I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Director Carl Theodor Dreyer created a unique experience with this film, employing low camera angles, unique editing, and a ton of tight shots on his actors to get an intensity of emotion from them, Maria Falconetti (as Jeanne d'Arc) in particular. The story focuses on just her trial and execution, which has the advantage that it makes the film taut and Kafkaesque, but the disadvantage that additional context would have told a richer story. Do we really see Jeanne d'Arc here? I'm not so sure, historical transcript notwithstanding, though I did find it fascinating that she refused to change out of her men's clothing. While performances are strong and the film is ahead of its time, the content is dark, and not particularly uplifting, especially if you're a non-believer. There is of course a universal theme in a righteous person standing up to persecution - being mocked, threatened, and tortured - but at the end of the day, it's simple Jeanne, believing she was sent by God, standing up against the established clergy, who, threatened by her assertions, believe she was sent by the Devil. The film never ponders whether both may be deluded, and concludes with her soul being protected by the flames as it rises to heaven. Watch this one for Dreyer's craft and Falconetti's performance.

Watching The Passion of Joan of Arc without any musical score to accompany its drama really makes you see the true potential of images like never before, and the emotional impact it can have on the audience when done right. Widely considered as a cinematic landmark, this French silent classic still retains a mystical power.Set in 15th century France during the Hundred Years' War, the story of The Passion of Joan of Arc chronicles the trial of Jeanne d'Arc following her arrest. Charged with heresy, she is interrogated by French clergymen loyal to the English who attempt to force her to recant her claims of holy visions, and ultimately execute her when she refuses.Written & directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, the film employs a number of filmmaking techniques that were unconventional for its time and the script itself is adapted from the original transcripts of Joan's infamous trial. Dreyer narrates the plot with minimal dialogues, utilising the intertitles only when it's a necessity, and sustains our interest with inventive camerawork.By employing extreme close-ups of the characters' faces shot from low angles, the camera manages to properly convey the mood of the ongoing trial while the minute details & varying expressions on characters' faces only adds to the unfolding drama. Editing provides a steady pace to its set of events though there are times when the scenes feel somewhat repetitive.Coming to the performances, The Passion of Joan of Arc is Maria Falconetti's show all the way. Playing the role of Jeanne d'Arc from inside out, Falconetti delivers what may as well be the pinnacle of expressionistic acting, for she illustrates Joan's inner turmoil with such authenticity as if she herself was on brink of emotional collapse. It is a truly unforgettable performance that's finely supported by the rest of the cast.On an overall scale, The Passion of Joan of Arc is a powerfully moving & thoroughly compelling picture that uses the human face as its storytelling device and succeeds amazingly well. Despite being 90 years old, it packs a strength that's highly evident when you are watching it while Maria Falconetti's emotionally resonant performance is a stuff of legends in itself. The absence of score may make its 82 minutes runtime a tough sit for some but this silent classic is every bit worthy of its legendary status.

Roger Ebert once said that "to see Falconetti in Dreyer's "The Passion of Joan of Arc" is to look into eyes that will never leave you." I cannot find a better statement for this miracle of a silent masterpiece. What has been mastered here is a view, taken from historical record, and put under a microscope figuratively and literally on screen to dive into the spiritual essence of destiny. This film is in a class by itself, and had a profound impact on this viewer.The film begins during the 100 Years War in France. In its battle against its enemy England, a commoner rose through the ranks to lead France to many great victories. This great warrior was peasant girl Joan of Arc, not even 18 years old but commanded a presence among her peers and a reputation impressed upon her enemies. Joan has been promised French deliverance from the mouth of God himself. Captured and put on what is essentially a mock trial for the whole film (she would have most likely been executed anyway) she must stand firm against the cacophony of priests who at first spit at her and call her a demon who cries blasphemy. Soon however, when she is given the chance to free herself at the expense of her devout belief in God and refuses, the film becomes a tragedy of the rest form, a good person making the ultimate sacrifice to something bigger than anyone in this film can possibly imagine. The mastery of this film's narrative is in its reliance on the extreme close-up, which i can only estimate takes up 95% of the film. Director Dryer and cinematographer Rudolf Mate take a radical approach to the film, which has stood the test of time as one of the most daring films ever made. Joan's face as well as the other characters fill the frame, and what was not normal for the silent films, the actors do not wear any make-up at all. What this gives is confinement in the audience, as wee are as locked in this small blank room as Joan is, thus helping us feel the emotions of the scenes and care for the main character in a unique way. We cannot look away from the faces, especially that of Joan's astonishingly beautiful eyes.What stands out in this film is the central performance of Maria Falconetti as Joan of Arc. When she enters the picture, she does not look like a common heroine. She has short hair, no make-up, and no soft lighting to make her "gorgeous." In this way, Falconetti must communicate a visceral reaction and emotions through her facial expressions, and since she is always in close-up, this cannot escape and she cannot cheat. With this said, this is a truly flawless performance, in fact one of the greatest films I have ever seen in Cinema history. When she does stumble and ultimately does the "morally right" thing, I broke down in tears, quite rarely have I ever had so much respect and heartbreak over a person I never knew. This is a bravura performance that I cannot praise enough.The Passion of Joan of Arc is a miracle, and when given again the fact that it was made in the 1920s, this is even more astonishing. Please see this film and judge for yourself.Note: I am sorry I haven't written in a long time. College and work is murder and time must be put elsewhere quite a lot. But I intend to write more and this film helped me rekindle the flame that git me to doing this in the first place - Theflyace"

it is the only film about Joan of Arc. because it is the only version who could recreates the atmosphere and the emotion. because the performance of Maria Falconetti can not have competitor. and, maybe, because Carl Dreyer gives more than a film but his swan song. it seems be an experiment. not only courageous but too profound for not be remarkable. but the foreground as basic tool, the white/black image, the dramatic fight for define the truth, the crown of Joan, the brilliant performance of Artaud, the costumes and the slow action are great instruments for create a perfect masterpiece. because The Passion of Joan of Arc escapes to definitions. it is a subtle , wise mix of history lesson and great motifs who defines humanity. and this does it a special event.