I saw this years ago as a mini-series on a pay channel. It had magic and charm, and I was mesmerized. Years later in my quest for hard-to-find DVDs, my research revealed this to be an Italian film, and it became the one I considered to be the least likely to succeed. At the time, I was searching for it under the title "The Dragon Ring" and that led nowhere. Fortunately I never forgot the name of the heroine, and one day I just keyed in Desideria and googled that, which led to the full glory of the original Italian name, DESIDERIA L'ANELLO DEL DRAGO, which in turn led to a download in bothersome parts off VuClip, but this was in the original Italian, and therefore it would just spoil my savoring of the long-desired DESIDERIA, so I just kept it. I then took my info to Takealot, South Africa and had them source it for me. And it was available on DVD, but alas! In German! Not even the original Italian, but German! Donner und Blitzen! And very expensive! But what could I do? I had to have it. And now I do, but I keep postponing to actually watch it, as my German is not quite up to scratch.
It's been described as a show that's really meant for kids, but being of a different culture, there is some stuff in it that is really not meant for children, so it is best considered a fairy tale for adults. Just be warned that the dragon in this story is the goofiest, shoddiest, (hold your ears now Pooksies) p*ss- poorest excuse for cinematographic achievement you could ever hope to cast your eyes on, but do not let this spoil your fun. This is something I hold dear in my heart to this day, and I just can't settle for DER RING DES DRACHEN, that will ruin the magic.
A proper release in the world's most glorious language is called for. Italy has made some really beautiful stuff, but we need to see it in English, si, comprendo? And we'll toss some dollars at you! Avanti!
Addendum, 23 January 2015. Time marched on, and I finally gave in and settled for watching the German dub. It would be really difficult for Americans, but my first language is Afrikaans, sort of South African Dutch, and that helps a whole lot. The story is great, the filming is beautiful, Anna Falchi is Heaven on Earth, she is, like, Impossibly Beautiful, and is One Of The Prettiest Girls On Film EVER! and the dragon isn't nearly as bad as I remembered. Something to really watch if you're in the mood for a fairy-tale with non-Hollywood filming techniques. Quite unusual, to say the least. Three hours long and for me, a joy to watch!
