St. Bonaventure described St. Francis of Assisi, his mentor, as an "epiphany of God," a near-perfect exemplar of humanity. Somehow, Mickey Rourke doesn't spring to mind.
The film opens in 1227 as the Franciscan Brotherhood compiles the hagiography of St. Francis, then flashes back to 1202. Arrogant Francesco (Rourke) is the idle son of a wealthy Merchant (Paolo Bonacelli). When Perugia defeats Assisi in a bitter religious war, Francesco witnesses the tortures
inflicted on heretics. He spends a year in captivity reading the New Testament; ransomed, he returns to his father's business, meeting Chiara (Helena Bonham Carter), who impresses him with her generosity ...
Released:
1989
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
115 mins