywood budget-buster.
In short, a cinema classic that deserves to be better known. It even leaves you with a smile on your face, and that's worth a lot these days.
The acting is brilliant with a handful of professionals amply supported by 100 down-and-outs (who supposedly had to be hosed down every morning to counter their hangovers). The music deserves special mention - don't be fooled by the naff cinema organ opening. It blooms into jazz, marching music and romantic schmaltz worthy of the best Hollywood budget-buster.
In short, a cinema classic that deserves to be better known. It even leaves you with a smile on your face, and that's worth a lot these days.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By os
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Part fantasy, part comedy and part social critique this heart warming film transplants the oeuvre of Dickens to post-war Milan with entertaining results.
Other commentators have outlined the plot so there is no need to repeat their efforts, but it is enough to say that the film's central message is rather bittersweet.Building Eden on Earth is a project doomed to fail.The frailty and greed that afflicts mankind is not just a characteristic of the rich,but the poor as well.it is only through self-denial and sacrifice can the lot of everyone be improved,it seems.The messianic central character,Toto inspires the poor and homeless,to help themselves,but even given divine intervention,it doesn't take too long before matters get out of hand,with humorous results....
It is important to stress that this is a lovely fun film- whimsical,full of great characters and interesting location shots,a great holiday movie.The print quality is fair but doesn't distract from the enjoyment this film brings.
Other commentators have outlined the plot so there is no need to repeat their efforts, but it is enough to say that the film's central message is rather bittersweet.Building Eden on Earth is a project doomed to fail.The frailty and greed that afflicts mankind is not just a characteristic of the rich,but the poor as well.it is only through self-denial and sacrifice can the lot of everyone be improved,it seems.The messianic central character,Toto inspires the poor and homeless,to help themselves,but even given divine intervention,it doesn't take too long before matters get out of hand,with humorous results....
It is important to stress that this is a lovely fun film- whimsical,full of great characters and interesting location shots,a great holiday movie.The print quality is fair but doesn't distract from the enjoyment this film brings.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By hippychick
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this as a gift. My friend was delighted with it. She had seen it in the cinema as a young woman and often spoke about it. Amazing that it is on DVD. Watched it myself and although very dated could see the appeal.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a classic piece of italian film making using a fantasy storyline it shows the political struggle between the have and have nots through the innocent eyes of the main character Toto.If you are a collector of european/world cinema this is a must for your collection. Personally i would rate it as high as Jean Renoirs La regle De Jeu. Highly enjoyable.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A deep look of the human heart, as is, without philosophical points of view.
Simple and beautiful: a film with innocent love.
One of my 10 top films.
Simple and beautiful: a film with innocent love.
One of my 10 top films.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A simple but beautiful story, told with beauty and subtlety. I would recommend this to anyone, it has a universal appeal, in my experience.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
when the package arrived the disc was loose in the box, but as it was sealed and a christmas present i was not sure if the disc was dammaged the person who received the gift will let me know.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvellous
Surreal and real. Remember this film when I was a child. TV used to show really good foreign films in the 60's.
Published 5 months ago by Sophie Slater
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ten stars from ten
One of the most fascinating pieces of world cinema in a very good transfer. The bonus feature, another movie by the neorealist giant de Sica called "Il tetto", is more... Read more
Published 6 months ago by perutz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky
The DVD arrived very quickly: I think it was the day after ordering, which was fantastic.
The film is very quirky and unusual but most enjoyable. Read more
The film is very quirky and unusual but most enjoyable. Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2010 by pertmum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just watch it, OK.
This film is a real soul tonic and a visual treat. It is the only known cure for recession blues (other than large quantities of money). Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by CNR
4.0 out of 5 stars
Un classico!!!
Grazie alla Arrow Films per aver pubblicato questo film.
Già dal packaging non c'è paragone con la controparte italiana. Read more
Già dal packaging non c'è paragone con la controparte italiana. Read more
Published on 26 May 2009 by Noir
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