Les onze fioretti de François d'Assise

"The Flowers of St. Francis" is a very unusual film. Instead of telling the life of St. Francis of Assisi in any traditional sense, the film is made up of several parables about him and his followers--stories that are most likely fictional. They are all meant to illustrate various lessons--such as humility, service and kindness. This makes the plot very episodic and somewhat disjoint. The film is also unusual, at least when seen today, because almost all the people in the film are non-actors. However, at the time, the Italian Neo-Realist movement (led by the likes of Rossellini and De Sica) stressed the extensive use of non-actors in natural settings--mostly because the country was bankrupt following WWII and had little other choice! But, what sets this apart is that the monks in the film are actually real monks! That is pretty amazing.

My enjoyment of this film was impaired, somewhat, by my having seen a recent documentary, "My Voyage to Italy". In it, Martin Scorsese discusses many of his favorite films. However, instead of just explaining what he likes in them or how they influenced him as a director, Scorsese goes on to explain the plots as well as the endings of many of these films! So, because he provided so many spoilers for "The Flowers of St. Francis", I didn't get nearly as much out of the film as I might have.

So is it worth your seeing it? Of course. The biggest reason is that these non-actors gave some amazing performances and the film is very artistic. It also is far less heavy-handed than most religious films. While I still would have preferred seeing the life story of St. Francis, I still did appreciate the work that went into making this lovely film. Additionally, its message of spirituality over religiosity is timeless and inspiring.

Most religious films are somber affairs, made by religious men. So Francesco, giullare di Dio is an odd religious movie. It lacks any readings from scripture, or even any quotation. It's made by Rossellini, and the title means "Francis, Jester Of God." It's a long long way from here to Diary Of A Country Priest.

We've had St. Francis movies, of course. Most (in)famous is Zeffirelli's Brother Sun, Sister Moon: St. Francis as hippie. But this was the best. It was shot more or less on location, in the Italian countryside. It stars non-professionals (of course; Rossellini was a neo-realist). Fortunately, it stars a bunch of monks as...a bunch of monks following St. Francis.

In a brisk 75 minutes, Rossellini sketches a bunch of events: St. Francis meeting a leper, a cook learning why actions win souls, not words, etc. There's little music, and, oddly, not really much time spent with St. Francis himself. He's a side character; the thing of real interest is the daily lives and lessons of the monks.

At the end, Francis sends the monks off on their own to preach. They spin in circles, fall down, and wherever their head points, that's where they go. Religion is a journey, not an urgent reason to convert others. This supremely generous and uninsistent film is surely one of the best religious films ever made, full of nature and joy.

Unfortunately, this is not an easy film to see. It is not available on video, and it is rarely if ever shown in commercial theaters, not even art houses. I was fortunate enough to see it at a local museum's Italian film series.

This film is exquisitely photographed and beautifully acted, mostly by non-professionals. It's depiction of Francis and his followers make the practice of Christianity seem almost zenlike; that is spirituality consists in being totally involved in whatever one is doing at the moment, in doing, not talking. This is such a relief from much of the pap that passes as religious film these days. See it if you can.

The film consists of several short vignettes depicting various encounters and occurrences involving the 13th century monk Francis of Assisi, as well as his small group of followers who would go on to become the Franciscan Order. Dedicated to lives of poverty and piety, they struggle to survive while searching for the good in all things. As well as focusing on Francis (Nazario Gerardi), much time is spent on Brother Juniper/Ginapro (Severino Pisacane), known as the "Jester of God", a good-hearted but simple-minded follower of Francis.

Rossellini's Neo-Realist sensibilities continue with his casting of real Franciscan monks to play Francis and his followers. In fact, the only professional actor involved was Fabrizi, playing a vicious warlord. The script, co-written by Rossellini and Federico Fellini with some later input by a pair of Catholic priests, contains a lot of humor. The movie is both pious and light-hearted, and it rarely if ever feels like it is preaching. It's also not a traditional biopic of St. Francis, as one might expect, but rather it seeks to illuminate the man through his works and interactions with others. The film also evokes its time period well, with none of the Hollywood glamorization one usually finds with historical pieces.

This is an enjoyable adaptation about Saint Francis (1182-1226) by Roberto Rosselini. Set in 13th century and depicting various episodes about his existence , these are the followings : 1) How Fray Junipero appears naked after give out his soutane to a poor 2 )How the old John abandons his family , follows and imitates St. Francis 3)Concerning the marvelous encounter between St Clare and St Francis 4)How Fray Junipero cut a pig's foot and gave it a sick person 5)How St Francis found a leper into the night 6) How Fray Junipero was condemned to death but his humility vanquished tyrant Nicolas (Aldo Fabrizi) 7) How St Francis and Father Lion experimented the perfect mirth 8) How St Francis came out from St. Mary of Angels to evangelize for around the world .

The motion picture is an agreeable portrayal on known Saint well played by Pino Locci and secondary intervention by Aldo Fabrizi as an armored villain in the best chapter . The roles of St. Francis and his disciples were played by monks from the Nocere Inferiore monastery . Rather than shooting on stage, they shot on locations and quite often used non professional actors. Most of the performers in the film, with exception of Aldo Fabrizi, are real Franciscian monks . "The Flowers of St. Francis" was edited for its 1952 US release, with Rossellini's chapter-like inter titles and a couple of scenes removed from the original Italian version . Evocative black and white cinematography by Otello Martelli and atmospheric musical score by Renzo Rosselini. Interesting screenplay by Rosselini , Brunello Rondi and participated the prestigious Federico Fellini . The picture is original and imaginatively directed by Roberto Rosselini who was one of a group of pioneering film makers of the neo-realist era . An excellent film-making for sympathy , simple way and brief touches of humor.

The film retrieves partially deeds about his life . The real events are the followings : Francis was son of a wealthy merchant , but he leaves his lush existence and he dedicates to help unfortunates , hapless and poor people . He suffers starvation , famine, and is taken prisoner during war among Italian cities , Perugia , Venice and Assis . Francis founds the Franciscan Order of monks , approved by Pope Innocence III (1210) and receiving his blessing . He's followed by St Clare as devote disciple , founding the Clarisan order of nuns (1212) . Francesco imposes a rigid rules of life and his thoughts were included in ¨Singing to brother sun or the Creatures¨ where he praises the poverty , joy and nature love and ¨The flowers of St. Francis¨ .

Other versions about the most famous Saint are : Hollywood version titled ¨Francis of Assisi¨ (60) by Michael Curtiz with Stuart Withman and Dolores Hart ; two rendition by Liliana Cavani , starred by Lou Castel and ¨Francesco¨ (1989) with Mickey Rourke and Helena Bonham Carter . And Franco Zeffireli version (1973) titled ¨Brother sun, Brither moon¨ with Alec Guinness, Judi Bowker and William Faulkner.