#3 Passion de Jeanne D’Arc-The Greatest Films by C. de Mello
Passion de Jeanne D’Arc directed by Carl T. Dryer – 1927/1928 In 1431 Rouen, in the midst of a ravaging Hundred Years War with England, a nineteen year old French peasant girl named Jeanne (colloquially, Joan) was condemned to death by the church tribunal for heresy, and burned at the stake. Based on the historical transcripts of the actual trial, Carl Theodor Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc is an eviscerating experimental film of faith, suffering, and redemption. The film opens with a tracking shot of the English guards outside the courtroom, then to the clerical judges, as Jeanne (Renee Maria Falconetti) is escorted inside. The inquisitors hover over Jeanne, relentlessly questioning her faith and patriotism, waiting for any incriminating statement that would seal her fate. Unable to ensnare her in their verbal traps, she is led away to her cell, only to be taunted by prison guards as the daughter of God, placing a woven crown upon her head. A monk named Loyseleur (Maurice Schutz) forges a letter from King Charles in an attempt to entrust him into her confidence. The judges follow Loyseleur to her cell to continue their questioning. Loyseleur initially reassures Jeanne through subtle visual cues, but then abandons her when asked if she is in a state of grace. A sympathetic young monk, Massieu (Antonin Artaud), warns of the danger of the posed question, to which Jeanne summarily replies: “If I am, may God keep me there. If I am not, may God grant it to me.” Her response confounds the calculating judges, and compel them to employ a different tactic: physical torture. Confused and afraid, Jeanne collapses at the sight of the barbaric devices in the chamber. Brought outside the courtroom as a public spectacle, a weak and delirious Jeanne reluctantly signs the confession, and her death sentence is commuted. Returned to cell, her courage and faith are restored by the sight of the woven crown, and implores Cauchon (Eugene Silvain) that she wishes to recant. Unable to force Jeanne into submission, the judges sentence her to death.
Dreyer’s startling and innovative camerawork in The Passion of Joan of Arc creates visual imbalance. The courtroom scene recreates the abusive atmosphere of the inquisition by filming the oppressive judges upward, which contrast with the images of a victimized Jeanne filmed downward. The pervasive use of variable distance close-ups (a technique similar employed in Patrice Leconte’s Monsieur Hire) is claustrophobic, revealing the opportunistic judges’ ulterior motives, as they carefully craft a means to ensnare Jeanne with their leading questions and insincere actions. The odd angle shots of the street performers, prison guards, and judges further exaggerate their physical features, creating a sense of the grotesque – in essence, an external manifestation of their innate inhumanity. The Passion of Joan of Arc is a profoundly moving, indelible film of courage and perseverance, spirituality and conscience; a fitting tribute to the memory of the Maid of Orleans: a heroine, a martyr, a saint.
Duration : 0:6:7
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Renee was …
Renee was discovered as a comedienne in Paris, delievered arguably the most powerful film performance ever, wordlessly (she even refused make-up), then disappeared…most say to Buenos Aires, at her professional peak. Why can’t anyone do that now?
was she delirious …
was she delirious or was she not?!?! SOMEBODY ANSWER ME
“Truly if you were …
“Truly if you were to tear me limb from limb, and separate soul from body, I will tell you nothing more; and, if I were to say anything else, I should always afterwards declare that you made me say it by force. a classic by Jeanne; but Dreyers version of her couldn’t say this, as through the words of the real one shines a pert, cunning and brave woman, not this weeping, helpless angel-girl of his! The crown and arrow scene draws all too obvious a connection between her and Jesus as martyrs.
I saw a very …
I saw a very unsatisfactory 16mm print of this film in the sixties, when I was a teenager, but I’ve never seen the restored and complete version now available. By some kind of serendipity, I’ve run across three references to it in the past few days. Looking it up on youtube, I’ve found these great clips from it and have, as a result, ordered the DVD. I won’t watch the rest of the film online, but instead, I’m now looking forward to seeing it on the Criterion DVD. Thanks to those who youtubed it!
not “hunted in …
not “hunted in France,” but driven out of France. Chasser = hunt // chasser de = drive out from
(continued)
“Thus …
(continued)
“Thus you think God hates the English?”
“Of love or hate that god has
for the English,I know nothing …
but I know well that the
English will all be hunted in France …
except those who will die there!”
“You said saint Michael appeared to you … describe him?”
“Did he have wings?”
“Did he have a crown?”
“How was he dressed?”
“I swear to tell …
“I swear to tell the truth,
all the truth, nothing but the truth.”
“In France,they call me Jeanne. In my country,they called me Jeannette.”
“What is your age?”
“19 years old, as I remember”
“Do you know the “Our Father”?”
“Who taught you this?”
“… my mother.”
“Do you want to recite the “Our Father”?”
“Do you pretend to be sent by God?”
“in order to save France”
“it is for this I was born.”
(to be continued)
the passion of Joan …
the passion of Joan of Arch 1928 was personally one of the greatest films ever made! It’s a masterpiece! I don’t know french, but saw it subtitled in english. The Music was so perfect.. This film mesmerizes me everytime I see it. I wish more folks would see this masterpiece in order to appreciate real genius artwork… “BRAVO”
Don’t forget it was …
Don’t forget it was an international production so they didn’t all smell bad.
janne d’arc est …
janne d’arc est celle qui ma envoyer un message cette journee du haut de la terre
Just think how …
Just think how awful these old frenchies would’ve smelled…Bathe Often and Wash as much as you can, Hygiene is such a blessing!
I agree with you
I agree with you
I thought Citizen …
I thought Citizen Kane was a good movie, just not one of the best ones that I’ve ever seen. As stated before, that honor belongs to this film.
I personally was …
I personally was not that moved by Citizen Kane, think it is one of the most hyperbole laden, over-rated films in the history of cinema. He appears on my favorites film list on 65th position
One of the greatest …
One of the greatest performances in a film that I have ever seen. This is truly one of the best films, definately surpassing Citizen Kane. I love it.