Passion of Joan of Arc

France 1928, 82 minutes
Dir. Carl Dreyer
In French with English subtitles
Rating: [PG]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Classics / Courtroom, Silent Cinema

Topics: Landmark, Period - Middle Ages, Religion.

Feat. Renee Maria Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, Michel Simon, Antonin Artaud

Aroview: An intense recreation of Joan of Arc’s trial and sentence that qualifies as one of cinema’s most transcendental achievements.

Consisting mainly of closeup shots, the simple, roughly textured sets and costumes remove one from the normal expectations of a historical film and into a past alive with palpable emotion – the surges of feeling we see on Renee Maria Falconetti’s face communicate a spiritual and mental anguish that becomes incredibly moving by the finale.

Adopt-a-Movie Kindly adopted by Mike Gribben

Member Reviews

Average rating (Exceptional). Showing 1-4 of 4 member reviews.

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5 stars (Exceptional) cinema's most beautiful portrait painting ~artsfiend
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5 stars (Exceptional) Faces fill the screen. The battle is technically amazing. Joan is wondrous. ~Regando
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4 stars (Very Good) The screenplay is processed through closeups of Joan's facial expressions and through good use of lighting and camera angles on her tormentors and during the crowd scenes. ~Tubbs
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5 stars (Exceptional) Stunning! Especially for 1928. Falconetti's performance is for all time. Watching with the great music added eased the pain. English subtitles not needed for those who can read simple French intertitles; but I also watched with the helpful commentary. ~Anon