François et le chemin du soleil

BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON

Aspect ratio: 1.75:1

Sound format: Mono

The 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. Cynics will hate it, while others will embrace Zeffirelli's defiant romanticism. 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to gauge if this represents a veiled attack on Christian orthodoxy or is simply a reflection of Francis' dismissal of outdated customs in favor of a return to Nature.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. But the film derives much of its strength from Faulkner as the young, battle-scarred nobleman laid low by his wartime experiences, who emerges from the horrors of conflict with a completely new and spiritual outlook on life. Faulkner was one of a handful of young actors (including FELLINI-SATYRICON's Hiram Keller and LISA AND THE DEVIL's Alessio Orano) who emerged from European cinema in the 1970's, handsome and talented in equal measure, to burn brightly and briefly before disappearing into relative obscurity. 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). This was Faulkner's cinematic debut, and while Zeffirelli couldn't have made a better choice for such a crucial role, the director later described him as slightly aloof from his fellow actors, which may explain his subsequent retreat from showbusiness. 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. In related events, editor Mills produced a 16mm documentary entitled FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI: A FLORENTINE ARTIST (1973), compiled from footage shot during the making of the movie, featuring a lengthy interview with the director himself.

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. This is the only one, in my opinion, which successfully captures the incredible SPIRIT of the man. It's a movie to experience with the heart rather than the head. 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. Since it centers on his spiritual rebirth in Christ, it's rather sparse in other historical details of his life. Zefirelli assumes that the viewer already knows these -- as most Italians would. For example, when Francis first stands in silence and awe before the crucifix in the ruined church of San Damiano, Zefirelli assumes you know that this is the moment of Francis' conversion, that this is when Francis first heard Christ say, "Rebuild my church."

This comment discusses the English version

BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON was the first film I had seen in my life. I was 10 at the time when it was on Polish TV (before 1989 such films were censored by communists). The feelings I had are hard to express with words. I loved everything about it, music, story, cast, scenery, everything.

Now, in 2004, when I see it again, I must admit that most of its splendor is gone. Where is this admiration? ... However, in spite of some faded emotions, it is still a film which I consider pleasure seeing again. 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. WONDERFUL. Alec Guiness was also excellent. His role of pope Innocent is really unforgettable. Others, including Lee Montague (Pietro Bernardone), Leigh Lawson (Bernardo) and Valentina Cortese (Pica) also give memorable performances. Whenever I watch other films about Francesco, I can't get used to other faces than theirs from this film.

The story is very different. I don't know why Zeffirelli changed it so much. In fact, Francesco did not leave his family like that. What is more, he was a great "Lover" of the Holy Cross, which I can't find in this film. However, one forgets about all these mistakes when the scene with the pope comes on screen. A Polish movie critic said that it is the most moving scene in the history of cinema. This viewpoint is, definitely, overdone, but there is some truth in it. 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. You will not regret.

The last factor, scenery, is also worth considering. 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). The locations in which this film was shot are, indeed, one of the best ever.

Finally, if the above advantages did not fully talk for this movie, there is one more - its message. The message of love, forgiveness and respect for nature is extremely important nowadays. Films which promote it, and one of them is, undoubtedly, BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON, are a real treasure of cinema. And this movie does it mostly by the power of flower and song.

I will end this review with a prayer of Saint Francis. Think about it. If we all copy these words to our lives, the world will be much better to live in:

"Lord make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow LOVE

Where there is injury, let me sow PARDON,

Where there is doubt, let me sow FAITH,

This is in GIVING that WE RECEIVE

This is in PARDONING that we are PARDONED

This is in DYING that we are BORN

THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE!!!

its lively poetry. like a refuge. like a veil. this is the gift to me each time when I saw it. and the motif to discover it as the best film about Francisc of Assisi. sure, it is a religious film. and more. sure, it has the mark of its director art. but not only. it is a declaration of faith and the inspired translation of a profound and delicate story about a symbol of Western Church. and this does it real different by the other versions. because it is the film who not gives a story but reveals its aura and air and flavor and force and specificity. its poetry is the basic motif to see it. for a sort of special beauty. for the art of a refined manner to see the pure faith.

I finally ordered the video after renting it a dozen times! This film captures the essence of what I have read about St. Francis of Assisi. Faulkner, Bowker, and of course Alec Guinnes shine in their roles. I recognized the actress who played Francis' mother as the same actress who played Herodias in Jesus of Nazareth. Yes, it is a movie of the "flower children", but it is sincere and faultless. After so many viewings I even got used to Donovan! Zeffirelli did a wonderful job of directing, bringing out beautiful pieces of acting from all. 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. IMDB lists this film as Graham Faulkner's one and only! What happened to him I wonder?