: Critics from The Spectator and Every 70s Movie praise the painterly cinematography of Ennio Guarnieri, which uses slow zoom shots and vivid colors to capture the beauty of the Umbrian countryside.

: Franco Zeffirelli portrays Francis (Graham Faulkner) as a "first flower child," emphasizing a radical rejection of materialism in favor of nature and simplicity.

It is worth noting that the film exists in two distinct forms:

: The climax at the Vatican, featuring Alec Guinness as Pope Innocent III, is often cited as a standout moment for its contrast between Francis’s barefoot humility and the Church's gilded opulence.

: The international version features a folk-infused score by Donovan , which some find "soulful" while others consider it "insipid" or "dated". The Two Versions