Francis of Assisi (1961)
Overview
In 13th century Italy, Francis Bernardone, the son of an Assisi merchant, renounces a promising army career in favor of a monastic life and starts his own religious order, sanctioned by the Pope.
Cast
Bradford Dillman
Francis Bernardone of Assisi
Dolores Hart
Clare
Stuart Whitman
Count Paolo of Vandria
Cecil Kellaway
Cardinal Hugolino
Eduard Franz
Pietro Bernardone
Athene Seyler
Aunt Buona
Finlay Currie
The Pope
Mervyn Johns
Brother Juniper
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This might have been better had Michael Curtiz cast it better, as it is Bradford Dillman delivers us quite an undercooked offering as the eponymous character from 13th Century Italy. The film is colourful and the story gets an authentic Hollywood makeover, but somehow the sentiment of this man who sacrificed much of the trappings of his fairly well-to-do family life is lost amongst the showier elements of the production. The plot centres around the lively and rakish "Francis" who returns from his wartime experiences, ostensibly inspired by God to set up his own religious order. Together with the help of "Clare" (real-life nun Dolores Hart) and with the support of the Pope, they work hard to abide by their chosen vows of poverty and chastity. It is quite an easy watch, but somehow neither lead performance really resonate. This is a story that ought to be inspirational, it ought to evoke emotions and yet, somehow, it is just a rather sterile chronology that offers us a glimpse of their lives and troubles, safe in the knowledge that the actor's air-conditioned Winnebago was just out of shot. The dialogue offers us little by way of interest, either - indeed, dare I say this of anything from this master of the swash and buckle - but this is actually quite dull!
