The Trial of Joan of Arc

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The Trial of Joan of Arc

Released Feb 11, 1965

1h 5m

Drama

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14 Reviews

61%

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50+ Ratings

In 15th-century France, teen peasant Joan of Arc (Florence Carrez), who claims to be able to communicate directly with God, is put on trial on charges of heresy against the church. Throughout the proceedings, Bishop Cauchon (Jean-Claude Fourneau) relentlessly pursues his version of the truth, and presses the girl to admit that she's lied about receiving messages from a higher power. But Joan remains resolute, even as the threat of a violent public execution slowly becomes an imminent reality.

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Collated by Bresson from three contemporary court transcripts, the tense exchanges between Joan and her inquisitors provide a fascinating insight into the true nature of her primal crimes.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 12, 2022

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TIME Magazine

Bresson's treatment of the Trial of Joan is characteristically ascetic; but it is also quintessential history, unique and timeless, graced with a master's touch.

Mar 5, 2013

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Variety Staff

Variety

Using non-actors, there are no false dramatics. This unveils another side of the oft-filmed tale, and the state and church politics of that century.

Jul 6, 2010

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Sean Axmaker

Parallax View

As much as I love Bresson's works, I'm rarely caught up in the sweep of his drama. The drama comes for me only at the conclusion - and then lingers for days after.

May 4, 2012

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Dan Callahan

House Next Door

The Trial of Joan of Arc (1962) might be my favorite Robert Bresson film, and Florence Delay, who plays Joan and who went on to become a respected novelist in France, my favorite Bresson lead.

Jan 9, 2012

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Suspended like the protagonist between sanctity and pride, undaunted yet utterly naked

Mar 28, 2010

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John A

Not a bad short film but Robert Bresson's cinematic vision of Joan's final moments struggles to interest (especially in comparison to Dreyer's iconic version from decades before). Florence Delay is a great choice for the titular role.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

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chris k

A portrait so powerful that one cannot simply ignore or forget.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Liam D

Robert Bresson‘s take on the final days of Joan of Arc is powerful and shocking

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/20

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Audience Member

Did the child Joan of Arc offer her eternal soul to God as a sacrifice, to be damned forever, to free the multitude of souls damned to hell which Jesus Christ could not save? Or is this blasphemy? Find out in: "JEANNETTE - The Childhood of Joan of Arc" (ages 8-16) Film/Musical (2017). French language, English subtitles. my Alternate Title: "The Death, Resurrection, and Lying Departure of the Young Joan of Arc" (1420-1428). As much Jewish as it is Christian. As much about the boy David as it is the girl Joan. As much about Israel as it is France.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

I love french arthouse movies, I love historical movies and I love musicals. But this movie is the worst movid I've seen for a long time. I would go as far and say it is the worst movie I have ever seen. Monsieur Dumont just stole 2 hours of my life which I will never get back. I am not disappointed, I am angry - the movie is so incredibly bad.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

This is by far the worst movie I've ever seen in my entire life. It was long. It was slow. It was torture. The main character kept promising they were really finally leaving but the sick joke was that the film just kept going. It was like a parody of what a high school level drama student would write if they were trying to be artsy. It had a reoccurring heavy metal theme with some of the worst choreography I have ever seen. Then randomly an uncle became a reoccurring character whose music genre of choice was rap and his choreography was not head banging but rather some modern nightmare remix of 'the robot.' By far some of the worst two hours of my life. Oh, and for some reason in the middle of this movie one of the characters walks like the exorcist?? This movie was truly a nightmare.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Robert Bresson

Director

Florence Carrez

Jeanne d'Arc

Jean-Claude Fourneau

Bishop Cauchon

Roger Honorat

Jean Beaupere

Marc Jacquier

Jean Lemaitre

Jean Gillibert

Jean de Chatillon

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Synopsis

In 15th-century France, teen peasant Joan of Arc (Florence Carrez), who claims to be able to communicate directly with God, is put on trial on charges of heresy against the church. Throughout the proceedings, Bishop Cauchon (Jean-Claude Fourneau) relentlessly pursues his version of the truth, and presses the girl to admit that she's lied about receiving messages from a higher power. But Joan remains resolute, even as the threat of a violent public execution slowly becomes an imminent reality.

Director: Robert Bresson
Producer: Agnès Delahaie
Screenwriter: Robert Bresson
Distributor: Pathé Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 11, 1965, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2018
Runtime: 1h 5m

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