The Passion of Joan of Arc (La Passion De Jeanne d'Arc) (1928)
I now see why so many film fans are passionate about this late-era silent.
This played last night on Turner Classic Movies and I realized it was about time I finally sat down & partook in what is now recognized as a legendary film and not just a great silent but among the best motion pictures ever made.
The plot is not overly complicated: Joan of Arc is on trial for heresy (and most of the judges have funny haircuts) due to her claim that she was told by God to drive the English from France during the Hundred Years' War. Those that know of her life will know the result of that trial and her ultimate fate. Yet it was how director Carl Theodor Dreyer directed this that plays a big part in making this memorable. Much of the first 2/3rds or so is shot really close to the actors' faces, to the point you aren't too sure of the setting the actors are in. Besides the standard zoom in and outs, many flashy moves are done, which I won't dare spoil for those that have not experienced this before. It's not over the top to the point of being distracting or an irritant; it proved to be perfect for the film.
Of course the highlight of the movie is the performance of Falconetti (I've seen her billed as a few different names so I'll just go with her surname), which in modern times has been said to be historically great. Indeed it is tremendous. Without the ability to hear her speak, she still conveys everything with aplomb, letting her face and gestures say it all, including frequent bouts of crying. I now know there are differing accounts of whether or not Dreyer abused her to achieve that performance; I can just hope that was not the case.
All the hype I heard about this film was correct; it is a must-see for all serious film fans.
Runtime: 82 minutes
Directed by: Carl Theodor
Dreyer
Starring: Renee Maria
Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, Andre Berley, Maurice Schultz, Antonin
Artaud
From: Societae Generale
Des Films
I now see why so many film fans are passionate about this late-era silent.
This played last night on Turner Classic Movies and I realized it was about time I finally sat down & partook in what is now recognized as a legendary film and not just a great silent but among the best motion pictures ever made.
The plot is not overly complicated: Joan of Arc is on trial for heresy (and most of the judges have funny haircuts) due to her claim that she was told by God to drive the English from France during the Hundred Years' War. Those that know of her life will know the result of that trial and her ultimate fate. Yet it was how director Carl Theodor Dreyer directed this that plays a big part in making this memorable. Much of the first 2/3rds or so is shot really close to the actors' faces, to the point you aren't too sure of the setting the actors are in. Besides the standard zoom in and outs, many flashy moves are done, which I won't dare spoil for those that have not experienced this before. It's not over the top to the point of being distracting or an irritant; it proved to be perfect for the film.
Of course the highlight of the movie is the performance of Falconetti (I've seen her billed as a few different names so I'll just go with her surname), which in modern times has been said to be historically great. Indeed it is tremendous. Without the ability to hear her speak, she still conveys everything with aplomb, letting her face and gestures say it all, including frequent bouts of crying. I now know there are differing accounts of whether or not Dreyer abused her to achieve that performance; I can just hope that was not the case.
All the hype I heard about this film was correct; it is a must-see for all serious film fans.
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