Customer Reviews

Clare and Francis

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I agree with the other reviewer's that this is surely the best film yet on St. Francis and St. Clare. Some of the things that stand out about it are:
- historical accuracy - it follows the historical details closer than the other films on the lives of these popular saints, including such scenes usually not in other films like their creation of the first living Nativity scene, Francis meeting with the head of the Muslims during the Crusades, and Francis encountering the dangerous wolf who befriends him
- greater presence of Clare - in all other films Clare is more of a secondary character, but in this film she is clearly given equal status and importance as Francis, with her name even appearing first in the film title
- combines authentic spirituality with social concern - this film really balances the deep spiritual focus of both saints with their love and concern for others
- exquisite cinematography, and uniformly excellent acting performances

This is a very beautifully produced film with outstanding acting performance by the two leads, as well as the rest of the cast.

Plus the DVD includes some nice "extras" like good film segments on the "Making of" and "Behind the scenes". And a wonderful Collector's Booklet with saint bios, film commentary, study questions, color photos, etc.

Bottom line - this film version has it all and is a real cinematic and spiritual treasure. Get it!

The best and most historically accurate dramatization to date of the saints of Assisi. Well acted, especially the characterization of Francis.
Thoughtful and moving. The writing and direction take special care to show how Francis and Clare progress from lives of privilege to lives of joyful poverty for God. The film gets better with repeated viewings, as subtle nuances may be missed if seen only once!

I received this movie as a Christmas present. Since Christmas, I have watched the movie 5 times (almost once a day during the Octave!). I would recommend this to anyone who loves these two Great Saints or who want to get to know them. I hope to begin a deeper study of them myself as I continue my own journey as a Third Order Capuchin.
I hope they come out with a soundtrack as well, for the music is magnificent!

This movie is an excellent portrayal of the lives of Saints Francis and Clare. It is very moving and inspiring. Good script, well acted, and the spiritual and religious elements in the lives of Francis and Clare are woven excellently in the movie. Two of my nephews, 15 and 11 of age, watched this movie and said that they really liked it a lot. The 15 year old told me that it's the best movie he has ever seen.

This is a great movie about St. Francis and St. Clare. It does an excellent job of portraying the lives they lived and their answer when God called them to leave their lives of wealth and follow him. The movie is inspiring, the acting is outstanding, and I enjoyed learning more about these two great saints. The movie is 200 minutes long but it will definitely hold your interest. I agree with other reviewers who have said you will want to watch this more than once.

In Chapter 12, "Friends Join Francis", the writer has done a beautiful job of showing the parallel between the life of Jesus and the life of Francis. There is a scene where a group of men (Priests?) approach the local bishop to express their concern over Francis and his followers. They exclaim that they feel the bishop has underestimated "the problem" because there are more and more of them everyday -- at least a dozen - and they go around the country saying they were ordered by God. The bishop replies that their words remind him of a story he has read several times, the Gospel, and he asks them if they have ever read it.

A 16 page booklet is included with the DVD which I found to be very useful. It contains short biographies of Clare and Francis and lists of the important dates in their lives. It also includes a very informative interview with Fr. Andrew Apostolic ,C.F.R., well-known speaker and author., and a resource list.

Clare and Francis is directed by Fabrizio Costa who directed Mother Teresa, another great film.

I recommend this movie as a great way for families to get to know more about St. Francis and St. Clare. Buy it, watch it, share it friends and family, and donate a copy to your parish library if you have one.

"Take nothing for your journey", Luke 9:3

"Clare and Francis" is a phenomenal film. This film is now one of my all-time favorite films. This is a top quality production. The acting is superb! What a performance by Mary Petruolo and Ettore Bassi... It is great to see such a high quality production of such a great story. I could not recommend it more. This is a must have in your DVD collection, particularly for Catholics.

