Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, good DVD, big packaging GOOF-UP
Review: Good transfer, good sound. It's truly a beautiful film, although it's sadly dated. However, Paramount screwed up putting the artwork together -- on the back of the DVD clamshell is a still of Michael York and John McEnry dueling as Tybalt and Mercutio in Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet". Just plain careless! (Maybe they'll fix it and this'll be a collector's item!)
Rating: 
Summary: Francis - Sunshine Superman
Review: This film is to the late 60s Catholicism what the technicolor Biblical epics of the 50's was to my mother's Church. After 30 years, this film looks embarrassingly dated, reflecting, at best, the trend at the time of trying to make Christianity "relevant" to the youth of the post-Vatican II era (I was one of those youths) by turning Jesus, Francis or whomever into flower-power, Birkenstock-wearing, pacifist anti-establishment rebels, like the rock stars of the day (hey, even Donovan writes the soundtrack here -- very apropos but a big snore--bring back Sunshine Superman!). While the cinematography is good, and Zefirelli directs in his usual opulent style (as seen in Romeo and Juliet and and Jesus of Nazareth), the acting here is forgetable, lacking in vitality, without any deep sense of Francis' conversion the spiritual struggles he grappled with. Francis has been the perennial favorite among the "hippy" crowd because of he was seen as sensitive to ecosystem (as wel as the sun and the moon), seemingly "ecumenical" (he wasn't!), with an antiwar message-- all popular ideas with late 60s/early 70s flower children (without the sex, drugs and rock and roll). Yes, his ascetism is antithetical to an American materialistic society (including the hedonism of the flower children). But where is the image of Francis going to the Middle East to bring Christianity to the Muslims -- oops....that politically-incorrect facet of Francis' life is hardly mentioned, but of course, is not at odds with the Christianity of his day. Indeed it was his mission to evangelize -- to spread the Gospel. The problem is that according to this film, the "word" --the Gospel -- is some inoffensive, feel-good, namby-pamby pop philosophy that somehow doesn't include the Crucifixion (which was very real to Francis) and the command to "baptize all nations." Francis was not naive - he understood the nature of evil in the world. To understand Francis one must understand the Middle Ages and the Church and the theology of the time. Taking him out of historical context to make him "relevant" is not only unfair to Francis, it sugarcoats his message, and turns the Gospel into some superficial feel-good ethos that requires no sacrifice, moral standards or pain... and is ultimately boring. As is this LONG movie. Funny that the FILM seems dated yet the story of Francis as it really was is what remains fresh to this day.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome and enjoyable
Review: This film midst its early 70's influence remains timeless as the other Zefferelli history films-Jesus of Nazereth, Romeo and
Juliet. This film being very correct in the history of the early
Catholic Church does reach out to other faiths. The music being
very much of the late 60's style does fit in the scenes. True that today we would use some of todays music if filmed today but would it fit as well. Watch the Dedication of the Chapel and tell me that with the music it doesn.t get you. Or earlier the building of the Chapel. This is a Classic and worth it.
In this age of getting rid of the old we should remember that
not all of our modern and recent remakes are as good as the
Original. Even Modern Artists have yet to master or even create
original masterpieces of old Masterpieces.All I am saying is give this film a new look and believe me you will enjoy it as much as I have. Go in Peace and use words
Rating:
Summary: Even-handed, inspiring, expansive - glorious landscape shots
Review: By all means ignore the sourpuss who, as Amazon's lead reviewer, panned this so bad - he even forgot to mention that the film was an Oscar nominee. The story itself moves along at an even pace, and is amazingly inspiring, well-acted, well-directed - and at times gut-wrenching. Considering the actors playing the Franciscan brothers were actors and not real friars, their actions are very convincing indeed. The photography is stunning, especially the rolling hills and valleys captured in the numerous landscape shots. If you've ever been to Italy, or have gazed at a number of Renaissance and proto-Renaissance paintings where a stylized landscape is used as a backdrop [or even if you have not], you'll revel in this. It's expansive, and totally stunning. The costumes are to die for. And Francesco's young lady friend Clare is one of the most glorious creatures ever to grace the annals of technicolor. The staged period music sometimes is a bit strident - it might sound better in stereo or surround - but still contributes a great deal towards capturing the mood of the times. Donovan's specially-composed vocal music blends seamlessly into the story, his lyrics often providing a sort of commentary, sometimes obliquely poetic, never slavishly describing merely what is happening visually. And what fun to see the innards of the Monreale Cathedral of Sicily - even though it was being staged as the Pope's cathedral in "Rome". (In Saint Francis' day, St. Peter's hadn't been yet constructed.) The gigantic Christ Pantocrator depicted in the apse (nearly identical to the one in the Cefalu Cathedral - also in Sicily) is one of the more sublime monuments of Byzantine Christendom. You really should check this film out - it a total delight, and in so many, many ways.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic movie!
