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

The one who was called "Jester of the Lord" was Brother Juniper, Francis's disciple, not Francis himself as the Italian title erroneously indicates.

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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

Version of Francis of Assisi (1961)

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Soundtracks

Te deum laudamus

User Reviews

Classic Italian

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.

Rossellini had a strong interest in Christian values in the contemporary world. Though he was not a practicing Catholic, Rossellini loved the Church's ethical teaching, and was enchanted by religious sentiment —- things which he felt were neglected in the materialistic world. I can appreciate this. While I am also not a practicing Catholic, I was raised in the tradition and love the rich history of the Church. Though the tenets are not for me, the values are universal and it is interesting to see how they have been carried out, in this case by creating an entire Order of priests.

The look of this film is beautiful, the black and white as stark and striking as the best Scandinavian films. In the era of the neo-realist Italian film, this really has the perfected look, and can be enjoyed both for its great storytelling and just its glorious imagery.