When, in 1948, the Italian editor Rizzoli published the first collection of "Don Camillo" stories in book form, it probably seemed like a safe bet; after all, there was already an established audience for the series in Candido. But when The Little World of Don Camillo turned out to be a certified hit, those involved soon raised their sights, and there was talk of a film.

Even Hollywood, in the persons of director Frank Capra ("It's a Wonderful Life," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington") and proposed star Spencer Tracy (a 1938 Oscar-winner for his role as a priest in "Boys Town"), expressed some interest in doing a film version of the Don Camillo stories. But, while Capra's sensibilities and Tracy's persona might have been very suited indeed to Guareschi's material, other commitments took them out of the running. And, appropriately (though unfortunately, I guess, for any potential American audience), it was a European team that first brought Guareschi's Little World to the screen in 1951.

Guareschi himself was much involved with that film and its four sequels, so it's hard not to pronounce them the "definitive" screen versions. In this section, I'll include the information I've been able to gather on them. Use the menu at left or below to see what I've compiled:

• Le Petit Monde de Don Camillo (1951)
• Le Retour de Don Camillo (1953)
• Don Camillo e l'onorevole Peppone (1955)
• Don Camillo, Monsignore, ma non troppo (1961)
• Il Compagno Don Camillo (1965)
• The unfinished film (1970)