Brother Sun, Sister Moon

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming Story, Brilliant Movie
Review: I'm a seminarian and I viewed this film for four times! Franco Zefferelli is magnificent! He has truly this artistic style of directing especially in the scece where Pope Innocent III and Francis has this dialogue. Graham Faulkner is truly well-defined actor as he portrayed St. Francis so as Jodie Bowker as Clare and the other casts! I like also the scenes where Francis is on the roof top and also his trial in front of Bishop Guido that is most tearful scenes to watch! The productions is great so as the music theme, Donovan certainly blended more emotions in his scoring. What more could be interesting in the movie are the artistic sense of cinematography and the movement of the cameras especially in the scene where Pope Innocent III is in deep thought then the icon of Christ behind him slowly appearing in the scene! Brilliant! Watch it! This movie will truly inspire you!

Rating:
Summary: Brother Sun, Sister Moon, a cult film
Review: This film has been seen and loved by thousands of people... I own the film and view it again and again. It is considered a cult film, one that is loved by individuals who strive to live the values of St. Francis is a very technological, hectic and busy world. Viewing this movie at least once a year will bring you back to what life is really about. The simplicity of God's creation and the innocence of love. Tis is a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free. The music by Donovan is glorious and I have recently been searching for a music CD of this film. Look at the birds of the air, they do not have to go to college or work 40 hours a week, but our heavenly creator feeds them and cares for them, as should we. The message of St. Francis is timeless.

Rating:
Summary: Vivid religious parable for 'youth' audience
Review: BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON (UK/Italy 1972): The early life of St. Francis of Assisi (Graham Faulkner), the son of a wealthy merchant who underwent a spiritual conversion following his experiences in the crusades and later renounced his worldly goods before establishing a holy order separate from traditional Church teachings.

Conceived and executed in much the same visual manner as his ultra-popular ROMEO AND JULIET (1968), Franco Zeffirelli's BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON attempts to draw parallels between the work and philosophy of St. Francis and the ideology which underpinned the worldwide hippy movement throughout the 1960's and early 70's. Hence the ragged-but-lyrical cinematography (by Ennio Guarnieri), fractured editing (by Reginald Mills), and the use of contemporary - but strangely timeless - folk songs written and performed by Donovan, all of which conjures the requisite mood of spiritual awakening whilst simultaneously dating the movie quite firmly within its period. Cynics will hate it, while others will embrace Zeffirelli's defiant romanticism. Daringly, Zeffirelli's script (co-written by Suso Cecchi d'Amico and Lina Wertmuller) contrasts Francis' piety and virtue with the bloated pomp of official Church doctrine, weighed down by internal politics and social indifference, though it's difficult to gauge if this represents a veiled attack on Christian orthodoxy or is simply a reflection of Francis' dismissal of outdated customs in favor of a return to Nature.

Lovingly crafted by Lorenzo Mongiardino (art direction) and Danilo Donati (costumes), the movie is toplined by a cast of gifted newcomers and screen veterans, including Judi Bowker (one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation), Leigh Lawson, Kenneth Cranham, Valentina Cortese and Alec Guinness. But the film derives much of its visual strength from Faulkner as the young, battle-scarred nobleman laid low by his wartime experiences, who emerges from the horrors of conflict with a completely new and spiritual outlook on life. Faulkner was one of a handful of young actors (including FELLINI-SATYRICON's Hiram Keller and LISA AND THE DEVIL's Alessio Orano) who emerged from European cinema in the 1970's, handsome and talented in equal measure, to burn brightly and briefly before disappearing into relative obscurity. Here, Faulkner's intense beauty and fresh-faced innocence are illuminated by Guarnieri's worshipful camera and Zeffirelli's attentive direction, which places him center-stage throughout (there's even a generous, PG-level nude scene halfway through the movie). This was Faulkner's cinematic debut, and while Zeffirelli couldn't have made a better choice for such a crucial role, the director later described him as being slightly aloof from his fellow actors, which may explain his subsequent disappearance from the movie scene. But here, his grace and dignity are displayed in abundance, and it's hard not to fall in love with him, every time he appears on-screen.

