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

4 wins & 6 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 | f rated | male rear nudity | male frontal nudity | one word title | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity

Details

Country:

Italy West Germany

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 March 1989 (Italy)

Also Known As:

St. Francis of Assisi

Filming Locations:

Italy

Box Office

Budget:

DEM22,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Karol Film, Royal Film, Rai 1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mickey Rourke reputedly donated his entire salary of $1.5m to the Provisional IRA.

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Connections

Version of Francesco (2002)

User Reviews

I thought this movie was very moving

I thought Mickey Rourke did a wonderful job portraying Francesco. I did not realize the historical surrounding of what was going on in Francesoco's time. It is so important to understand the context of what makes a person into what they are. His experiences and what he witnessed in the prison and the lavish lifestyle that he and his friends were a part of and his experience in reading the "word" in his own language affected him deeply.

I also want to mention the portrayal of Chiara "St. Clare". What a truly beautiful and generous person.

I believe that the way the movie portrayed his journey in faith gave a lot of insight to a truly great man. It has helped me in my own faith as a Christian and as a person in general. The movie really moved me.