The Passion of Joan of Arc

About The Passion of Joan of Arc

'The Passion of Joan of Arc' is a 1927 silent film that was directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. The film is a dramatization of the trial of Joan of Arc. The court scenes of the film are the main focus, and they depict Joan's defiance of the English, her physical and emotional suffering, and her eventual martyrdom.

Making / Production

The movie was inspired by the actual trial records of Joan of Arc's trials and execution in 1431. The film's production was marked by the director's exacting efforts to achieve a sense of historical accuracy and his rigorous treatment of Falconetti, who played Joan;

Actors

• Renee Jeanne Falconetti as Joan of Arc - Falconetti's performance is widely considered one of the greatest in cinema history. Her portrayal of Joan's intensity, faith and suffering is truly extraordinary.
• Eugene Silvain as Bishop Pierre Cauchon - He played the role of the bishop who is trying to get Joan to admit she lied about her visions.
• André Berley as Jean d'Estivet - Berley plays the prosecutor in Joan's trial.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was initially banned in the UK due to its depiction of English soldiers.
• In 1981, a nearly perfect copy of Dreyer's original version was discovered in a mental institution in Oslo, Norway.
• The film uses close ups and rarely uses panning shots, which was a monumental styling for that time period.

Awards

The original release of the film did not win any awards. However, the film was voted as "one of the greatest films of all time" by Sight & Sound's 2012 directors' poll.

Quotes

• "It is I who should lead you, not you me!" - Joan
• "You say you are my judge. You don't know it, but I am yours." - Joan

Music, Soundtrack

Being a silent film, 'The Passion of Joan of Arc' did not have a set soundtrack during its initial release. However, in subsequent years, various music accompaniments have been added to screenings of the film. Notable examples include a 1994 score by composer Richard Einhorn's called 'Voices of Light,' and a 2010 score by the indie rock band In the Nursery.