Graham Faulkner

[mali]

I wonder what happened to Graham Faulkner the actor of brother sun, sister moon. The latest information I can find dates from 1984.

[davey]

Originally posted by mali@Mar 11 2005, 10:13 AM I wonder what happened to Graham Faulkner the actor of brother sun, sister moon. The latest information I can find dates from 1984.

He works in the post room at a private bank in London. Very nice chap apparently.

[DeeDee]

Works in a bank??? Are you serious? Please, if you don't mind, tell us how you discovered this. Thank you!

[bellybutton]

(davey @ Jun 2 2005, 09:56 AM) He works in the post room at a private bank in London. Very nice chap apparently.

hi davey i just wonderded how you know that!!! as its my dad.

(DeeDee @ Jul 27 2005, 08:17 PM) Works in a bank??? Are you serious? Please, if you don't mind, tell us how you discovered this. Thank you!

hi dee dee my dad doesnt act anymore but he is fine and cannot wait to retire, x

[DeeDee]

(anna @ Oct 23 2005, 05:49 PM) hi davey i just wonderded how you know that!!! as its my dad. hi dee dee my dad doesnt act anymore but he is fine and cannot wait to retire, x

Graham Faulkner is your dad?????????????? Oh, I have a lot of questions to ask you. . . if you don't mind? Why on earth did he give up acting, for instance?? I liked him so much in Brother Sun Sister Moon. Can you tell us a little bit about your dad and what he is doing these days besides working in a bank? If you could post a PICTURE I would be forever grateful. Can you tell that I am what they call a FANatic?

Tell your dad that he still has a lot of fans out there!!!

[bellybutton]

(DeeDee @ Nov 1 2005, 12:45 AM) Graham Faulkner is your dad?????????????? Oh, I have a lot of questions to ask you. . . if you don't mind? Why on earth did he give up acting, for instance??I liked him so much in Brother Sun Sister Moon. Can you tell us a little bit about your dad and what he is doing these days besides working in a bank? If you could post a PICTURE I would be forever grateful. Can you tell that I am what they call a FANatic? Tell your dad that he still has a lot of fans out there!!!

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.

[DeeDee]

(anna @ Jan 9 2006, 01:38 PM) 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.

Thank you so very much for your reply! I'm looking forward to seeing a picture one of these day. I'm sure he is still a very handsome man, with a wonderful smile. I understand his reasons for leaving the acting business. Yes, it can be very rough on someone with a young family. Still, we miss him! Did I say don't forget the picture?

[robin.scorof]

Hello. Found this forum and tis nice to know I'm not the only Graham Faulkner fan out there. I first saw the movie in college in the early 70's. Recently I came across it in a bookstore and was thrilled to find it. Ran home and watched it and so lovely to find it still was as good as I'd remembered it being.

Just watched it again today. Over time, I've introduced my 3 children to it and of late, my older grandchildren.

This film had a lot to do with how I've lived my life and was instrumental in my following my desire to become a writer. The song, 'Do few things and do them well' became an active part of my childrens upbringing *smile*

Just thought I'd let you know. PS...sure would love to see some pics as well!

[lovegrahamfaulkner]

Wow this is a beautiful thing! ... I never thought that any one would remember one of the most inspirational movies I have ever seen - 'brother sun, sister moon'. I really thought I was possibly the only one any where who remembers it. If I have ever mentioned it before to people other than my family they look at me very puzzled and simply don't know what I am talking about. And any time I talk about it to my family they can't believe how much I love that film and would sooner shut me up then for me to continue on saying ... "Oh, and I love the part when ..." or "how I love that song 'Lovely Day' and 'The Year Is Awakening' or the theme song its self - 'brother sun, sister moon"'!

