# Francesco (1989)

Synopsis Mickey Rourke stars in this story of the passionately mystical life of St. Francis of Assisi. Amid the tumult and savagery of 13th-century Italy, Francesco, the decadent son of a wealthy merchant, experiences a stunning religious awakening. He renounces his life of debauchery and begins an all-consuming quest for spiritual purity. Italian writer-director Liliana Cavani's docudrama also stars Helena Bonham Carter as Chiara (St. Clare). Told in flashback, the film relates Francis of Assisiâs evolution from rich manâs son to religious humanitarian and eventually to full-fledged saint. Francesco (1989) - Trailer Francesco was based on Hermann Hesseâs Francis of Assisi, which director Liliana Cavani had previously filmed in 1966. The Saint and founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor is played by Mickey Rourke, and his inspiration, the woman who later became Saint Clare, is played by Helena Bonham Carter. Raised as the pampered son of a merchant, Francis goes off to war only to return with a profound horror for the society which generated such suffering. In one scene, as an act of renunciation, he strips himself of his fine clothing in front of his father and leaves the house naked and barefoot, joining the lepers and beggars in the poor section of town. The film follows with a series of episodes from the saintâs life rather than a coherent narrative, following up until his final days when he receives the stigmata, or wounds similar to those on the body of Jesus…

- Kind: Commercial
- Runtime: 4 min
- By: Liliana Cavani
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/Francesco1989_466)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/Francesco1989_466?play=1)