That ending 😭

I might know the story by heart, that performance (and that scream) still hit me like a ton of bricks.

A fantastic interpretation of Jeanne’s life, her defiance, and how it lead to her tragic end. A masterful film for anyone curious about the legendary figure, and one I shall definitely seek out to add to my collection.

That ending 😭

I might know the story by heart, that performance (and that scream) still hit me like a ton of bricks.

A fantastic interpretation of Jeanne’s life, her defiance, and how it lead to her tragic end. A masterful film for anyone curious about the legendary figure, and one I shall definitely seek out to add to my collection.

"Quiet and Forebodingly Thoughtful and Beautiful"

After the success of La Belle Noiseuse, French director Jacques Rivette follow that masterpiece up with his largest budgeted picture, the two part epic, Joan The Maid or sperately Joan the Maid 1: The Battles and Joan The Maid 2: The Prisons. Both films add up to about 5 hours and what a beautiful way to spent all of them.

The film of course retells the life of Joan of Arc here played by the wonderful Sandrine Bonnaire, the film begans with her already leaving her Domremy as she tries to convince a captain to escort her to the Dauphin and from there we follow her steps contemplatively from her first battle and to her eventual trial.

This is probably Rivette's most conventional film, it lacks his improvisational style, his mysterious narrative, tone and atmosphere and his signature playful touch mostly due to the story itself, everyone knows Joan of Arc so it's hard to find much mystery or cryptic qualities in that but what the film makes up for is Rivette's subtle and noticenuance handling of this story, his wonderful direction and the strong performances throughout that really make this picture great. (Also am going to review both films as one but I'll make sure to make it clear which film am talking about if I go into specific details). Although sometimes a bit too explanatory and less visual Rivette still none the less capture the atmosphere of the time period the film is set in and creates a absorbing and contemplative experience that really makes the film such a beauty to watch. The budget was definitely well used with a lot of beautiful scenery, castles, sets, costumes and people to boot but what makes it all look extra stunning is Rivette's direction. The way Rivette film everything is poetic, absorbing and emotional, the use of shadows, mists and light especially are a real highlight, all coming together by William Lubtchansky as always stunning cinematography and Rivette's great direction. Its refreshing to see a war picture taking such a slow and contemplative step yet having such a great pace and structure and under Rivette's leadership you know you are in for a amazing movie especially one that looks this beautiful.

I can definitely see why the film will not go well with general audiences but I think that's exactly what Rivette wanted to do, instead of doing what many war pictures do and show a lot of battles Joan The Maid despite its 5 hour runtime probably have less then 30 minutes of real battle scenes which doesn't mean its instantly better then other war pictures but it just means audiences should really enter this expecting a exploration and beautiful portrait of Joan of Arc as a person then a epic war picture. It's clear from the start, the film wants to focus on Joan and explore her short yet impactful life and we as a audience really get to connect with Joan in a uniquely intimate way which other films about Joan usually fails to do due to their highly saint portrayl of her or their standard runtime which restricts much exploration or development but here she really gets to shine and comes off ultimately as a simple young woman who just believes in her mission and love for god, its not overplayed or over dramatic but just right and despite being a atheist myself I still very much connected and cared for Joan in the film because she feels real and has real flaws but still have much courage like a real human being and ultimately it's her writing and Sandrine Bonnaire that really carries this picture.

The most famous actress to play Joan is probably Maria Falconetti in 1928's The Passion of Joan of Arc and although Sandrine Bonnaire is nowhere near as Earth shaking as Falconetti she still very much cast a undying spell on the audience throughout this absorbing picture. She is the perfect casting without a doubt, if her performances in Vagabond or À Nos Amour has told us anything is that Bonnaire is at her very best when portraying anger or understated and understandable anger that plays with her characters' psychological and emotional strain, aging and vulnerability and here Rivette uses that to his advantage giving Joan of Arc a real erupted yet controlled energy that really shows Joan's strength and weaknesses. She's brave, vulnerable, strong yet young, naive and a bit destructive but in the role she has that leadership and warrior nature and presence to her that not only endures and relates her to the audience but make them believe without a question why one would follow Bonnaire's Joan into battle, it is a essential performance in not only her career or Rivette's filmography filled with many amazing performances from Beart in La Belle Noiseuse to Berto in Out 1 but one of the best Arthouse performances from the 1990s. The supporting cast is also great but Bonnaire, what a amazing performance she gave here. Completely beautiful and handled the film from start to finish.

