USCCB - (Film and Broadcasting)

St. Francis

Alphabetical Listing of Movie Reviews

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Starring Raoul Bova, this visually graceful and finely acted biography tells the story of Francesco Bernardone, known to history as St. Francis of Assisi. Originally broadcast on Italian television, the film dramatizes his life, from his privileged childhood as the son of a wealthy medieval cloth merchant, to his wanton youth, his sobering combat experiences, eventual conversion and struggles to live out his spirituality of poverty and simplicity as "God's fool." Filmed on location where many of the events took place, the production's rich period detail is feature film quality. Directed by Michele Soavi, the film takes some dramatic license -- especially in the relationship between Francis and St. Clare (Erica Blanc) and in Francis' wartime prison ordeal -- but stays reverently true to the outline and "Franciscan" spirit of the much beloved saint's life, and can stand as a worthy companion to Zeffirelli's "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" and Rossellini's "Flowers of St. Francis." Among the more lovely rendered scenes are Francis' renunciation of wealth, his appeal to Pope Innocent III and his legendary sermon to the birds. Buttressed by Bova's performance, which soulfully captures Francis' sublime joy and childlike innocence, the movie imparts a valuable countercultural message to our material-obsessed society. The film contains scenes of battlefield violence, off-screen torture, images of prison squalor and brief suggested nudity. Also included on the DVD is a making-of featurette with cast and crew interviews and a booklet containing essays on St. Francis by the film's star and director. Subtitled. A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (No Shame)

These movies have been evaluated for artistic merit and moral suitability by the media reviewing division of Catholic News Service. The reviews include the CNS rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

A-I -- general patronage;
A-II -- adults and adolescents;
A-III -- adults;
L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
O -- morally offensive.

Note: Some movies previously were designated A-IV. Older films with this classification should be regarded as classified L.