Rating: 
Summary: A Timeless Masterpiece.
Review: "The Passion Of Joan Of Arc" is undeniably one of the greatest of all films. It is a masterpiece not only of the silent era, but of powerful filmmaking as a whole. It proves that great art does not lose its effect or value with age. It stands with works like Luis Buñuel's "Un Chien Andalou" and F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" and Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" as one of the principle and important films of the silent era. Carl Dreyer's brilliant directing creates a claustrophobic intensity as we feel the pressure on Joan as the tribunal of priests decide her fate. Maria Falconetti gives one of the greatest performances on film of all time, if not the best, looking at her here is seeing eyes that will never leave your memory. She completely lets us FEEL this character, this mystic woman who is being judged. The editing and camera work create a visceral experience filled with true emotions. And the addition of the "Voices Of Light" score is brilliant because it adds to the film's hypnotic effect. "The Passion Of Joan Of Arc" also feels incredibly real and does actually serve as a breathing, living document. It is a marvelous work of art, filled with moments you will not forget. Any film enthusiast, anyone who truly has a deep appreciation for the cinema should, must see it.
Rating: 
Summary: Well crafted and unusual film
Review: Carl Dreyer's "Passion of Joan of Arc" is one of the best made silent films. The editing, camerawork, narrative, and lighting all add up to a stand out piece of movie making. As far as technique goes, it belongs with the one hundred or so best films of the pre-sound era. I can't say that it is an enjoyable experience, though. The subject is grim: the trial and execution (by burning) of Joan of Arc who was a seer, saint, and -remarkably- military leader (at age 19). The setting is even grimmer: the medieval church in all its narrow, hardheaded and hardhearted infamy. There is an oppressive, claustrophobic religiosity about this film that will seem positively creepy to Christians born after Vatican 2. The film isn't inspiring; rather, it gives one the "willies" to see how easily people were charged with being witches and burned alive at the stake-by high placed clerics no less! Many people praise Falconetti's performance as Joan but I found her performance to consist of nothing more than two or three very anquished expressions. This is the type of film you admire for its technique and historical importance while not actually "liking".
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the Greatest Single Achievement in Cinematic History
Review: If you have never seen "The Passion of Joan of Arc" it is probably understandable that you might suspect that many of the five star reviews here plunge into hyperbole. Understandable, but NOT justifiable. Indeed, "The Passion of Joan of Arc" is one of the most stunning and remarkable achievements in the history of cinema. Perhpas, even, THE greatest.For movie fans of today who may never have seen a silent film it might be difficult to imagine how a movie with not a single spoken word can convey such a sense of unadulterated and sustained power, yet Renee Falconetti, as St. Joan of Arc, manages to do just that with one glance then really any of the greatest actresses today can in an entire script. The many close-ups in this movie are indeed "claustrophobic" but that only serve to underscore to emotional power that this film carries in every shot, and in ever frame. But the movie itself, which really defies a more detailed description, is only half the story of this DVD. The rest are the amazing amount of bonus features that the incomparable Criterion Collection packs on here. Included is an option musical "score" of "Voices of Light" composed by Richard Einhorn who was inspired to composed it after seeing this film in the late 1980's. It is music of such haunting beauty that it stands on its own, although once you have seen it accompanying this film the two will be forever linked in you consciousness. Other features include a fascinating history of the movie (the original negative cut was lost in a fire in the 1930's and the original cut was thought lost until a print of it was discovered in 1981 in the closet of a mental institution in Norway), clips of various version of the film, restoration information, and interview with Falconett's daughter, and countless other features. The film on its own would be worth every penny of the Criterion list price. That the DVD comes with so many other features makes that price a virtual steal. Lastly, avoid at all costs any VHS copies of this remarkable film that you might find gathering dust at your local video store or library as none of them come anywhere close to doing this masterpiece the justice it deserves. Not only is this Criterion Collection DVD worth its price, it alone is worth the cost of purchasing a DVD player. Amazing and completely unforgettable.
Rating:
Summary: One of the ten top films ever made !
Review: There has not been all the cinema story any other film loaded with such emotional intensity like this one . The facial expressions talk by themselves , the close ups , the artistic direction , and the unforgettable Falconetti gaze is simply unique . She gave such an astonishing performance that many critics consider the finest in the screen story . Dreyer said : "She lived her role . There was something indefinable about her - something that was not of this world"
Jacques Feyder , the famous French director (The heroic Kermesse) said : "Dreyer has attained in this work the heights of power and emotion unequalled in cinema"
The critic Vernon Young called it the most intensive inquest in the history of the motion picture .
Carl Theodor Dreyer was born in Copenhagen on February 3, 1899 .
The screenplay is based in part on a treatment by Joseph Delteil and the photographer was Rudolf Maté (D.O.A.).
The Premier was in Copenhagen April 21 , 1928 Paris October 25 1928 and New York Premiere march 28 , 1929 .
And fortunately besides the mutilating process made by the censors , an uncut version appeared
In this sense I still remember some warmth words of Sidney Lumet about Dreyer when he stated his deep conviction the cinema was a supreme art when he saw the Dreyer films .
When you watch the last shot of La passion ... you will feel the real intention of what the Greeks wanted : The catharsis sensation will permeate your soul during weeks .
