Cupertino, Italy, 1623: A simple-minded and clumsy young man joins a Franciscan order as a hired hand, overcoming his intellectual and social challenges with a pure heart and a simple faith. God performs a miracle through him, quite literally raising him to sainthood.

Maximilian Schell
as Giuseppe

Ricardo Montalban
as Don Raspi

Lea Padovani
as Giuseppe's Mother

Akim Tamiroff
as Bishop Durso

Harold Goldblatt
as Father Giovanni- 'The Father Guardian'

Arnoldo Foà
as Felixa- Giuseppe's Father

Carlo Croccolo
as The Gobbo- the Hunchback

Giulio Bosetti
as Brother Orlando

Armand Mestral
as

Elisa Cegani
as Sister Nunziata