François et le chemin du soleil

Original title: Fratello sole, sorella luna

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

5.1K

YOUR RATING

Judi Bowker and Graham Faulkner in François et le chemin du soleil (1972)

Dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare.

Play trailer3:44

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Period Drama Biography Drama History War

Dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare.Dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare.Dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

5.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 2 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 3:44

Trailer

Photos87

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
According to Franco Zeffirelli's autobiography, The Beatles were asked to appear in this movie in the main roles, but were unable due to scheduling conflicts. Zeffirelli also screentested Al Pacino for the role of Francesco, but rejected him due to his theatrical overacting style.

Goofs
The film has the bishop of Assisi sending men to burn down Francis" chapel out of resentment that everyone is going to Francis. The historical bishop, Guido of Assisi, was a friend and advocate of Francis and his community from the beginning.

Quotes
Clare: Do you remember me? I'm Clare... People say you are mad, do you know that? When you went off to war they said you were fine, intelligent - and now you are mad, because... because you sing like the birds, you chase after butterflies and... you look at flowers. I think you were mad before, not now.

Alternate versions
The Italian version runs 14 minutes longer, has a different score (no Donovan) and is totally recut, almost to the extent of being a different film. The film is not a flashback, it begins as the boys travel to an attic where they've acquired suits of Armour, then into the credits, then an extended ride through the fields with totally different dialogue. Different scenes, shots and dialogue throughout.

Connections
Featured in Tabloid (2010)

Soundtracks
Preghiera semplice
(Riz Ortolani-Benjamin)
Sung by Claudio Baglioni

User reviews72

Featured review

10/10

My favorite movie of all time!

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."