Year: 1967
Runtime: 104 mins
Language: Italian
Director: Francesco Rosi
Who ever imagined love could be such a glamorous, romantic adventure? Isabella, a beautiful but temperamental Neapolitan peasant, meets the ill‑tempered Spanish prince Rodrigo Ferrante y Davalos. Though the King of Spain orders Rodrigo to choose a bride from seven Italian princesses, he falls for the lowly peasant, sparking misadventures.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen More Than a Miracle yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of More Than a Miracle (1967), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Isabella Candeloro, a beautiful yet temperamental village girl, crosses paths with Prince Rodrigo Fernandez, a hot‑tempered Spanish prince who resists his parents’ wishes to marry. The story opens in the palace courtyard, where the prince tries to tame a wild horse while his mother, the queen, presses him about his duty to wed. Seven princesses stand ready to dine with him and win his hand, but Rodrigo remains uninterested, galloping away into the countryside.
As he rides, disaster strikes: the horse shies and throws him, leaving the prince to wander on foot. He climbs a hill and spots a monk flying above a group of laughing children. The monk descends, declares that it’s time for the prince to marry, and hands him a donkey and some flour, instructing him to find someone who can make seven dumplings. On his way back, Rodrigo encounters Isabella, who is busy with vegetables she’s pulling from the earth. They quarrel over ownership of the horse—Isabella insisting it belongs to her, while Rodrigo insists the animal is his—and a tense moment ensues as guards pass by, prompting the prince to seize Isabella and hide with her in the bushes until the danger passes. He tries to kiss her, but she flatly rejects him, accusing him of theft. In retaliation, the prince pushes her into the dirt and rides off, while Isabella brushes off her scrapes and heads home, the prince circling her on his horse all the while.
Back at her home, Isabella is startled to see the prince at her door, demanding that she use the flour to make seven dumplings. To get rid of him, she agrees, but when the dumplings are served, there are only six. The prince pretends to die, threatening a heartless ruse that makes Isabella feel foolish and furious. She resolves to teach him a lesson and enlists the help of her neighbors, who, taken in by the ruse of “a Spaniard died in front of my house,” steal the prince’s ring and bury his supposed corpse in a shallow grave covered by leaves and branches.
Night falls, and a storm rages. Isabella, worried, goes to the burial site and finds the prince gone. An old woman—an enigmatic witch—appears, guiding her to the woods where a coven of witches reveals themselves. They debate the best spells to ensnare a man’s heart, arguing over two methods, while one witch peers into water and locates the prince at a nunnery. The moment is heightened by an owl’s screech, causing the prince to catch a chill and the wind to howl as the magic unfolds. The owl’s cry and the Madonna become a tipping point, sending the witches fleeing in fear.
With only one of the two spells firmly remembered, Isabella discovers a striking, almost magical solution: she places the tip of her tongue into a keyhole of a lock, and the effect is immediate—Rodrigo becomes utterly paralyzed, unable to move.
The King of Spain decrees that Rodrigo must choose a wife from seven princesses within seven days, arranging a grand gathering to test the contenders. Although Rodrigo feels an attraction to Isabella, she joins the seven‑day cooking team, while the prince searches the countryside for her. Through the combined magic of witches and the blessing of saints, Isabella’s steadfast love and cunning win Rodrigo’s heart at last, and the couple’s path to marriage becomes clear.
“see he doesn’t know you”
In the end, what began as a volatile clash of pride gives way to a romance tempered by wit, courage, and a touch of magic. The film weaves together humor, misadventure, and fairy‑tale enchantment, illustrating how a bold, resourceful young woman can transform a wary, reluctant prince into a devoted partner. The dynamic between Isabella and Rodrigo evolves from opposition to understanding, culminating in a wedding that binds two very different worlds through resilience, charm, and a shared sense of destiny.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:21
Don't stop at just watching — explore More Than a Miracle in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what More Than a Miracle is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of More Than a Miracle with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.