An overlooked work by Roberto Rossellini featuring his muse, Ingrid Bergman. “Joan Of Arc At The Stake” ("Giovanna d'Arco Al Rogo”) is an Italian interpretation of a French opera. This version is based on a medieval miracle play with music by Arthur Honegger. Bergman’s Joan is one of the few non-singing roles and she brings to it the grace and emotion that elevates this tragedy to a classic. Bergman had played the role of Joan before (“Joan Of Arc” - 1948) to tepid critical response. But the difference here is Rossellini. His vision of Joan’s questioning is truly magnificent and underlines the moral ambiguity inherent in the story. The whole movie is gloriously ambiguous. The stage is lit with a wash of rosiness that underscores Joan’s virginal identification with “Rose of Innocence”. Rossellini's work questions God’s participation in our existence and draws our attention to Joan’s own doubts about her destiny.DVD EXTRAS: Joan Of Arc (1901) - The first telling of the story as depicted by film pioneer George Melies. Ingrid Bergman Trailers - From the films “Anastasia”, “Arch Of Triumph”, and “Siamo Donne".
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