An Immortal Screen Classic that will live Forever!|Apr. 21, 1928|France|82 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama;History
Description: “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (French: La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc) is a renowned 1928 French silent historical film directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer. The movie centers on the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, a revered figure in French history. Starring Renée Jeanne Falconetti in her only major film role as Joan, her performance is celebrated as one of the greatest in cinematic history.
The film meticulously depicts Joan’s captivity under English rule, her trial, and her eventual execution. Dreyer, a Danish director, was invited by the Société Générale des Films to create a film in France. He chose Joan of Arc as the subject due to her renewed popularity at the time. Dreyer dedicated over a year to researching Joan’s life and the transcripts of her trial before crafting the screenplay.
Shot on a massive concrete set designed to replicate medieval architecture, the film is noted for its innovative cinematography, including its extensive use of close-ups. Dreyer opted for a realistic approach, forbidding the use of makeup and employing lighting techniques that emphasized the actors’ raw expressions.
Initially, the film faced controversy as French nationalists questioned a Danish director’s ability to properly portray such a significant French historical figure. Additionally, prior to its release, the film underwent substantial edits due to pressure from the Archbishop of Paris and government censors. For decades, it was distributed in various altered versions.
In 1981, a copy of Dreyer’s original cut was discovered in a mental institution near Oslo, Norway, leading to the film’s re-release. Today, “The Passion of Joan of Arc” is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, praised for its direction, production, and Falconetti’s unforgettable portrayal of Joan.
Cast director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Cast actor: Maria Falconetti, Eugène Silvain, André Berley, Maurice Schutz, Antonin Artaud, Michel Simon, Jean d’Yd, Louis Ravet, Armand Lurville, Jacques Arnna
Original name: La passion de Jeanne d’Arc