The Passion of Joan of Arc (La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc)

THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC

In Paris, the library of the Chamber of Deputies

holds one of the most extraordinary documents in the history of the world:

the minutes of the trial of Joan of Arc,

a trial which ended in her sentencing and death.

In it, the judges' questions and Joan's answers are meticulously recorded.

Reading it, we discover Joan as she really was.

Not the Joan in helmet and armor, but simple and human.

A young woman who died for her country.

We witness an astounding drama:

a young, deeply religious woman

attacked by a horde of blinded theologians and experienced lawyers.

I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth...

nothing but the truth.

In France, they call me Joan.

In my village, they called me Joanie.

How old are you?

Nineteen. I think.

Do you know the Lord's Prayer?

Who taught it to you?

My mother.

Would you recite the Lord's Prayer?

You claim to have been sent by God?

To save France.

That's why I was born.

So you think God hates the English?

I know nothing of God's love or hatred for the English...

but I know the English will all soon be driven out of France...

except those who die here!

You said Saint Michael appeared to you. What did he look like?

Did he have wings?

Was he wearing a crown?

How was he dressed?

How could you know if it was a man or a woman?

Was he naked?

Do you think God is unable to clothe him?

Did he have long hair?

Why would he have cut it?

Why do you wear men's clothes?

If we give you women's clothes, will you wear them?

When the mission God gave me is finished,

I will wear women's clothes again.

So it was God who commanded you to wear men's clothes?

And what reward do you hope to gain from Our Lord?

The salvation of my soul.

You blaspheme God.

This is disgraceful.

To me, she is a saint.

Did God promise you anything?

That has nothing to do with your trial.

Shouldn't we let the judges decide that?

Would you like to put it to a vote?

Well, then! What did God promise you?

Perhaps he told you you'd be freed from prison?

When?

I know neither the day...

nor the hour.

She doesn't want to make a confession, so we must use wiles to get it.

Fetch a letter bearing King Charles's signature.

I will dictate the letter.

I have such compassion for you!

Can you recognize your king's signature?

I have a letter from him for you.

I don't know how to read.

"To our dear, beloved Joan...

I make ready to march upon Rouen with a great army.

I send you this devoted priest. Trust him."

As Jesus is God's son, do you consider yourself God's daughter?

Now will you recite the Lord's Prayer?

Did God tell you you'd be freed from prison?

Yes, through a great victory!

Did God promise you'd go to heaven?

So you are certain of your salvation?

Be careful, that's a dangerous answer.

So if you are sure of your salvation, you have no need of the Church?

Are you in a state of grace?

Well, now! Answer! Are you in a state of grace?

If I am, may God keep me there.

If I am not, may God bestow His grace upon me!

Sir...

allow me to hear Mass.

Joan, if we allow you to hear Mass...

will you lay aside your men's clothes?

So you prefer your men's clothes to hearing Mass?

That immodest garb...

abominable to God.

You are no daughter of God.

You are a servant of Satan!

Prepare the torture.

She sure looks like a daughter of God.

In the torture chamber.

Look at your judges.

Are not these learned doctors of the Church wiser than you?

But God is wiser still!

Listen, Joan, we know your revelations do not come from God...

but from the devil.

How do you tell a good angel from a bad angel?