Francesco, giullare di Dio

"A Movie for Today... And All Time"

Oct 6 1952 Not Rated 1h 25m
Biography, Drama, History

In a series of simple and joyous vignettes, director Roberto Rossellini and co-writer Federico Fellini lovingly convey the universal teachings of the People’s Saint: humility, compassion, faith, and sacrifice. Gorgeously photographed to evoke the medieval paintings of Saint Francis’s time, and cast with monks from the Nocera Inferiore Monastery, The Flowers of St. Francis is a timeless and moving portrait of the search for spiritual enlightenment.

Plot

The film dramatizes about a dozen vignettes from the life of St. Francis and his early followers, starting with their return in the rain to Rivotorlo from Rome when the Pope blessed their Rule, and ending with their dispersal to preach. The unconnected chapters are like parables, some with a moral. The slight, comic Ginepro returns naked to St. Mary's of the Angels, having given away his tunic but not his ricotta. The aged Giovanni shouts and holds onto his cape; the beatific St. Clair pays a visit. Humble Francis doubts his leadership, hugs a leper, and sends his brothers spinning, dizzy, and smiling into the world. This brotherhood is infused with whimsy as well as belief.

Written by

Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, Félix Morlión

Directed by

Roberto Rossellini

Cast

Aldo Fabrizi, Gianfranco Bellini, Peparuolo

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Italy

Production Companies

Cineriz, Rizzoli Film

Languages

Italiano, Latin

Awards

2 nominations

Trailers
The Flowers of St. Francis (Roberto Rossellini, 1950)
Scores
# of Votes
4,199
Average Rating
7.3 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA