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Poster for The Flowers of St. Francis

The Flowers of St. Francis

Seen it?

1950 | 87 min | Drama, History

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It was critically acclaimed, though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Belfast or Pollock, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 27 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1950: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In a series of simple and joyous vignettes, director Roberto Rossellini and co-writer Federico Fellini lovingly convey the universal teachings of the People’s Saint: humility, compassion, faith, and sacrifice. Gorgeously photographed to evoke the medieval paintings of Saint Francis’s time, and cast with monks from the Nocera Inferiore Monastery, The Flowers of St. Francis is a timeless and moving portrait of the search for spiritual enlightenment.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    Critically acclaimed

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 19K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Roberto Rossellini

  • Aldo FabriziNicolaio, il Tiranno di Viterbo
  • Gianfranco BelliniNarrator (voice)
  • PeparuoloGiovanni il Sempliciotto
  • Severino PisacaneFra' Ginapro
  • Roberto Sorrentino
  • Nazario GerardiSan Francesco (uncredited)
  • Arabella LemaitreSanta Chiara (uncredited)
  • Renzo RosselliniNarrator (voice) (uncredited)