Fratello sole, sorella luna

Plot synopsis:
Francesco, the spoiled son of Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy textile merchant, returns from fighting in the war between Assisi and Perugia a changed man. Struck by a feverish illness that has forced him to leave the war, Francesco lies on his bed tormented by visions of his past when he was a boisterous, arrogant youth. During a long recovery process, he slowly finds God in poverty, chastity and obedience, experiencing a physical and spiritual renewal.
Healthy again, Francesco returns to his normal life as a rich young man. However, to the consternation of his parents, he begins to spend most of his time surrounded by nature, flowers, trees, animals and poetry as he becomes more and more reluctant to resume his prior lifestyle. Pietro's obsession with gold now fills Francesco with revulsion, creating an open confrontation between Francesco and Pietro.
Francesco wanders into the basement where the family business is located. He feels the heat and humidity of the dye vats, passing through colorful lots of drying cloth, to see the workers with their families laboring in the heat without much rest. Rejecting his father's offer to take over the family business, he instead pulls the laborers out of the building to enjoy the daylight. Then he throws the costly textiles out of the window to the poor gathered below. When his father sees the loss, Francesco invites him to join in throwing the cloth out the window so he can know the joy of being free of worldly possessions.
Pietro, completely frustrated, beats Francesco, drags him to the bishop's palace and humiliates his son in front of Assisi's bishop and the rest of the population. Lovingly, Francesco renounces all worldly possessions and his middle-class family including the name "Bernardone", removes his brilliant clothing and leaves Assisi, naked and free from his past, to live in the beauties of nature as an ascetic to enjoy a simple life as a man of God.
Francesco comes upon the ruins of the chapel of San Damiano, where he hears God's voice asking him to "restore My Church." Believing the Voice means San Damiano, Francesco begins to beg for rocks to rebuild that church. Much to the dismay of his family, some of Francesco's friends join him. He gradually gains a following from the sons of the wealthy, who begin to minister among the poor and the suffering.
The bishop supports Francesco, since he is rebuilding a church without pay and performing the works of mercy Christ demands of His followers. Francesco's friend Bernardo happily joins him after returning from the Fourth Crusade, a venture that left him in sorrow and emptiness. Two other friends, Silvestro and Giocondo, admiring Francesco's new vocation, help to rebuild San Damiano.
During a rainy afternoon, Francesco and his friends separate to beg food from the families of Assisi. Francesco comes to his family's home. Seeking forgiveness, he begins to recite the Beatitudes, causing his mother much anguish while Pietro pretends not to hear, refusing to be reconciled with their son.
Clare, a beautiful young woman also from a wealthy family, serves and cares for lepers of the community. She joins the brothers in their life of poverty. Meanwhile in Assisi, the city's nobility and wealthy merchandising families protest against Francesco and his group, worried about them "corrupting" the whole of Assisi's youth, and they command Francesco's friend Paolo to hinder and stop the so-called "minor brothers."
One day the rebuilt chapel is set on fire, and one of Francesco's followers is killed. (This scene, introduced for dramatic effect, is unhistorical.) That people can hate so much causes Francesco much sorrow. He blames himself but cannot understand what he has done wrong. He then decides to walk to Rome and to seek out the answers from Pope Innocent III.
In Rome, Francesco is stunned by the enormous wealth and power shown in the clothing of the papal court surrounding the throne of St. Peter. When granted an audience with the Pope, Francesco breaks from reciting Paolo's carefully prepared script and calmly protests against pomp and worldliness, reciting some of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount praising humility to protest that Christ's teachings are totally opposite to Rome's obsession with wealth. The cardinals, bishops and abbots of the papal court are insulted at having the words of Jesus thrown in their faces. Francesco and his friends are expelled. Finally accepting his admiration toward Francesco, Paolo decides to join them. Francesco tries to protect Paolo, saying that he is not one of them, but his friend insists on joining the friars, convincing Francesco of the sincerity of his conversion, and they are put out with the others.