From its humble beginnings to its epic midpoint and to its heartbreaking conclusion, Rivette's Joan the Maid is a breathtakingly stunning effort with Bonnaire's strongest performance and Rivette's at his most ambitious and epic. It might not be as exciting or fast paced as other war movies but its definitely unique and unlike any war picture for its meditative and contemplative approach to the genre. Despite its 5 hour runtime and long strengthened pace Bonnaire's performance, Rivette's direction and the timeless story will definitely keep you engaged and engrossed, if you have experienced with slower films you should go into this with no problems but for newer audiences to Arthouse / International cinema this might not be a place to start but if you have a strong interest in the subject the film is about or just love French cinema or Bonnaire or Rivette, this is a essential viewing no doubt. Absorbing, Grand and Timelessly Powerful and Poignant, a complete, effective, beautiful and simple poem to Joan and her legacy.

"Quiet and Forebodingly Thoughtful and Beautiful"

After the success of La Belle Noiseuse, French director Jacques Rivette follow that masterpiece up with his largest budgeted picture, the two part epic, Joan The Maid or sperately Joan the Maid 1: The Battles and Joan The Maid 2: The Prisons. Both films add up to about 5 hours and what a beautiful way to spent all of them.

The film of course retells the life of Joan of Arc here played by the wonderful Sandrine Bonnaire, the film begans with her already leaving her Domremy as she tries to convince a captain to escort her to the Dauphin and from there we follow her steps contemplatively from her first battle and to her eventual trial.

This is probably Rivette's most conventional film, it lacks his improvisational style, his mysterious narrative, tone and atmosphere and his signature playful touch mostly due to the story itself, everyone knows Joan of Arc so it's hard to find much mystery or cryptic qualities in that but what the film makes up for is Rivette's subtle and noticenuance handling of this story, his wonderful direction and the strong performances throughout that really make this picture great. (Also am going to review both films as one but I'll make sure to make it clear which film am talking about if I go into specific details). Although sometimes a bit too explanatory and less visual Rivette still none the less capture the atmosphere of the time period the film is set in and creates a absorbing and contemplative experience that really makes the film such a beauty to watch. The budget was definitely well used with a lot of beautiful scenery, castles, sets, costumes and people to boot but what makes it all look extra stunning is Rivette's direction. The way Rivette film everything is poetic, absorbing and emotional, the use of shadows, mists and light especially are a real highlight, all coming together by William Lubtchansky as always stunning cinematography and Rivette's great direction. Its refreshing to see a war picture taking such a slow and contemplative step yet having such a great pace and structure and under Rivette's leadership you know you are in for a amazing movie especially one that looks this beautiful.

I can definitely see why the film will not go well with general audiences but I think that's exactly what Rivette wanted to do, instead of doing what many war pictures do and show a lot of battles Joan The Maid despite its 5 hour runtime probably have less then 30 minutes of real battle scenes which doesn't mean its instantly better then other war pictures but it just means audiences should really enter this expecting a exploration and beautiful portrait of Joan of Arc as a person then a epic war picture. It's clear from the start, the film wants to focus on Joan and explore her short yet impactful life and we as a audience really get to connect with Joan in a uniquely intimate way which other films about Joan usually fails to do due to their highly saint portrayl of her or their standard runtime which restricts much exploration or development but here she really gets to shine and comes off ultimately as a simple young woman who just believes in her mission and love for god, its not overplayed or over dramatic but just right and despite being a atheist myself I still very much connected and cared for Joan in the film because she feels real and has real flaws but still have much courage like a real human being and ultimately it's her writing and Sandrine Bonnaire that really carries this picture.

