It seemed like a good idea in 1973: a musical scored by Donovan about the life and times of St. Francis of Assisi, the passionate ascetic who expressed love for God by loving nature. But the finished product was something else. Filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli (Endless Love) makes a decorous effort at communicating the ideals of Francis and even tweaking the character toward flower-power relevance. But the result is feel-good fluff, a boring movie that doesn't penetrate its subject as much as reinvent him toward a modern bias. Graham Faulkner is entirely forgettable in the lead, and Donovan's songs on this project aren't exactly first-rate, either. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Snore Bore Torture:
I had to watch this movie in three different intervals because the movie was so boring. It was anticipating that this movie would answer some of my questions as to how Saints interact with God and why Saints feel they need to suffer to embrace the love of God. Since the movie was such a letdown, I drove over to my Library and checked out the Relectant Saint The Life of Francis if Assisi. The book is far more informative and paints a more realistic picture of St Francis. It's strange how Hollywood can make... more info
Brother Sun, Sister Moon:
Brother Sun, Sister Moon main objective is to show viewers how human beings have the capacity to give up everything for their purpose in life. This production represents beauty and the bases for meaning. Franco Zeffirelli is equivalent to Michael Angelo when it comes to producing movies; movies that leave you with the desire for beauty.
A different approach:
I finally got my own copy of this great film! I first saw it about 25 years ago and loved it then, and I still do. A war changes a young man's perception of life and makes him give up all earthly riches to instead enjoy the natural beauties of life. And there are plenty of those in this film! Wonderful nature scenes, lovely music, combined with the simplicity and wisdom of a man who lives what he believes instead of just talking about it. It never fails to lift me and to remind me of what really counts in... more info
Brings alive the life of a saint, even for non-believers:
I first saw this in high school and was utterly blown away at the beauty of the story. It was with great pleasure that I viewed it again, indeed it was extremely moving and inspiring. The historical context is well covered - Francis returning from a Crusade to an incomprehending Bourgeois family - but the inner journey of what Francis wished to do is the principal theme. It is realized with incredible beauty, a kind of re-telling of the story with Francis as a 60s flower child. I found it completely... more info
Similar Products:
Francis of Assisi from 20th Century Fox (DVD) - Usually ships in 24 hours
