Reviews of Saint Joan of Arc Movies 
     

     There are three movies versions of Joan's life that are readily available on VHS tape. 

     The Passion of Joan of Arc - The 1928 French film 
This film concentrates solely on Joan's trial and death. The version that I have seen is the one that Dreyer calls 'inferior.' Even so it is very INTENSE, so much so that the viewer is left emotional drained at the films conclusion. I can only imagine how intense the recently found version must be, especially combined with Richard Einhorn's VOICES OF LIGHT. The original version of Dreyer's film combined with Einhorn's music is available for purchase by the general public on VHS tape. 
Joan of Arc - 1949 American film 
This film follows Joan's life from Domremy to her death in Rouen. It is the most historically correct film on the subject that I have ever seen. Even though it has its short comings, I always enjoyed watching it for its overall beauty and poetry. I just love the battle scene. I first saw the 100 minute long version of this film on TV back in the sixties and it so excited me and filled me with visions of Joan that I could hardly sleep that night! Hopefully in 1998 we will be able to purchase for ourselves this fantastic film in all its glorious 155 minute length. I can hardly wait! 

     Saint Joan - 1956 American film 
This film is based on Bernard Shaw's play by the same name. The film follows Joan's life from Vaucouleurs to her death at Rouen as well as her 'visit' with King Charles. As I explained at the beginning of this essay, it was this film that reawakened in me my love for Saint Joan and every time I had a opportunity to view it, believe me, I did! I enjoyed Joan's interaction with Sir Robert de Baudricourt. I really enjoyed Richard Widmark's portrayal of the Dauphin. I liked the scene in the cathedral between Joan and Dunois. The trial was good and the scene where Joan died was moving. But what I liked about the movie the best was the 'dream' sequences dispersed through out and at the end of the film. 

     La Pucelle: Les Batailles and Les Prisons - 1994 French Films by Jacques Rivette 
These films can be purchased in France. I have just recently seen them, (of course they are in French) and I was VERY DISAPPOINTED. The battle scenes were LAME, ridiculous and unbelievable in their portrayal. As for "Joan," Rivette and the actress who portrayed her stripped the REAL Joan of all her spirituality and in so doing they cut the real Joan's heart out. The woman they portrayed WAS NOT JOAN but some woman going through the motions. At the end of the movie when 'Joan' was dying Rivette was so afraid of 'OFFENDING' anyone that he showed a plain cross amidst the flames instead of what really was held up before her, A CRUCIFIX. I can now see why this film was not given a bigger showing here than it was - it would have BOMBED - big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell that I really did not like these two films? 

     Giovanna D' Arco - 1989 Italian Film of the Opera by Giuseppe Verdi. 
This VHS tape was a waste of my time and money! Everything about the production was LAME, the costuming, the sets, the actors and the singer that played 'Joan.' 

     Joan of Paris - 1942 American film 
This film is about a barmaid named Joan who helps some British and a Free French flyers escape Nazi controlled France. How Saint Joan is incorporated into the film is the fact that she is the barmaid's patron saint and gives the barmaid the courage to face the Nazis. I would have liked it better if the director had explored this aspect of the story more but he did not. 
The Miracle of the Bells - 1948 American film 
This film is about a small town girl making it good in Hollywood by replacing the famous actress who walks out of the production of Joan of Arc. She auditions for the lead by recreating Joan's trial scene in her living room before the studio's publicity man. That part of the film was moving and I enjoyed watching it. She gets the part but dies of 'black lung' the day after the film is completed. 

     The Phantom of the Opera - English 1962 
In this version of the story the man who became 'the Phantom' was a composer. He wrote an opera about Saint Joan. It was stolen from him and so when the thief tried to produce the opera 'the Phantom' did his best to disrupt the production. I liked all the operatic scenes except for the trial where Bishop Cauchon was singing, that I felt it was too ponderous. Yet Joan's reply and her going to the fire was very moving. 

     Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure - American, 1988 
Bill and Ted kidnap 'Joan' from 1429 Orleans and bring her into the future. The film shows Joan helping the 'boys' by doing some house work with the other historical figures that they had rounded up. Bill and Ted take Joan and all the other historical people to the San Dimas Mall. Here Joan disrupts an aerobics class by pushing aside the teacher and taking over the work out. I loved it! My only wish was that Joan had been given more air time. The article that I read about the movie explained that they had Joan playing with Billy the Kid's wolf and singing with the San Dimas High School band but these scenes were cut because of time constraints. 
I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb - Ray Boltz's music video - American 1995. 
This is a Protestant music video. Near the beginning of this song Mr. Boltz shows 'Joan' being brought before the English King. When Joan refuses to give into his demands, she is dragged away to be burnt at the stake. I am glad that he was tactful enough to have the 'bad guy' portrayed as a king and not as a bishop. This is a very moving video, well worth the viewing. 

     Wishbone's Bone of Arc - American 1995? 
Wishbone is a children's series made for PBS. In this series a book reading dog by the name of Wishbone takes us into the book's story. In Bone of Arc Wishbone takes us into Mark Twain's Joan of Arc. The dog portrays Joan's good friend 'Louis.' The video shows Joan under the 'Fairies Tree,' finding the Dauphin amongst his courtiers, the victory at Orleans and her imprisonment at Rouen. I enjoyed watching. 

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