On his throne Pope Innocent, seemingly waking from a dream, orders Francesco and his friends to be brought back. The Pope addresses Francesco: "In our obsession with original sin we have forgotten original innocence." In language from one of the Psalms, Innocent prays that Francesco's order "flourish like the palm."
Then to everyone's astonishment, Pope Innocent kneels, kisses Francesco's feet and blesses him and his companions, wishing for them a long world-wide society of men and women willing to serve God in humility. One of the final lines places the sincerity of the Pope's response in question when an unnamed cardinal, observing what the Pope has done, comments to a bishop: "Don't be alarmed, His Holiness knows what he is doing. This is the man who will speak to the poor, and bring them back to us." This line actually has some historical value since the heretical Cathars, otherwise known as Albigensians, dressed as humbly as Francesco and his followers, were finding followers in Southern France and other parts of Europe by denouncing the wealth of the Catholic Church, while rejecting many Catholic dogmas and doctrines, especially the need for an ordained priesthood.
The film finishes with the sight of Francesco slowly walking alone into the distance in the countryside as Donovan sings "Brother Sun and Sister Moon."

Tags: insanity, avant garde, murder, flashback

Review:
Is there something magical about it?I think that what makes me, personally, fond of it are four most basic factors: the director himself, Franco Zeffirelli, whom I have always admired for his "artistic soul", the story, far from the true, but still moving and retaining the gist of Francesco's life - love to God and His creatures, the music by Ken Thorne and sung by Donovan (especially the title song), and scenery in which the movie was shot.Franco Zeffirelli chose excellent cast.
Graham Faulkner was very much like Saint Francis: these profound eyes, smile full of love.
The mosaic of Monreale Pantocrator looking deeply into everyone's eyes, pope's dream and second calling of Francesco and finally his blessing to the amazement of others - the film is worth watching for thanks to this scene alone.
Film's Assisi is a lovely Italian town of San Gimignano, the hills of Umbria are replaced by Piano Grande, a parish church of Assisi by an old medieval abbey of Sant' Antimo, and finally a Roman basilica - the cathedral of Monreale - a real masterpiece of Norman - Byzantine art in Sicily (10 kilometers from Palermo).
And this movie does it mostly by the power of flower and song.I will end this review with a prayer of Saint Francis.
The filmography by Zefirelli is stunningly beautiful -- one of his best -- a masterpiece worthy of a Florentine artist (Zefirelli's home city).Being an admirer of Francis of Assisi, I've seen several films which attempt to portray his life.
It has made a lasting impact on my own faith and spirituality since I first saw it in Italy in the early eighties.The Italian version of 'Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna' is edited differently and has the beginning scenes in an order slightly different from the English version.Note: It's helpful to know something about the life of Saint Francis before viewing the film.
BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON Aspect ratio: 1.75:1Sound format: MonoThe early life of St. Francis of Assisi (Graham Faulkner), the son of a wealthy merchant who underwent a spiritual conversion following his experiences in the crusades and later renounced his worldly goods before establishing a holy order separate from traditional Church teachings.Conceived and executed in much the same visual manner as his ultra-popular ROMEO AND JULIET (1968), Franco Zeffirelli's BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON attempts to draw parallels between the work and philosophy of St. Francis and the ideology which underpinned the worldwide hippy movement throughout the 1960's and early 70's.
Hence the ragged-but-lyrical cinematography (by Ennio Guarnieri), fractured editing (by Reginald Mills), and the use of contemporary - but strangely timeless - folk songs written and performed by Donovan, all of which conjures the requisite mood of spiritual awakening whilst simultaneously dating the movie quite firmly within its period.
