Graham Faulkner

[lovegrahamfaulkner]

Originally Posted by DUL0r4x Brian, I read your message, but I will have to borrow the dvd from my brother and watch it again before commenting. I don't specifically recall anything like the depicted miracles in various other religious films, it stuck me more as a historically accurate treatise dealing with his life. This is not to day it did not contain such depictions, simply that at the time, I can't recall anything specific. I'll repost after I get a chance to watch the dvd again. My gut reaction is that Brother Sun, though a romantic telling of the story, pretty much got it right, and I like its connection to living beings instead of the sterile, historical but accurate depiction in the Reluctant Saint and its Dvd. Ric p.s. I'm wondering what ever happened to bellybutton and the intent to post a pic of Mr. Faulkner

Hi there DULOr4x!

Yes, I am very much in agreement with what you said - the Zefferelli Movie does not depict St Francis partaking in miracles but rather the early life of Francis and how he left that lifestyle behind to be closer to nature and the needy.


Oh, I do agree again - 'where is bellybutton?' - I hope we weren’t being bluffed!

[interloper]

I think the town scenes were shot in San Gimignano, in Tuscany (not Umbria, the region where Assisi is located), based on the towers

[DUL0r4x]

I'll have to check on the town you mentioned.

I did say in an earlier post, that there is one scene of the dvd which I believe actually is Assissi. I said " If you have the DVD, there is what I think the actual town of Assissi, in Chapter 3, time 19:35 to 19:48. The part of the city we walked around is on top of the hill depicted around 19:45 on the DVD. ".

And yes, since bellybutton seems to have vanished without posting the photo/s, I suspect the other information in his/her posts can't be reliable.

Ric

[tristanactor]

I saw the film in 1990 on Austrian TV (ORF1). After that I even thought about dropping out of the civilization
Best film I ever saw. Meanwhile I found the VHS and later the DVD in the internet era. But there are no bonus material on the DVD , such as trailers, interviews a.s.o. Further the German voices were better on VHS. But that maybe do not interest you.
I think it would be a great theater play as well. did't find any play about Franciscus. Did you? I imagine a play on an open air stage.... :)

I also want to know what happened to Graham Faulkner. Such talented and disappeared without a trace...?

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by interloper I think the town scenes were shot in San Gimignano, in Tuscany (not Umbria, the region where Assisi is located), based on the towers

The IMDb Locations page for the film lists:

Abbey of Sant' Antimo, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy (interiors of the Assisi parish church)
Dear Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy
Gubbio, Perugia, Umbria, Italy
Monreale, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Piano Grande di Castelluccio, Norcia, Perugia, Italy
San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Steve

[DUL0r4x]

Steve,

Thank you for posting this information.
Next time I'm in Italy, I'll be able to re-imagine the movie scenes.

Though I saw Assisi in 2002, and we saw St. Francis' tomb in the lower level of an Assisi church. we didn't really know the history or the story of the San Damiano cross (though we did see, and photograph the actual cross. ) I'd like to see the Church where Francesco first saw the cross.

Thanks again!

Ric

[lovegrahamfaulkner]

I watched it again on DVD the other night and it still takes my breath away - what a great movie, can't thank Zefferelli enough for his style of movie making that gives 'brother sun, sister moon' such beauty.

Of all the movies depicting the life of Jesus again Zefferelli's 'Jesus of Nazareth' is the one that fills my eyes and warms my heart and just makes me 'get it' - what the film is trying to say, as apposed to Mel Gibson's 'The Passion Of The Christ' and the unnecessary abundance of bloodshed and torture that is not even stressed upon in any Bible I have read.

I think Zefferelli is so up there with the greatest movie makers and his attention to detail and beauty is first class! I will add, his attention to beauty is not 'for beauty sake' but, I feel, an intimate insight to the essence of the period time in history that his film is depicting and boy does he do it so well! Even in moments of gloominess the editorial is beautiful.

Another example - the courtyard fighting scene in his 1968 movie of 'Romeo and Juliet', the glorious sunshine that fills the yard took me right there, the atmospheric colours and sounds are akin to moments we have all experienced in our lives that we get a sense of 'knowing' and association even though, of course, non of us were around in those periods of times gone by, but we are all aware of sights and sounds somewhat similar, thus Zefferelli takes us there - and, I think, he does it so well!

