The Trial of the Joan of Arc (1962)

Although the historic confrontation between the young visionary Joan of Arc with some of the most intransigent curia of his time (which is saying ...!) has been brought to the screen many times, the treatment has been given has been almost always, at least, correct.

"Procès de Jeanne d'Arc" is the struggle for the survival of an innocent, and the struggle between different religious factions and, above all, a struggle for political and religious powers.

After Dreyer's film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928), which I believe, like many others, the best version on the subject, Bresson's work (1962) I think the best achieved. First of all, as also occurs in Dreyer's film is welcome, expressive and scenic sobriety, avoiding the rough, and focusing on the ideological background of what is represented. A sign at the beginning of the film and says that it has complied with textual fidelity as its protagonists exposed during interrogation and the process, subject to the acts and documents preserved from that time.

Another interesting aspect may be the rigid-both gestural and verbal, of the clergy in contrast to the sweetness and physical helplessness of Joan. Similarly, it is also interesting to assess the levels of detail (ubiquitous shackles and chains, the robe enforceable as veritable straightjacket, personal items thrown into the fire ...); any other element has been subjected to formal maximum clearance, including the few sober and small spaces where the action unfolds.

To finish and delving into the latter, the last minutes of the film, showing the sequence of execution, and alone justify a viewing of this almost half length. This develops the best of what already stated in terms of planning, monitoring and exposure and accumulation of significant details.


6/10