Did a 1972 film about Saint Francis mirror the spirit of the hippie era?
In short: Franco Zeffirelli's historical drama reimagines the life of Saint Francis of Assisi through the lens of 1970s counterculture. While critics dismissed its aesthetic as overly sweet, the film remains a curious artifact of its time, featuring a folk-inspired score by Donovan that captures the idealism of the flower power movement.
Released in 1972, Brother Sun, Sister Moon depicts the transformation of Francesco di Bernardone from a wealthy merchant's son into a humble ascetic. After returning from war, Francesco rejects his father's obsession with material gain, choosing instead to live in poverty and harmony with nature. Director Franco Zeffirelli intentionally framed this medieval narrative to resonate with the social and political attitudes prevalent among young people during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The production was marked by significant creative shifts. Initially, Leonard Bernstein and Leonard Cohen were commissioned to write the score, but they withdrew after three months of work. The task eventually fell to singer-songwriter Donovan, whose folk compositions became central to the film's identity. Casting was equally fluid; Al Pacino screen-tested for the lead, and Frank Grimes was briefly attached to the project before Zeffirelli opted for Graham Faulkner. The final result was a visually lush, nine-month production shot across Italy.
Upon release, the film faced harsh scrutiny. Critics like Roger Ebert and Vincent Canby argued that the film mistook simplicity for simple-mindedness, particularly criticizing the portrayal of Pope Innocent III as overly theatrical. Despite this, the film earned recognition for its technical craft, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction and a David di Donatello win for Zeffirelli. Today, the film maintains a notable divide between critical reception and audience appreciation, serving as a polarizing example of how historical hagiography can be repurposed to reflect contemporary cultural ideals.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Brother Sun, Sister Moon
- Also: Wikidata — Brother Sun, Sister Moon · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Brother Sun, Sister Moon · CC0
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