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Saint Joan - 1956 American film
This film is based on Bernard Shaw's play by the same name. The film follows Joan's life from Vaucouleurs to her death at Rouen as well as her 'visit' with King Charles. As I explained at the beginning of this essay, it was this film that reawakened in me my love for Saint Joan and every time I had a opportunity to view it, believe me, I did! I enjoyed Joan's interaction with Sir Robert de Baudricourt. I really enjoyed Richard Widmark's portrayal of the Dauphin. I liked the scene in the cathedral between Joan and Dunois. The trial was good and the scene where Joan died was moving. But what I liked about the movie the best was the 'dream' sequences dispersed through out and at the end of the film.
La Pucelle: Les Batailles and Les Prisons - 1994 French Films by Jacques Rivette
These films can be purchased in France. I have just recently seen them, (of course they are in French) and I was VERY DISAPPOINTED. The battle scenes were LAME, ridiculous and unbelievable in their portrayal. As for "Joan," Rivette and the actress who portrayed her stripped the REAL Joan of all her spirituality and in so doing they cut the real Joan's heart out. The woman they portrayed WAS NOT JOAN but some woman going through the motions. At the end of the movie when 'Joan' was dying Rivette was so afraid of 'OFFENDING' anyone that he showed a plain cross amidst the flames instead of what really was held up before her, A CRUCIFIX. I can now see why this film was not given a bigger showing here than it was - it would have BOMBED - big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell that I really did not like these two films?
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