The story of Joan of Arc

Movie reviewed: The Passion of Joan of Arc, starring Maria Falconetti

The sufferings of martyr Joan of Arc (Jeanne D `Arc (1412-1431) is brilliantly portrayed in this movie and French actress Maria Falconetti offers a splendid performance to bring back the sufferings of real Joan of Arc on to the big screen. Director Carl Theodor Dreyer used many close-ups and tilted angle shots of Joan to increase the intensity of suffering and the hostility towards her by her captors in 15th century France. It's all those eyes, all those faces loaded to brim with a sorrow. Director Dreyer seem to stress a point that her dedication to beliefs in the Christian God is so strong that she is prepared to face any humiliation, insult or punishment.

After completing the original cut the production team learned that the entire master print had been accidentally destroyed. Dreyer re-edited the film from footage that was initially rejected. Joan appears in court where Cauchon questions her but she predicts her rescue, and judges forge evidence against her. In her cell, priests interrogate her and threaten her with torture and then offered communion if she recants; she refuses. At a cemetery, in front of a crowd, a priest and supporters urge her to recant; she does, and Cauchon announces her sentence. In her cell, she explains her change of mind and receives communion. In the courtyard at Rouen castle, she burns at the stake.

Joan was born to a peasant family in France and claiming divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories against England during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII of France. She was captured by the Burundians and transferred to the English authorities. She was put on trial by the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchon on charges of insubordination and heterodoxy and was burned at the stake when she was only 19 years old. Twenty-five years after her execution, an inquisitorial court authorized by Pope Callixtus III examined the trial, pronounced her innocent, and declared her a martyr. Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. This historical fact has been discussed in numerous books, movies and plays, but this movie is brilliantly made and a must watch. I recommend this to anyone interested in early history of Catholic Church, and the history of Europe.