Francesco (1989 film)

Francesco
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Liliana Cavani
Screenplay by	Liliana Cavani Roberta Mazoni
Produced by	Giulio Scanni
Starring	Mickey Rourke Helena Bonham Carter
Cinematography	Roger Deakins
Edited by	Gabriella Cristiani
Music by	Vangelis
Distributed by	Ital-Noleggio Cinematografico
Release date	April 22, 1989 (1989-04-22)
Running time	104 min (Germany) 150 min (Italy) 133 min (Argentina)
Countries	Italy West Germany
Languages	English Italian

Francesco is a 1989 docu-drama relating in flashback St. Francis of Assisi's evolution from rich man's son to religious humanitarian and finally to full-fledged saint. The film was based on Hermann Hesse's Francis of Assisi, which director Liliana Cavani had previously filmed in 1966. It was shot in the Italian region of Abruzzo and it stars Mickey Rourke and Helena Bonham Carter. Greek composer, Vangelis, provided the musical score.

Raised as the pampered son of a merchant, Francis goes off to war, only to return with a profound horror for the society which generated such suffering. In one scene, as an act of renunciation, he strips himself of his fine clothing in front of his father, and leaves the house naked and barefoot, joining the lepers and beggars in the poor section of town. A series of episodes from Francis' life follows, rather than a coherent narrative, until his final days when he receives the stigmata, the wounds Christ suffered at the crucifixion.

The film won three awards and was nominated for a fourth. Danilo Donati won the 1989 David di Donatello Award for Best Production Design, and the 1989 Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Silver Ribbon also for Best Production Design. won the Syndicate's Best Supporting Actor Award. Director Liliana Cavani was nominated for the Golden Palm at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.^[1]

Cast[]

• Mickey Rourke - Francesco
• Helena Bonham Carter - Chiara
• Andréa Ferréol - Francesco's Mother (as Andrea Ferreol)
• - Cardinal Colonna
• Peter Berling - Bishop Guido
• Hanns Zischler - Pope Innocent III
• Mario Adorf - Cardinal Ugolino
• Paolo Bonacelli - Francesco's Father
• - Leone
• - Pietro Cattani
• - Angelo (as Alekander Dubin)
• - Egidio
• - Pacifico
• - Rufino
• - Bernardo di Quintavalle
• Domiziano Arcangeli - Brother in Lateran Palace

Soundtrack[]

The soundtrack of the film was composed by the Greek composer Vangelis. It was never officially issued, but released in a limited edition not licensed for public by Andromeda Music (AMO103) in 2002.

See also[]

• List of historical drama films

References[]

External links[]

• Francesco at IMDb
• Filmografia di Liliana Cavani