Search - The Passion of Joan of Arc [Criterion Collection] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Movie Release: 1928 DVD Release: 10/19/1999 Format: DVD - Black and White,Pan and Scan Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 22 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 33 Genres: Historical Film, Biopic [feature], Hagiography

The Passion of Joan of Arc (La passion de Jeanne d'Arc) is widely regarded as Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer's finest achievement and one of the greatest films of all time. Dreyer recreates the trial and execution of St. Joan with near-documentary authenticity, as if one were present at the actual 15th century event and both defendant and accusers were the genuine article. The director's use of huge, probing closeups--detailing every pockmark and even the saliva at the sides of the mouths--adds a shocking immediacy which makes it hard to believe that this film is nearly seventy years old. As Joan, Maria Falconetti (in her only film) transcends mere praise. Passion of Joan of Arc is a silent film, but the original transcripts of Joan's trial are brilliantly conveyed by the pantomime of the actors. The film's title is supremely double-edged: Joan's "passion" is shown to be as erotic as it is spiritual. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Renée Maria Falconetti - Joan of Arc
Eugène Silvain - Bishop Pierre Couchon
Antonin Artaud - Jean Massieu
Ravet - Jean Beaupère
Maurice Schutz - Nicholas Loyseleur
André Berley - Jean d'Estivet

Carl Theodor Dreyer's classic silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc gets the DVD treatment it deserves on this superb release from Criterion. The DVD offers a standard full-frame transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. English and French subtitles are accessible. Musical composer Richard Einhorn wrote an entire opera that was inspired by this film. The opera is available on the disc, along with an audio essay by Dreyer historian Caper Tybjerg, a retrospective on the various alternate versions of the film that have existed, a booklet containing the libretto for Einhorn's piece, and many other supplemental materials. This is an outstanding disc; its excellence is something most DVD consumers have come to expect from Criterion. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide