The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)

A series of vignettes depicting the lives of the original Franciscan monks, including their leader and the bumbling Ginepro.

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Roberto Rossellini (story), Federico Fellini (screenplay collaborator)

Stars:

Aldo Fabrizi, Gianfranco Bellini, Peparuolo

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Aldo Fabrizi	...	Nicolaio, il tiranno di Viterbo
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gianfranco Bellini	...	Narrator (voice)
Peparuolo	...	Giovanni il Sempliciotto
Severino Pisacane	...	Fra' Ginapro (as Fra' Severino Pisacane)
Roberto Sorrentino

Storyline

The film dramatizes about a dozen vignettes from the life of St. Francis and his early followers - starting with their return in the rain to Rivotorlo from Rome when the Pope blessed their Rule and ending with their dispersal to preach. The unconnected chapters are like parables, some with a moral. The slight and comic Ginepro returns naked to St. Mary's of the Angels, having given away his tunic, but not his ricotta. The aged Giovanni shouts and holds onto his cape; the beatific St. Clair pays a visit. Humble Francis doubts his leadership, hugs a leper, and sends his brothers spinning, dizzy, and smiling into the world. This brotherhood is infused with whimsy as well as belief.

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Plot Keywords:

saint francis of assisi | franciscan | franciscan monk | facepalm | roman catholicism | 

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Taglines:

A Movie for Today...And All Time

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

6 October 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Francisco, juglar de Dios

Filming Locations:

Sovana, Sorano, Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineriz, Rizzoli Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roberto Rossellini was one of a group of pioneering film makers of the neo-realist era. Rather than shooting on stage, they shot on locations and quite often used non professional actors. Most of the performers in the film, with exception of Aldo Fabrizi, are real Franciscian monks.

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Quotes

San Francesco: O Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is discord, let me bring harmony. Where there is pain, let me bring joy, and where there is despair, hope. O Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be loved as to love, and my all on earth learn the secret of your peace, which is the fruit of justice and brotherly love.

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Alternate Versions

The US version released in 1952 removes the Italian chapter titles. It also adds a prologue cut from the initial Italian release.

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Connections

Featured in Cinema forever - Capolavori salvati (2001)

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Soundtracks

Te deum laudamus

User Reviews

Take a quiet, meditative walk with St. Francis

The film is a series of vignettes depicting the monks in various encounters with each other and locals in the surrounding countryside. Each scene has a point, but the "lessons" are imparted with grace, subtlety and tranquil ease. Watching this film is a very calming, quiet experience. Other than the dialogue of the brothers (in Italian), what one hears most of the time in the soundtrack is the sound of chirping birds and falling water. Not a film that everyone will enjoy but if the idea of following humble, simple monks around the medieval countryside appeals to you at all, I recommend this DVD highly. Considering that this movie was released just five years after the end of WWII, perhaps it was an attempt to remind Italians and Europeans in general of this long-departed but timeless advocate of peace and non-violence.