The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Collection: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

What is a perfect example of a film that was ahead of its time? The Passion of Joan of Arc. This figure of French history is relatively well known in modern culture. This young woman was a revolutionary and led an uprising in France after experiencing visions from God (or mental illness…depending on your perspective). Her trial for heresy and burning at the stake was one of the most infamous executions in world history. Whether you know about her from history class or from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, you are probably not surprised her trials were crafted into a film. But director Carl Theodor Dreyer did not just create a film though…he changed cinema forever. 

What is the most distinct element of Dreyer’s film that made it stand out in the cinematic landscape in 1928? Close-ups. When you watch a lot of early cinematic achievements, they are filled with static wide shots. You capture all the characters and action in the easiest possible way. But they lack the intimacy of what modern audiences are used to today. Close-ups can add a needed level of emotion and vulnerability when portraying your characters. Dreyer wanted to make a film about Joan and this film captures her at every moment during this trial. The tears are visible. The trembling and fear are poignant. The empathy machine of cinema lives on such vulnerable moments in film and Dreyer leverages this under-utilized camera technique to sell them. Almost every shot in the film is crafted into close-ups of Joan or the figures putting her on trial. Each frame has a dreamlike aurora thanks to the circular framing added in as well. The crisp black-and-white cinematography is breathtaking and the leveraging of smoke in the climax (due to the flames burning Joan alive) captures such a striking visual splendor. 

How did close-ups change acting at this point in cinema as well? Since the camera was up close and personal, there was no need for overly made-up faces and huge acting choices. Subtlety was born. This film features one of the greatest acting performances in the history of film. Maria Falconetti. Bravo. Her performance as Joan of Arc is towering despite being more subtle and naturalistic than most performances at the time. We can see the little choices in every frame. There is a vulnerability in shooting actors so closely and Falconetti welcomed it and thrived in it. The trembling of her lips. Tears trickled down her face. The emotionally pregnant stares throughout the film. You feel it all. Her performance is awe-inspiring with her tortured and committed ferocity. They might not reach the same emotional resonance, but all the other performers do amazing things as well with the camera right there to show it all off in such uncomfortable detail.

But what makes The Passion of Joan of Arc resonate so much in 2025? This film is uncomfortable and relevant in today’s cultural landscape. A woman being crucified for gaining influence. That is certainly something that still happens today. Gender politics have evolved so much over the centuries since then…but they are far from perfect. The way a woman in power is treated is still not the same as a man in the same role. You see how the religious zealots of the day could not allow her to continue her influence over their people. There is a whole interrogation about Joan wearing pants. A woman wearing “masculine” clothing being an issue at the time should be shocking but these issues still arise today. There are still plenty of people so preoccupied by the clothing that people wear and that is incredibly frustrating. The desperation of the court as they vie for influence and power is still relevant today as many religious figures (especially in the United States) try to push their perspectives on others and try to bend society to their whim. If you get in their way…you are the enemy. Joan was certainly the enemy of the zealots who would burn her at the stake. 

Just how powerful and influential is The Passion of Joan of Arc? Filmmaking and acting changed quite a bit because of films like this that focused more on close-ups and subtle acting. Falconetti’s performance is a benchmark for so many leading actors with the layers of detail, emotion, and magnetism that she was able to channel in this film. The fact that the themes and conflicts of the story are incredibly relevant today is just a wonderful cherry on top of this cinematic masterpiece.