Included in the acting cast is Gianfranco Bellini as the narrator, who has voice-dubbed several American films for the Italian cinema.

[citation needed] Monks from the Nocere Inferiore Monastery played the roles of St. Francis and the friars.

[citation needed] He began his film career scene in 1942 and is noted for both writing and directing his own vehicles.

[1] Though he was not a practicing Catholic, Rossellini loved the Church's ethical teaching and was enchanted by religious sentiment—things that were neglected in the materialistic world.

[1] The movie begins by portraying the Franciscan friars trudging through the rain to their hut, only to find it occupied by a peasant and his donkey.

The man accuses the Franciscans of being thieves and drives them out, but the friars see this as a sign to follow the footsteps of St. Francis.

The second chapter focuses on Giovanni, known as "the Simpleton," who asks to follow Francis and begins imitating him in word and gesture.

In the sixth chapter, Brother Ginepro cooks enough food for two weeks, impressing Francis with his zeal.

The eighth chapter presents a famous parable where Francis and Brother Leone discuss what brings perfect happiness.

After considering various scenarios, Francis explains that perfect happiness lies in suffering and bearing every evil deed out of love for Christ.

In the final chapter, Francis and his friars leave St. Mary of the Angels to spread the message of the Gospel.

[2] Rossellini and Federico Fellini wrote a treatment of the film that was 28 pages long and contained only 71 lines of dialogue.

Fellini was not present during the shooting and Rossellini depended on help with the films dialogue from Brunello Rondi and Father Alberto Maisano.

[10] Pier Paolo Pasolini said that it was "among the most beautiful in Italian cinema" and Andrew Sarris ranked it eighth on his ten-best film list.