The Flowers of St. Francis (1950) Reviews

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Flowers of St. Francis (Francesco, giullare di Dio) is an early example of the "commercial" side of Roberto Rossellini. The film traces the life of St. Francis, from his embracing of religion to his efforts to establish a harmonious middle ground between life and spirituality. Rosselini has given us a "chamber" film, deliberately avoiding the overblown vulgarity of Hollywood religious spectacles. The director's assistant and cowriter on this project was Federico Fellini. Unfortunately, Roberto Rossellini was under a cloud in the US thanks to L'affaire Bergman, so Flowers of St. Francis (made right after Stromboli) was not given an immediate American release in 1950. When it finally did get to our shores, at least two reels were cut; we recommend the somewhat more thorough British release version. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Director(s):: Roberto Rossellini

Format(s):: DVD
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Average Ratings

(4 member reviews)

Member Reviews

	Andrea P.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

"The Flowers of St. Francis" depicts with sweet, gentle humor just how kind, humble and, above all, human, were San Francesco di Assissi and his acolytes. Roberto Rossellini, with the assistance of Federico Fellini, filmed in an area of Umbria, Italy where little of the beautiful scenery seems changed from the Middle Ages. This, combined with the fact that Saint Francis and his followers are played by actual Franciscan monks, lends an air of versimilitude to the series of vignettes which make up this film. Rossellini does not seek to idealize the Franciscans, but strips them of some of their mythology and shows them with all their human frailties. (For example, I was shocked by the story of the pig's foot.) The qualities that set the Franciscans apart, as the director shows, are their incredible humility born of faith and keen desire to spread peace throughout the world. After enjoying this film, I felt spiritually refreshed (as long as I kept my mind off that pig's foot).

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	Patrick W.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Told in short stories, which makes it move faster. It feels dated but is still a pretty cool movie about an amazing man and some devoted disciples.

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	Joseph M.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Though not recognized at the time, this movie became Rossellini's masterpiece. Virtually condemned by U.S. and Italy for having Ingrid Bergman as his mistress (and often leading lady), Francis has become a classic. The primary character (other than Francis who does not have the leading role) is an actual humble Monk in real life. You must listen/see the interviews with those who knew Rossellini to fully appreciate this masterpiece.

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	VERONICA R.

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful

The movie is old and had to read subtitles which is fine but since the movie is old u can't really appreciate. It did show me a little bit more about who St. Francis of Assisi was.

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