Picture quality on Paramount's DVD is grainy in places and vivid in others, but overall, this is a huge improvement over previous video incarnations, all hideously cropped from the original hard matte widescreen version presented here. Sadly, there are no extras whatsoever, not even a trailer! It would have been nice to see footage from the Italian cut (FRATELLO SOLE SORELLA LUNA), which runs approximately 14 minutes longer and replaces Donovan's music with a fully orchestral score by Riz Ortolani. The film's editor, Reginald Mills, produced a 16mm documentary in 1973 entitled FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI A FLORENTINE ARTIST, compiled from footage shot during the making of the movie and featuring a lengthy interview with the director himself. Running a mere 51 minutes, it provided an invaluable insight into Zeffirelli's working methods and the thinking which gave rise to the finished product, and its absence from Paramount's disc is hugely disappointing. It's nice to have the film on DVD in its present form, but the lack of extras reeks of missed opportunity.

120m 56s
1.75:1 / Anamorphically enhanced
DVD soundtrack: Mono 2.0
Theatrical soundtrack: Optical mono
Optional English subtitles and closed captions
Region 1

Rating:
Summary: Where can I get the soundtrack?
Review: Enough people have already debated the pros and cons of this movie here, so I won't go into detail about historical accuracy or cinematography or whatever -- for that, read the other reviews. What I will say is that, as a non-Catholic, non-Christian viewer, I found the movie to be an inspiring portrayal of a saintly man whose life I happen to admire. And I thoroughly disagree with the official Amazon reviewer's negative take on the music. I love Donovan's rendition of "Brother Sun and Sister Moon." As a peace activist, I often find myself humming "Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace" -- so nu, WHERE can I get the soundtrack? I have searched on every "best of" Donovan album already released and NONE of the songs from this movie are ever included. If you have found a soundtrack CD, please email me at [e-mail] and tell me where to get it!

Rating:
Summary: A BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE
Review: I bought the VHS a couple of years ago and have waited patiently for the DVD version. I was not disappointed. The video and sound are enhanced and improved considerably from the VHS. The colors leap out at you from the screen! This film was nominated for an academy award for art direction and well deserved. The sets are spectacular. Also noteworthy is the cinematography, the screenplay and the outstanding musical score enhanced beautifully by Donovan's music. I only wish the SOUNDTRACK were available!!

The performances are first rate and I feel Graham Faulkner should have at least been given an academy award nomination for best actor as Francis. Absolutely perfect. Also outstanding and worthy of nominations as well would have been Alec Guinness as POPE INNOCENT III and the actor who plays Francis' tormented father.

This film will capture your heart, inspire and edify you! It made me enter the seminary to pursue a religious vocation!!

Everything about this movie is perfect and Zeferelli's production is in every way a masterpiece!

"I am God's creature, of Him I am part,
I feel His love awakening my heart!"

Indeed.......

I never get tired of watching this beautiful film!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Zeffirelli's Romanticized Masterpiece
Review: Franco Zeffirelli is responsible for three of the greatest films ever made; ROMEO AND JULIET, JESUS OF NAZARETH and BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON. This film displays Zeffirelli's genius at it's clearest and is a perfect amalgamation of his other two films, ROMEO AND JULIET and JESUS OF NAZARETH. In fact it almost feels like a prequel to ROMEO AND JULIET.

Ennio Guarnieri's beautiful photography is some of the greatest ever filmed. Any single frame in this movie is a work of art. The people and objects in every scene seem to radiate a certain light. Donovan's and Riz Ortolani's music is incredibly beautiful. Like ROMEO AND JULIET, Zeffirelli brings a sense of urgency to every word and movement. Everything feels extremely realistic yet romanticized; like a simple fable told by a medieval minstrel combined with early 1970's flower-power.

This has to be the most underrated film I've ever seen. This film has had such a profound effect on me, it's made me see the world in a new and different light. If this film has touched you I highly recommend German filmmaker Werner Herzog's THE ENIGMA OF KASPAR HAUSER (1974, available on DVD); which is about the true story of a young man who had been kept in a dark cellar his entire life since he was born with no human contact, and then one day released into society.

Rating:
Summary: A Light for the World, the Spirit and the Heart
Review: After two weeks and four viewings of this simple but surprisingly rich and powerfully moving film about the early life of St. Francis of Assisi, its stirring music lingers in my ears, its hopeful message still aflame within my heart.

