Thursday, May 27, 2010

Joan of Arc (1948)

Joan of Arc (1948) starring Ingrid Bergman is in my opinion the best and most historically accurate of all the films about the Maid of Lorraine. Ingrid Bergman was not a believer but as an accomplished actress she was able to project the radiant faith of Joan. In fact, Ingrid had great devotion to the saint and herself helped to finance the film. Directed by Victor Fleming and based upon the play by Maxwell Anderson, the movie captures the season of miracles which was Joan's life. Unfortunately, many key scenes were edited from the version usually shown on television. The complete, unedited version has been restored and was released on DVD in 2004. I am dying to see it. Here is an article with several stills from the film, including those from scenes which did not make the final cut.



Novena prayer to St. Joan

3 comments:

Mary N. said...

Thanks for the links on St. Joan of Arc. This is another saint that I like. Her courage was amazing for one so young. I often ask her to intercede to obtain courage for me in the face of trials. I'll have to find the DVD. Courage to stand firm is greatly needed in our day.

Julygirl said...

There is also George Bernard Shaw's play that was written after much research and reading of the transcripts from the trial. It was written shortly after her Canonization, and is considered his best work. A film was made in 1957 adapted by Graham Greene, directed by Otto Preminger and starring Jean Seberg, Richard Todd and John Gielgud. It is said that Jean Seberg was not a powerful enough actor to pull it off, but she was the right age, being 19. So many others who played the role on stage were great actresses but were considered somewhat too old to portray the young perasant girl.

Elizabeth said...

You have to read Mark Twain's St Joan...it was his favorite book...
It is a lovely book and Ingrid Bergman is a lovely Joan. My kids love this movie...we have had the DVD for several years...And my kids are only 11, 9, 5, and 6 months---though the baby doesn't watch much yet :)
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