Review: I own this movie, and it is one of my favorites. A soul, searching for meaning, and finding it in Jesus. I love the simplistic views. I have seen other movies on Saint Francis, but haven't found one that I like better than this one. I encourage anyone, to check out this film! God Bless!
Rating:
Summary: franciscan joy
Review: This is a portrayal of the early years of Francis of Assisi told with the pageantry that bears the Zeffirelli mark.The story is simply made basically to attract the 60's movement.For people of faith it is a sensitive retelling of the Franciscan story.The music of Donovan adds to the spiritual atmosphere by capturing musically the Franciscan spirit of simple faith and joy in God's creation.Curiously the haunting musical score was never released in English on LP or CD. Too many critics have failed to realize the inner beauty of the film.
Rating:
Summary: Brother Sun, Sister Moon (a movie about Francis of Assisi)
Review: When I first saw this movie at a theater in 1975 I was completely overwhelmed and moved in a very positive way by it's compassion and beauty. The acting by all the actors is excellent, Zeffirelli's direction and the photography is wonderful, and because this movie led me to years of study of and reverence for Francis of Assisi, I can say that the the movie is mostly historically accurate.
For those of you who consciously or unconsciously yearn for a compassionate lovingness in todays hard world, this movie will deeply move you, inspire you positively, and uplift you.
Rating:
Summary: An Early Zeffirelli Classic
Review: I first saw this movie almost 15 years ago and fell immediately under it's fascinating spell. I've always been an admirer of Zeffirelli's work, especially his ever popular Jesus Of Nazareth, which IMO remains the best version of Jesus' life ever put on film. I've also had an interest in the life of Francis Of Assisi, and to my knowledge there ARE no other versions of St. Francis' life in a movie format, so this one may be the only one available, and what a version it is. What it lacks in historical accuracy, as the Amazon reviewer (Tom Keogh) suggests, it MORE than makes up for in wonderful visuals, a terrific score, and of course Graham Faulkner as the young St. Francis. In spite of what Keogh says about Faulkner's acting, he does a splendid job playing the impoverished saint who turns his back on a life of wealth to pursue his God amongst nature and a life of simplicity. The scene near the end where St. Francis is summoned to Rome to see the Pope - amidst the splendour and pomp of the Vatican - is perhaps one of the most memorable in the movie. It bears repeating that since this movie was made in the '70's, when the Hippie movement and Flower Children were still going strong, it isn't too surprising that the signs of those times invariably found it's way into the movie, which portrays St. Francis' followers and their settlement as a type of Hippie commune. I'm no historian but would venture a guess that in reality there probably was little similarity between the movie and the actuality of how St. Francis and his followers lived, at least in this regards. In closing, take Keogh's review with a grain of salt. It's not a perfect movie to be sure, but in spite of it's shortcomings is still a terrific movie, and IMO, an early Zeffirelli classic.
Rating:
Summary: Pay No Attention To The Amazon.com Reviewer
Review: There have been 87 reviews (including mine) of "Brother Sun Sister Moon" with an average rating of 4 1/2 stars. This rating should speak for itself. I think Amazon.com reviewer Tom Keogh is really off base calling this beautiful film "fluff" and knocking the absolutely gorgeous music performed by Donovon.
Sure the film probably is a little fictional, but it doesn't diminish it's beautiful message or impact. I always feel good after watching it and the music brings tears to my eyes everytime.
Pay no attention to the Amazon.com reviewer. Instead, read the 87 reviews and bask in the glory of this wonderful film. Wish the film was on DVD and the soundtrack on CD.
Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL SONGS AND CINEMATOGRAPHY!!!!!
Review: THIS MOVIE TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY WITH ITS HUMANITY AND THE SPECTACULAR CINEMATOGRAPHY AND THE HEARTFELT AND BEAUTIFUL SONGS BY DONOVAN. IT IS A CRIME THEY NEVER DID A SOUNDTRACK....WE SHOULD DEMAND IT?? ALSO, IT IS A CRIME THIS BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL MOVIE IS NOT ON DVD?? THIS MOVIE SHOULD BE SHOWN IN PHILOSOPHY CLASS, STARTING IN JR HIGH, HIGH AND COLLEGE AND POST GRAD. I FEEL THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO GIFTS YOU COULD EVER SHARE OR GIVE A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE....IT IS BEYOND DESCRIPTION---YOU MUST SEE IT TO INDEED FEEL IT. YOU WILL PLAY THE VHS JUST TO HEAR THE SONGS AND TO REVISIT THE
GORGEOUS VISUALS. NON RELIGIOUS PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE PUT OFF BY THIS VHS....IT IS MORE ABOUT HUMANITY AND BEING TRUE TO ONE'S SELF V RELIGION. OR MORE ABOUT SPIRITUALITY AND SAINTS V
RELIGION PER SE. I CHALLENGE EVERYONE TO VIEW AND BUY "BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON"
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