Search - Marcelino Pan y Vino - Miracle of Marcelino on DVD

A masterpiece - but beware the Vanguard Latino DVD

Master Jaques | London, England, UK | 04/07/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

""Marcelino, Pan y Vino" (1955) is a marvel. Simple but touching, beautifully acted and filmed, it captures that elusive mixture of logic and mystery at the heart of childhood. Ladislao Vajda's spare yet sensitive direction is mirrored by Pablo Sorozabal's masterful score, and by the child Pablito Calvo's marvellous portrayal in the title role.

This Spanish/Italian co-production came up fresh as paint in a recent Spanish-only release from Video Mercury Films (2002.) It gives me no pleasure to report that the 2004 Vanguard Latino issue - the only one currently available with English subtitles - is a travesty of the crisp original print. It claims to be "digitally remastered", but the Vanguard DVD is horribly bleached, blurred and blocky, with crumbly sound and laced with video artefacts. It is in fact well-nigh unwatchable. Presumably it was taken from a poor VHS copy, maybe of Mexican provenance (which might account for its attribution of the film to that country.)

The English subtitles are sparse and spiky - whilst the magical sung scene at the heart of the film is not subtitled at all! It's frustrating that the excellent Spanish issue has no subtitles, but anyone with even the barest smattering of Spanish should seek it out, rather than this appalling Vanguard Latino travesty, which defaces a cinematic masterpiece beyond repair."

My name is Marcelino

Marcelino Carrero | N.Y.C.,N.Y. | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since I was a little boy, my grandmother would sing to me the song from this movie. She told me the story, then one day she took me to see, "Marcelino Pan Y Vino". I was young and didn't really understand the whole movie. After seeing again, I simply loved it. I think its the best spanish movie I have ever seen. I want to thank my roommate, for convicing me to buy it as a gift to myself for my birthday."

Stunning Black & White Transfer, Touching Story

Craig Connell | Lockport, NY USA | 09/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, this was stunning, both in photography and in content. Here's a nice, old-fashioned "religious story" you rarely see anymore. The English title goes under "The Miracle Of Marcelino."

Pablito Calvo as the title character, Marcelino," is excellent. Kudos to cinematographer Heinrich Gartner for beautiful black-and-white photography. The DVD transfer was outstanding, too. The lighting, particularly on faces, is terrific.

You'll never find this at a rental store but those you are curious, you might want to add it to your queue if you belong to one of those mail-in rental programs, and then you can buy it here! This film was a collaboration of Spanish and Italian filmmakers, I think. There was a color re-make in the early '90s, but I haven't seen it. In either case, don't buy the cheap copy. You get what you pay for, and you don't want to miss this great DVD transfer.

It's a film of tender "innocence" like few I've ever seen, which makes it very memorable.
"

A classic for those of Faith

Michael Bishop | Virginia | 06/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is very well done and would be a must have for spiritual, religious family. It deals with very sad issues and is a great movie for families and children. However, please proceed with caution it is a very sad movie and some of the content may be too much for the younger ones. It is however a very underrated classic and should be viewed at least once for all of those who are deeply connected with their christian/catholic roots.
Parents should however watch it first and see if it would be appropriate for their younger children to see it first. It deals with death, sacrifice, faith, and love for God.
Please see this movie with an open mind and enjoy the story about a young boy who is deeply devoted to God and has the heart of saint and wishes the best for all the world and everyone around him. It is heartwarming and touching, but very sad.
Enjoy and tell me what you think.li"