TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Brother Sun, Sister Moon [1973]
![Brother Sun, Sister Moon [1973]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V4WM0J85L._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £3.06 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
It seemed like a good idea in 1973: a musical scored by Donovan about the life and times of St. Francis of Assisi, the passionate ascetic who expressed love for God by loving nature. But the finished product was something else. Filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli (Endless Love) makes a decorous effort at communicating the ideals of Francis and even tweaking the character toward flower-power relevance. But the result is feel-good fluff, a boring movie that doesn't penetrate its subject as much as reinvent him toward a modern bias. Graham Faulkner is entirely forgettable in the lead and Donovan's songs on this project aren't exactly first-rate, either. --Tom Keogh
The story of Francis of Assisi retold for the 20th century
Review date: 2007-04-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
I was living in Perugia, just 20 minutes from Assisi, when I saw this film for the first time. I knew nothing about it, and as it was a boring weekend, I went to see it on Friday night. For the life of me, I have no idea how many times I watched the film, I was at every showing that weekendm with only brief breaks for dinner.
The title derives from a poem Francis wrote, the Hymn of the Creation. In the original Italian it read "Beato sia per fratello sole, beato sia per sorella luna", cut down a little. In English, "Praise the Lord for Brother Sun, Praise the Lord for Sister Moon".
I think this film works better in Italian, even thought it was written in English. There is something about the beauty of the Italian language which is reflectewd in the songs, and captures the feel of what Francis wrote.
Saying that, the film is full of the music of Donovan mostly quoting the works of Francis.As these are some of the oldest Italian that is still readable, they are well worth reading.
Why haven't I given it a 5? Sadly, while the film is still one of my favourites, it is very dated now. This is not so much the Saiint of Assisi as the saint of the hippies. There is still truth in the portrayal, but it isn't quite right today. There is alot of confusion and it helps if you know about the history.
It is largely shot on location, San Gimigniano standing in for Assisi, as there are no towers in modern day Assisi. One of the key scenes, Francis meeting the clothes diers, is shot in the Underground City in Perugia. The meeting with the pope is in Cefula Cathdral in Sicily.
Sadly, the actor who played Francis was not done anything for nearly 30 years, and Claire, Judy Bowker, went onto make some fiilms but I haven't seen her in years. With one major exception, the rest of the cast are Italian actors.
At the very end of the film, in a cameo role, Alec Guiness appears as the Pope.
Similar Products
- The Song Of Bernadette [1943]
- Francis Of Assisi [1961]
- Into Great Silence (2 Disc Collector's Edition) [2006]
- Karol - A Man Who Became Pope
- The Scarlet And The Black [1983]
Reviews
Brother Sun Sister Moon
Review date: 2006-08-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
I loved this film for its humble simplicity. The music by Donovan matched it perfectly. It was deeply moving and a gentle reminder of the waste of material rubbish we surround ourselves with. It is a shame that the music on CD is hard to come by because of complex copyright although a different version can be downloaded from itunes.
Hauntingly beautiful!
Review date: 2005-04-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a wonderful movie!! I saw it twice in the theatre when it was first released, bought the VHS version, and am now pleased to have the DVD. The music by Donovan is incredibly beautiful!!
What an amazing movie
Review date: 2005-02-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
It is an incredibly inspirational and encouraging movie. I haven't yet seen a film that has taught me so much about myself and my faith as this one. Take a look, I reccommend.
The best movie of all times
Review date: 2005-01-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
I find this to be one of the best movies of all times. Can you imagine what these poor group of men have accomplished through the centuries? The FRANCISCANS is one of the biggest religious order in the world!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Lee Montague
Kenneth Cranham
Graham Faulkner
Judi Bowker
Leigh Lawson
Creators:
Graham Faulkner (Primary Contributor)
Judi Bowker (Primary Contributor)
Ennio Guarnieri (Cinematographer)
Franco Zeffirelli (Writer)
Dyson Lovell (Producer)
Luciano Perugia (Producer)
Kenneth Ross (Writer)
Lina Wertmüller (Writer)
Suso Cecchi d'Amico (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437844330
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-04-05
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1972-12-02
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Language: Croatian (Subtitled)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Greek (Subtitled)
Language: Hebrew (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Romanian (Subtitled)