The life of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) as related by followers who gather after his death to tell stories so that Leone can record them: a privileged and virile youth, a prisoner of war, an heir who turns away from his father and gives all to the poor, a beggar for others, and an inspiration to friends who accept the Gospels' life of poverty.
Acting
Rourke's weird, feral intensity somehow works for Francis
Cinematography
Dust, gold light, and bodies that actually look medieval
Direction
Cavani's unflinching gaze at male physicality in sacred space
Director
Liliana Cavani
Mickey Rourke
Francesco
Helena Bonham Carter
Chiara
Andréa Ferréol
Francesco's Mother
Peter Berling
Bishop Guido
Hanns Zischler
Pope Innocent III
Mario Adorf
Cardinal Ugolino
Paolo Bonacelli
Francesco's Father
Fabio Bussotti
Leone
Riccardo De Torrebruna
Pietro Cattani
Paolo Proietti
Pacifico
Paco Reconti
Rufino
Diego Ribon
Bernardo di Quintavalle
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Cavani made this after The Night Porter, so church groups were CONFUSED. Studio wanted a saint movie, she delivered a body movie.
Rourke did his own stunts including the fire scene because of course he did. Helena Bonham Carter was 22 and already out-acting everyone.
IT
