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:

DEM 22,000,000 (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

Selected by the Vatican in the "religion" category of its list of 45 "great films."

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Connections

Version of Francesco, giullare di Dio (1950)

User Reviews

Biopic about St Francis with special acting by Mickey Rourke

This is an Italian release version about S. Francis(1182-1226)life by Liliana Cavani . Set in 13th century and depicting the existence of St Francis , son of a wealthy merchant. Story begins after his death when his friends and disciples remember his life. It starts with starvation, famine,war, pest, caused for confronting between Italian cities: Perugia, Assis and Venice. Francesco is taken prisoner, he's freed by his parents(Paolo Bonacelli, Andrea Ferreol) and he becomes into prodigal son. He's judged and condemned, then he's naked himself and begins a miserable life caring poor, hapless and lepers. After his religious awakening he founds the Franciscan order of monks, approved by Pope Innocence III(1210). He's followed by St Clare(Helena Bonham Carter)as devote disciple and fine support, founding the Clarisan order of nuns(1212). Francesco establishes a rigid rules of life and his thoughts were included into 'Flowers of St. Francis' and 'Singing to brother Sun or the creatures' where he praises the mirth, poverty,and love for nature. He receives blessing from cardinals(Mario Adorf) and later from Pope Innocencio III(Zinschler).Finally, he got the stigmata or wounds of Jesuschrist suffered in the holy cross.

The motion picture is a good portrayal about known Saint played by Rourke in a definitive change of role. However the movie is slow-moving at times and some pedestrian, resulting to be a little boring and dull. The developing movie is made by means of several flashbacks creating confusion and tiring. Evocative and metaphysical musical score by always excellent Vangelis. Atmospheric though dark cinematography by the cameramen Ennio Guarneri and Giuseppe Lanci. The picture is professionally directed By Liliana Cavani who previously directed another one about this religious character played by Lou Castel.

Furthermore, the Hollywood version titled Francis of Assisi(60) directed by Michael Curtiz with Stuart Withman and Dolores Hart. And Italian adaptations such as, 'Flowers of St. Francis(1950)'directed by Roberto Rosselini with Aldo Fabrizi and 'Brother sun, Brother moon(1973)'by Franco Zeffirelli with William Faulkner and Judi Bowker.