A beautifully crafted film about Francis and Clara, which shows what a great work these two weak people were able to start through the action of God’s grace, to which they both opened themselves. Although Francis was often considered abnormal by those around him, he changed the Church and the world to a great extent through his actions and his commitment to serve God. He went against the logic of the hedonistic mindset of people who cannot and will not renounce the pursuit of the pleasures of this world.

Francis serves as a soldier in the beginning and he too is involved in the fighting between the cities in the north of the Apennine peninsula. Francis’ father longs for his son to make their family famous through gaining recognition just through the profession of knighthood.

But when Francis encounters much suffering, whether lepers or the poor, he begins to doubt the right direction for his life. Although Francis embarks on a crusade, he soon returns from it. He decides to do so, after God speaks to him in a dream. He perceives that the Lord wants something different from him.

Similarly, Clara comes from a wealthy family. Her family wants to marry her off to a wealthy groom. But Clara’s heart is deeply touched when she sees the sufferers and prisoners who feel nothing but hatred and contempt from those around them. This affects her desires and dreams for her future life.

Francis sees that it is difficult to break free from his father’s power and influence, yet he makes a firm decision. He gets rid of everything he has and the entire burden of property that his father wants to put on him. He acts like a “fool”, sells off his father’s cloth, which his father traded, gives the money to repair the church, and strips naked as a sign of his decision to live in poverty.

The film depicts various events in the lives of Francis and Clara, from the hardships of early life in poverty, to Francis’s involvement in trying to stop the Crusades with the Muslims, and much more.

Parents Guide: A few fight scenes.

Cast: Ettore Bassi, Ivano Marescotti, Luigi Diberti, Fabio Camilli, Lando Buzzanca, Antonella Fattori, Ángela Molina

Crew: Fabrizio Costa

Italy, 2007

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Complete movie in italian language you ca find also at this link.