Francesco

Introduction

“Francesco” is an Italian historical drama directed by renowned Italian director Liliana Cavani, starring Mickey Rourke and Helena Bonham Carter and with an original score by Vangelis. The film is based on the book “Franz von Assisi” by German author Hermann Hesse about the life of the 12th century catholic Francis of Assisi, founder of the religious order of Franciscans. The famous story of Francis of Assisi about a man who rejects wealth and gives all his possessions to the poor was a major inspiration to director Cavani, who also made two other films about the saint Francis (in 1966 and 2015). For this film Liliana Cavani was nominated for a Golden Palm at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.

Vangelis composed the music for Francesco while he was staying in Rome, where he had set up his instruments in a suite of the Hotel De La Ville, the same location where (part of ) his album "The City" (1990) was recorded. Unfortunately Vangelis’ film score was never officially released, although bootlegs exist that source the music (with sound-effects) from the DVD. A vocal version of the end title theme was released on the Jon and Vangelis-album “Page Of Life” (1991) as ‘Shine For Me’, sung by Jon Anderson.

After screening in cinemas, Francesco was initially published on home video formats such as VHS and LaserDisc in the 1990s. Unfortunately most of these releases were shortened as well as dubbed in a different language and therefor not recommended. Since the 2000s however things have improved with the availability on DVD in many countries. Several DVD’s are recommended for including the full 2.5 hour version of the film, even though the dialogue is usually still dubbed in a foreign language. In 2015 Francesco was released on blu-ray in the United States, which unfortunately is missing some 17 minutes of the film but has the advantage of including the original English dialogue.

Details and credits

Title: Francesco
Year: 1989
Country: Italy
Lengh: 150 minutes
Release date: 22nd of March 1989
Directed by Liliana Cavani.
Story by Liliana Cavani.
Screenplay by Liliana Cavani and Roberta Mazzoni.
Music by Vangelis.
Director of photography: Guiseppe Lanci
Sets, costumes and decor by Danilo Donati.
Film editing: Gabriella Cristiani
Producer: Giulio Scanni
Production: Karol Film
In cooperation with: Rai Radiotelevisione Italiana, Rai Uno, Instituto Luce, Italnoleggio Cinematografico and Royal Film.

Cast

Mickey Rourke – Francesco
Helena Bonham Carter – Chiara (St. Clare)
Andréa Ferréol – Pica (Francesco’s mother)
Paolo Bonacelli – Petro Bernardone (Francesco’s father)
Mario Adorf – Ugolino Di Segni (Cardinal of Ostia)
Fabio Bussotti – Leone
Ricardo de Torrebruna – Pietro Cattani
Matteo Corsini – Angelo Tancredi (as Alekander Dubin)
Edward Farrelly – Egidio
Paolo Proletti – Pacifico
Paco Reconti – Rufino
Peter Berling – Bishop Guido of Assisi
Nikolaus Dutsch – Cardinal Colonna
Hanns Zischler – Pope Innocent III
Stanko Molnar – Elia Bombarone
Diego Ribon – Bernardo di Quintavalle
Maurizio Schmidt – Masseo

Media

Blu-ray

2015 Film Movement 857692005345 US (133 minutes, includes original English dialogue but no subtitles)

DVD

2001 Luce LD 90013 Italy (150 minutes, dubbed in Italian with English subtitles)
2004 Arthaus 500756 Germany “Franziskus” (150 minutes, dubbed in German/Italian with German subtitles)
Historical Film Collection 81688 Greece “O Agios Tragkisos Tis Asizis” (150 minutes, dubbed in Italian with Greek subtitles)
Etalon Film 5999886089016 Hungary (149 minutes, dubbed in Hungarian/Italian with Hungarian subtitles)

Earlier the film has also been published on VHS and Laser Disc video formats.

Recording studio

The music of Francesco was recorded in a suite of Hotel De La Ville in Rome, Italy.

Synopsis

The film opens in the early 13th century, in the Italian town of Assisi. Francesco (played by Mickey Rourke), the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Pietro Bernardone, lives a life of privilege and indulgence. He is charming, popular, and enjoys the company of friends and the pleasures of youth. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is captured during a battle between Assisi and the neighboring city of Perugia. Imprisoned and suffering from illness, Francesco experiences a series of visions and spiritual awakenings that lead him to question his previous way of life.

Upon his release and return to Assisi, Francesco is a changed man. He begins to reject his family’s wealth and the materialistic values of his society. His father, Pietro (Helmut Berger), is outraged by Francesco’s newfound asceticism and public acts of charity, which include giving away expensive cloth from the family business to the poor. The conflict between father and son escalates, culminating in a dramatic scene where Francesco renounces his inheritance and even his clothes, standing naked in the town square to symbolize his complete detachment from worldly possessions.

Francesco’s radical lifestyle attracts followers, and he begins to preach a message of love, poverty, and peace. He gathers a group of disciples, including the noblewoman Chiara (later known as Saint Clare), who is inspired by his teachings and founds the Order of Poor Clares. Together, they live in extreme poverty, caring for the sick and outcast, and preaching the Gospel.

The film also explores Francesco’s complex relationship with the Catholic Church. While his message resonates with the common people, it challenges the institutional Church’s wealth and power. Francesco seeks approval for his order from Pope Innocent III, who initially views him with suspicion but eventually grants his blessing, recognizing the sincerity and purity of Francesco’s mission.

As Francesco’s movement grows, so do the challenges. His followers face persecution, and Francesco himself struggles with doubt, illness, and the burden of leadership. The film depicts his receiving of the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—as a moment of profound spiritual and physical suffering, symbolizing his deep union with Christ’s passion.

In the final years of his life, Francesco, now frail and blind, continues to inspire his followers. He composes the “Cantique Des Créatures” a hymn praising God’s creation, and dies surrounded by his brothers, his life a testament to the power of faith, humility, and love.

Links

Gallery