The Maid of Orleans, The Heart of France

Falconetti as Joan of Arc

I tuned in to TCM and watched The Passion of Joan of Arc, the 1928 silent French film based on the actual record of the trial of young Joan, the Maid of Orleans. Directed by Carl Dreyer starring Maria Falconetti as Joan.

Her face... her beautiful, tortured face. I can't get it out of my mind. It has been said, and is generally believed by those of the cinema world, that her performance is the finest ever filmed. As a voracious classic film watcher, I would concur. Her performance was haunting, engrossing and heartbreaking. The angles with which the film was shot was unsettling, conveying uncertainty and disorientation. The intense close-ups on the faces of the actors -- who were not permitted to wear any make-up -- are harrowing, especially the judges, who were shot in harsh, high contrast light. Joan is shot in a soft, even light.

The soundtrack was exquisite. The film broadcast on TCM on Sunday night was accompanied by Richard Einhorn's acclaimed 1994 oratorio Voices of Light and Anonymous 4, a female vocal quartet specializing in medieval music. Just beautiful. The bell sounds were recorded at the church in Domremy, Jean's birthplace.

The film has intertitles in French with English subtitles. If you love classic film you should make it a point to watch this one. It is one of the best films I've ever seen in my life.