AllMovie

A heart-warming story set in the 16th century. It is wartime and the friars of a humble monastery find a baby on the doorsteps of a home in ruins. They lovingly raise the baby and name him Marcellino. When he turns 6 years old, a wealthy count sees him & believes him to be his lost son, born to his beloved late wife, so the count & his new wife take Marcellino home to live with them. While the count’s home offers luxury, it lacks warmth and the comfort of a loving mother which Marcellino so desires. When the count’s expectations of the boy contradict his tender nature Marcellino runs away to seek the comfort of his gentle friars. A search for the boy ensues and a very sick Marcellino is later found by the friars. Fearing that the count’s men will discover Marcellino has returned to the monastery, the friars hide him in a loft with a large crucifix. While recovering, a miracle occurs as Marcellino finds comfort and a “special friend” in the man on the crucifix – the man who ultimately gives him the desire of his heart.