The Passion of Joan of Arc (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

An excellent silent film directed by Carl Dreyer about the trial and execution of Joan of Arc. Renee Falconetti as Joan is brilliant. Almost all of the movie is shot in close-up, and the range and subtlety of emotion in her face is riveting. The effect of this film is difficult to describe in words, it must be seen and felt. Watch the version paired with "Voices of Light," the opera/oratorio written later to accompany the film by Richard Einhorn. The film and oratorio could stand on their own; together they create a powerful and unique experience.

There are very few obviously religious-themed films that are very good and held up as works of art; films like "Passion of the Christ" and "Song of Bernadette" come to mind with perhaps Pasolini's "Gospel According to St. Matthew" and certainly this film by Dreyer. It is a shame that too many people these days don't give older films a chance and miss out on the many visual treasures that the greatest film-makers of all time have left for us; I know too many people who won't even watch a black and white film and those who believe form to be much more important than substance. If you happen to fall into this category and think that the pinnacle of film-making is the latest J J Abrams, Michael Bey or Star Wars/Marvel/Transformers release then you can stop reading right here because you are not going to appreciate this masterpiece of cinema.In many ways the advent of sound has diminished somewhat the importance of great acting; as the Gloria Swanson character in "Sunset Boulevard" states there are too many words that sometimes drowns out and diminishes the impact of acting in film and nowhere is that more illustrated than here in this wonderful silent film with what must be among the best ever acting performances ever captured on film. With no words to fall back upon Falconetti's performance without sound coupled with Jennifer Jones' with sound on "Song of Bernadette" in which she won an Oscar are certainly the best ever performances by any actor portraying saints.Criterion has done an excellent job here with an excellent restoration making it hard to believe that this is a 1928 film. Also included is a 44-page glossy booklet containing an essay by film-teacher Marc Le Fanu and another by director Dreyer himself as well as the libretto of Richard Einhorn's oratorio "Voices of Light". A real treat is the various viewing options available firstly in terms of frame speed of either 20 or 24 fps as well as various soundtracks by Einhorn, Utley & Gregory, Mie Yanashita or just silent. Having viewed all options my personal opinion and preference for the best way to view this masterpiece of film is either without sound or with the great Mie Yanashita piano work both in 20 frames per second. Yanashita's music seems to fit the visuals best and is more subdued and hence not distracting one's attention away from the story whereas I found while not as bad as Bernstein's overblown, loud and destructive work on "On the Waterfront" the other 2 options were just too distracting and do not flow as well with the visuals. 24 fps also seems a little too rushed for my eyes.This is an excellent film that deserves an honoured place in any serious film buff's video library and Criterion's amazing restoration is the one to get.Very highly recommended!

But beware, it's silent. Stay way if you need dialog, otherwise, sit back and enjoy this film epic with one of the finest performances of its time.

When first you begin to watch this film, it can be a little off-putting. Lots of closeups and too often characters speak without our being given an opportunity to read what they’ve said (although, by and large, it’s not over difficult to surmise). This second problem is gradually resolved and within 20-30 minutes is essentially gone. The close-ups, though, remain and as the movie proceeds our experience of them slowly metamorphosizes until what had been distracting becomes riveting and absorbing. We begin to see more and to see inside the dyspeptic and bloated faces. Therein lies the power of this movie. Characters become men (and one woman) and we are drawn inside of their selves and worldview. I actually found the ending, when a more traditional narrative structure obtains, a little disappointing but overall this is an extraordinary movie and very well worth your time

This movie is one of the all time greats and the dvd allows for playing it silent or with music, commentary, etc. The picture quality is excellent for this 100 year old classic.

Watch It!!!Yes, it’s a silent film…Yes, you probably know how it ends…In spite of all that I still cried at the end.It inspired multiple individuals to make some amazing soundtracks as well which enhance the experience.All the features are great including the commentary.I would recommend this to anyone.An important film.

I have watched a lot of cinema including many many silent films and this film truly does live up to the term masterpiece. The photography and editing alone are awe inspiring. Especially when you consider this was made in 1928. Reminds me of movies like The color of Pomegranates, Andre Rublev, and The naked Island where sound it secondary. Even tertiary. Shindo who directed Naked Island referred his film as a photographic poem. This is truly one! A great movies of silent cinema in my opinion, and I have a fairly large collection of them. Always adding more and so so glad I bought this. Criterion also has done a great job on the Blu-ray. The optional piano score is well done too. Bravo!

Just upgraded from my Criterion DVD and am, for the most part, extremely pleased. The picture resolution is outstanding; every pore, every mole, every eyelash is discernible. Renée Falconetti's portrayal of Jeanne d'Arc carries the film and always moves me deeply. Her every facial expression is spot on. What I would have given to see her in a live production. Wonderful. She is surrounded by an amazing ensemble. It's been said before, but I want to reiterate how important this film is and any serious cinephile needs to have it in their collection and revisit it often. This is cinema at its finest. I have one complaint regarding this edition. In the 20fps version (much more natural and lifelike), the listener does not have the option to play it with the Voices of Light audio track, which can only be accessed in the 24fps version. I grew weary of the composition of composer and pianist Mie Yanashita. It was banal at times. Criterion has done a fantastic job with this release. This film is not for everyone, but should be viewed by everyone. Today's films reflect today's culture and I lament that greatly.Highest recommendation

El DVD llegó en perfectas condiciones. En cuanto al film, esta edición criterion es una joya con creces, gracias a los fantásticos extras: ensayos, entrevistas, versiones restauradas y remasterizadas, conjuntamente con las bandas sonoras que se compusieron especialmente varios años después. De cinco estrellas.

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名作中の名作なのですが、はじめて観ました。あまりに凄くてびっくりしました。ドライヤー監督の作品は、ヴァンパイアしか観たことがなくて、しかも大好きな映画でした。しかしこの作品が上回りました。この作品の前ではベルイマンもタルベーラも霞んでしまいました。ドライヤー監督の廃盤ＢＯＸセットにプレミアがつくのがわかりました。(でも買えない....)このクライテリオン版は４０００円弱で高画質２ヴァージョン他、特典映像いっぱい、冊子つきです。日本のブルーレイプレイヤーで再生可能です。字幕はないですがジャンヌダルクの裁判から火刑までの話なのでわからないことはないでしょう。圧倒的な映像でフィルムの１コマ１コマが、銀盤写真作品として成立する感じです。無音です。他の同監督の作品も再リリースして欲しいと願っています。プレミアのついた商品を購入するかどうか、迷っている方にはこの商品をお薦めします。

El empaque en el que venía la película estaba en perfectas condiciones pero la película tal cual esta dañada porque el papel de la portada de la película estaba mal colocado en la caja de plástico por lo que estaba deforme y roto en algunas partes.