Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Edition of One of the All-Time Masterpieces, 25 Jun 2005
Criterion have come up trumps again with this great DVD of Carl Dreyer's legendary 1928 silent film. This is the most complete print known to exist, the so-called 'Oslo version', which was discovered in a Norwegian mental hospital of all places in 1981.
The transfer is superb, made all the more so by the option of playing the film with Richard Einhorn's superb 'Voices of Light' score. The DVD also features a commentary and an interview with Falconetti's daughter. If you love great films, this is a must-have.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Actions speak louder than words., 3 Aug 2004
Discovered in a closet in a mental asylum after the original master and second assembled master were destroyed in fires, this is an extraordinary testament to Dreyer's directing genius. To restore as Criterion have done the original with such loving care would have been wonderful enough, but this disc comes with a beautiful and mystical score "The Voices of Light" based on medievel female chants which complement the film perfectly.
After reading the hundred or so reviews on amazon.com it is easy not to be swayed by a US audience who largely consider this to be possibly one of the greatest, if not the greatest film, yet made. Of course there will inevitably be the backlash of detractors albeit a small number who try to analyse the film in an overly critical fashion, i.e. it lacks in directoral finesse, or it lacks in genuine acting pathos, or it is just simply overrated. In truth the majority consider the objections are small and hardly detract from the emotional intensity achieved. In this film Dreyer has not fallen on the wing as he might have been accused of with his masterpiece Ordet due to stilted acting at key moments. The acting is as liberating as the directorship and is truly moving.
To try to be objective my first impression of the 80 minutes plus of silent footage of the trial and execution of Joan of Arc was that perhaps on only one occasion did one feel as if the reaction or expression of Joan was forced or "acted" in a way which might invite a sense of doubt. A few seconds apart, the close up of expressions and the range of emotions communicated by Rene Falconetti were expressed with sincerity, total believability, and heart wrenching affectation.
As the intensity builds it is difficult not to be deeply moved by her vulnerability. The contrast between the emotions expressed by the monks and religious leaders as they listen with incredulity and growing impatience and disgust to Joan's responses, contrasts well with the deeply moving range of emotions offered from her. Of note, the tears and the fear expressed by her appear at all times to be genuine, deeply moving, and the tradgedy demands primarily a subjective and emotive response from the audience witnessing a woman clearly being systematically deceived, tortured and eventually condemned to death.
Speaking emotionally I myself can only say I felt I was immersed in the most moving cinematic experience I have ever known.The film persuades the audience that whatever the intellectual and religious objections, mystical spirituality could have been embodied in the simplicity of a peasant girl incredible as this may seem. Her answers make a mockery of the assembled intellectuals in her presence The film appeals intellectually and not just emotionally however. It reminds one of the injustice capable by men when they parade behind the egotistic and myopic sense of what they consider to be truth invoked in the name of a religion. In this religious dogma is capable of inciting murder inspite of the self evident innocence and spiritual purity of the victim suggesting otherwise. The parody and comparisons with Christs trial is one which is not lost on the audience here. The film is made all the more moving by the obvious ignorance of the religious leaders and torturers to realise this as they, blinded by dogmatic ignorance, re enact it again with Joan.
Parallels might be drawn with The Passion of Christ and Gibson has no doubt taken key moments from this film as his inspiration, i.e. the suckling baby scene immediate to the death of both Joan and Jesus. Detailed comparisons need not be drawn here, I just urge all who wish to be reminded that cinema can be art to watch this film, and feel the intensity of a cinematic experience which will move even the most jaded of hearts.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Why do they need words for?, 20 Oct 2006
"The Passion of Joan of Arc" is a silent film in black and white, directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer (1889-1968). It is not exactly the kind of movie I usually rent, but it is excellent, and I certainly don't regret having watched it.
The plot is based on the preserved transcripts of Joan of Arc's 1431 trial, in which she was accused of being under the influence of the devil, and condemned to die. Even though this film doesn't have colors, and despite the fact you cannot hear what the characters say, it is very easy to be enthralled by the way in which Dreyer tells this story. It is a real event, and he reenacts it for us.
This film is heartwrenching, but also powerful, and extremely well-made. In my opinion, "The Passion of Joan of Arc" is a classic you simply must see, even if you don't generally watch silent movies. After all, if you join a genius like Dreyer and someone with the talent and expressive face of the actress that plays Joan (Maria Falconetti), why do they need words for?
Belen Alcat
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