La Grande bagarre de Don Camillo (1955)
Directed by Carmine Gallone

Film Review

For this, the third in the series of Franco-Italian Don Camillo films, the directorial baton passed from Julien Duvivier to veteran Italian director Carmine Gallone.  Fernandel and Gino Cervi continue to play the roles they had made their own in the previous Don Camillo outings, although both are ill-served by a much weaker script than they had previously enjoyed.  Whilst the film still evokes the charm of Giovanni Guareschi's original Don Camillo novels, and whilst Fernandel turns in another beautiful performance as the roguish parish priest, the film's limp direction and lacklustre plot prevent it from having the entertainment value of the previous two films in the series.

Film Synopsis

In a small Italian town, Don Camillo can scarcely believe his ears when he learns that his sworn enemy, the communist mayor Peppone, intends standing as a candidate for a government seat in the coming elections.  It's not just the prospect of a Communist government that appals the Catholic priest, although that is pretty terrible.  What is of greater concern to him is the possible departure of Peppone from the area, should the election go his way.  Without delay, Don Camillo sets out to sabotage his old enemy's campaign, and when Peppone retaliates he ends up being dragged into court.

To remain in the election race and fulfil his political ambitions, the mayor has to agree to satisfy a number of conditions, which include taking a written exam.  Reluctantly, Don Camillo agrees to help Peppone pass the exam if, in return, he lends his support to the building of a new chapel.  The truce doesn't last long, however, and the two old enemies are soon at each other's throats again.  Even with the Almighty on his side, the priest fails to thwart Peppone's determined bid for political power, but this is far from being the end of his problems...