Back in the early 70's when I saw this movie, the theater was filled with smiling Francis wannabe's. There were even people who walked through the streets barefoot in robes and tonsured heads to attend. They were not Franciscans. I think only those most endowed with Hippie sentimentality were not disappointed.
HOWEVER, there is one astonishingly effective scene worth sitting thought the rest of the film to see. Towards the end, Francis is in Rome hoping the Pope will grant his order recognition. The Pope is seated on a throne any king would envy, in splendid vestments bedecked with gold and jewels. The great chair is on a platform high above the floor of the great church. There are at least a dozen wide steps leading up to the almost Godlike heights at the top. After Francis presents his plea, the Pope, in one of Alec Guiness' typically perfect portrayals, stands up as the music swells and slowly begins to descend. But Zeffirelli positioned the cameras in such a way that you can only see the vertical portion of the steps, each of which is an intricate mosaic. The resulting shot makes it appear that Guiness is gently descending from heaven itself, like an angel floating down a beam of light.
Francis looks on in awe, and grovels before the Pope, who quietly lifts Francis up and then bows himself to kiss his feet.
That was more than thirty years ago. I've only seen this film once. Not the greatest to be sure, but this moment of genius has never left me.
HOWEVER, there is one astonishingly effective scene worth sitting thought the rest of the film to see. Towards the end, Francis is in Rome hoping the Pope will grant his order recognition. The Pope is seated on a throne any king would envy, in splendid vestments bedecked with gold and jewels. The great chair is on a platform high above the floor of the great church. There are at least a dozen wide steps leading up to the almost Godlike heights at the top. After Francis presents his plea, the Pope, in one of Alec Guiness' typically perfect portrayals, stands up as the music swells and slowly begins to descend. But Zeffirelli positioned the cameras in such a way that you can only see the vertical portion of the steps, each of which is an intricate mosaic. The resulting shot makes it appear that Guiness is gently descending from heaven itself, like an angel floating down a beam of light.
Francis looks on in awe, and grovels before the Pope, who quietly lifts Francis up and then bows himself to kiss his feet.
That was more than thirty years ago. I've only seen this film once. Not the greatest to be sure, but this moment of genius has never left me.