The Passion of Joan of Arc
dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer · 1928
True conviction can lead to profound suffering, but it also reveals the strength of the human spirit in the face of persecution.
Plot
A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she'd spoken to God, Jeanne d'Arc is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials. Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom.
Why watch
Carl Theodor Dreyer’s "The Passion of Joan of Arc" transcends the silent era with its haunting portrayal of faith and martyrdom, utilizing striking visuals and a raw emotional core that interrogates the intersection of truth and power. This film remains a powerful exploration of human resilience in the face of institutional oppression.