Francis, God's Fool

Play trailer

Francis, God's Fool

1950,

1h 33m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

100%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

The life of Saint Francis of Assisi (Aldo Fabrizi) is loosely chronicled in this film, divided into nine chapters that highlight different elements of the saint's teachings, from compassion to humility. Director Roberto Rossellini's film, which conveys the joy Saint Francis found in seeking out enlightenment, opens with an introduction to the saint's followers, the Franciscans, and closes with the holy friar leaving Rome to spread his views to the world.

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

May 17, 2021

Rossellini depicts these brazen geniuses of humility with an expressive simplicity akin to Giotto's; his nonjudgmental clarity reflects both the way they lived and his sense of wonder that anyone could ever have done so.

Go to Full Review

John Anderson

America Magazine

May 1, 2020

...we, as Rossellini intended, are humbled.

Go to Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Mar 25, 2006

3.5/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Oct 22, 2018

Delightfully ramshackle... ull of humor and unexpected incident...

Go to Full Review

Brian Gibson

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

May 6, 2013

Austerely glorious; what's seen confronts what's felt. 63 years on, Rossellini's vision of St Francis offers a humble Catholicism at stark odds with the reality of the Church's ruling elite today.

Go to Full Review

Jay Antani

Cinema Writer

Aug 24, 2006

3.5/4

one of the cinema's loveliest spiritual explorations

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Finn R

Nov 29, 2018

A surprising version of the story of St Francis from Rossellini, it works on all levels. Its heartfelt humor is not to be taken as a comedic humor, it's the humor of people who are truly blessed and joyful, filled with the love for Jesus. You can tell how Rossellini must have felt for these men, so genuine and sincere is the showcasing of their endeavors on spreading peace to people of the earth. The story is shown through 10 episodes from the life of St Francis, each offering some lesson to learn in an amusing manner. The absolute absence of hatred and evil in the movie is really warming.

See more

Rey S

Dec 18, 2017

Shockingly beautiful, will draw you into the innocence and humility of the friars. One of film's greatest hagiographies.

Read all reviews

Roberto Rossellini

Director

Aldo Fabrizi

Nicolaio, the Tyrant

Nazario Gerardi

Saint Francis (uncredited)

Arabella Lemaitre

Saint Claire (uncredited)

Roberto Rossellini

Writer

Ferrari: Race to Immortality

90%

71%

Ferrari: Race to Immortality

Watchlist

Fly Away Solo

95%

87%

Fly Away Solo

Watchlist

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

96%

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Watchlist

The Saragossa Manuscript

94%

90%

The Saragossa Manuscript

Watchlist

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One

88%

77%

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

The life of Saint Francis of Assisi (Aldo Fabrizi) is loosely chronicled in this film, divided into nine chapters that highlight different elements of the saint's teachings, from compassion to humility. Director Roberto Rossellini's film, which conveys the joy Saint Francis found in seeking out enlightenment, opens with an introduction to the saint's followers, the Franciscans, and closes with the holy friar leaving Rome to spread his views to the world.

Director: Roberto Rossellini
Screenwriter: Roberto Rossellini
Production Co: Cineriz, Rizzoli Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (DVD): Aug 23, 2005
Runtime: 1h 33m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings