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Phenomenal film, if you're interested in the subject, and film history. The production values are way ahead of the time (1925). The film and its characters are very engaging. It is one of, if not THE most intense film I've ever seen. Every bit as intense, but in a different way, as Clockwork Orange. Even if you are not interested in the story of Joan of Arc, this film is worth watching, just for the shooting and directorial style. It's silent, and it doesn't matter. I don't think it would be a captivating if it had dialogue. There is a contemporary musical soundtrack, which could be better, but is not distracting. The acting is superb, particularly that of the young girl who portrays Joan. This is the only film she ever made. It comes with the original French sub-titles, with English sub-titles superimposed. In case you can't tell, I highly, highly, recommend it!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Passion of Joan of Arch is historically engaging. It takes you on a journey into Joan of Arch's final hours, her struggles with her oppressors and an up close sense of her being captured by ignorant, psychotic murderers. Insightful remembrances of the Bishops and egotistic leaders of the French Catholic church, the major of the village, the dastardly military commander and Joan's rallying supporters praying for her release. It is a whirl wind journey that shares and reflects where society and humanity is today in their groping for power and control over the grace and glory of GOD. Buy this DVD and enjoy the journey!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I'm a silent film afficionado, with a collection of over 300 titles. This film ranks in the top ten of my collection, and is a must see for anyone exploring the medium of silent film. "The Passion" has achieved almost mythical status over the years, having been edited and re-edited, thought to be lost in a fire, and then discovered years later in a mental institution in its original condition. One can only hope that other silent film legends, such as Tod Browning's "London After Midnight", will surface eventually in a similar manner. Getting back the "The Passion", the lead role is performed by Renee Falconetti. Though a relative unknown in the movie industry and this being the only movie she would ever act in, she gives (in my opinion) the single-most compelling performance that the cinema has ever seen. Her facial expressions alone convey, with gut wrenching realism, the anguish and determination that the real Joan must have felt during her ordeal. This, combined with cutting edge camera angles and a custom written orchestral score by Richard Einhorn (Voices of Light) make the film a masterpiece of epic proportion. The film also came to us on the cusp of the "talkie" (1928). Carl Th Dreyer could have incorporated sound (real speech and voicing) into his film, but decided not to. This makes The Passion all the more quiant, and true to the art of the silents. The expressionistic and surrealistic films of the mid-silent era seem to have fallen just short of cementing movies into history as an art form. This film hit a home run with the bases loaded! The DVD is loaded with special features, and each and every one of these extras is well worth experiencing. To anyone who's into silent cinema, and hasn't seen this film yet, I say, "get it, watch it, LIVE IT"! Roland PepinRead full review
One of the last great silent films made during the advent of sound, The Passion of Joan of Arc is a haunting and stunning portrait of the historical martyr based on documentation from the original trial. The film employs vivid close-ups to accentuate the ordinariness (while at the same time exaggerating the most grotesque qualities) of Joan's inquisitors. Maria Falconetti is unforgettable as Joan in what is probably one of the most demanding roles an actress could attempt. Sadly, this was her one and only film. It haunted me from the first time I saw it and I was thrilled to find it available on Ebay! If you are a fan of silent films, please check this one out. But beware -- it will stay with you long after you've put the DVD away!
When it comes to DVDs, nothing beats The Criterion Collection. Other than including more extras than you could ever ask for (often booklets, features, alternate music tracks, etc.), you can be assured that the picture is in the highest quality in existence. On to the film itself. When I first watched this, it was at 11 at night, on a portable DVD player, and using crummy headphones. I was trembling and in tears the entire time. The film is so powerful that everything external is forgotten and you get sucked into this old foreign silent film in a way few films will ever be able to do. It is an incredible experience. I highly recommend using the Voices of Light track included in this DVD since the music was written for the movie and works amazingly well with it.
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