Brother Sun, Sister Moon

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Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Graham Faulkner as Francesco, or Francis
Directed by	Franco Zeffirelli
Written by	Suso Cecchi d'Amico Kenneth Ross
Starring	Graham Faulkner Judi Bowker
Music by	Donovan
Release date(s)	1972
Running time	135 /122 min.
Country	Italy / U.K.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Brother Sun, Sister Moon is the English title of Fratello Sole Sorella Luna (1972), is a biopic of Francis of Assisi directed by Franco Zeffirelli.

Featuring Zeffirelli's signature lush photography, Brother Sun Sister Moon was conceived and executed in much the same visual manner as his Academy Award-winning adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (1968). Brother Sun Sister Moon attempts to draw parallels between the work and philosophy of Francis and the ideology that underpinned the worldwide hippie movement of the 1960s and early '70s.

The film features a cast of newcomers and screen veterans, including Judi Bowker, Leigh Lawson, Kenneth Cranham, Valentina Cortese, and Alec Guinness. It is also known for the score composed by Riz Ortolani.

1 Plot synopsis
2 Soundtrack
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Plot synopsis

British newcomer Graham Faulkner portrays Francesco, the spoiled son of a wealthy merchant. Following his return from war, Francesco renounces all his worldly possessions to live an ascetic and simple life as a man of God and nature. Much to the dismay of his family, friends and the local bishop, he gradually gains a large following amongst the poor and the suffering.

Clare, a young woman also of a wealthy family, serves and cares for lepers of the community. Francis is inspired by her example, and in return, after his community forms, she comes to join the brothers in their life of poverty.

The film contrasts Francis's innocence, piety and virtue with the bloated pomp of official Roman Catholic Church doctrine, which is depicted as being weighed down by internal politics, corruption and hypocrisy. Much of Brother Sun Sister Moon was filmed in locations and buildings frequented by the real-life Francis of Assisi.

[edit] Soundtrack

The cinematography, editing, and a romantic soundtrack by the Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, who fully embraced the wide-eyed optimism of the flower-power movement with his ornate songs that radiate a mystical beauty and childlike wonder, full of peace, love and idealism, reinforce the healing and influential effect St. Francis had on his followers.

In 2004, Donovan re-recorded the songs from the long out-of-print soundtrack. Brother Sun, Sister Moon was released exclusively on iTunes Store.