Daringly, Zeffirelli's script (co-written by Suso Cecchi d'Amico and Lina Wertmuller) contrasts Francis' piety and virtue with the bloated pomp of official Church doctrine, weighed down by internal politics and social indifference, though it's difficult to gauge if this represents a veiled attack on Christian orthodoxy or is simply a reflection of Francis' dismissal of outdated customs in favor of a return to Nature.Lovingly crafted by Lorenzo Mongiardino (art direction) and Danilo Donati (costumes), the movie is toplined by a cast of gifted newcomers and screen veterans, including Judi Bowker (one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation), Leigh Lawson, Kenneth Cranham, Valentina Cortese and Alec Guinness.
Here, Faulkner's intense beauty and fresh-faced innocence are illuminated by Guarnieri's worshipful camera and Zeffirelli's attentive direction, which places him center-stage throughout (there's even a generous, PG-level nude scene halfway through the movie).
But here, his grace and dignity are displayed in abundance, and it's hard not to fall in love with him, every time he appears on-screen.The alternative Italian version (FRATELLO SOLE SORELLA LUNA) runs approximately 14 minutes longer and replaces Donovan's music with a fully orchestral score by Riz Ortolani.
Upon seeing this movie in my young 20s, I fell in love (metaphorically speaking) with St. Francis of Assisi and the simple message of life that he practiced.
Though many of the absolute facts were stretched, like in most "historic" films, the movie was completely on the mark about his simplicity and his love of nature and mankind.
In addition, it gave a very plausible and probable glimpse of the love relationship he had with St. Clare, all in contrast with the idea of love and sexuality which we have in these times.Though the Italian version soundtrack was not by Donovan, the English language songs he sang gave the movie great focus and support.
Bowker is one of the most beautiful and sensitive young actresses of that period, so it is with wonder that she was not more utilized or popular.Yes, the film does have the allegorical connection with the hippie movement, but that does not diminish the story nor the impact.
This definitely hurts a few of the scenes, but overall people who like this movie should be very happy to have the DVD.In the scene just before the meeting with the pope, a former friend of Francis chases after him and tries to convince him not to go to Rome.
(I don't know whether it is original with this screenplay or was borrowed from tradition.)Some lay-order (Third Order) Franciscans told me that they object to the role of Francis being done in this movie by a gay actor.
My own understanding is that indeed there is no reason to think that the real Francis was gay; and that he was probably not so pretty or so much like a 1960s flower-child as presented in the movie.
But I do not agree with those above-mentioned objections: the movie does a very good job of dramatizing in a lyrical way the spirit and times of Francis..
The scene at the end with Pope Innocent III, Francis and his little band was as powerful as anything I've seen in film, religious or not.
This is an excellent film, thought provoking, and beautiful portrayal of the life of Francis of Assisi.
People sometimes criticise the film for the "flower power" scene with the music of Donovan in the background and it is perhaps a little over the top.
The music strikes a chord with the period in which it was made and anyway to focus simply on that one scene and avoid the rest of a finely crafted and beautiful take on the life of Francis and his challenge (still) to the materialism of the life of his time and our own - this makes for an excellent film.
Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most appealing figures in Christianity, is portrayed in this movie as a flower child romping his way through Umbria in the early 13th century to the groovy music of Donovan.
("It's so _plastic_, man!")  Bishop Guido is given particularly short shrift here; the real life bishop was very sympathetic to Francis, and gave him more support and understanding than the movie would have us think.Minor complaints, though.
Francis invented them.Donovan, the ultimate hippie, wrote the entire musical score and I must say it is the single worst score I have ever heard in a movie.
(Incidentally, I think the real St Francis would probably have said "you may set up your camera, but we'll just be ourselves")If I had a brilliant period script, I would gladly hire Zefferelli to film it.
I work as a film critic in Mexico and let me tell you that i have seen a lot of movies from a lot of countries and this one changed my life.
I have seen another movie about St. Francis and this one is better, maybe its missing some info about his life but thats why this one is great,little peaces of his life tell you all you need to know about him.
I don't know what they could have done to make this film any better.Graham Faulkner is perfectly cast, and Judi Bowker is the perfect Clare.It's hard to believe that I walked out on it the first time I saw it on a double bill with "Siddhartha", another of my all time favorites.
