7.5/10
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Francesco, giullare di Dio (1950)

Not Rated | | Biography , Drama , History | 6 October 1952 (USA)
Francesco, giullare di Dio Poster
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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Roberto Rossellini (story), Federico Fellini (screenplay collaborator) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Aldo Fabrizi, Gianfranco Bellini, Peparuolo | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

On Disc

at Amazon

1 nomination. See more awards »

Photos

See all 7 photos »
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Cast

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

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. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

saint francis of assisi | franciscan | franciscan monk | facepalm | roman catholicism | See All (28) »

Taglines:

A Movie for Today...And All Time

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

6 October 1952 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Francisco, juglar de Dios See more »

Filming Locations:

Sovana, Sorano, Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineriz,Rizzoli Film See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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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. See more »

Quotes

San Francesco: It's better to preach by example than by words.
See more »

Connections

Version of Francesco (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

Te deum laudamus
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Neglected Masterpiece
27 October 2001 | by wjfickling – See all my reviews

Unfortunately, this is not an easy film to see. It is not available on video, and it is rarely if ever shown in commercial theaters, not even art houses. I was fortunate enough to see it at a local museum's Italian film series.

This film is exquisitely photographed and beautifully acted, mostly by non-professionals. It's depiction of Francis and his followers make the practice of Christianity seem almost zenlike; that is spirituality consists in being totally involved in whatever one is doing at the moment, in doing, not talking. This is such a relief from much of the pap that passes as religious film these days. See it if you can.
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