Overview
A powerful exploration of faith and justice unfolds as a young woman faces her fate.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- austere
- bleak
- contemplative
- serious film study
- historical cinema viewing
What critics said
Retrospective critics broadly regard the film as a gripping, formally precise courtroom drama, despite its initially muted reception and deliberately restrained emotional style.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The interrogation dialogue is based entirely on transcripts of Joan of Arc's real trial.
Bresson films Joan's imprisonment, interrogation, and execution in a spare, low-key style with muted performances.
Joan is manipulated and subjected to intellectual cruelty by the church and state during her trial.
Joan's faith and testimony are tested by interrogators who seek to condemn her as a heretic.
Films like The Trial of Joan of Arc, and why
The Passion of Joan of Arc
spare historical drama centered on institutional persecution, religious power, and a condemned young woman
A Man Escaped
austere prison drama using restrained performances and institutional confinement to explore spiritual endurance
The Sacrifice
minimalist historical drama portraying martyrdom and political-religious oppression with severe formal discipline
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Bresson
- Release Date
- 1963-02-13
- Runtime
- 62 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (156)
Cast
- Florence Delay
- Jean-Claude Fourneau
- Roger Honorat
- Marc Jacquier
- Jean Gillibert
- Michel Herubel
- André Régnier
- Arthur Le Bau
- Marcel Darbaud
- Philippe Dreux
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Trial of Joan of Arc about?
- Robert Bresson's austere reconstruction of Joan of Arc's trial turns documented interrogation into a harrowing study of faith, coercion, and martyrdom.
- What is The Trial of Joan of Arc like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Trial of Joan of Arc as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Trial of Joan of Arc violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Trial of Joan of Arc as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Trial of Joan of Arc?
- Retrospective critics broadly regard the film as a gripping, formally precise courtroom drama, despite its initially muted reception and deliberately restrained emotional style.
- Which films are like The Trial of Joan of Arc?
- Films with a similar feel include The Passion of Joan of Arc, A Man Escaped, and The Sacrifice.
- How long is The Trial of Joan of Arc?
- The Trial of Joan of Arc runs 62 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Trial of Joan of Arc?
- In United States, The Trial of Joan of Arc streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
