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 & 9 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Liliana Cavani's second pass at the story of Francis of Assisi, having made a film about him in 1966.

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Connections

Version of The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)

User Reviews

Surprised at Rourke's performance

I was surprised to see that Mickey Rourke did this movie. He does a lot of B movies. His performance was done very well. He can be a good actor when he applies himself. He just does not know how to pick good roles. The story was interesting. It tells the life of St. Francis of Assissi. It was very inspiritual. It is interesting to see how this sect of monks came to be. 7/10

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 Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1