Francesco (1989)

Docudrama about the life of St-Francis of Assisi

Director:

Liliana Cavani

Writers:

Liliana Cavani (story), Liliana Cavani (screenplay),

Stars:

Mickey Rourke, Helena Bonham Carter, Andréa Ferréol

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mickey Rourke	...	Francesco
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Chiara
Andréa Ferréol	...	Francesco's Mother (as Andrea Ferreol)
Nikolaus Dutsch	...	Cardinal Colonna
Peter Berling	...	Bishop Guido
Hanns Zischler	...	Pope Innocent III
Mario Adorf	...	Cardinal Ugolino
Paolo Bonacelli	...	Francesco's Father
Fabio Bussotti	...	Leone
Riccardo De Torrebruna	...	Pietro Cattani
Matteo Corsini	...	Angelo (as Alekander Dubin)
Edward Farrelly	...	Egidio
Paolo Proietti	...	Pacifico
Paco Reconti	...	Rufino
Diego Ribon	...	Bernardo di Quintavalle

Storyline

The life of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) as related by followers who gather after his death to tell stories so that Leone can record them: a privileged and virile youth, a prisoner of war, an heir who turns away from his father and gives all to the poor, a beggar for others, and an inspiration to friends who accept the Gospels' life of poverty. He seeks the Pope's blessing, and he endures persecution at the hands of the family of Chiara Offreduccio (1194-1253), who becomes St. Clare. Many join the order he has established and then rebel at his expectations. In near despair - and ill - he writes a Rule to take to the Pope; then, the Lord sends him a message. He dies smiling.

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Plot Keywords:

assisi | saint | religion | monk | male nudity | 

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Taglines:

A Man For All People . . . An Adventure For All Time.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity

Details

Country:

Italy West Germany

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

22 March 1989 (Italy)

Also Known As:

St. Francis of Assisi

Filming Locations:

Campo Imperatore, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

DEM 22,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Karol Film, Rai Uno Radiotelevisione, Istituto Luce

Technical Specs

Runtime:

157 min 104 min (cut) 135 min (international) 104 min (short)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)

User Reviews

Oh, Mickey, You're So Fine

I had no problem with Rourke as St. Francis, he does some of his best work here. This is not your typical religious epic, with special effects and doe eyed saints, this is brutal realism with great supporting performances thrown in. I gave this an 8, since this became a little disjointed toward the end.