A treat for cinephiles: ‘Joan of Arc’ at the Castro
Carl Theodor Dreyer directed “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” a 1928 classic that has been recognized as a masterpiece for 90 years, even though, for most of that time, the original version of the film was unavailable.
At the time of Dreyer’s death in 1968, the film only existed in a version made from alternate takes, because the original negative had burned in a fire and none of the prints from the original version existed. It was only in the 1980s that an original print, in pristine condition, was found and completely restored. And so we get to see this masterpiece, based on the trial transcript of Joan of Arc, in its proper form.
It’s a great film, but it must be added that it’s also an entertaining film. That is, it’s not at all a chore to sit through. People not only appreciate the film, but also enjoy it — though it’s a sober kind of enjoyment, given the subject matter.
In Dreyer’s use of extreme close-ups, you can see pre-echoes of Ingmar Bergman’s work. Dreyer was onto the same thing a generation earlier, which is to use the external medium of film to record consciousness and the inner movements of the soul. And what a rare privilege to see this film on the enormous screen at the Castro.
“The Passion of Joan of Arc”: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. $10-$13. The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F. www.castrotheatre.com