The most famous actress to play Joan is probably Maria Falconetti in 1928's The Passion of Joan of Arc and although Sandrine Bonnaire is nowhere near as Earth shaking as Falconetti she still very much cast a undying spell on the audience throughout this absorbing picture. She is the perfect casting without a doubt, if her performances in Vagabond or À Nos Amour has told us anything is that Bonnaire is at her very best when portraying anger or understated and understandable anger that plays with her characters' psychological and emotional strain, aging and vulnerability and here Rivette uses that to his advantage giving Joan of Arc a real erupted yet controlled energy that really shows Joan's strength and weaknesses. She's brave, vulnerable, strong yet young, naive and a bit destructive but in the role she has that leadership and warrior nature and presence to her that not only endures and relates her to the audience but make them believe without a question why one would follow Bonnaire's Joan into battle, it is a essential performance in not only her career or Rivette's filmography filled with many amazing performances from Beart in La Belle Noiseuse to Berto in Out 1 but one of the best Arthouse performances from the 1990s. The supporting cast is also great but Bonnaire, what a amazing performance she gave here. Completely beautiful and handled the film from start to finish.

From its humble beginnings to its epic midpoint and to its heartbreaking conclusion, Rivette's Joan the Maid is a breathtakingly stunning effort with Bonnaire's strongest performance and Rivette's at his most ambitious and epic. It might not be as exciting or fast paced as other war movies but its definitely unique and unlike any war picture for its meditative and contemplative approach to the genre. Despite its 5 hour runtime and long strengthened pace Bonnaire's performance, Rivette's direction and the timeless story will definitely keep you engaged and engrossed, if you have experienced with slower films you should go into this with no problems but for newer audiences to Arthouse / International cinema this might not be a place to start but if you have a strong interest in the subject the film is about or just love French cinema or Bonnaire or Rivette, this is a essential viewing no doubt. Absorbing, Grand and Timelessly Powerful and Poignant, a complete, effective, beautiful and simple poem to Joan and her legacy.

"Quiet and Forebodingly Thoughtful and Beautiful"

After the success of La Belle Noiseuse, French director Jacques Rivette follow that masterpiece up with his largest budgeted picture, the two part epic, Joan The Maid or sperately Joan the Maid 1: The Battles and Joan The Maid 2: The Prisons. Both films add up to about 5 hours and what a beautiful way to spent all of them.

The film of course retells the life of Joan of Arc here played by the wonderful Sandrine Bonnaire, the film begans with her already leaving her Domremy as she tries to convince a captain to escort her to the Dauphin and from there we follow her steps contemplatively from her first battle and to her eventual trial.

This is probably Rivette's most conventional film, it lacks his improvisational style, his mysterious narrative, tone and atmosphere and his signature playful touch mostly due to the story itself, everyone knows Joan of Arc so it's hard to find much mystery or cryptic qualities in that but what the film makes up for is Rivette's subtle and noticenuance handling of this story, his wonderful direction and the strong performances throughout that really make this picture great. (Also am going to review both films as one but I'll make sure to make it clear which film am talking about if I go into specific details). Although sometimes a bit too explanatory and less visual Rivette still none the less capture the atmosphere of the time period the film is set in and creates a absorbing and contemplative experience that really makes the film such a beauty to watch. The budget was definitely well used with a lot of beautiful scenery, castles, sets, costumes and people to boot but what makes it all look extra stunning is Rivette's direction. The way Rivette film everything is poetic, absorbing and emotional, the use of shadows, mists and light especially are a real highlight, all coming together by William Lubtchansky as always stunning cinematography and Rivette's great direction. Its refreshing to see a war picture taking such a slow and contemplative step yet having such a great pace and structure and under Rivette's leadership you know you are in for a amazing movie especially one that looks this beautiful.

