The Passion of Joan of Arc
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Actors: Maria Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, André Berley
PlotIn 15th century France, a young peasant girl claims to have been visited by divine messengers who instruct her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination late in the Hundred Years’ War. Captured by the Burgundian faction, which was allied with the English, she is put on trial for charges of heresy. The ecclesiastical court, led by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, seeks to undermine her claims and force her to admit that her visions were false.
As the trial progresses, the girl is subjected to intense questioning and cruel manipulation by her judges. They try to break her spirit and resolve, pressing her to confess that her supposed divine guidance was merely a product of deception or mental illness. Facing threats, deceit, and severe physical hardship, her faith and convictions are tested to their limits, drawing the spectators' attention to the extraordinary nature of her character, her unwavering devotion, and her unyielding commitment to her beliefs.
Writers: Joseph Delteil, Carl Theodor Dreyer
Release Date: 25 Oct 1928
Runtime: 114 min
Rating: Passed
Country: France
Language: None, French
Home Video Reviews
Gaumont's restoration of Dreyer's film w/ Criterion's Blu-ray is a must-have, lauded for its craftsmanship.
Read our review of The Passion of Joan of Arc Blu-ray to find out more