A great piece of film making for 1916. Joan the Woman was Cecil B DeMille's first epic film and I think one of his better ones. In 1916 epic was really in style with Intolerance and Birth of a Nation just being released. In this film Geraldine Farrar gets the leading role of Joan of Arc who acted superbly in this film, even though I thought physically does not look anything like her.
The battle scenes are really spectacular for this time. And de'mille really shows he knows how to handle a big scene with lots of people. The only down side to the movie is the lead is a little to old and heavy to be playing Joan though she makes up with great theatrical performance, and the heavy preaching which unfortunately mars De'Milles other epics. He just can't help it I guess. Overall a very good silent.
Grade B+
The battle scenes are really spectacular for this time. And de'mille really shows he knows how to handle a big scene with lots of people. The only down side to the movie is the lead is a little to old and heavy to be playing Joan though she makes up with great theatrical performance, and the heavy preaching which unfortunately mars De'Milles other epics. He just can't help it I guess. Overall a very good silent.
Grade B+