I can definitely see why the film will not go well with general audiences but I think that's exactly what Rivette wanted to do, instead of doing what many war pictures do and show a lot of battles Joan The Maid despite its 5 hour runtime probably have less then 30 minutes of real battle scenes which doesn't mean its instantly better then other war pictures but it just means audiences should really enter this expecting a exploration and beautiful portrait of Joan of Arc as a person then a epic war picture. It's clear from the start, the film wants to focus on Joan and explore her short yet impactful life and we as a audience really get to connect with Joan in a uniquely intimate way which other films about Joan usually fails to do due to their highly saint portrayl of her or their standard runtime which restricts much exploration or development but here she really gets to shine and comes off ultimately as a simple young woman who just believes in her mission and love for god, its not overplayed or over dramatic but just right and despite being a atheist myself I still very much connected and cared for Joan in the film because she feels real and has real flaws but still have much courage like a real human being and ultimately it's her writing and Sandrine Bonnaire that really carries this picture.

The most famous actress to play Joan is probably Maria Falconetti in 1928's The Passion of Joan of Arc and although Sandrine Bonnaire is nowhere near as Earth shaking as Falconetti she still very much cast a undying spell on the audience throughout this absorbing picture. She is the perfect casting without a doubt, if her performances in Vagabond or À Nos Amour has told us anything is that Bonnaire is at her very best when portraying anger or understated and understandable anger that plays with her characters' psychological and emotional strain, aging and vulnerability and here Rivette uses that to his advantage giving Joan of Arc a real erupted yet controlled energy that really shows Joan's strength and weaknesses. She's brave, vulnerable, strong yet young, naive and a bit destructive but in the role she has that leadership and warrior nature and presence to her that not only endures and relates her to the audience but make them believe without a question why one would follow Bonnaire's Joan into battle, it is a essential performance in not only her career or Rivette's filmography filled with many amazing performances from Beart in La Belle Noiseuse to Berto in Out 1 but one of the best Arthouse performances from the 1990s. The supporting cast is also great but Bonnaire, what a amazing performance she gave here. Completely beautiful and handled the film from start to finish.

From its humble beginnings to its epic midpoint and to its heartbreaking conclusion, Rivette's Joan the Maid is a breathtakingly stunning effort with Bonnaire's strongest performance and Rivette's at his most ambitious and epic. It might not be as exciting or fast paced as other war movies but its definitely unique and unlike any war picture for its meditative and contemplative approach to the genre. Despite its 5 hour runtime and long strengthened pace Bonnaire's performance, Rivette's direction and the timeless story will definitely keep you engaged and engrossed, if you have experienced with slower films you should go into this with no problems but for newer audiences to Arthouse / International cinema this might not be a place to start but if you have a strong interest in the subject the film is about or just love French cinema or Bonnaire or Rivette, this is a essential viewing no doubt. Absorbing, Grand and Timelessly Powerful and Poignant, a complete, effective, beautiful and simple poem to Joan and her legacy.

"Quiet and Forebodingly Thoughtful and Beautiful"

After the success of La Belle Noiseuse, French director Jacques Rivette follow that masterpiece up with his largest budgeted picture, the two part epic, Joan The Maid or sperately Joan the Maid 1: The Battles and Joan The Maid 2: The Prisons. Both films add up to about 5 hours and what a beautiful way to spent all of them.

The film of course retells the life of Joan of Arc here played by the wonderful Sandrine Bonnaire, the film begans with her already leaving her Domremy as she tries to convince a captain to escort her to the Dauphin and from there we follow her steps contemplatively from her first battle and to her eventual trial.