How does one rate movies? I choose five main categories: the filming, characters, musical score, development, and theme. All elements are related, so I conclude with overall remarks.

I see this film as primarily a religious one, with heavy emphasis upon personal development. Thus, I was pleased to see effective focus of the camera upon the facial expressions of the characters. For example, the eyes of Alec Guinness's Pope Innocent III clearly show me his great warmth and concern for young Francis as he asks the Holy See for his advice. Francis's eyes likewise convey his deep humility and sincerity. Pietro, ripping his bread from his jaws as he eats, reveals his fury raging uncontrollably. The filming also glorifies the fabulous scenery of Italy and the majestic colors of spring.

As for characters, the main question I always have is, are they believable? Can we identify with them? Even with Faulkner's Francis, to a certain extent (he was a saint, after all), I say yes. That he seems to have been "bought out" by Paulo at the papal court shows his human nature. Giocondo's reluctantly joining Francis and Bernardo, perhaps weighing contingencies, is not unlike what I might have done in his shoes.

The music? It was 1972, so Donovan was a good choice, but his score fitted well with one of Francis's life themes: simplicity. Francis's real-life musicians would likewise have sounded imperfect, which made the film more real for me. The instrumental music is breathtaking, sweet and stirring to the bone marrow. The hymns are simple and joyful enough to have established themselves in my ears even above the music of the Christmas season. While organ music didn't exist in 1206 A.D., it might have been added to reach a modern audience that might be alienated to Gregorian chanting. Historical realism is not the film's main goal, although the effects were well enough done to have earned it an Academy Award nomination.

Do the characters and plot develop enough to keep interest? In many of the characters I see the step-like change associated with the impact of profound religious influence. Francis, from pampered cloth-trade heir to tattered, mendicent friar is most striking. Powerful is his change of heart, from frivolous and selfish to pointedly purposeful and sacrificial lover of humanity and, indeed, all life. Bernardo, ever loyal, comes to realize what this loyalty must mean after his return from war. The bishop moves as a chess piece: forward in being humbled by Francis's example, backward in yielding to the powers of state.

Most importantly, I think, is the theme for this film. Although its messages are primarily religious, I feel it still reaches out to all audiences. The quest for purpose in life is inherently a religious quest. Francis seems to have made Jesus more accessible to tens of generations of Christians, even more so with this touching film. The compassionate and activist spirit in which he imitated the gospels has encouraged me to dig deeper to find Christ's meanings as he did.

Overall, this is a beautiful movie, one I would see a hundred times. I chant its hymns with exuberance. I am propelled by the flame it rekindled in my bosom to live more like Jesus, less afraid to reach out to people. I felt ten years younger watching Francis's reckless abandon. Yes, reviews are polarized between Sappy Movie Award to Best I've Seen Award, perhaps as much so as the generation who saw it first in the 1970s. A sensitive hero Faulkner's Francis is, but one with an iron rod of dedication. Most negative reviews focus on the film's technical aspects, while the positive reviews expound on the effect it has had on the viewer's heart and life's renewed sense of purpose and vigor.

Rating:
Summary: Do You Get It?
Review: It's a classic.
It's warm.
For the spiritually minded, it has a simple message.
I believe this movie is presented in a way that some just can't understand, especially if their job is to critique movies, as the "official" Amazon description on the page demonstrates. All that that reviewer said revealed that he/she missed the point. Try again.

Rating:
Summary: Bit of a Blooper
Review: Every detail of this movie has been written about, it seems, but has anyone noticed the Blue and Gold Macaw on someone's shoulder, I think when they were in Rome? A bird from the Americas in Italy long before Columbus. Yes, an excellent film, but I had to notice this. I'm sure St. Francis would have.

Rating:
Summary: 30 years later!!! It's still awesome!
Review: Yes, my very 1st time to see this movie was 30 yrs ago as part of our school's religion activity. It was 1974 - 6th grade, nothing really make sense to me why we have to watch this movie. But after the movie, I was moved, awed and really have to think about my faith...

Truly St. Francis' prayer was my inspiration to recite every morning. "Make me an Instrument of your Peace"...

Besides the movie, what really moves me and after all these years is the music by Donovan - Brother Sun, Sister Moon...a wonderful piece of music...