Brother Sun, Sister Moon
DVD from Paramount Home Video
After the resounding success of his 1968 film Romeo and
Juliet, Franco Zefferrelli set about to dramatize another
Italian subject: the life of Francesco d'Assisi (or St. Francis,
as he is knwn in the English speaking world). Romeo and Juliet's
essential message of "make love not war" clearly resonated
with the young audiences of the time, a fact not lost on Zefferrelli,
whose take on St. Francis seems more calculated attempt to appeal
to the "flower child" generation.
The story opns as the young Francesco (Graham Faulkner) rides
off to war in search of fortune and personal glory. However he
soon returns to his native Assisi, disillusioned and a roken
shell of his former self. Distraught by his horrific experiences
in battle-as well as the greed of his sour merchant father-Francesco
turns his back on materialism, aggression, and society itself.
And in a scandalous (but historically accurate) gesture, he strips
naked in the middle of the town square, proclaiming his desire
to live among nature, serving and worshipping God.
His friends dismiss him as a madman, yet one by one they all
brgn to see the light. So, too, does his childhood sweetheart
Clare (Judi Bowker), who comes to know an even deeper bond with
Francesco, despite theor vows of chastity.
Despite his best intentions, Francesco soon earns the ire of the nobility and clergy, who feel the Franciscan vow of poverty compromises their reputation. Yet in the face of perilous opposition, Francesco remains steafast, and ultimately pleads his case before Pope Pius (played by Alec Guinness in a brief but superb performance).
Brother Sun, Sister Moon undeniably wears teh attitude and spirit of the time when it was made. But the film remains a potent and moving experience today, and its sincerity allows one to excuse some of its more dated touches (in particular the folk songs by hippie crooner Donovan). A consummate artist, Zefferrelli's vision is rife with passion and aural poetry, and he perfectly captures the pastoral splendor of the Italian countryside, which the real Fancesco so loved.
Zefferrelli assembles a superb cast of British and Italian actors, who serve up affecting and memorable performances. The great Valentina Cortese is engaging as Francesco's doting mother while Lee Montague plays his snarling, ill-tempered father, forever unable to fathom his son's rejection of the wealth and comfort he has worked so hard to provide.
The image quality of Paramount's DVD loks good, but not outstanding, and no supplemental features are offered. (I also should point out that this DVD features the 122-minute American and UK release; the Italian version runs 15 minutes longer but is ony available for Italy).
While it "hippie" touches come off a bit silly and naive today, there is no denying the passion , beauty, and artistry that resonates from every frame of this film. Brother Sun, Sister Moon is a wonderful, overloked gem, just waiting to be rediscovered by a new generation.
Paul Andrew MacLean
© 2005 
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