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The Passion of Joan of Arc

Play trailer Poster for The Passion of Joan of Arc Released Apr 21, 1928 1h 17m History Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she'd spoken to God, Jeanne d'Arc (Renee Falconetti) is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials (Eugene Silvain, Jean d'Yd). Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom.

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The Passion of Joan of Arc

The Passion of Joan of Arc

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Critics Consensus

The Passion of Joan of Arc is must-see cinema for Renée Maria Falconetti's incredible performance alone -- and an all-time classic for innumerable other reasons.

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Critics Reviews

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Times (UK) Staff Times (UK) The composition of the pictures is extremely beautiful, and the deliberation of the movement allows time for their beauty, and the poignancy of Mlle. Falconetti's acting, to produce a cumulative effect. Jul 9, 2020 Full Review Jaime N. Christley Village Voice This is neither a hopeful nor a hopeless film, but one of feeling so colossal and resplendent, it can't be constrained by prison or consumed by fire. Nov 22, 2017 Full Review Thomas H Green Daily Telegraph (UK) In the hands of the great Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer it becomes a potent saga of battered faith, vicious bullying and personal torment. Rated: 4/5 Feb 27, 2013 Full Review Ian Thomas Malone ianthomasmalone.com Dreyer delivers a timeless treatise on the agony of the soul that bristles against the confines of its structure, a film so carefully constructed yet completely raw in its delivery. Sep 9, 2024 Full Review Vernon Young Accent: A Quarterly of New Literature The Passion of Joan of Arc is one film among probably less than a dozen of which it can be said that it adds deeply to the sum of one’s experience. Jan 18, 2024 Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast Carl Theodore Dreyer's seminal film stands the test of time for its exploration of universal and historical themes, and groundbreaking filmmaking work. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 4/5 Jan 9, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jay W I understand that this isn't a film for everyone. In fact, as I sat down to watch it, I felt like a pretencious cinephile. But it was one that I felt would be important to watch in order to gain some perspective, and pay my respects to the classics. Kind of like eating your vegetables, you know they don't taste great, but you do it because "it's good for you." And yes, I can say that this film, despite having to do a fair bit of reading, is good for you. Joan of Arc is a fascinating person. And this film likewise is a fascinating part of history in its own rights. Appropriately titled, because this is, in deed, a passionate film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/20/24 Full Review Mason M A great and interesting courtroom drama, that does very well at portraying its story for a silent film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/24/24 Full Review Simon T Swift, stark and brutal. Dreyer's minimalist silent masterwork jettisons back story to hurl us straight into the trial, stripping the famous story down to its core and conveying the cruelty of the calcified Church elders through close-up and fast edits. But of course it is Falconetti's luminous Joan who guides the film and elicits our compassion and pity. A story that resonates still and a major cinematic achievement. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/03/24 Full Review Teddy B A pure masterpiece just for Renee Maria Falconetti's hypnotically heart-wrenching facial expressions alone, this film also sports fantastic cinematography and set design in the process. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/23/24 Full Review Alec B Carl Theodor Dreyer put together some of the most haunting and beautiful images ever put on screen here. An absolute masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/23 Full Review Greg H The first great naturalistic acting performance committed to film? Maria Falconetti gives such a genuine heartbreaking performance and in many scenes uses only facial expressions. All great actors devoted to the craft of realistic acting owe her for setting the stage. Maria Falconetti is timeless and is the Big Bang of the "great performance". The Passion of Joan of Arc is probably the greatest silent film of the 1920's because of its spectacular music and acting from Falconetti who ended up setting fire to the big screen. Watch this movie to witness a true trailblazer. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Passion of Joan of Arc

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Movie Info

Synopsis A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she'd spoken to God, Jeanne d'Arc (Renee Falconetti) is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials (Eugene Silvain, Jean d'Yd). Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom.
Director
Carl Theodor Dreyer
Screenwriter
Carl Theodor Dreyer, Joseph Delteil
Distributor
Criterion Collection, Video Yesteryear, Janus Films, LS Video
Production Co
Société générale des films
Genre
History, Drama, Biography
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 21, 1928, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 23, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.4K
Runtime
1h 17m
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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