Movie spotlight
Joan of Arc
France in the 15th Century: The country is marked by the wars with England and internal power struggles. King Charles sees himself powerless against the state. As emerges from the people suddenly a young woman named Johanna, who claimed that the Archangel Gabriel to be appointed, to save France. First of all doubt the king in their words, but he remembers that the people through this "help of God" is gaining new courage. With the slogan "God and the Virgin!" pulls the revivified victorious army into battle against the English-Burgundian alliance. After Johanna King Charles is crowned at Reims, there breaks the plague over the country in. Now Johanna all the blame on the disaster: God would punish believe in the country for that a heretic; if Johanna were actual a holy, she would deal also with the plague. The waning faith weakens France, England is again on the rise. But Johanna is executed as a witch. Only years later annulled the verdict of the Holy and Johanna explained.
Insights
Plot Summary
This film chronicles the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl who claimed divine guidance and led the French army to victory against the English during the Hundred Years' War. It focuses on her spiritual conviction and her courageous defiance against her accusers.
Critical Reception
Carl Theodor Dreyer's 'Joan of Arc' is a highly acclaimed film, celebrated for its minimalist aesthetic, powerful performance by Maria Falconetti, and its profound exploration of faith and injustice. While not widely released upon its initial debut due to censorship issues, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of silent cinema.
What Reviewers Say
A powerful and visually striking depiction of Joan of Arc's final days.
Maria Falconetti delivers an unforgettable performance of unwavering faith.
Dreyer's minimalist direction amplifies the emotional weight of the story.
Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available through aggregated Google reviews, but critical consensus highlights its artistic merit and Falconetti's performance.
Awards & Accolades
While not a major awards contender due to the era and its limited initial release, it has received numerous critical accolades over time, including being recognized as one of the greatest films ever made by various cinematic institutions.
Fun Fact
The film was originally shot in widescreen using a three-camera setup for different markets, and the original negative was destroyed in a fire in 1941, making surviving prints extremely rare and valuable.
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