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Francis Of Assisi [1961]
![Francis Of Assisi [1961]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519wOo%2BW9dL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £6.27 (subject to change)
Editorial
Synopsis
The stirring tale of the founder of the Franciscan order unfolds in this biopic of Francis of Assissi, the saint who rescinded all worldly goods in favour of living for the poor. Born into a wealthy Umbrian family, Francis spent his early years in revelry, and was set on a military career until he heard God's voice in a dream. The rest of his life was spent in the service of the Lord, ever simplifying his own possessions while proselytizing far and wide. His gentleness was legendary, extending even to the animals with which he came to be associated, through his compassion for all beings and his joy in nature.
Sincerely poor
Review date: 2007-11-08 Rating: 4 out of 10
1961's Francis of Assisi is more a coloring book than a movie, a horribly miscast, painfully bland and often extremely badly written trudge through the saint's life that goes out of its way not to offend anyone but simply bores instead. The locations may be Italian but the aesthetic is pure Hollywood, and Hollywood at its least convincing: Francis' and his followers' march to Rome is filmed like something out of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as they hum along to Mario Nascimbene's score and Bradford Dillman charms the birds out of the trees. You almost expect to hear them sing Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It's Off to Rome We Go. Dillman gives a superficial but inoffensive performance as Francis (inoffensive being the watchword here), often looking like Charlton Heston's undernourished younger brother, Stuart Whitman struggles and loses in almost every scene as Francis' brash aristocratic war-loving friend while Dolores Hart is no more convincing as Clare, which is particularly strange considering that in real life the actress went on to become a nun herself. Cecil Kelloway and Finlay Currie bring some old school professionalism to their small roles, but not enough to give the film much in the way of color, while Pedro Armendariz's casting as the Sultan inadvertently only highlights how weak the material he has to work with really is. Francis' failed mission to the Holy Land and the breakup of his order are covered in passing, but even they fail to bring any drama to the proceedings, while director Michael Curtiz brings nothing to the party, his old panache presumably having run off with Errol Flynn. It's a rare epic that leaves me with little to say in its favor, but this is certainly one.
The only extra is the theatrical trailer.
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Reviews
Brilliant Movie
Review date: 2007-05-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
I had'nt realy heard of this movie before i see it was a new studio classic dvd coming out i snapped it up straight away and wow what a brilliant film im sure its histroicaly acurete realy is a great film best viewed on a sunday afternoon wont give to muc habout the film away but realy is good strong stroy,strong acting a must have for religious epic fans
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Stuart Whitman
Dolores Hart
Bradford Dillman
Eduard Franz
Creators:
Bradford Dillman (Primary Contributor)
Dolores Hart (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036030830
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-03-26
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1961
Language: English (Original Language)