Best Blurays IconBest Blurays
Films
/
The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)
The Flowers of St. Francis (1950) poster
Letterboxd

3.9

The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)

Francesco, giullare di Dio

History, Drama • 1h 23m

Overview

In a series of simple and joyous vignettes, director Roberto Rossellini and co-writer Federico Fellini lovingly convey the universal teachings of the People’s Saint: humility, compassion, faith, and sacrifice. Gorgeously photographed to evoke the medieval paintings of Saint Francis’s time, and cast with monks from the Nocera Inferiore Monastery, The Flowers of St. Francis is a timeless and moving portrait of the search for spiritual enlightenment.

Best English-Friendly Release

Criterion DVD or unreleased restoration

Format

1080p Blu-ray

TSPDT

2026: #405
2025: #400
2024: #404
2023: #392
2022: #392

External Links

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 7, Audio: 4, Extras: 7

Length

83 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

2 years ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release

Criterion DVD or unreleased restoration

Best Video Release
Format
1080p Blu-ray
TSPDT
2026: #405
2025: #400
2024: #404
2023: #392
2022: #392
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 7, Audio: 4, Extras: 7

Length
83 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
2 years ago
Contributors

More from Roberto Rossellini

See more →
Journey to Italy poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Germany, Year Zero poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Blu-ray is newer master than Criterion

Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Blu-ray is newer master than Criterion

Europe '51 poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion, 2k transfer, source can't be improved

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion, 2k transfer, source can't be improved

Rome, Open City poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy. BFI slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best Video:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy. BFI slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy. BFI slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best Video:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy. BFI slightly better encode but gamma is off

Paisan poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Blu-ray is a newer master than Criterion

Paisan poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI Blu-ray is a newer master than Criterion

Stromboli poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or BFI Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Criterion darker and more contrast than BFI and Plaion Germany see cap https://caps-a-holic.com/c_list.php?c=2461

Stromboli poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or BFI Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Criterion darker and more contrast than BFI and Plaion Germany see cap https://caps-a-holic.com/c_list.php?c=2461

More from Criterion

See more →
The Rules of the Game poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

Desperate Living poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio

Monty Python and the Holy Grail poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Majority of film (theatrical and extended cuts): 1991 Columbia US VHS (or possibly 1994 Columbia LaserDisc?)

32-second scene (extended cut): 1993 Criterion LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Majority of film (theatrical and extended cuts): 1991 Columbia US VHS (or possibly 1994 Columbia LaserDisc?)

32-second scene (extended cut): 1993 Criterion LaserDisc

All That Jazz poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Fox Blu-ray > Criterion Blu-ray

All That Jazz poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Fox Blu-ray > Criterion Blu-ray

Hairspray poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

5.1: Warner Bros Blu-ray

Hairspray poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

5.1: Warner Bros Blu-ray

Shanghai Express poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Indicator Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator Blu-ray is slightly sharper than Criterion Blu-ray see DVDBeaver caps

Additional Info:

Indicator Blu-ray has more extras than Criterion Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Indicator Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator Blu-ray is slightly sharper than Criterion Blu-ray see DVDBeaver caps

Additional Info:

Indicator Blu-ray has more extras than Criterion Blu-ray

Blue Velvet poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

 Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray - subtle difference in encoding to the Criterion in encoding, trading blows in different shots, with Plaion taking a slight edge with less highlight blocking

Best Audio:

1993 MGM LaserDisc/2000 Region 1 MGM DVD

Criterion's 2.0 sounds muffled due to noise reduction and EQ.
Plaion's 2.0 lacks bass and has a very bright EQ, more resembling the 5.1 remix. Plaion’s 2.0 doesn't have any filtering unlike the Criterion, see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23831289&postcount=110

Blue Velvet poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

 Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray or Germany Plaion 4K Blu-ray - subtle difference in encoding to the Criterion in encoding, trading blows in different shots, with Plaion taking a slight edge with less highlight blocking

Best Audio:

1993 MGM LaserDisc/2000 Region 1 MGM DVD

Criterion's 2.0 sounds muffled due to noise reduction and EQ.
Plaion's 2.0 lacks bass and has a very bright EQ, more resembling the 5.1 remix. Plaion’s 2.0 doesn't have any filtering unlike the Criterion, see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23831289&postcount=110

Mulholland Drive poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is closer to the original DVDs than the 2015 Criterion release, not sure about whether the StudioCanal 4K is like the Criterion 4K/original DVD

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray has FEL Dolby Vision, StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has MEL

Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is closer to the original DVDs than the 2015 Criterion release, not sure about whether the StudioCanal 4K is like the Criterion 4K/original DVD

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray has FEL Dolby Vision, StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has MEL

Thelma & Louise poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray has better encode than Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight 4K Blu-ray has better encode than Criterion 4K Blu-ray

More History on Blu-ray

Red Cliff II poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Red Cliff II poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Red Cliff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Red Cliff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Best Video:

International Cut: US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray

Original Hong Kong Cut (2 parts): US Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray or Hong Kong Blu-rays?

Additional Info:

Hong Kong Blu-ray has extras not on the US release

Downfall poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Canada Blu-ray or Netherlands Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Canada Blu-ray or Netherlands Blu-ray? better than Constantin Germany 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Canada Blu-ray or Netherlands Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Canada Blu-ray or Netherlands Blu-ray? better than Constantin Germany 4K Blu-ray

Center Stage poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Pick your poison: USA Film Movement Blu-ray (two scenes cut / censored & slight Ritrovata yellow tint) or UK 88 Films Blu-ray (DNR)

Best Video:

Pick your poison: USA Film Movement Blu-ray (two scenes cut / censored & slight Ritrovata yellow tint) or UK 88 Films Blu-ray (DNR). nic’s review

Best English-Friendly:

Pick your poison: USA Film Movement Blu-ray (two scenes cut / censored & slight Ritrovata yellow tint) or UK 88 Films Blu-ray (DNR)

Best Video:

Pick your poison: USA Film Movement Blu-ray (two scenes cut / censored & slight Ritrovata yellow tint) or UK 88 Films Blu-ray (DNR). nic’s review

Marketa Lazarová poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

Czech National Film Archive Blu-ray (slightly)

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

Czech National Film Archive Blu-ray (slightly)

Anna Boleyn poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

Anna Boleyn poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC OOP Blu-ray is likely to have better encoding than Kino Lorber Blu-ray judging from other movies in the boxset

King Richard and the Crusaders poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray 4K restoration from Original Camera Negative

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray 4K restoration from Original Camera Negative

Pearl Harbor poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Best Video:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Additional Info:

Extended DVD has extras not on Blu-ray

Pearl Harbor poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Best Video:

Theatrical: Disney Blu-ray

Extended: Vista Series DVD, also Streaming in HD, alleycat's extended restoration better

Additional Info:

Extended DVD has extras not on Blu-ray

West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

MH Films France PAL DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

MH Films France PAL DVD

Ivanhoe poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Ivanhoe poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Edit History

1 edit
The Flowers of St. Francis (1950) backdrop

Made with ❤️ 📀 by vanshady