Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Directors: Salvatore Ficarra & Valentino Picone, Medusa Film, PG 103 Minutes.
The latest release from Italian comic duo Salvatore Ficarra and Valentino Picone (following their appearance in ‘It’s the Law’) is the fun-filled hilarious twist on the Nativity ‘Once Upon a Time-in Bethlehem’ featuring both as directors and lead actors.
The movie opens with Salvo (Ficarra) a compulsive thief stealing a precious religious piece before switching to Father Valentino (Picone) a priest fascinated with the nativity scene and having a manger meticulously prepared in time for the Christmas event.
This included inviting villagers to come to the church and be dressed in costume to mimic each of the major religious characters at which Salvo appears as St Joseph taking the opportunity to steal a baby Jesus statuette.
At this point Salvo is seen with the figurine by Father Valentino and chased until both enter a bush and are suddenly taken by celestial powers to Palestine in the year zero-just prior to the birth of baby Jesus.
As foreigners Salvo soon makes friends with the local inhabitants telling them they are revolutionaries and not long after are brought before King Herod (Massimo Popolizio – ‘The Champion’) who is intent on harming the “King of Kings.”
With Salvo’s help Valentino is determined to stop King Herod from killing the soon to be born baby Jesus following some humorous encounters with two suspected travellers believing them to be the special couple heading to Bethlehem.
When the time comes both Salvo and Valentino risk their lives in saving the baby Jesus as well as preventing Herod from harming all the village children under threat just as they are all returned to their century.
This rendition of the Nativity by comedians Ficarra and Picone is a thoroughly enjoyable experience mainly due to the countless number of hilarious scenes that include many of Ficarra’s memorable antics and the tongue-in-cheek storyline.
Unlike Tarantino’s production with a similar title ‘Once Upon a Time in Bethlehem’ is one of the best Italian films to have ever been made and most deserving of winning the David Audience accolade at the 2020 Donatello Awards.
Once Upon a Time in Bethlehelm is being screened in Palace Cinemas as part of the 2020 Italian Film Festival
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
