Breaking down "Joan of Arc" VISUALLY.

La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928)


directed by:Carl Theodor Dreyer





I know, I know, this movie is really old but it is SO worth watching if you like to see well thought out and planned movies. This movie is obviously in black and white and to top it off it is a SILENT movie. To fully appreciate this movie I have created a list of things you should look at to understand to understand the visual structure.

First thing you have to know about this movie is that CONTRAST is the idea behind it.

1. First of all, notice that the priests/judges(antagonist) have strong facial features. They are grotesque looking. Joan on the other hand, has symmetrical features.
2. The priests give fast, and strange performances. Joan moves slowly, like an angel.
3. IMAGE SIZE:
-98% shots of Joan are median shots or close-ups
-Priests: they have extreme wide shots or extreme close-ups
4. Joans' shots are more predictable. Shots of priests are more diverse.
-Joan's shots are cut next to the judges and therefore don't match in size. This suggests conflict and we feel close to Joan.
5. Judges are often decentered. This means that they are not right on the center of the shot. They are either way at the bottom of the shot or way at the top.
6. ANGLES:
-Dreyer uses low angles on Judges to make them look like monsters.
-Shots of Joan are at face level. Makes her look like a normal human being.

As you can see this movie was all about contrast. Dreyer, the director, doesn't want us to think actors are equal in this movie. There are many other techniques used by the director but these are just a few to give you something to think about if you ever have to watch this movie for class or for fun.