Joan the Woman (1916)

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

Director:

Cecil B. DeMille

Writers:

Jeanie Macpherson (scenario), William C. de Mille

Stars:

Geraldine Farrar, Raymond Hatton, Hobart Bosworth

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Ernest Joy	...	Robert de Beaudricourt
John Oaker	...	Jean de Metz

Storyline

John Trent, a World War I British officer, finds an ancient sword in his trench bunker just prior to volunteering for what will amount to a suicide mission the next day. That night he is visited by the spirit of Joan of Arc and is transported back to the 15th Century. Joan's career begins when, as a peasant girl, she meets Trent's ancestor, also an English soldier, fighting for the Burgundians. After Trent is captured, Joan is brought to the attention of the beleaguered Dauphin, heir to the French throne, who cannot be crowned because the English hold the royal city of Orleans. The weak Dauphin is impressed by her vision and apparently heaven-sent powers which border on the supernatural and ultimately gives her command of the armies. She is victorious at Orleans and the new King is crowned. Joan resists Trent's entreaties of love and continues her struggle to free the rest of her country from English occupation. Sinister forces, both English and French, conspire against her and she is...

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Plot Keywords:

15th century | world war one | 1430s | siege | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

Based on the life of the immortal Joan of Arc

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Mystery | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1916 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jeanne d'Arc

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$302,976 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min (2003)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Color (Handschiegel Color) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film to use the Handschiegl Color Process.

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Goofs

When Eric Trent woos Joan of Arc, he takes a flower from underneath the cross and holds it in his right hand. However, when he kneels down and kisses Joan's hand, the flower has disappeared.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood: In the Beginning (1980)

User Reviews

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.