So, I have always felt alone in loving this film. Then I decide to find out 'What ever happened to Graham Faulkner?'. I first saw the movie one day on BBC1 when I was off school with the cold - I think the year was 1987. I am in my early 30's now but I can still remember the gasp of admiration I had for this inspirationally beautiful movie. I still thank God I had the cold that week otherwise I would never have experienced this wonderful film.

For a few good years thereafter I would constantly read TV listings looking out for it so as to copy on to Video. Finally, after 5 years of NO show, and I checked TV listings ALL the time without fail, after 5 long years the BBC screened it on Easter week of the year 1992. Sadly, that was the last time I saw it on TV - but I GOT my copy! A few years after that when DVD recorders became the rage I purchased mine with the sole intention of dubbing from VHS to DVD and thus further insuring I will always have this film near to me!

So, it is so nice to finally see that there are others, like my self whom this film has touched. And now I read from 'bellybutton' that the lead actor - Mr Graham Faulkner, is her father! Wow!!

'bellybutton' if you could - please - post a pic of your father, especially how he's looking now (that would be exciting!) I and I am sure many others too, would be sooo grateful and it would be a nice conclusion to this journey that any one who is a fan of the film and its main star have been happily on.

Looking back I really don't think any one else could have fitted the role of Francesco Bernardone (St Francis) than Graham. Also, being that Donovan sang the songs I find the similarity in Graham's speaking voice to that of Donovan's singing voice uncanny - so again Graham was sooo fitting of the part. Everything just worked so well together. And of course the beautiful landscapes of Italy that were used in shot, and the old residential streets that have retained the look of centuries back transferred us to the 13th century so well I felt I had lived in it! - or otherwise understood the life.

'bellybutton' could you give your Dad a hug and kiss on the cheek for me. Thanks!

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.

Bellybutton, this is really good news. I'm a Franciscan Friar and someone had told me once that the actor who played Francis had died a while back of an overdose or something and I'm so glad to know now that it was a false rumor. I'm glad your dad is well. He may be happy to know that I know of at least one other friar who attributes his original interest in the Franciscans to that movie. I'm sure there are others also! We still use it for vocation weekends on occasion. God bless your dad and you and your family!

[DUL0r4x]

I'm wondering if anyone has information as to where the movie was filmed. I visited Asissi in 2002 and we took some video there both at the Church/Tomb of St. Frencesco and St. Ciara (St. Clare). We also visited a roadside shrine in Canarra nearby the town of Assissi, where St. Francis is said to have "preached to the birds". I managed to photograph the Cross from St. Damiano which is presently in the church of St. Ciara (St. Clare). Because I have vacation video that we took, I compared that to some of the town/Church scenes, and I could not match the different images.

Sometimes when you buy a dvd, there is director's commentary or other information. I wonder:
where the Church was where the actor renounced his father/name/clothing
where the church was in the final scenes where St. Francis spoke with the Pope
where the St. Damiano church in the movie was (it seemed to be in a valley) and
how did they go from a run down building to a complete structure

Thanks

Ric in USA

[barefootbrian]

I'm wondering if anyone has information as to where the movie was filmed...I managed to photograph the Cross from St. Damiano which is presently in the church of St. Ciara (St. Clare)...Sometimes when you buy a dvd, there is director's commentary or other information. I wonder: where the Church was where the actor renounced his father/name/clothing where the church was in the final scenes where St. Francis spoke with the Pope where the St. Damiano church in the movie was (it seemed to be in a valley) and how did they go from a run down building to a complete structure Thanks Ric in USA

Ric:
I have the DVD and it only says "filmed on location in Italy, etc." I suspect that the movie version of the Church was simply a set, not necessarily a Church. Thomas of Celano describes the Church as decrepit, but not nearly as much as the movie shows. I've never been to Italy - however, my copy of Celano's First Life of St. Francis has a map and shows that San Damiano is outside the city - and about a mile according to other sources. When you were there, could it have been in a valley? Was Assisi anything like the movie? Is there a chance that the Church used in it as the Bishop's cathedral was one of the Churches in Assisi?

