The Passion of Joan of Arc

The Passion of Joan of Arc is a 1928 French silent historical film directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, based on the surviving trial records of Joan of Arc, and starring Renee Jeanne Falconetti in her only major film role. It depicts Joan's time as a captive of England, focusing on her trial and execution, and was built around a massive set reproducing the Rouen prison and a style of filmmaking centered on close-ups with performers wearing no makeup. Dreyer spent over a year researching the historical trial transcripts before writing the screenplay, and despite censorship before its release, the film is widely regarded as a landmark of cinema, celebrated especially for Falconetti's performance.