In a series of simple and joyous vignettes, director Roberto Rossellini and co-writer Federico Fellini lovingly convey the universal teachings-of humility, compassion, faith, and sacrifice-of the People's Saint. Shot in a neorealist manner, with monks from the Nocere Inferiore monastery playing the roles of St. Francis and his disciples, The Flowers of St. Francis is a timeless and moving portrait of the search for spiritual enlightenment.
Directed by
Roberto Rossellini
Written by
Federico Fellini (screenplay); Father Antonio Lisandrini (screenplay); Father Félix Morlión (screenplay); Brunello Rondi (uncredited); Roberto Rossellini (screenplay & story).
Starring
Gianfranco Bellini (Narrator (voice)); Aldo Fabrizi (Nicolaio, il tiranno di Viterbo); Pino Locchi (San Francesco (voice)); Peparuolo (Giovanni il Sempliciotto); Fra' Severino Pisacane (Fra' Ginapro); Roberto Sorrentino; Brother Nazario Gerardi (San Francesco (uncredited)); Arabella Lemaitre (Santa Chiara (uncredited)).
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A Faithful and Homorous Production
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
The Flowers of St Francis took me by surprise; I have to say I thought I was going to be in for a standard Italian neo-realist production with a melancholic ending, but the film turned out to be much better than I thought and the ending was nothing like that. Biblical wisdom is present throughout, as are frequent moments of original humour to ensure the pace of the film flows well, and the vignettes come together seamlessly: a faithful, humorous and humble production is the impressive result.
