Product Description

Filmed on location in Assisi and other actual locations where St. Francis lived and died, this feature film vividly tells the story of this greatly beloved saint from childhood through his death. Beautifully filmed with outstanding cinematography and fine acting talent, this film stars Italian actor Raoul Bova as Francis and was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michele Soavi. Captured by the enemy as a soldier and put in prison, he has a life changing experience that inspires him after being freed to abandon his riches and dedicate his life to living the Gospel in simplicity, poverty and charity towards all. This DVD contains the following language options: dubbed in English, Italian with English subtitles, or Spanish subtitles. Also includes a special 16 page Collector's booklet.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64724 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-10-01
• Formats: Color, Digital Sound, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: Italian, English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 205 minutes

Customer Reviews

Not a great movie
Ignatius Press has released onto the American market several brilliant Italian films about Catholic saints (St. Anthony of Padua, St. Rita, etc.), but this is not one of them. Although Raoul Bova is a wonderful actor (please see him in "Karol: The Man who Became Pope"), he is not that great in this movie. The movie is way too artsy and drags on forever. It is an inaccurate portrayal of Saint Francis and shows him as some sort of leftist revolutionary turned religious. It has a false premise of Saint Francis becoming religious after spending time in jail where people are tortured to death for reading the Bible. Therefore the film promotes Protestant propaganda that the Catholic Church withheld the Bible from the common people (in fact the Bible was read at every Mass and most people could not read--so they obtained their knowledge of the Bible from hearing these readings at Mass. The Bible was also translated into every major European language and approved by the Pope centuries before the Reformation). It also shows the false idea that poor people were not allowed to enter the church for Mass--which is a complete falsehood. Saint Ignatius Press should not be promoting this film, as it is not orthodox Catholic and promotes false stories about this humble Catholic saint. Not to mention that it is completely boring.

Superb Portrait of An Incomparable Saint
Brilliant and innovative directing. Superb cinematography. Magnificent acting and script. Unique portrait of Saint Francis, capturing his mysticism and his inevitable aloneness among those who cannot understand mystics but only admire them and be inspired by them. Production values were very simply fabulous. The scenes between Francis and the Pope are masterly and unforgettable. Highly recommended. You come away wanting to know more about this giant of a saint so revered by Catholics and Protestants alike. A true portrait of a man on fire with the love of God, and the love of God's creation. The film manages to capture the sheer rapture of Francis as he is transformed by his ever deepening understanding of his vocation. --- The portrayal of Clare is sensitive and beautiful, but may not be entirely historically accurate. But this really doesn't matter. The film offers an experience of Francis that is priceless.

A pretty decent movie.
I like this movie overall. It is in depth and the characters are developed well. A much better movie than any other St. Francis movie out there. Far from perfect, but enjoyable for those who love St. Francis.