The Little Devil
Directed by	Roberto Benigni
Written by	Giuseppe Bertolucci (story) Vincenzo Cerami Roberto Benigni
Produced by	Mauro Berardi Mario Cecchi Gori Vittorio Cecchi Gori
Starring	Roberto Benigni Walter Matthau
Cinematography	Robby Müller
Edited by	Nino Baragli
Music by	Evan Lurie
Production company	Cecchi Gori Group
Distributed by	Columbia Tri-Star Films Italia
Release date	October 14, 1988
Running time	110 min.
Country	Italy
Languages	Italian and English

The Little Devil (original Italian name Il piccolo diavolo) is a 1988 Italian film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, also starring Walter Matthau, Stefania Sandrelli, Nicoletta Braschi and John Lurie. In some European countries and in Australia, an English version of the film, with local subtitles, has been screened and circulated in VHS. In the English version, the voices of the main actors are dubbed by themselves; some scenes may have been filmed in both languages.

Plot

In the North American Pontifical College, in Rome, Father Maurice (Walther Matthau) is in deep turmoil because of Patricia (Stefania Sandrelli), a woman who loves him and expects him to make up his mind and clear out his position towards her. While he is trying to do so, he is summoned by a novice for an emergency. The emergency turns out to be a fat woman possessed by a demon. Father Maurice performs the rite of exorcism and expels the demon from the woman. The demon (Roberto Benigni), a little escaped devil named Giuditta, having nowhere else to go, starts following Father Maurice everywhere and often indulges in mischief getting Maurice in trouble. In one instance Giuditta replaces a sick Father Maurice in Mass, turning the solemn ceremony in a beauty parade. Maurice tries to get rid of Giuditta in several failed efforts. Showing signs of exhaustion, his peers advise him to take a vacation. Eventually another agent "from where Giuditta came from" appears as Nina (Nicoletta Braschi) and manages to attract Giuditta who finally leaves Maurice and follows her "elsewhere".

Cast

• Roberto Benigni as Giuditta, the little devil
• Walter Matthau as Father Maurice
• Nicoletta Braschi as Nina
• Stefania Sandrelli as Patrizia
• John Lurie as Cusatelli
• Paolo Baroni as Saverio
• Franco Fabrizi as Priest
• Annabella Schiavone as Giuditta, the woman

Awards

Roberto Benigni won the David di Donatello Award for Best Actor.