Jeanne la Pucelle II - Les prisons (1994) Online

French screenwriter and director Jacques Rivette's fifteenth feature film which was written by his frequent collaborators Christine Laurent and Pascale Bonitzer, is the second and final part of his two films about Joan of Arc which was proceeded by "Joan the Maid, part I: The Battles" (1994). It tells the story about Jeanne d'Arc, a young military leader who led the French army in the the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. After leaving the battles at the Siege of La-Charité in La-Charité-sur-Loiré in November and December 1429, she went on to Compiégne in the North of France in April 1430 in order to defend her city against an English and Burgundian siege. On the 23rd of May during the Siege of Compiégne she was captured by the Burgundians and taken prisoner of war.

With this character-driven and dialog-driven period drama, Jacques Rivette and his collaborators has created a detailed, distanced and naturalistic portrayal of the uneducated farm girl, born in Domrémy in Eastern France, who fought as a soldier for her native country, was put on trial by the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchon, accused of heresy and who became a Roman Catholic saint and a national heroine of France. Focusing on the significant and gripping trial which took place in Rouen, France and lasted from the 26st of March to the 24th of May in 1431, Jacques Rivette draws a pervasive study of character which focuses more on the social and political aspects of the protagonist than the religious.

This biographical and historical French production where Jacques Rivette makes a witty cameo, creates multiple perspectives, has an efficient narrative structure, some riveting dialog scenes, some humorous moments and a rhythmic score by Jordi Savall. Subtly and distinctly directed by one of the masters of cinema, this brilliantly paced and lyrical chamber piece where the poignant use of light and sound emphasizes the inner struggle of the main character, has a nuanced and understated acting performance by French actress Sandrine Bonnaire and some fine supporting acting performances by French actors Jean-Louis Richard, André Marcon and Marcel Bozonnet. The prominent cinematography by William Lubtchansky, the notable costume design by Christine Laurent and the ardent production design by the director's frequent collaborator Emmanuel de Chauvigny, makes this a visually exquisite film. A compassionate and exceptionally moving interpretation of an historical figure's destiny which gained a nomination for Best Actress Sandrine Bonnaire at the César Awards in 1995.

Sandrine Bonnaire captured my attention in this old early 90s movie which can give the impression that it's 60s or 70s something movie.

I was eight years old when the two part movie came out, but I only seen it this year. The story really is the most original of all the movies made about Joan of Arc, like Joan of Arc (1999) and The Messenger (1999), these movies couldn't compare to Jeanne la Pucelle. What's original, you hear the French speak French and the English speak English like it would have been at the time of the real Joan of Arc, the 1999 movies don't have that.

When Joan is burned to the stake, she's dressed like a priest (with some sort of pointy hat like the pope), holds her hands in prayer with a small cross in between, screams once for Jesus and the ending credits appear. As I watched this, I stood in front of my TV making the sign of the cross, it was a very sad part, but was the best ending in a Joan of Arcs movie do to the drama.

Amen !

What I said regarding Part 1 is still irrelevant for Part 2. Both films lack the ability of conveying the magnitude of events in France at that period. The relief of Orleans is said to have been an engagement involving around 15,000 soldiers but at no time do you feel it is more than a skirmish. When Joan, with a half-dozen soldiers in support, shouts up at the walls of Paris for its surrender I can only surmise that arrows were shot at her because no rotten fruit was available! Yes I know she probably had an army behind her but that's not the impression the viewer gets. Such events as heroic leaders leading mass armies into battle may have been clichéd by films like El Cid but they still stir the spirit. This film never does. The war of words that follow with her imprisonment and trial by the English lacked any intellectual substance. Interestingly the film does not portray the English as the villains.This is reserved for the duplicitous French noblemen. France created St.Joan and clearly accepts the blame for her demise which is the only message this film conveys.

My only major problem with Parts 1 and 2 of La Pucelle is that, historically, the guy who was the eminence gris and string-puller in the fight against La Pucelle and her final capture and trial is not in the movie. That guy is John of Lancaster the Duke of Bedford who was Regent of France at the time. Warwick,who is in the movie, was his puppet and enabled him to stay in the background while the worst things were perpetrated against La Pucelle inside and outside the courtroom.He is on record as regarding her as "the limb of the fiend" that is the devil's body part the worst calumny you could hurl at somebody in those days. Why Bedford was omitted from the movie and replaced by a stooge just beggars belief despite the fact that this was a French movie.It's like Hamlet without the Prince.Credit to a later movie 'Joan of Arc -The Messenger' that Bedford is nailed for his leading part.Clearly the definitive movie on La Pucelle remains to be made,although I consider that ,despite that strategic omission, La Pucelle remains a great movie and worth seeing.