St.Francis (aka 'Francesco'). by Michele Soavi (2002, TV). R1 USA DVD from NoShame May 30th 2006.

Looks like, since there's 'Uno Bianca' from NoShame also (out March 28th, review below), that they could be heading back over the mans TV work from recent years. Good news, if it turns out to be true, who can say no to some more of this stuff, even if it is largely out of ignorance and with a strange sense of curiosity - still have to sit and watch the 'Uno Bianca' disc that has recently arrived with me.

Synopsis reads, "Raoul Bova (UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN) stars as Francesco Bernardone, the son of a cloth merchant in 12th Century Italy whose humility, piety and charitable works would see him canonized as the beloved St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. A change of pace for thriller filmmaker Michele Soavi (CEMETERY MAN, UNO BIANCA), ST. FRANCIS retells the popular story of Francis' youth as a soldier for Pope Innocent III who one day heard the voice of God and chose to forsake a life of material wealth to devote himself to God and all living things. Filmed in the very locations where history was made, ST. FRANCIS also stars Erica Blanc (aka Erika Blanc of THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE) and David Brandon (GOOD MORNING, BABYLON)."

'St.Francis' by Michele Soavi (2002) Trailer (Quicktime Download, 4.7 Mb).
'St.Francis' Page at NoShame's Official Website.

'Uno Bianca' Review by Todd, here at ScreenAnarchy.