Purely Joyful Movie!

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

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.

In the days when kids were chanting, "tune in, turn on, drop out" are the days when Franco Zeffirelli chose to make a film about St. Francis Of Assisi whom he turns into the world's first Christian flower child. Apparently he knew his market well. There is a more traditional film biography of Francis with Bradford Dillman in the title role.This one also has a score of songs that well fit the director's idea by British folk singer Donovan. Graham Faulkner plays Francis who abandons his fairly prosperous family to become what we would later call a hippie. All Faulkner needed was some cannabis and he would have fit into any commune of the time. I have to say that Faulkner's wide eyed innocence is infectious as is that of Judi Bowker playing Francis's first woman follower St. Clare who founded an order for women along the same lines as what Francis was trying to achieve.The final confrontation scene with the beggarly Francis and his disciples and the majesty of the Roman Catholic Church in Pope Innocent III works on so many levels. Alec Guinness who was a most serious Catholic in his lifetime plays Innnocent. He probably couldn't resist playing a Pope.Guinness is captivated by Faulkner's faith. At the same as is remarked by an observer he well knows that a message of be content and enjoy the simple things of life is a great one for quieting down class disturbance. Innocent III was no dope.Brother Sun, Sister Moon is an interesting interpretation about the life of one venerated as a saint.

About five years ago before the writing of this review (2011) I had the unexpected delight of being exposed to this masterpiece of a film, which has since then not only become my personal favorite film for all time, but also has changed my life forever.How did this happen to me; a man between the Generation X and Millennial age group? After all, this film was created before I was born! Here is how: the late intellectual, Charles Colson, some time ago released a list of "50 Films Every Christian Should See" of which Brother Sun, Sister Moon was part of. Naturally, I wanted to view these films that came highly recommended by a great Christian intellectual.But, why is this such a great film? There is no doubt upon the first viewing of this film that there is something especially unique about it. No doubt it is a highly spiritual film that reaches the basic sentiments of the human soul. No doubt it seeks to portray a true saint of historical Christianity in a realistic as well as believable way. No doubt it has many political as well as spiritual connotations that link well with the transitional era of time in which it was filmed. No doubt it has many emotional moments that help us to really reconsider what is important in life in such an age of overwhelming materialism. No doubt there is a steady buildup followed by a strong release of the plot as well as character development featured therein. All of these things truly make for a powerful film if one is really willing to see it for what it is: the culmination of a wrest-less generation dealing with the issues of its day by recreating an ancient story to tell it through.I would suggest that the powerful element of this film is the ability to tell an ancient biography while blending with it important issues of the day in which it was filmed. If we can really watch and listen to this film closely, we can understand timeless sentiments common to all of humanity: War verses Peace, Greed verses Poverty, Power verses Powerlessness, Peace-fullness versus Busyness and Lust verses Chastity. After watching this film I am inspired to think that there are such men who exist that are not molded by the world, but by the principles of God as set forth in scriptures!

... With Director Frano Zeferelli (sp.?) with music-by-Donovan, this movie-was-destined to-be-a-classic! - It stands the test-of-time, for I just saw it on cable again. The great cinematography enhanced the story-of-St. Francis of Asisi. And costumes, which also received awards for their authenticity-&-beauty.... When I 1st. saw-this-film, I was graduating with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from BYU & preparing for-a-2 yrs. Mormon mission to thee Pacific/Northwest. I'd known I was gay since 6-7, lasted 15-yrs. LDS & was excommunicated for being gay-in-'83.SO: Yes, as Ed in St. Louis in his '04 review, this may-or-may not have been made 5-yrs. before-or-after "Moon" was made without the "hint of homosexuality." BUT: to this gay man, it opened-thee-door for more self-acceptance with semi-overtures-of "homosexuality." (such-a-clinical, medical term made-up-by Str8's!)