The Flowers of St Francis (Francesco, giullare di Dio) (Francis, God's Jester) (1950)

100% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(1,094 ratings)

Flowers of St. Francis (Francesco, giullare di Dio) is an early example of the "commercial" side of Roberto Rossellini. The film traces the life of St. Francis, from his embracing of religion to his efforts to establish a harmonious middle ground between life and spirituality. Rosselini has given us… More Flowers of St. Francis (Francesco, giullare di Dio) is an early example of the "commercial" side of Roberto Rossellini. The film traces the life of St. Francis, from his embracing of religion to his efforts to establish a harmonious middle ground between life and spirituality. Rosselini has given us a "chamber" film, deliberately avoiding the overblown vulgarity of Hollywood religious spectacles. The director's assistant and cowriter on this project was Federico Fellini. Unfortunately, Roberto Rossellini was under a cloud in the US thanks to L'affaire Bergman, so Flowers of St. Francis (made right after Stromboli) was not given an immediate American release in 1950. When it finally did get to our shores, at least two reels were cut; we recommend the somewhat more thorough British release version. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Roberto Rossellini
Written By: Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 6, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Aug 23, 2005
Studio: Franciscan University Film Society

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Thanks to the simplicity of its filming and the sympathetic musical score Renzo Rossellini has affixed, it sends one forth from the theatre feling kindlier towards his fellow man.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Rossellini's buoyant 1950 masterpiece is a glorious hallucination of perfect harmony between man and nature.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
one of the cinema's loveliest spiritual explorations
Shawn Levy, Oregonian
Pious and earthy, crude and artful, filled with pithy religious lessons but devoid of moralizing.
Aaron Hillis, Premiere Magazine
A timeless treat.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Rossellini shows a great compassion and humor for the friars.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
a small film from a self-proclaimed atheist illustrates spiritual truths far more profoundly than more widely screened spectacles
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Though Roberto Rossellini's Francesco, giullare di Dio...tells stories of a Roman Catholic saint, it should not be branded merely as a religious film.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
We could all stand to learn the lessons of Rossellini and Bazin.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
a film for the faithful
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
The theme is less the simplicity of religion than the religiosity of simplicity.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Rossellini's film has an uncomplicated charm and an effortless beauty.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
A delightfully simple film, as much a tribute to the spirit of humane curiosity in which the film was made as to the heritage of spirituality that is its transcendent theme.

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Cindy I

More of a visual book than a movie, this film discusses episodes in the life of St. Francis of Assisi by means of "chapters", each of which is subtitled by a description of what will happen in this section. It's a gentle film in many ways, following the priests as they… More
More of a visual book than a movie, this film discusses episodes in the life of St. Francis of Assisi by means of "chapters", each of which is subtitled by a description of what will happen in this section. It's a gentle film in many ways, following the priests as they live their rural lives -- cooking, ministering, gardening, and praying. There is a substory about one of Francis' followers who has more devotion to his calling than common sense, and there is some comedy (not to a mention a couple of scenes a little tough to watch) in his mistakes and misinterpretations of Francis' teachings. Since I'm not very religious, let alone Catholic, I probably didn't get as much out of it as someone more devout would have. But I still feel that Rossellini did a lovely job with this film.

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The Flowers of St Francis (Francesco, giullare di Dio) (Francis, God's Jester) (1950)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

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