Donovan's songs in the American version of the film are reminiscent of the Flower Child/Hippie troubadours of the 1960's and the 1970's; with lyrics that are beautifully melded, in some instances, with actual words of the First Franciscan; so what better music would be so perfectly representative of the Peace and Love which St. Francis practiced?
This film was released in 1972, so it feels at times a product of the flower generation, but it is such a joyous film that I cannot stop watching it.My favorite religious "musical" used to be Godspell (great songs, funny humor), but maybe Brother Sun, Sister Moon is my favorite now, although it is not strictly a musical but rather a dramatic film with many incidental songs or chants.Anyways, you must check out this film!
Franco Zeffirelli is responsible for three of the greatest films ever made: 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Jesus of Nazareth' and 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon'.
I understood why when I saw it on DVD format.As we know Franco Zeffirelli, he did great with either Shakespeare flicks (Romeo and Juliet among others) or Jesus of Nazareth, nor he did not so with Endless Love.This time he succeeded with the rendering of Francis of Assisi's life.Back from the war, wounded emotionally, Francisco found peace by seeing a lark on the roof, and rejecting the luxuries of his father's business.
However, the higher clergy jealousy takes over him and his new order, Francis must ask for forgiveness to the leader of Christianity: Pope Innocent III.With songs by Donovan and strong interpretation, beautiful photography and well written script, this is one of the best Christian stories ever told.Now I understood why it was such a cult favourite..
It employs what I believe is some of the greatest use of colour, thus the movie is beautiful beyond words, with my favourite moment being the end, when Francis meets the pope.
Franco Zeffirelli's different approach driven to a lyrical life of St. Francis and St. Clare since the early days, it's more realistic and accurate in several ways giving us the most rough idea this remarkable and unique man and women,shown precisely your relationship with Clare deep and pure and how she becames a nun and one many your followers, by the way the picture range both in same time but more focused in St. Francis due your status, uplifting life of the most important being under christianity after Jesus, the most impressive scene was in the middle when one their followers saw a woman's breast and declare yourself unsustainable to take ahead in such feelings, so he leaves upon St. Francis's blessing!!!Resume:First watch: 1990 / How many: 5 / Source: TV-Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 10.
Donovan delivers a great soundtrack in this inspiring and beautiful movie about Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy.
hope our pope Francis one day watches that movie and feels inspired by it..
This was Zeffirelli's first film after his successful rendering of "Romeo and Juliet" on location in Verona in a very expressionistic and emotional interpretation, and the same poetry and beauty favorably dominates this very sensitive and personal view of the person of St. Francis and how he started, including all his conflicts, above all with his father.
Despite Brother Sun, Sister Moon has a stunning photography, epic music, and amazing actors, the true value of this movie is the ability to reset your soul and let you enter Francesco's heart.
The movie actually drives you into the exact mood of Francesco (and the Zeffirelli's Flower Power message): "return to the roots of purity and love" This is one of my favorites movies ever, everything is at it's best: the camera is like a paintbrush, the actors are more than real, the music can move you and let you cry.
If you want to know more about life, war, religion, the church, God, St. Francis, love, parents, children, devotion, humanitarian care, community living, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, etc.
FRANCIS (Francesco, giullare di Dio 1950), divided rightly by the before/after of Francis' pilgrimage towards Rome, at once with radically opposed visual punches, a perfect set for a double-feature, color Vs. black and white, lavish versus austere.The nearly non-Italian cast (excludes Valentina Cortese) is dubbed with Italian in the version I watched yesterday, it inevitably thwarted the fluency of the film, which, as a matter of fact, could be mostly paid no heed to as the performances are ludicrously overblown, particularly Graham Faulkner's Francis, Zeffirelli's personal preference triumphs in this film in every respect, the unrealistic beauty of St. Francis and his apostles is to meet the eyes only!
