Miracle in Milan (1951)

An open hearted and unrelentingly energetic orphan struggles to make the best out of his life on the streets of Milan.

Director:

Vittorio De Sica

Writers:

Cesare Zavattini (novel), Cesare Zavattini (screenplay)

Stars:

Emma Gramatica, Francesco Golisano, Paolo Stoppa

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 4 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Emma Gramatica	...	La vecchia Lolotta
Francesco Golisano	...	Totò
Paolo Stoppa	...	Rappi
Guglielmo Barnabò	...	Mobbi
Brunella Bovo	...	Edvige
Anna Carena	...	Marta, la signora altezzosa
Alba Arnova	...	La statua che prende vita
Flora Cambi	...	L'innamorata infelice
Virgilio Riento	...	Il sergente delle guardie
Arturo Bragaglia	...	Alfredo
Erminio Spalla	...	Gaetano
Riccardo Bertazzolo	...	L'atleta
Checco Rissone	...	Il comandante in secondo (as Francesco Rissone)
Angelo Prioli	...	Il comandante in primo

Storyline

An old woman finds a baby among the cauliflowers in her garden. She takes care of the orphan, and calls him Totò. When she dies, he is sent to an orphanage, which he leaves as a teenager. When Totò goes out in the world, he expects everyone to be open-hearted as himself, but it isn't so. Without belongings and a place to live, he soon turns up among other homeless people, living scattered in boxes and cement pipes on a vast, barren field outside Milano. With his energy and enthusiasm Totò quickly engages the outcasts in transforming the place into a small shanty town. The eccentric misfits are turned into a warm-hearted community. But when the wealthy Mr. Mobbi buys the land he will try to get rid of the outcasts.

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Plot Keywords:

magic | orphan | poverty | homelessness | baby found in cabbage patch | 

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Taglines:

An impudent, riotous laugh on the lives and morals of our day!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

17 December 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Miracle in Milan

Filming Locations:

Duomo, Milan, Lombardia, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Produzioni De Sica,Ente Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche (ENIC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in Milan, it was only natural that the movie received its premiere in that city.

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Connections

Featured in Sosialismi (2014)

User Reviews

One of the great films

A great filmmaker only can make a great film. I love it greatly. Because, the idea of magical thing in 1951 is incredible. my rating is always 10/10. I have seen such a great film after a long time. Specially Vittorio De Sica is one of the great filmmakers to me. But I didn't thought such a good film he will make. There are some special scenes that are very important to me. That are the ; when all the people are busy with their dreams and tell to Toto for their demands. He is fulfilling the demands of the people but his lover or his dream Edvige is outside . She is staying outside but can't speak anything to her only lover or dream man. He is getting sorrow. At the last scene when they all are going or flying; Edvige is seated behind Toto. At last their dream was turned into reality. Everyone saw it. It was also the best scene to me. However, one word is very important that Freedom is easy but its respect is difficult to hold. Pigeon is such kind of freedom. It should be kept in private place and should control it. for a better and happy life.