A story based on the life of one of the most famous of all monks "San Francesco d'Assisi''.
Or Saint Francis as we call him in English.
On there return home from the city of Rome* Francis and his followers are walking in the rain, drenched completely and with no shelter. They make light of their situation commending that it is good to live a life of poverty and difficulty as it brings one closer to the Lord. But it seems their little hut they once called home has been occupied by a new tenant. A man and a solitary donkey. Francis and his order attempt to move back into their home only to be scorned by the new tenant. Who tells them to leave and that they are nothing more than thieves and troublemakers.
Because of their non-confrontational nature they are forced to find a new home. And build a new little Hut.
Now the film begins proper. Separating into 9 individual chapters.
It gives the film a peculiar feeling, an almost dated atmosphere. It feels like a movie made from the 1920s. With the breakup of the cue cards and the minimalistic set design. For the most part there is no set, it's just a field with a little Hamlet house. The closest we get to any sets is when one of the monks travels to a local military Ford ruled by the tyrant Nicolaio.
It makes the film feel simple and mundane. Which is exactly when I think they were going for. With amusing stories, interesting Christian philosophy and the morality of a God that dies for your sins.
The film also has its moments of humor. Mainly based around an old man who wished to join Saint Francis, but isn't all there in the head. Despite his best efforts he's more of a inconvenience to the other franciscans. But he is a man who seems pure of heart and always willing to try, despite the lack of clairvoyance. And if nothing else he brings humor to the other friendship skins. One may call that the greatest gift of all.
I found it to be a very endearing film. For the most part it's just the monks living out there life and discussing the basis of their philosophies. Occasionally entertaining an important guest. Or sending out a particular monk to go preach amongst the people. Or one Monk who comes back to his home more than once cloved in nothing but his pants. Having given away his robes to those ''more in need'' within the city.
He'll do this a couple of times even after Francis tells him not to. His excuse then being that he doesn't give his roll away to those that ask but merely lets them take it off his back, he proclaims that he is powerless to stop them. A fun enough loophole of the ask me.
The biggest part of the movie would be chapter 7. It's when Brother Ginepro heads off to a local military installation to try and preach the word of God. This however turns out to be very problematic for him. One: The man he wishes to preach too arn't what you call 'God loving'. Their local mercenaries who had more interest in drinking, fighting and other acts of vulgarity. It's also unlucky for our local Monk that the Tyrant by the name of Nicolaio believes there's a conspiracy have to kill him. And that the man to do it will be a simple cloth man who shall destroy him with simple instruments. Unfortunately our local monk gets confused for the man and is almost put to death only saved by a different priest . and then later able to convince the tyrant to give up his warfel way against whoever it is he's beseeching. This might be the best scene in the whole film. The tyrant has taken the monk to his private tent and is trying to intimidate him with physical violence treachery and physical intimidation. All of which shall fail in the eyes of a man who has been taught to love all people.
Personally my favorite Parts in the movie don't involve the giant set pieces or massive armie. But the much simpler stories either of Saint Francis giving praise to the Lord for all the good in the world as seen via the tiny birds.
Or conversation with another one of his brothers as they walk in the rain towards a house discussing what true happiness is. They want to enter the house and pray with the local man about the glory of Christ. But the man wants nothing to do with them** and froze them out of his house so that they land face first in the mud.
It is from this encounter that Francis expresses the meaning of true happiness: To suffer and bear every evil deed out of love for Christ.
Some people complained that this movie wasn't realistic. That it didn't betray Saint francis's life as it was, and I believe they're right. But I ask you; What religious film doesn't dramatize the events in its story? Just look at some of the other famous religious films. The Ten Commandments from 1955, 'The Last Temptation' even the animated 'Prince of Egypt' movie . All of these took some liberties with their Source material and they all found a way to make a story more entertaining, more viable for a movie-going audience.
Despite its lack of realism this is one of the few films I can think of that has actual monks playing the monks in the film. Which is more realistic than just about anything out of Hollywood.
I found this to be an incredibly enjoyable film. It expresses the true Intrigue and fascination of the older Catholic dogmas. The idea of pure peacefulness, loving connection with Humanity and an understanding and comprehension of God's glory.
*While the monks were in Rome they were giving a Blessing by the holy Pope Innocent the Third at the time. It doesn't have a lot to do with the actual film but it adds credibility to their actions.
**Maybe this is how those door-to-door Jesus people feel. The people that knock on your door and say; Have you accepted Jesus into your heart or have you found Jesus. Whatever it is they say. The Mormons I have some believability with, Jehovah's Witnesses come off kind of like snake oil salesman though. I really wish they changed the way they preach their particular brand of ideological thinking.
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