"Kitsch", he says, is "the epitome of all that is spurious in the life of our times." One cinematic example might be Brother Sun, Sister Moon, the 1972 film by director Franco Zeffirelli that depicts the early years of St. Francis of Assisi, a Christian saint of ecology and the environment.
After one of his followers is killed, however, he goes to Rome to find out what he is doing wrong and, after much hesitation, receives the blessing of Pope Innocent III who is played by Alec Guinness in the only scene in the film that has any real emotional depth.
Nonetheless, Brother Sun, Sister Moon is a beautiful looking film that might have still worked if the director had simply followed the teachings of his protagonist and shown less ostentation and earnestness, more naturalism and simplicity, and more appreciation than exploitation..
This is a film focused on the early years of Francis of Assisi, where he breaks up with the traditions of the catholic church and decides to take the life of Jesus seriously and where he is willing to offer everything to live according to the Gospels.
I felt like I was watching a movie that was filmed in Italian and overdubbed in English, although this is not the case.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon is an excellent movie with it's share of powerful scenes.
Amazing acting, wonderful directing, and the beautiful setting of Assisi (shot on location) the movie goes through the beginning ministry life of St. Francis of Assisi and his comrade St. Clare of Assisi..
In essence this is a religious movie and a good one at that, it can help strengthen anybodys faith, but besides that, it is a movie about beauty, passion for life and freedom, it shows a freedom that surpasses the boundaries of money and into the hope and lives of people in the real world, where love for each other and  faith is more precious than any jewel that you can shine.The story is an excellent translation of St. Francis` life.
The acting is great and the script is very faithful to the life story of St. Francis of Assisi.
In the same late '60s spirit most of the film leans toward unforgivably trite platitudes: witness the ludicrous scene between Francis and a tearful Pope Innocent III, played by Alec Guinness like he was anticipating his future role as Obi Wan Kenobi.
Good acting, some nice cinematography, all in all good considering it an old film but I must say it was way too spoonfeeding for my tastes and a lot of the life of St Francis was left out.
In the days when kids were chanting, "tune in, turn on, drop out" are the days when Franco Zeffirelli chose to make a film about St. Francis Of Assisi whom he turns into the world's first Christian flower child.
There is a more traditional film biography of Francis with Bradford Dillman in the title role.This one also has a score of songs that well fit the director's idea by British folk singer Donovan.
Innocent III was no dope.Brother Sun, Sister Moon is an interesting interpretation about the life of one venerated as a saint..
Here is how: the late intellectual, Charles Colson, some time ago released a list of "50 Films Every Christian Should See" of which Brother Sun, Sister Moon was part of.
And it keeps people enslaved to the existing economic-religious order, asking nor expecting nothing and certainly no threat to Catholic authority.Brother Sun, Sister Moon thus becomes little more than a propaganda piece for Christian theology and misses the most interesting aspects of St. Francis' life and message.
I watched the two movies one after the other with my Catholic mother-in-law, and she strongly preferred "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" to "Francis of Assisi." This film conveys real emotion and reminds us that those who feel called by God are different from most workaday folk.
Moving story covering the general life of St. Francis of Assisi.
The life Francis begins to lead, and the message he then lives out, is so radical to Assisi of the 11th century (not to mention to our own times) that he is thought of as "mad".
Some of the most remarkable scenes in the movie when his infectious message overcomes friend after friend, all of whom decide to join him in his simple way of life in love of God. It is indeed in Francis' transformation, and the transforming effect he has on others, that makes the film so moving.I think it has been pointed out that the movie is a somewhat fictionalized version of the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and the movie only covers the important years of interior conversion he experienced rather than his later life.
But as a movie reflecting the basic message and youthful life of St. Francis, it is quite moving.
The impressive medieval filming location, the ornate costumes, and the landscape scenery add to the Middle Ages feel of the time and help bring us closer to the authentic life of the Saint..
"Brother Sun, Sister Moon" was about Saint Francis and his way of life.