This is probably Rivette's most conventional film, it lacks his improvisational style, his mysterious narrative, tone and atmosphere and his signature playful touch mostly due to the story itself, everyone knows Joan of Arc so it's hard to find much mystery or cryptic qualities in that but what the film makes up for is Rivette's subtle and noticenuance handling of this story, his wonderful direction and the strong performances throughout that really make this picture great. (Also am going to review both films as one but I'll make sure to make it clear which film am talking about if I go into specific details). Although sometimes a bit too explanatory and less visual Rivette still none the less capture the atmosphere of the time period the film is set in and creates a absorbing and contemplative experience that really makes the film such a beauty to watch. The budget was definitely well used with a lot of beautiful scenery, castles, sets, costumes and people to boot but what makes it all look extra stunning is Rivette's direction. The way Rivette film everything is poetic, absorbing and emotional, the use of shadows, mists and light especially are a real highlight, all coming together by William Lubtchansky as always stunning cinematography and Rivette's great direction. Its refreshing to see a war picture taking such a slow and contemplative step yet having such a great pace and structure and under Rivette's leadership you know you are in for a amazing movie especially one that looks this beautiful.

I can definitely see why the film will not go well with general audiences but I think that's exactly what Rivette wanted to do, instead of doing what many war pictures do and show a lot of battles Joan The Maid despite its 5 hour runtime probably have less then 30 minutes of real battle scenes which doesn't mean its instantly better then other war pictures but it just means audiences should really enter this expecting a exploration and beautiful portrait of Joan of Arc as a person then a epic war picture. It's clear from the start, the film wants to focus on Joan and explore her short yet impactful life and we as a audience really get to connect with Joan in a uniquely intimate way which other films about Joan usually fails to do due to their highly saint portrayl of her or their standard runtime which restricts much exploration or development but here she really gets to shine and comes off ultimately as a simple young woman who just believes in her mission and love for god, its not overplayed or over dramatic but just right and despite being a atheist myself I still very much connected and cared for Joan in the film because she feels real and has real flaws but still have much courage like a real human being and ultimately it's her writing and Sandrine Bonnaire that really carries this picture.

The most famous actress to play Joan is probably Maria Falconetti in 1928's The Passion of Joan of Arc and although Sandrine Bonnaire is nowhere near as Earth shaking as Falconetti she still very much cast a undying spell on the audience throughout this absorbing picture. She is the perfect casting without a doubt, if her performances in Vagabond or À Nos Amour has told us anything is that Bonnaire is at her very best when portraying anger or understated and understandable anger that plays with her characters' psychological and emotional strain, aging and vulnerability and here Rivette uses that to his advantage giving Joan of Arc a real erupted yet controlled energy that really shows Joan's strength and weaknesses. She's brave, vulnerable, strong yet young, naive and a bit destructive but in the role she has that leadership and warrior nature and presence to her that not only endures and relates her to the audience but make them believe without a question why one would follow Bonnaire's Joan into battle, it is a essential performance in not only her career or Rivette's filmography filled with many amazing performances from Beart in La Belle Noiseuse to Berto in Out 1 but one of the best Arthouse performances from the 1990s. The supporting cast is also great but Bonnaire, what a amazing performance she gave here. Completely beautiful and handled the film from start to finish.

From its humble beginnings to its epic midpoint and to its heartbreaking conclusion, Rivette's Joan the Maid is a breathtakingly stunning effort with Bonnaire's strongest performance and Rivette's at his most ambitious and epic. It might not be as exciting or fast paced as other war movies but its definitely unique and unlike any war picture for its meditative and contemplative approach to the genre. Despite its 5 hour runtime and long strengthened pace Bonnaire's performance, Rivette's direction and the timeless story will definitely keep you engaged and engrossed, if you have experienced with slower films you should go into this with no problems but for newer audiences to Arthouse / International cinema this might not be a place to start but if you have a strong interest in the subject the film is about or just love French cinema or Bonnaire or Rivette, this is a essential viewing no doubt. Absorbing, Grand and Timelessly Powerful and Poignant, a complete, effective, beautiful and simple poem to Joan and her legacy.

The last line of the film is fucking heart wrenching.

The last line of the film is fucking heart wrenching.