This is not another Saint Francis's movie, it's a new way to see the life of Saint Francis and Clase of Assisi. The movie has scenes never seen in another movies, for example the visit with the Sultan in the Holy Land in the crusade times it's one of my favorities.
In summary: It a good buy if you like St. Francis and his spirituality or if you wish to know about him
Comes with english and italian audio and enlish and spanish subtitles.
At the end of the movie Fr. Reinero Cantalamessa OFM in interview explain the movie.

My love for St. Francis of Assisi began fifty years ago. This film came recommended to me and was not a disappointment. The presentation of key parts of the lives of Francis and Clare flowed smoothly, and the addition of Clare enhanced the profound points that needed to be made.

Beautiful photography, appropriate musical background, and vivid imagary of the times in which Francis lived added to the message.
It is obedience and humility that reforms and renews the Church, and continues to do so.

Dorothy B.

I've seen them all. Francis of Assisi Francis of Assisi, Brother Sun, Sister MoonBrother Sun Sister Moon,Francesco (1989) Francesco, even the Italian shorts "Little Flowers of Saint Francis". But this is the best of them all. It isn't perfect, and neither will it appeal to everyone. However, as one who has been a franciscan devotee for most of his life, I give this two-part italian tv movie two thumbs up.

It lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes, approximately, and feels dragging at times. That's the bad.

The good is much better.

Actors: Ettore Bassi is the best St. Francis yet. His interpretation has more warmth and range than Dillman's, conveys "jesterhood" authentically without looking spaced out like Graham Faulkner, and is just simply more believable in his interactions with the poor than Mickey Rourke. Mary Petruolo shows us many aspects of St. Claire, from an innocent youth to motherly abbess, without the audience having to suspend one's intellect too much. Also, I was particularly impressed with her acting during the scene where Claire confronts her uncle.

History: One can divide this movie into two concurrent biographies: Claire and Francis. Each biography (or should I say hagiography?) can be divided into stages, and each stage is close enough to traditional sources versions that I can safely call this film the most historically accurate. Most movies talk about the Church of San Damiano, but this is the first one I know to mention Our Lady of the Angels. Francis of Assisi mentions the Porziuncula once, that's it. I don't recall Rivo Torto as being mentioned in the film but that is no big loss.

The pivotal scene where Francis renounces his inheritance is done well here. It was omitted in Francis of Assisi, overdone in Brother Sun, and doesn't quite have the same "mmph" in Francesco. His audience with the Pope is also done well, and I'm glad it was mentioned that "radical poverty" was also practiced by heretics of the time such as the cathari, but it was obedience that convinced the Pope to approve the Friars Minor.

Mood: When I think of the various St. Francis movies, I can always pinpoint what "mood" the producers are after. Francis of Assisi wanted to present him as a holy man. Francesco as a radical, and Brother Sun Sister Moon as a hippie. Claire and Francis, to me, presents a balanced view. He is also presented as ever obedient to the Church, something lacking in many presentations of the character.
I especially love that first line that Francis says to a young Clare, "Go and don't look back" It sets the tone of the whole film as going through one's path and never looking back.

Another reviewer commented that miracles were not shown in this movie. If you think about it, miracles are never the selling point of Saint Francis movies, but this one did show several which I won't spoil for readers. I therefore beg to disagree with the statement about lack of miracles. But miracles are not the point of St. Francis' life - it's his life and how his had changed others. This was perfectly seen here with Clare. At the same time, one does not get the feeling that Francis dominates Clare. She is her own person.

If you must watch one Saint Francis movie, watch this one. I used to say that about Francis of Assisi, but Clare and Francis surpasses it greatly.

" Clare and Francis " is the definitive video bio of the Saints of Assisi.Each scene is like a historical tapestry .The performances of all are top notch, Ettore & Mary ARE Francis and Clare.They radiate the humility .spiritualty and the joy of the two Saints of Assisi.The music score is magnificent .A must have .Each time I watch it I walk away with a renewed faith.