In the Pope's Eye (Italian: Il pap'occhio) is a 1980 Italian comedy film written and directed by Renzo Arbore.
It was released in September 1980, and it was heavily attacked by the Catholic press. Three weeks later it was confiscated "for insulting the Catholic religion and the person of the Holy Pope" on the orders of the L'Aquila prosecutor Donato Massimo Bartolomei.
The film grossed 5 billion lire being the 5th best grossing film in Italy in the 1980/1981 season.
Contents
Plot
Musician Renzo Arbore has a vision of Don Gabriel, who comes bringing an Annunciation from the Vatican: Gabriel announces that Pope John Paul II, watching television, was impressed by a beer commercial in which Arbore was the spokesman. Arbore is thus to be hired as the artistic director of the newly-formed but poorly organized Vatican State Television. Following this announcement, Arbore and his company arrive at the Vatican to begin work. Meanwhile, Cardinal Richelieu, a bigoted conservative prelate, plots to destroy the initiative and ruin Arbore.
Cast
Renzo Arbore as Himself
Roberto Benigni as Himself
Isabella Rossellini as Herself
Andy Luotto as Himself
Mario Marenco as Himself
Manfred Freyberger as Pope John Paul II
Michael Pergolani as Himself
Otto e Barnelli as Themselves
Sorelle Bandiera as Themselves
Diego Abatantuono as Don Gabriele
Luciano De Crescenzo as God
Graziano Giusti as Cardinal Richelieu
Fabrizio Zampa as Zampa
Milly Carlucci as TV Announcing Nun
Mariangela Melato as Unchosen actress who plays "The Daughter of Iorio"
Ruggero Orlando as Himself
Martin Scorsese as TV Director
Silvia Annichiarico as Arbore's Secretary