The film is a series of vignettes depicting the monks in various encounters with each other and locals in the surrounding countryside. Each scene has a point, but the "lessons" are imparted with grace, subtlety and tranquil ease. Watching this film is a very calming, quiet experience. Other than the dialogue of the brothers (in Italian), what one hears most of the time in the soundtrack is the sound of chirping birds and falling water. Not a film that everyone will enjoy but if the idea of following humble, simple monks around the medieval countryside appeals to you at all, I recommend this DVD highly. Considering that this movie was released just five years after the end of WWII, perhaps it was an attempt to remind Italians and Europeans in general of this long-departed but timeless advocate of peace and non-violence.

The film consists of several short vignettes depicting various encounters and occurrences involving the 13th century monk Francis of Assisi, as well as his small group of followers who would go on to become the Franciscan Order. Dedicated to lives of poverty and piety, they struggle to survive while searching for the good in all things. As well as focusing on Francis (Nazario Gerardi), much time is spent on Brother Juniper/Ginapro (Severino Pisacane), known as the "Jester of God", a good-hearted but simple-minded follower of Francis.

Rossellini's Neo-Realist sensibilities continue with his casting of real Franciscan monks to play Francis and his followers. In fact, the only professional actor involved was Fabrizi, playing a vicious warlord. The script, co-written by Rossellini and Federico Fellini with some later input by a pair of Catholic priests, contains a lot of humor. The movie is both pious and light-hearted, and it rarely if ever feels like it is preaching. It's also not a traditional biopic of St. Francis, as one might expect, but rather it seeks to illuminate the man through his works and interactions with others. The film also evokes its time period well, with none of the Hollywood glamorization one usually finds with historical pieces.

An odd little film, but so exhilarating that I don't think the experience will ever leave me. I can't even really say why it pleased me so much, but it's the kind of film that just makes you appreciate the beauty of the world around you. It's so gentle and miraculous. The film follows the simple life of Francis of Assisi and the friars who followed him. Born the son of a rich merchant, he practiced poverty to honor Christ. We see vignettes as they were described in the titular hagiography (no doubt adapted freely by the screenwriters, among whom was Federico Fellini). They are often beautiful and touching, but more often than not they have a tinge of comedy. In fact, you can really see Fellini's talent starting to emerge here. The style is very reminiscent of his early work. Within Rossellini's career, it eclipses probably all of his other films, many of which are admittedly fantastic (I think Stromboli, which was released near the same time, is a close second best). There's just a beauty in it. I am not Catholic and know nothing of St. Francis of Assisi, so I don't know if I'm missing anything. But to me it felt like a true celebration of humanity.