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Brother Sun, Sister Moon (Widescreen) (1972)

Graham Faulkner , Judi Bowker , Franco Zeffirelli  |  PG |  DVD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (259 customer reviews)

Price: $59.97 & FREE Shipping. Details
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Brother Sun, Sister Moon (Widescreen) + Clare and Francis + Mother Teresa
Price for all three: $85.01

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Product Details

  • Actors: Graham Faulkner, Judi Bowker, Leigh Lawson, Kenneth Cranham, Lee Montague
  • Directors: Franco Zeffirelli
  • Writers: Franco Zeffirelli, Kenneth Ross, Lina Wertmüller, Suso Cecchi D'Amico
  • Producers: Dyson Lovell, Luciano Perugia
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, Surround Sound, Digital Sound, Dubbed, NTSC
  • Language: English, French
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Studio: Paramount
  • DVD Release Date: March 9, 2004
  • Run Time: 121 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (259 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00015HX9A
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,183 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Brother Sun, Sister Moon (Widescreen)" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It seemed like a good idea in 1973: a musical scored by Donovan about the life and times of St. Francis of Assisi, the passionate ascetic who expressed love for God by loving nature. But the finished product was something else. Filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli (Endless Love) makes a decorous effort at communicating the ideals of Francis and even tweaking the character toward flower-power relevance. But the result is feel-good fluff, a boring movie that doesn't penetrate its subject as much as reinvent him toward a modern bias. Graham Faulkner is entirely forgettable in the lead, and Donovan's songs on this project aren't exactly first-rate, either. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

A MEDIEVAL ITALIAN WASTREL BECOMES FRANCIS OF ASSISI, FOUNDER OF AN ORDER UNDER POPE INNOCENT III.

Customer Reviews

I loved the movie and have watched it many times. S. K. Wilson  |  71 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
415 of 424 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful film January 21, 2001
Format:VHS Tape
I am a member of the Franciscan Third Order and fell in love with this movie back when I was only 13. (I'm now 34) This movie is definitely a product of the 60's - but the message is timeless. I feel badly that the review by Amazon was so discouraging. I would not want anyone to read that and make a judgement.

The movie represents, in my opinion, the true beauty of the Franciscan charism. The joy, simplicity and love that our Saint Francis embodied. I felt that Mr. Faulkner was an EXCELLENT choice for the lead role - he couldn't have been any closer to what I imagine Francis being. The director, Franco Zeffirelli, has done notable films ("Endless Love" NOT among his best). If you are a fan of the famous "Jesus of Nazareth", then I would suggest viewing this. In any case, this is a wonderful little film to get you acquainted with this timeless saint.

One bit of trivia - Sir Alec Guinness wanted to play the part of the Pope - as he had just converted to Catholicism not long before the making of this film. :-)

Hope this rudimentary review helped!

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263 of 267 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Light for the World, the Spirit and the Heart December 6, 2000
Format:VHS Tape
After two weeks and four viewings of this simple but surprisingly rich and powerfully moving film about the early life of St. Francis of Assisi, its stirring music lingers in my ears, its hopeful message still aflame within my heart.

How does one rate movies? I choose five main categories: the filming, characters, musical score, development, and theme. All elements are related, so I conclude with overall remarks.

I see this film as primarily a religious one, with heavy emphasis upon personal development. Thus, I was pleased to see effective focus of the camera upon the facial expressions of the characters. For example, the eyes of Alec Guinness's Pope Innocent III clearly show me his great warmth and concern for young Francis as he asks the Holy See for his advice. Francis's eyes likewise convey his deep humility and sincerity. Pietro, ripping his bread from his jaws as he eats, reveals his fury raging uncontrollably. The filming also glorifies the fabulous scenery of Italy and the majestic colors of spring.

As for characters, the main question I always have is, are they believable? Can we identify with them? Even with Faulkner's Francis, to a certain extent (he was a saint, after all), I say yes. That he seems to have been "bought out" by Paulo at the papal court shows his human nature. Giocondo's reluctantly joining Francis and Bernardo, perhaps weighing contingencies, is not unlike what I might have done in his shoes.

The music? It was 1972, so Donovan was a good choice, but his score fitted well with one of Francis's life themes: simplicity. Francis's real-life musicians would likewise have sounded imperfect, which made the film more real for me. The instrumental music is breathtaking, sweet and stirring to the bone marrow. The hymns are simple and joyful enough to have established themselves in my ears even above the music of the Christmas season. While organ music didn't exist in 1206 A.D., it might have been added to reach a modern audience that might be alienated to Gregorian chanting. Historical realism is not the film's main goal, although the effects were well enough done to have earned it an Academy Award nomination.

