Francesco (1989)

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Movie Info

Told in flashback, the film relates Francis of Assisi's evolution from rich man's son to religious humanitarian and eventually to full-fledged saint. Francesco was based on Hermann Hesse's Francis of Assisi, which director Liliana Cavani had previously filmed in 1966. The Saint and founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor is played by Mickey Rourke, and his inspiration, the woman who later became Saint Clare, is played by Helena Bonham Carter. Raised as the pampered son of a merchant, Francis goes off to war only to return with a profound horror for the society which generated such suffering. In one scene, as an act of renunciation, he strips himself of his fine clothing in front of his father and leaves the house naked and barefoot, joining the lepers and beggars in the poor section of town. The film follows with a series of episodes from the saint's life rather than a coherent narrative, following up until his final days when he receives the stigmata, or wounds similar to those on the body of Jesus at the crucifixion.

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Cast

Mickey Rourke
as Francis of Assisi
Helena Bonham Carter
as Clare
Paolo Bonacelli
as Father
Mario Adorf
as Ugolino
Matteo Corsini
as Angelo Tancredi
Andrea Ferreol
as Mother
Hanns Zischler
as Pope Innocent III
Peter Berling
as Guido--Bishop of Assisi
Fabio Bussotti
as Leone
Riccardo De Torrebruna
as Pietro Cattani
Edward Farrelly
as Egidio
Paolo Proietti
as Pacifico
Paco Reconti
as Rufino
Diego Ribon
as Bernardo di Quintavalle
Maurizio Schmidt
as Masseo
Nikolaus Dutsch
as Cardinal Colonna
Stanko Molnar
as Elia Bombarone
Sofia Amendolea
as Woman in the Hovels
Nicoletta Boris
as Woman in the Hovels
Enrica Brunelli
as Woman in the Hovels
Francesco Fenati
as Woman in the Hovels
Monica Fiorentini
as Woman in the Hovels
Loris Loddi
as Woman in the Hovels
Egidio Termine
as Man in the Hovels
Memo Dini
as Man in the Hovels
Richard Berkeley
as Learned Brother
Giorgio Dal Piaz
as Learned Brother
Claudio Lorimer
as Learned Brother
Paolo Lorimer
as Learned Brother
Giuseppe Peruccio
as Learned Brother
Ennio Tozzi
as Learned Brother
Roberto Egon
as New Brother
Leonardo Ferrantini
as New Brother
Adriano Arie Wajskol
as New Brother
Domiziano Arcangeli
as Man in Lateran Palace
Donemico Fiore
as Man in Lateran Palace
Fabrizio Fontana
as Man in Lateran Palace
Jorge Krimer
as Man in Lateran Palace
John Frances Lane
as Man in Lateran Palace
David Maunsell
as Man in Lateran Palace
Giovanni Tamberi
as Man in Lateran Palace
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Critic Reviews for Francesco

All Critics (1)

How has this vibrant human firebrand, this unpredictable, leaping, shouting zealot, been transformed into the sheepish, subdued, self-deprecating cypher played by Rourke?

Dec 30, 2004 | Rating: F | Full Review…
Decent Films Guide
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