Hippie movie set in medieval Italy

Mike Sh.

Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most appealing figures in Christianity, is portrayed in this movie as a flower child romping his way through Umbria in the early 13th century to the groovy music of Donovan.  Such a movie could only have been made in the early '70's!

All flippancy aside, though, this is a stunningly beautiful movie which captures the joyous and generous spirit of Il Povorello himself.  Although some of the more severe aspects of Francis' life are not ignored (his vision of Christ's sufferings and his fearfully tough asceticism, for example), these are downplayed in favor of Francis' joy in creation and his almost limitless love for God.  The sense of time and place are also beautifully portrayed.

Even so, watching this movie, one can't forget that it was made in 1972. The movie drips with the sensibility of that time, and Francis' opponents are two-dimensional characters meant to represent the Establishment. ("It's so _plastic_, man!")  Bishop Guido is given particularly short shrift here; the real life bishop was very sympathetic to Francis, and gave him more support and understanding than the movie would have us think.

Minor complaints, though.  This movie definitely has its heart in the right place.

score /10

Mike Sh. 15 February 2001

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0127593/