e cell to appear to be her confidant. His shadow completely covers the cross as he presents Joan with the false letter from the king. This is one of the few moments where the set becomes an active part of the film.Another important scene is in the torture chamber where the fast and erratic cutting style is most prevalent in order to create tension. It is here where Joan is offered the opportunity to sign the written confession for the first time. The shots begin to happen quickly as Joan refuses to sign and the judges try to convince her. The camera then pans around the room to view the horrible devices and forms of torture at the judge’s disposal to make her confess. The shots are rapidly alternated from the torture devices, to Joan, and to the judges. The scene rapidly approaches a climax and it so overwhelms Joan that she faints. Shortly afterwards, she is returned to her cell where her caretakers are told that under no circumstances should she be allowed to die a natural death. The words are few, but are almost as powerful as the images in demonstrating the amount of contempt Joan had to face.The power and realism of Falconetti’s performance is evident as she is placed in front of a crowd to abjure as a sinner and submit to the judge’s wishes. She appears exhausted and unsure of what is real anymore. Her face shows a lost battle as her hand is guided to sign the confession. She realizes she cannot win no matter how true she is to herself. To watch Falconetti be carried to sign away everything she has believed in is to feel the oppression Joan felt in her lost battle for truth. It is later that she realizes she has betrayed herself – a sin much greater than the betrayal of the “Holy Mother Church.” It is at this point the consignment in her eyes is read as acceptance of her martyrdom and at the same time anticipation of the freedom it will bring to her.As Joan is prepared for death i...
