The Passion of Joan of Arc

Michael Shiakallis
Engl 125
Mr. Rosenberg
October 9th, 2003
The Passion of Joan of Arc
The influence of cinema is often overlooked due to the entertainment value it possesses. There are very few films that can emotionally and intellectually captivate an audience in this contemporary era due to the inflated emphasis on special effects and revenue. The silent era in cinema was able to accentuate aspects of a film that many sound films following have diluted or dismissed. The Passion of Joan of Arc exhibits this unique accentuation. This film is free from choppy dialogue and overbearing special effects that can be attributed to the simple time period that it is from. The Passion of Joan of Arc enthralls its audience through potent facial expressions, clever symbolism, and a poignant score.
The silent communication that Joan conveys to the audience is full of expressions that a monologue could never do justice to. The audience gets a close up view of Joan’s face, ...