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best movie ever made - Tom Morse
Review: I am a very religious person though not a catholic nor do I believe in a personal god. But Joan believed and believed in the reality of her angelic visions. Whatever your beliefs may be, this drama will grab you. Your heart will go out for this young woman being beleaguered by a large number of church bigots. She was held for many months, inquisitioned, and threatened with torture. She held up astoundingly well. I doubt that I would do the same.
Joan was a peasant and not the beautiful woman she is frequently portrayed as either in movies or art. Maria Falconetti portrays Joan and her emotions while resisting the inquisition amazingly only through facial expressions. I cannot think of any modern movie with all its technology that can really compete with this. We have not come a long way.
You will want to leap out of your chair and rescue Joan/Falconetti from these bullying people.
The Anomynous Four musical accomaniment by Einhorn (Voices of Light) is also perfect.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece from the silent movie era
Review: In one word: Bravo!
This movie moved me to tears and will always be my favorite of the silent films. I saw an original bootleg copy many years ago then discovered that a composer by the name of Richard Einhorn had taken the film and scored it with music set to original instruments and original manuscripts from her trial transcripts. Now I own this and I will treasure it always. If you have not see it rent it, and I promise you'll have to own it.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Silent Film
Review: If you want to be moved by a film - even more than any of the films about the passion of Christ - watch Dreyer's passion of Joan of Arc - perhaps the most genuine embracing of the saint ever accomplished. The film is a precurser to all things great in cinema - think of Bergman's 'Seventh Seal' with the scene of the witch being burned at the stake - think of Paolini's 'gospel according to st. Matthiew' with its cast of non-professional actors embracing humanity in a similar way - think of the films of Bresson and Ozu - they all have similarities to this film by Dreyer! It is not the first art film, however, Fritz Lang, Murnau, and others already were making films - but there is something about this film that penetrates deeper than anything that had been made before.
Rating:
Summary: A remarkable piece of cinematic history
Review: The history of the film is just as intriguing as the movie itself. Amidst controversy, the original negatives of the film were destroyed back in the '20s. A print was known to exist, but it was believed to have been lost until someone discovered a Danish copy of the film tucked away in a closet of a mental institution in 1981. French and Danish filmmakers worked together to piece the film into what they hoped was as close to director Carl Th. Dreyer's original and released it in 1985. Then, Criterion got a hold of it, worked their restoration magic, and released a wonderful DVD edition with two versions of the film, one silent and the other with an accompanying oratorio called "Voices of Light" by Richard Einhorn which was based upon the silent film.
This is a remarkable film, focusing on Joan's trial and her persecution as the judges attempt to make her confess that she did not hear the voice of God speaking to her. The judges - and the church of that period - come across as almost intrinsically evil, with their use of torture and forced confessions. The revelation of this film is Maria Falconetti as Joan of Arc. She gives one of the finest performances I've ever seen. No fancy face work or overstated actions; just by using at her eyes, she makes you feel the intense passion that Joan had for God and for her beliefs. The camera work is very French avant-garde, with many extreme close-ups and quick camera movements, and is very effective in creating an opprressive atmosphere.
I viewed the version with "Voices of Light," and must say that it greatly enhacnes the emotion and feeling of the entire film. They fit so perfectly together. This is a magnificent film that should be a part of every movie buffs film collection.
Rating:
Summary: A silent's silent...
Review: What others have said is indeed true; there arre few subtitles, so you really need to watch this. Falconetti's eyes are extremely expressive. The camera angles are amazing for the day, and would be considered creative and cutting edge even today. While the film is an undisbutable classic, I have to confess it does get just a little wearing at times; a few scenes, or, more properly, points Dreyer was trying to make, could have been trimmed; most of us will get it much sooner. That nothwithstanding, though, the film is a definite must-see and, for film lovers, probably a must-own.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible experience
Review: I happened to catch the last half of this movie on television over Labor Day. I was intregued enough to rent it the next day to watch the entire movie. A week later, I am still struggling to put my emotions and reactions into words. This movie has completely blown me away. As a famous director said "It is an historical document from an era in which the cinema didn't exist."
The movie is simple: It is about the trial and death of Joan of Arc. Dreyer was supposed to make the movie based on a very popular book at the time. Instead, he used the actual transcripts of the trial itself. He had this huge set built for the movie, but you end up seeing very little of it, as Dreyer decided to use close-up and medium shots throughout the movie. Dreyer also forbade his actors to use makeup.
Maria Falconetti plays Joan of Arc. Well, plays isn't quite the word here. Maria IS Joan in this movie. The emotions she portrays without overacting (tough to do when you can't rely on your voice) is amazing. Her performance has been called one of the greatest performances ever caught on film. I have to agree.
So you should go rush out and buy this film now, right? Well, first a couple of caveats. This is a silent film, so if you're not really into silents you might not like this one either. Also, the camera work, amazing as it is, is basically a series of facial close-ups. With this technique, Dreyer sucks you into the story and makes it seem like you're there. However, when I watched this with my wife, she didn't like the close-ups.
Finally, this DVD comes with three options to view the movie: Without sound (as there is no official soundtrack), with Voices of Light by Richard Einhorn (music he created after watching the movie), and with commentary by a Dreyer scholar. I watched it with the Einhorn score. It is wonderful music. There are also an interview with Maria Falconetti's daughter, but it is tough to understand her because she has a pretty heavy French accent. I wish they had subtitles. There are other extras as well: An interview with Einhorn describing the music; background on Joan of Arc; and the incredible story of the movie itself.
So watch this movie. Give it a chance. I can't recommend it highly enough.
|
