Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- romantic
- dramatic
- historical film night
- period drama evening
What critics said
Critics and surrounding coverage regarded the film as a visually prominent historical drama whose treatment of the Pope Joan legend was politically controversial and, according to one cited assessment, limited in vision.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Johanna disguises herself as her brother Johannes to study, enter a monastery, and advance through the medieval church.
The story dramatizes the medieval legend of a woman who rises to the papacy, provoking Vatican criticism outside the film.
Johanna's relationship with Gerold and her concealed pregnancy endanger her papal persona.
Monasteries, Rome, the papal court, and ecclesiastical rituals provide the film's major visual and dramatic environments.
Films like Pope Joan, and why
The Name of the Rose
shared medieval historical setting, gender identity concealment, and serious empowerment themes
Elizabeth
shared period drama form, religious institutions, political intrigue, and female agency
The Other Boleyn Girl
shared historical romance, patriarchal power structures, and determined female protagonist
The Last Duel
shared medieval setting, religious conflict, romantic stakes, and dramatic historical atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Sönke Wortmann
- Release Date
- 2009-10-22
- Runtime
- 149 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (369)
Cast
- John Goodman
- Johanna Wokalek
- David Wenham
- Iain Glen
- Edward Petherbridge
- Anatole Taubman
- Lotte Flack
- Tigerlily Hutchinson
- Jördis Triebel
- Oliver Cotton
Common questions
- What is Pope Joan about?
- A determined medieval woman conceals her identity to pursue learning and power within a church that forbids her existence.
- What is Pope Joan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pope Joan as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Pope Joan violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Pope Joan as moderate.
- What did critics think of Pope Joan?
- Critics and surrounding coverage regarded the film as a visually prominent historical drama whose treatment of the Pope Joan legend was politically controversial and, according to one cited assessment, limited in vision.
- Which films are like Pope Joan?
- Films with a similar feel include The Name of the Rose, Elizabeth, The Other Boleyn Girl, and The Last Duel.
- How long is Pope Joan?
- Pope Joan runs 149 minutes.
