In the brilliant "Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928), Maria Falconetti probably performed the greatest acting feat on the silent silver screen. Her facial emotion and suffering during an incredibly intense historical trial remain legendary. Those close-up shots remain stunning, while the overall circus atmosphere was absolutely electrifying! The one drawback in the Passion though is Ms. Falconetti's age, which was twice that of Joan during the latter's ordeal in 1431.
In "The Trial of Joan of Arc" (1962), Florence Delay plays Jeanne D'Arc realistically. Her film age was only a few years older than the real Joan. Ms. Delay was quite attractive, and it is easy to focus on her. But beyond her looks, her performance, while not in the league of Ms. Falconetti, is still commendable. Ms. Delay does demonstrate courage, serenity, and integrity in a dry, unemotional manner. Note that Joan did not even have a legal representative at the trial. And, instead of a church prison, Joan was rather unsafely incarcerated in a secular jail guarded by the English. Brave teen-aged Joan never betrayed herself or her faith, and she received Holy Communion before her martyrdom at Rouen. Most of our attention is centered on the tense trial itself, of which the court transcript still survives. Director Bresson's focus was more on "The Maid of Orleans" and less on the jurors. Nevertheless the characters are developed. The modest film runs only slightly more than an hour in length.
It is very important to note that the film does explain why Joan was sentenced in the end. The court was totally in the control of Anglophiles – many from the University of Paris – or those Frenchmen who supported England in the attempt to conquer France in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). Note that it is the English authorities who are in real charge. And since it was Jeanne D'Arc who solely changed the tide of war at Orleans (1429), she was the leading target. When events became clear after the long war, the pope reopened the trial (1455). The result was that Joan was posthumously exonerated of any heresy (1456). Eventually Joan was elevated to sainthood (1920).
In "The Trial of Joan of Arc" (1962), Florence Delay plays Jeanne D'Arc realistically. Her film age was only a few years older than the real Joan. Ms. Delay was quite attractive, and it is easy to focus on her. But beyond her looks, her performance, while not in the league of Ms. Falconetti, is still commendable. Ms. Delay does demonstrate courage, serenity, and integrity in a dry, unemotional manner. Note that Joan did not even have a legal representative at the trial. And, instead of a church prison, Joan was rather unsafely incarcerated in a secular jail guarded by the English. Brave teen-aged Joan never betrayed herself or her faith, and she received Holy Communion before her martyrdom at Rouen. Most of our attention is centered on the tense trial itself, of which the court transcript still survives. Director Bresson's focus was more on "The Maid of Orleans" and less on the jurors. Nevertheless the characters are developed. The modest film runs only slightly more than an hour in length.
It is very important to note that the film does explain why Joan was sentenced in the end. The court was totally in the control of Anglophiles – many from the University of Paris – or those Frenchmen who supported England in the attempt to conquer France in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). Note that it is the English authorities who are in real charge. And since it was Jeanne D'Arc who solely changed the tide of war at Orleans (1429), she was the leading target. When events became clear after the long war, the pope reopened the trial (1455). The result was that Joan was posthumously exonerated of any heresy (1456). Eventually Joan was elevated to sainthood (1920).