Le Petit Monde de Don Camillo

Le Petit Monde de don Camillo The Little World of don Camillo, or Don Camillo in Italian, is a 1952 FrenchItalian film directed by Julien Duvivier, starring Fernandel and Gino Cervi. It was the first film in the Don Camillo series, which made Fernandel an international star. The film was based on the novel Don Camillo by author Giovannino Guareschi. It was followed in 1953 by The Return of Don Camillo, also directed by Duvivier.

An important side story within the film is the Romeo and Julietesque relationship between a young girl named Gina Filotti, who has just returned to the town from boarding school as the story begins, and a young man named MariolinoBrusco. Gina and Mariolinos blossoming relationship, however, is off to a bad start not only that the families of Gina as Christians and Mariolino as Communists are on ideologically opposite sides, they are also entertaining a longrunning private feud. When their cause finds no support with neither Peppone as the mayor, nor with Camillo as a priest, the two lovers decide to commit a double suicide. Fortunately, both opposing parties come to their senses just in time, rescue the two and get the wedding underway but during the combined wedding and housewarming festivities for the nowfinished community hall and kindergarten, Don Camillo takes offense at one of Peppones better throws at an Aunt Sally stall, which results in a public mass brawl.Even though Peppone resents Don Camillos interferences and their aftereffects on personal health, he secretly enjoys their amicable quarrels and repeatedly tries his best to persuade the local bishop not to have Camillo replaced. However, with this last misdeed the bishop decides to send Camillo to a different community, and Peppone has threatened Camillos parish not to say farewell to him as he is about to depart. But to his delightful surprise, Don Camillo does receive a touching goodbye from the people of his town first from his parish at the train station next town, then from Peppone and his party comrades at the very next station afterward. Before Camillo departs for his new destination, Peppone asks him to come back soon and promises that Camillos successor will not last long under his attention. ........

Source: Wikipedia