[remilhi]

Hi all.. came across this wile looking for a pic of Graham Faulkner (Brother Sun, Sister Moon) so I am new to this and must say I agree with all of the above , a great movie.
Has anyone come across a pic of Graham Faulkner yet.. if so would love the addy to get it myself.. If anyone could help .. Thanks

[clareforreal]

I'm so happy to find others who also love "BSSM!" I saw this film as a student, totally by accident, when it was first released. I didn't know anything about it before arriving at the theatre, had no expectations and as I watched, became just completely mesmerized. The movie achieved a bit of a "cult" status here in the US for a while (probably because of its anti-war, love and kindness messages which were so in keeping with flower children and student antiwar protesters at the time), so I was able to see the over movie again in different theatres. I would comb upcoming film listings and if I saw that BSSM was playing, I would grab a couple of friends and drag them to wherever we had to go. I ended up driving to both ends of my state and into a couple of other states as well. I even was able to see the film at the Bleeker Street Theatre in Greenwich Village, NYC. It was so uplifting and gratifying because the theatres were always full and yet the audience would be amazing quiet until the end, when they would cheer and applaud. It just made you feel so good that other people were loving the film, too. I probably managed to see it 6-7 times on the big screen and as soon as movies began to be released on VHS, I scanned the catalogue listings waiting for it to appear. When I finally found BSSM, I was so excited I ordered it right away. Since that time, I've watched it many more times, and it still touches me deeply. I agree that Graham Faulkner was perfectly cast as Francesco. He made Francesco amazingly "real" and appealing. (And who would have thought that St. Francis was that good looking? LOL!) I hoped to see Graham in other films after that, and I did see him in one program on TV (about Chopin I think?). But I'm glad to hear that he is doing well and has a family.

Clare (really!...even the spelling)

[duster]

I just came across this forum, and like others have said, I have never experienced a film quite like this one. I first saw it at an art theatre in Atlanta in the early 70s and
to this day, feel its impact. I have yet to visit Assisi, but will someday. The film was a masterpiece in every way - visually stunning, heartfelt acting and a wonderful score.

I was thrilled to find so many others that have been so moved by this film. I too feel it is a shame that we have never heard from or about Graham Faulkner again. I would love to know what he is really doing and if he would be open to sharing a bit more about his life after this film. He is an extraordinary talent, horridly and unfairly underrated in reviews, and without question, did make the film come alive. Perhaps this role just moved him in such a way that he never got excited about acting to any large degree again. Who knows.

For those interested, there is a marvelous book, recently out, entitled "Chasing Francis." I loved it and would highly recommend it to all of those who have posted here. It is fiction, but in many ways rekindles the flame of the movie.

[bellybutton]

Originally Posted by remilhi Hi all.. came across this wile looking for a pic of Graham Faulkner (Brother Sun, Sister Moon) so I am new to this and must say I agree with all of the above , a great movie. Has anyone come across a pic of Graham Faulkner yet.. if so would love the addy to get it myself.. If anyone could help .. Thanks

i can post a picture if you really want one, but iam not sure how to post on here, can anyone help? thanks

[suzepulcheria]

There are loads if you google him on Google images. For example, cut and paste this link in your browser! http://www.filmski.net/slike/automatika/films/743d.jpg

[GBLF]

Originally Posted by bellybutton Hi Dee Dee Dad is fine, its a long story but he gave up acting in 1984 but at the time he had a young family and it wasnt always easy to support that at times i have told him about the messages on the net and he is smiled, and said thats wonderful, he really enjoyed making the film and was offered several other parts abroad one including Sinbad, but unfortunately there were other things he needed to attend. He will always be an actor at heart and i think thats something that will never vanish as i think its something you are naturally born with, I will ask him if i can put a picture on for you, also just to let you know there are some interesting pictures from the film on ebay which are lovely. Dad also has a great love of history and loves reading and walking.

I am a huge fan of Brother Sun Sister Moon - in fact that film changed my life. I run a chamber orchestra in London called the Kings Chamber Orchestra and we have a CD out worldwide called "String Heaven" that is a best seller in all sorts of far away places like india and Peru! It is entirely imrovised music and I never could have done it without that film. how can i send a copy to Graham Faulkner? My name is Gerard and I can be reached via The Kings Chamber Orchestra Website - Home

[robby]

i dont speak inglish, but i love s francesco and i'm a fan of graham faulkner.
sorry but my inglish is terrible! you mast translation!

[jmeridian]

It is now 2006 and I just found this forum this evening. ~The original San Damiano, though not the one in the film is still down the hill from Assisi. After a war with Perugia the Poor Clares, and I believe, `the original cross, were moved to the newly built Basilica of Santa Chiara, which is in the town. There was a duplicate of the cross in San Damiano which is now inhabited by monks.

The church (the Bishop's cathedral) where Francesco renounced his earthly father and gave him back his clothes is San Ruffino, which can be found a block or two above the main piazza. It is the actual church where Francesco was baptized.

Assisi looks very much the way it was shown in the film, but I believe parts of the film were shot in another hill town called something like San Gimingnano. The outside of his home with the towers is actually there. The true place where the family lived is just down a side street off the main piazza. A church has been built over the site.