Overview
A transformative journey of faith and self-discovery unfolds in the heart of Umbria.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- devotional
- lyrical
- sincere
- reflective evening
- religious holiday
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually beautiful and sincere but overly sweet, simplistically written, and excessively staged in its institutional religious scenes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows Francesco Bernardone's transformation into Saint Francis of Assisi and the founding of a religious order.
Francesco renounces his merchant family's riches and becomes il Poverello, the poorest of the poor.
Francis and his barefoot followers seek acceptance from Pope Innocent III for a new order of beggars.
The film repeatedly contrasts taverns and armor with meadows, sunlight, ruined churches, and the beauty of God's creatures.
Films like Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and why
The Flowers of St. Francis
religious biographical drama centered on spiritual transformation, humility, and Franciscan ideals
The Mission
visually composed historical religious drama about a young person rejecting worldly power for spiritual conviction
A Man for All Seasons
earnest period biography emphasizing spiritual awakening, idealism, and conflict with institutional authority
The Gospel of John
beautifully staged Christian historical drama with an idealistic protagonist confronting established power
Movie Details
- Director
- Franco Zeffirelli
- Release Date
- 1972-03-03
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (144)
Cast
- Graham Faulkner
- Judi Bowker
- Leigh Lawson
- Kenneth Cranham
- Lee Montague
- Valentina Cortese
- Alec Guinness
- Michael Feast
- Nicholas Willatt
- John Sharp
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Brother Sun, Sister Moon about?
- A privileged young medieval merchant abandons wealth and worldly pleasure to rebuild a church and inspire a radical community of voluntary poverty.
- What is Brother Sun, Sister Moon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Brother Sun, Sister Moon as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Brother Sun, Sister Moon violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Brother Sun, Sister Moon as mild.
- What did critics think of Brother Sun, Sister Moon?
- Critics broadly found the film visually beautiful and sincere but overly sweet, simplistically written, and excessively staged in its institutional religious scenes.
- Which films are like Brother Sun, Sister Moon?
- Films with a similar feel include The Flowers of St. Francis, The Mission, A Man for All Seasons, and The Gospel of John.
- How long is Brother Sun, Sister Moon?
- Brother Sun, Sister Moon runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch Brother Sun, Sister Moon?
- In United States, Brother Sun, Sister Moon is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
