Joan the Woman (1917)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Cecil B. DeMille

Writers:

Jeanie Macpherson (scenario)
William C. de Mille (writer)

Release Date:

4 January 1917 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | History | Mystery | War

Tagline:

Based on the life of the immortal Joan of Arc

Plot:

A WWI English officer is inspired the night before a dangerous mission by a vision of Joan of Arc, whose story he relives.

Plot Keywords:

Vision | Joan Of Arc | Peasant | WWI | Bunker

Cast

Geraldine Farrar	...	Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)
Raymond Hatton	...	Charles VII
Hobart Bosworth	...	Gen. La Hire
Theodore Roberts	...	Cauchon
Wallace Reid	...	Eric Trent 1431 / Eric Trent 1917
Charles Clary	...	La Tremouille
James Neill	...	Laxart
Tully Marshall	...	L'Oiseleur
Lawrence Peyton	...	Gaspard
Horace B. Carpenter	...	Jacques d'Arc
Cleo Ridgely	...	The king's favorite
Lillian Leighton	...	Isambeau
Marjorie Daw	...	Katherine
Stephen Gray	...	Pierre
Ernest Joy	...	Robert de Beaudricourt

Runtime:

Germany:100 min | Germany:138 min (2003) | USA:138 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Color (Handschiegel Color) | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Cardinal Film

Trivia:

When the film began its road-show run in major cities it was 12 reels long, but, over DeMille's objections, was quickly shortened to 10 reels.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Trent discovers the sword, he holds the hilt in his right hand. In the insert close-up the hilt is in his left hand. In the cutback, it has returned to the right. (In fact, the insert shot has been spliced in upside-down.)

Quotes:

Eric Trent: God forgive us, we have burned a saint!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ann Vickers (1933)

A gem from the archives!

This is without a doubt the finest screen version of Joan of Arc. The multi-talented Geraldine Farrar brings this saintly woman to the screen in all her piety. This is DeMille's first epic and he laid the groundwork for his subsequent masterpieces. This film is not only important for the superb acting but also for the technical aspects such as composition and beautiful photography. These early years are generally classified as DeMille's "Visionary Period". This is a wonderfully restored film complete with the hand tinted frames and William Furst's musical score from the original 1916 release. A very elaborate production for the time brimming with artistry and compelling continuity. The use of early special effects such as double exposure, the tinted frames to depict certain moods, blues for subdued and bright oranges for fiery rage. Opera diva Geraldine Farrar proved she was as dynamic an actress as she was a soprano. She was every inch Jeanne d' Arc, beautiful, pious, gentle yet strengthened by her faith and patriotism in the face of battle. She breathed so much into this role, no one, not even Ingrid Bergman did it better. There is also fine support from Wallace Reid and Raymond Hatton as Charles VII. That noble actor Hobart Bosworth gives a fine performance as the faithful General La Hire. An all star cast for 1916 audiences. An edifying work of art.