To me, this movie is perfection.

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

About five years ago before the writing of this review (2011) I had the unexpected delight of being exposed to this masterpiece of a film, which has since then not only become my personal favorite film for all time, but also has changed my life forever.How did this happen to me; a man between the Generation X and Millennial age group? After all, this film was created before I was born! Here is how: the late intellectual, Charles Colson, some time ago released a list of "50 Films Every Christian Should See" of which Brother Sun, Sister Moon was part of. Naturally, I wanted to view these films that came highly recommended by a great Christian intellectual.But, why is this such a great film? There is no doubt upon the first viewing of this film that there is something especially unique about it. No doubt it is a highly spiritual film that reaches the basic sentiments of the human soul. No doubt it seeks to portray a true saint of historical Christianity in a realistic as well as believable way. No doubt it has many political as well as spiritual connotations that link well with the transitional era of time in which it was filmed. No doubt it has many emotional moments that help us to really reconsider what is important in life in such an age of overwhelming materialism. No doubt there is a steady buildup followed by a strong release of the plot as well as character development featured therein. All of these things truly make for a powerful film if one is really willing to see it for what it is: the culmination of a wrest-less generation dealing with the issues of its day by recreating an ancient story to tell it through.I would suggest that the powerful element of this film is the ability to tell an ancient biography while blending with it important issues of the day in which it was filmed. If we can really watch and listen to this film closely, we can understand timeless sentiments common to all of humanity: War verses Peace, Greed verses Poverty, Power verses Powerlessness, Peace-fullness versus Busyness and Lust verses Chastity. After watching this film I am inspired to think that there are such men who exist that are not molded by the world, but by the principles of God as set forth in scriptures!

Despite Brother Sun, Sister Moon has a stunning photography, epic music, and amazing actors, the true value of this movie is the ability to reset your soul and let you enter Francesco's heart. The movie actually drives you into the exact mood of Francesco (and the Zeffirelli's Flower Power message): "return to the roots of purity and love" This is one of my favorites movies ever, everything is at it's best: the camera is like a paintbrush, the actors are more than real, the music can move you and let you cry. I recommend this movie to anybody who is willing to clean his spirit from outside noise. It works, once watched, you will feel changed.

If you want to know more about life, war, religion, the church, God, St. Francis, love, parents, children, devotion, humanitarian care, community living, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, etc. ad absurdum... then absolutely this is a VERY good film to incorporate into your reservoir of learning experiences. For me, the thing which most stood out was what it reveals about the spirit of man (or God - as you will) in relationship to the Roman Catholic church, in terms of teaching and inspiring I feel that is its greatest contribution; but there are very many other great things about the film... at least a dozen probably, and that is all before even getting to the superb qualities of overall direction, costumes, sets, acting, music, experimentation of techniques, SCRIPT WRITING!! ...etc. etc. etc. O.K. No more holding back, I really liked it.

I first saw this movie in the mid-1990s just before a trip to Assisi and decided to watch it again recently. What I did not catch the first time around was the cultural lens through which Zafrelli must have shot the film in the early 70s. It was all too apparent to me now. The movie has a heavy dose of flower power feel to it, with the fields of flowers, halcyonic nature images, and social justice messages sprinkled throughout. At one point when Clare runs through a field I had a flashback to "Little House on the Prairie". Be aware of this, and take it with a grain of salt.Despite the dating of the film, the message it contains is so strong that it "turns the tables" on our modern values in life and impacts us in ways that movies don't usually do. In this regard, the movie is quite remarkable. You see Francis begin with his conversion from a Crusader-of-the-world to a person wholly dissatisfied with material belongings and the ways of contemporary life. The life Francis begins to lead, and the message he then lives out, is so radical to Assisi of the 11th century (not to mention to our own times) that he is thought of as "mad". Nevertheless, to us Francis makes too much sense. Some of the most remarkable scenes in the movie when his infectious message overcomes friend after friend, all of whom decide to join him in his simple way of life in love of God. It is indeed in Francis' transformation, and the transforming effect he has on others, that makes the film so moving.I think it has been pointed out that the movie is a somewhat fictionalized version of the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and the movie only covers the important years of interior conversion he experienced rather than his later life. I should also point out that the overly-dramatized acting (check out the overly-slow gestures the characters tend to make at times) eliminates an aspect of realism from the story. But as a movie reflecting the basic message and youthful life of St. Francis, it is quite moving. The impressive medieval filming location, the ornate costumes, and the landscape scenery add to the Middle Ages feel of the time and help bring us closer to the authentic life of the Saint.