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La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc
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French:
“The Passion of Joan of Arc”
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The Passion of Joan of Arc
The Passion of Joan of Arc Movie poster for The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928; English-language version of La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc), directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer.

La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc

film by Dreyer [1928]
Also known as: “The Passion of Joan of Arc”
Written by
Lee Pfeiffer
Author/co-author of numerous books about the cinema and is regarded as one of the foremost James Bond scholars. His book The Essential Bond: An Authorized Guide to the World of 007 (written with...
Lee Pfeiffer
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History

La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc, French silent film, released in 1928, that was an acclaimed and historically accurate account of the trial and execution of Saint Joan of Arc in 1431.

(Read Lillian Gish’s 1929 Britannica essay on silent film.)

The inventive film is a sober, intelligent drama detailing the last weeks in the life of Saint Joan of Arc (played by Maria Falconetti), who sought to save France from English conquest. After her capture by the Burgundians, she was sold to the English and tried for witchcraft and heresy. Her courageous stand led to her torture, and she was later burned at the stake.

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Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer’s version of Joan’s life and tribulations, based on records of her actual trial, is regarded by many movie historians as one of the great works of the international cinema. His inventive use of close-ups, which constitute much of the film, was considered to be a major breakthrough in the way films were shot. Additionally, Falconetti’s performance in the lead role has been acclaimed by many film critics, including Pauline Kael, as the greatest in screen history. Ironically, she never acted on screen again.

Production notes and credits

  • Studio: SociĂ©tĂ© gĂ©nĂ©rale des films
  • Writers: Joseph Delteil and Carl Theodor Dreyer
  • Running time: 114 minutes

Cast

  • Maria Falconetti (Jeanne d’Arc)
  • Eugene Silvain (Bishop Cauchon)
  • AndrĂ© Berley (Jane d’Estivet)
  • Maurice Schutz (Nicholas Loyseleur)
  • Antonin Artaud (Jean Massieu)
Lee Pfeiffer