Page 297 - Western Civilization A Brief History, Volume I To 1715 9th - Jackson J. Spielvogel

FILM HISTORY
Joan of Arc (1948)
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)
JOAN OF ARC is one of history’s best-known figures. Already by the time of her death she was a heroine, and in the nineteenth century, the French made her into an early nationalist. The Catholic Church recognized her as a saint in 1920, and a dozen films have been made about her short life. Born into a peasant family in Domr􏰀emy, France, Joan believed that, beginning at age thirteen, she had heard the voices of Saints Michael, Catherine, and Margaret telling her that she would play an important role in the liberation of France from the English invaders. Joan made her way to the court of the dauphin, the heir to the French throne, who agreed to let her accompany the royal army to Orl􏰀eans, where she supposedly played a major role in the liberation of the city. In keeping with her prophecies, she then accompanied the dauphin to Reims, where he was crowned as King Charles VII. Although the king sought to end the war by negotiation, Joan continued to fight until she was captured by the Burgundians, allies of the English. Sold to the English, she was put on trial as a heretic in a French ecclesiastical court dominated by the English. Worn out by questioning, she renounced her voices but shortly afterward recanted and reaffirmed them. The English authorities then burned her at the stake as a relapsed heretic. Historians agree on many facts about Joan but differ in interpreting them; so too do movie producers.
Based on a play by Maxwell Anderson, the 1948 film version of Joan’s story was directed by Victor Fleming. The movie follows the main historical facts that are known about Joan (Ingrid Bergman). Joan’s voices are accepted as an important part of a spiritually determined young woman: “What I am commanded to do, I do.” The film does deviate at times from the historical record: one member of the ecclesiastical court is shown opposing the trial, which did not happen. The dauphin (Jos􏰀e Ferrer) is presented as a weak individual who nevertheless accepts Joan’s offer of help. The movie ends in typical Hollywood fashion with a dramatic burning at the stake as Joan dies in a glorious blaze of heavenly sunbeams: “My victory is my martyrdom,” she proclaims at the end.
The Messenger, directed by Luc Besson, presents a more contemporary and fictionalized approach to Joan
Joan (Ingrid Bergman) prepares for battle.
Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Joan (Milia Jovovich) rides into battle.
War and Political Instability 259
(continued)
Gaumont/Jack English/The Kobal Collection at Art Resource, NY Sierra Pictures/The Kobal Collection at Art Resource, NY