Brother Sun, Sister Moon

Like Roberto Rossellini, who sought the essence of St. Francis more in fable than in fact, Zeffirelli makes no special claims to historical accuracy. However, unlike Rossellini, whose "Flowers of St. Francis" is a film of sweet purpose and simplicity, Zeffirelli has made a big, absurd doodad, a movie that confuses simplicity with simple-mindedness and that makes saintliness look like an extreme form of Asian flu.

VINCENT CANBY, NY Times, April 9, 1973