One thing one has to remember that Brother Sun, Sister Moon is a movie. I think the crew likely built and tore down the set when it was finished. One of the critical reviews of the film (which is negative on it in many ways), says that the Papal audience scene is in a set built for the film. They compare it to a set for the Zeigfield Follies.

Also, when you were in Assisi photographing the San Damiano Cross, was it at the Portiuncula? My understanding is that the Poor Clares were originally set up at San Damiano during Brother Francis' lifetime and the brothers were at St. Mary of the Angels (Portunicula). Having never been there, it's hard to match what I've read with how I imagine it and how it is in real life.

Just my two cents' worth -

Brian - Indiana

[DUL0r4x]

Brian,

I'm including your post so that I can address each of the comments you make....

Ric:
I have the DVD and it only says "filmed on location in Italy, etc." I suspect that the movie version of the Church was simply a set, not necessarily a Church. Yes, but the outdoor scenes seem to be actual buildings, not a typical movie setThomas of Celano describes the Church as decrepit, but not nearly as much as the movie shows. True...if you buy the DVD called "The Reluctant Saint", you can see another version of St. francis story, delivered as more of a documentary. There is also a book of the same title.I've never been to Italy - however, my copy of Celano's First Life of St. Francis has a map and shows that San Damiano is outside the city - and about a mile according to other sources. When you were there, could it have been in a valley? IIt could have been, though we walked quite a distance from where we parked outside the "city wall" through narrow streets like depicted in the movie to get to both St. Clare's and St. Francis' churchesWas Assisi anything like the movie? Very much so, in fact I thought the church in front of where the actor depicting St. Francis disrobed WAS the one we saw. When we checked our vacation video, though, this was not the San Francesco church were visited. 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. When we visited in 2002, they were repairing a lot of earthquake damage from earlier in the year, so a picture we took of the town, similar to the DVD video scene, shows a lot of huge cranes amongst the buildings.Is there a chance that the Church used in it as the Bishop's cathedral was one of the Churches in Assisi?That is indeed possible, but a DVD commentary usually is full of specific filming information which I wish would be available for this film.

One thing one has to remember that Brother Sun, Sister Moon is a movie. I think the crew likely built and tore down the set when it was finished. I suspect some or much of the setting was NOT a set, though I can't specify which without additional informationOne of the critical reviews of the film (which is negative on it in many ways), says that the Papal audience scene is in a set built for the film. They compare it to a set for the Zeigfield Follies.Yes, I read the negative critical reviews. For me it was a bit romanticized, but I found the movie to be quite consistent with the documentary dvd I mentioned above. Sad that our age's critics can't put themselves in the minds of a simpler time and a simpler people. The film, did, I believe, win at least one award on cinematography...I believe it was beautifully done.

Also, when you were in Assisi photographing the San Damiano Cross, was it at the Portiuncula? The cross was in the church of St. Clare (Sancta Ciarra I believe) which was a short (uphill) walk from The church of San francesco. He is buired in the basement of the church bearing his name, and St. Clare is buried in the basement of the church bearing hers. The cross is hung in a side room on the main floor in st. clares church for visitation...the room has pews for people to sit and meditateMy understanding is that the Poor Clares were originally set up at San Damiano during Brother Francis' lifetime and the brothers were at St. Mary of the Angels (Portunicula). Having never been there, it's hard to match what I've read with how I imagine it and how it is in real life.The film has really made me want to return and learn more about Francis and Clare

Ric

Just my two cents' worth -

Brian - Indiana

[barefootbrian]

Thanks for the reply - I'm sorry it took so long for me to read it - Very informative. Ii've read the book "The Reluctant Saint" - it's very helpful, but like many other mondern critics of theology, it seeks to remove anything supernatural or miraculous from the life of St. Francis - especially the angelic communications and the Stigmata. Oh, well. Does the DVD of the book do that, too?
Brian

[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