Francis of Assisi (1961)
In 13th century Italy, Francis Bernardone, the son of an Assisi merchant, renounces a promising army career in favor of a monastic life and starts his own religious order, sanctioned by the Pope.
- Michael Curtiz
- Ottavio Oppo
- James Forsyth
- Eugene Vale
- Jack W. Thomas
- Ludwig von Wohl
Rating: 7.6/10 by 31 users
Alternative Title:
Francisco de Assis - BR
Saint Francois d'assise - FR
Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 45 minutes
Budget: $2,000,000
Revenue: $1,800,000
Plot Keyword: monk, biography, singing, cross, saint, 13th century, saint francis of assisi
This might have been better had Michael Curtiz cast it better, as it is Bradford Dillman delivers us quite an undercooked offering as the eponymous character from 13th Century Italy. The film is colourful and the story gets an authentic Hollywood makeover, but somehow the sentiment of this man who sacrificed much of the trappings of his fairly well-to-do family life is lost amongst the showier elements of the production. The plot centres around the lively and rakish "Francis" who returns from his wartime experiences, ostensibly inspired by God to set up his own religious order. Together with the help of "Clare" (real-life nun Dolores Hart) and with the support of the Pope, they work hard to abide by their chosen vows of poverty and chastity. It is quite an easy watch, but somehow neither lead performance really resonate. This is a story that ought to be inspirational, it ought to evoke emotions and yet, somehow, it is just a rather sterile chronology that offers us a glimpse of their lives and troubles, safe in the knowledge that the actor's air-conditioned Winnebago was just out of shot. The dialogue offers us little by way of interest, either - indeed, dare I say this of anything from this master of the swash and buckle - but this is actually quite dull!
