The Passion of Joan of Arc
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 is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials. 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.
Critics Sentiment
Joan burned as crowds riot and soul ascends
Joan breaks and signs confession under threat
The film rises dramatically from Joan's moment of weakness signing the confession to her spiritual triumph in recanting and facing martyrdom.
Critics consistently praised the film's innovative cinematography and Falconetti's transcendent performance throughout, with sentiment building steadily toward the universally acclaimed climactic execution sequence. The film maintains exceptionally high critical regard across all segments, with only Joan's temporary confession representing a slight dip in the otherwise ascending emotional and artistic impact. Reviewers found the combination of technical innovation and spiritual depth created one of cinema's greatest masterpieces.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 23
Maria Falconetti
Jeanne d'Arc
Eugène Silvain
Bishop Pierre Cauchon
André Berley
Jean d'Estivet
Maurice Schutz
Nicolas Loyseleur
Antonin Artaud
Jean Massieu
Michel Simon
Jean Lemaître
Jean d'Yd
Guillaume Evrard
Louis Ravet
Jean Beaupère
Armand Lurville
Judge
Jacques Arnna
Judge
Alexandre Mihalesco
Judge
Léon Larive
Judge
Jean Aymé
Judge (uncredited)
Gilbert Dacheux
Judge (uncredited)
Gilbert Dalleu
Jean Lemaître (uncredited)
Paul Delauzac
Martin Ladvenu (uncredited)
Dimitri Dimitriev
Judge (uncredited)
Fournez-Goffard
Judge (uncredited)
Henri Gaultier
Judge (uncredited)
Paul Jorge
Judge (uncredited)
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