Do the characters and plot develop enough to keep interest? In many of the characters I see the step-like change associated with the impact of profound religious influence. Francis, from pampered cloth-trade heir to tattered, mendicent friar is most striking. Powerful is his change of heart, from frivolous and selfish to pointedly purposeful and sacrificial lover of humanity and, indeed, all life. Bernardo, ever loyal, comes to realize what this loyalty must mean after his return from war. The bishop moves as a chess piece: forward in being humbled by Francis's example, backward in yielding to the powers of state.

Most importantly, I think, is the theme for this film. Although its messages are primarily religious, I feel it still reaches out to all audiences. The quest for purpose in life is inherently a religious quest. Francis seems to have made Jesus more accessible to tens of generations of Christians, even more so with this touching film. The compassionate and activist spirit in which he imitated the gospels has encouraged me to dig deeper to find Christ's meanings as he did.

Overall, this is a beautiful movie, one I would see a hundred times. I chant its hymns with exuberance. I am propelled by the flame it rekindled in my bosom to live more like Jesus, less afraid to reach out to people. I felt ten years younger watching Francis's reckless abandon. Yes, reviews are polarized between Sappy Movie Award to Best I've Seen Award, perhaps as much so as the generation who saw it first in the 1970s. A sensitive hero Faulkner's Francis is, but one with an iron rod of dedication. Most negative reviews focus on the film's technical aspects, while the positive reviews expound on the effect it has had on the viewer's heart and life's renewed sense of purpose and vigor.

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72 of 75 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly inspiring and enlightening cinema masterpiece February 19, 1999
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
How refreshing it is to see Brother Sun, Sister Moon once again, twenty-six years since the film's original release! In our world of today, when it seems that the only fare available on the big screen contains an overabundance of violence, brashness and materialism; it is still a joy to behold this bright, outstanding and enlightening montage of Franco Zeffirelli's homage to St. Francis of Assisi, even though only on video. With beautiful, colorful cinematography of actual locations; augmented by fine performances and a skillful scenario which is enhanced by Donovan's music of the kinder and gentler times of the Flower Child/Hippie era, this production is a wondrous blend which totally works in celebrating the life of a mystical man who worshipped the Creator through nature. Graham Faulkner's portrayal of St. Francis is sensitive and moving; running the gamut from madness to spiritual ecstacy to the realization of the virtues of simplicity. The young actor's sterling performance from 1973 is one which will always be remembered through this film. My only regret about the production is the fact that Donovan's music was never released as an audial soundtrack recording. Certainly, the original music is reminiscent of the Flower Child era; with lyrics that are beautifully melded, in some instances, with actual words of the First Franciscan, but what better music would be so perfectly representative of the Peace and Love which St. Francis practiced? I would certainly like to have a recording of this score to play in my automobile, if only to create a sense of serenity while driving in the rude and mean-spirited traffic of Los Angeles
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars wasn't able to play it in any player.
it was a foreign copy. I sent it back and haven't heard a thing. would love a copy that would work in my dvd player.
Published 1 day ago by bonnie hennessy
5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Recharge
Though this movie is dated in some aspects still the message is timeless and extremely well presented. Read more
Published 2 days ago by A.K. Frailey
1.0 out of 5 stars Poor quality
I knew this tape was old, but it was supposed to be in very good condition. It is full of static. I was very disappointed.
Published 4 days ago by M. Frazier
2.0 out of 5 stars Much Too Dated
This is one of those 1970s interpretative films where silence is supposed to be understood and has great bearing on the viewer. I found it quite boring. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Val E. Simone
5.0 out of 5 stars Just dripping with youthful passions and lush visuals!
This is Franco Zeffirelli's lesser known work, but it is simply a glorious and beautifully told masterpiece. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Natja Kristy
1.0 out of 5 stars blank tape
nothing on disk...blank .. I was really disappointed because i saw it at a friends house and would buy a new one but am afraid that it too would be blank bob g.
Published 16 days ago by robert gallagher
1.0 out of 5 stars Mocks all religions
I couldn't finish watching it because it thought it was so irreverent towards all religions and religious experience in general. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Joseph L. Oliphant
1.0 out of 5 stars it will only play on equipment made in china cannot be used in usa,
we tried to use the divd but it is not designed to be played by equipment sold in the usa who knew? probably the seller! Read more
Published 17 days ago by wayne lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure
This movie is very uplifting. It starts out slow but builds to an inspirational peak that is hard to duplicate.
Published 24 days ago by Dennis Murley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
Wonderful depiction of Saint Francis. The scenery is beautiful and the music was written by Donavan using the writings of Saint Francis.
Published 24 days ago by Dan McGrath
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