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| Passion of Joan of Arc, The |
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 (10/10)
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Runtime: 114 |
| Public Rating: 8.81 (27 votes) |
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Drama |
Year: 1928 |
| Writer(s): Carl Theodor Dreyer |
| Distributor: Criterion Collection |
| Reviewed by: mazzyboi |
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I was channel surfing the other night, just before heading for bed, and I just happened to come across TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and the words “The Passion of Joan Arc” were posted in big white letters. A siren went off in my head for I immediately recognized the title. I have been trying to locate this film for a very long time now in local video stores, but my efforts were futile. I remembered that Roger Ebert has named it as one of the 100 greatest films of all time, so I was thrilled to see it for the first time.
This 1928 silent film is based on the actual trial transcripts of Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France. She claimed that God has given her a mission to battle the English and drive them out of France in the Hundred Years War. Although successful in numerous battles, she was the target of a witch-hunt by the Church. The ecclesiastics alleged that Joan was tricked by the devil and was serving him instead. Thus, they need her to confess and renounce her declarations of divinity or else she will be burned at the stake.
What the film will be remembered for is not its historical context, but Dreyer’s use of the camera. Of course, I do not wish to undermine the importance of Joan of Arc’s tale, which is quite fascinating in and of itself, but the film’s cinematography is the major factor that distinguishes it from any other.
“The Passion of Joan Arc” does not boast of fancy sets or lavish props. In fact, scenes depicting the trial and Joan’s incarceration look extremely bare. However, Dreyer’s numerous camera close-ups of Joan and the clergymen more than make up for the film’s austere backdrop. Since silent films do not have the luxury of speech, human emotions are then prominently expressed through either facial expressions or physical gestures, and this is what Dreyer excels in. Those face shots make the film so intimate.
It is heartbreaking watching Maria Falconetti’s teary-eyed face while being subjected to belittling interrogation by high priests, who pretty much have made up their minds already. One looks at the men’s faces and senses intimidation and the determination to crucify Joan.
This was Falconetti’s only screen performance, and she does a truly remarkable job. It is one of the best performances I have seen ever recorded on film.
Although I’m not sure of the film’s factual accuracy, “The Passion of Joan Arc” has what it takes to make a great drama. The original film was almost lost forever, until a copy was found in a janitor’s closet of a Norwegian mental institution. Lucky for us, Dreyer’s vision will remain to be appreciated for a long time.
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 Printable Version
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* Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)*
Commentary by Casper Tybjerg, Dreyer scholar from the University of Copenhagen
*The film is accompanied by Richard Einhorn's Voices of Light, an original orchestral work inspired by the film and performed by renowned choral ensemble Anonymous 4, the Nederlands Radio Choir and the Nederlands Radio Philharmonic
* Notes on Voices of Light, including interviews, essays, photographs and medieval texts used for the libretto
* Interactive essay on the film's production and the life and trial of Joan of Arc
* Multimedia history of the film's many versions
* Restoration demonstration & extensive production design archive
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