THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC.
In the library of the Chamber of Deputies in Paris
is one of world history's most remarkable documents:
The record that was written during the trial of Jeanne d'Arc -
the trial that led to her conviction and death
the judges' questions and Jeanne's own answers
have been meticulously recorded...
reading it you will see Jeanne as she really was -
not in helmet and armor, but simple and human...
a young woman who died for her country...
and we are witnesses to a poignant drama -
a young, faithful woman fighting alone
against a band of blind theologians and skilled judges.
I swear to tell the truth
and nothing but the truth
I was christened Jeanne
at home I am called Jeannette.
How old are you?
Nineteen I think.
Can you say Our Father?
Who taught it to you?
My mother.
Say the Our Father.
You claim to be sent by God?
To save France
that is why I was born.
So you believe that God hates the English?
I know not whether God loves or hates the English
but I know for certain
that the English will all be driven out of France
except for those who are going to die here.
You have told that Saint Michael appeared before you...
what did he look like?
Did he have wings?
Did he wear a crown?
What did he wear?
How were you able to tell if it was a man or a woman?
Was he naked?
Do you not believe that God would have clothes for him?
Did he have long hair?
Why should he have had it cut off?
Why do you dress as a man?
If we give you a woman's dress, will you wear it?
When I have accomplished God's will for me,
I shall again wear women's clothes.
So it is God who has dictated how you dress?
What do you expect from God in return?
The salvation of my soul.
You blaspheme God.
This is a disgrace...
for me she is a saint.
Did God make you promises of any kind?
That has nothing to do with your trial.
I think I will let the judges decide that.
Shall we vote on it?
Well, what has God promised you?
Perhaps he has promised
that you will be released from your prison?
When?
I know neither the day
nor the hour.
If she will not willingly confess,
we must try to lure the confession out of her.
Get me a letter with the signature of King Charles.
Write a letter by my dictation.
I have great sympathy for you!
Would you recognize your King's signature?
I have a letter from him to you.
I cannot read.
To our dearly beloved Jeanne.
We have gathered a mighty army and are preparing an attack on Rouen.
We send you this priest,
who is devoted to us - have confidence in him.
As Jesus is God's son, you claim to be God's daughter?
Will you now say the Our Father?
Did God promise that you would be released soon?
By means of a great victory!
Has God told you that you will go to Heaven?
So you are certain of being saved?
Do you realize that it is dangerous to answer this way?
Since you are so certain of your salvation,
you do not need the Church?
Are you already in a state of grace?
Well, answer! Are you in a state of grace?
If I am, may God so keep me
lf I am not, may God bestow His grace upon me!
Monseigneur
please allow me to go to Mass.
Jeanne, you shall be allowed to go to Mass
but on one condition: That you change your clothing.
So those clothes are dearer to you than the Lord's Mass
it is abominable
it is a disgrace to God.
You are no daughter of God
you are one of Satan's gang!
Let them prepare the torture.
She looks just like a daughter of God, doesn't she?
In the torture chamber.
Look at your judges...
do you not believe,
that these learned doctors are wiser than you?
But the wisdom of God is even greater.
Listen Jeanne, we know that your visions did not come from God
but from the Devil.
How do you distinguish a good angel from a bad angel?
It is the Devil to whom you have knelt, not Saint Michael!
Do you not understand that it is Satan who has turned your head
who has deceived you
and betrayed you.
I think she is ready to sign the abjuration!
The Church is opening her arms to you
if you turn away, she will disown you and you will stand alone
alone!
Yes, alone
alone with God!
Even though you torture my soul out of my body,
I shall confess nothing...
and if I should confess,
I shall say afterwards that you forced me to do it!
On no account must she die a natural death...
she has cost me too much for that.
She is very weak.
She has a fever... we shall have to bleed her.
But take good care that she does not do away
with herself... she is capable of anything.
Go and fetch the Sacrament.
Is there anything you wish to say?
I am afraid that I am going to die...
and if I should die,
I implore you to have me buried in consecrated ground.
The Church is merciful...
she always takes care of the lamb that has strayed.
Jeanne, we only want what is best for you -
look, I have sent for the Sacrament.
I am a good Christian.
Do you realize that it is the Body of Christ you are rejecting?
Do you not realize that you offend God by your defiance?
I love and honor God with all my heart.
You claim that I am sent by the Devil...
that is not true...
it is you who have been sent by the Devil - to torment me...
and you...
and you.
There is nothing more we can do with her... give the executioner his orders!
We will make one last attempt to save this lost soul.
It is to you, Jeanne, I am talking
it is to you I say that your King is a heretic!
My King is the noblest of all Christians.
The arrogance of this woman is incredible...
never before in France have we witnessed a monster like her
I have never done anyone any harm.
If you do not sign, you will be burned alive...
behold, the executioner is awaiting you.
You have no right to die yet - your King still needs your help.
Sign, Jeanne and save your life!
We have great sympathy for you.
Sign, Jeanne!
In the name of the Lord, Amen
since you have at last renounced the errors of your ways,
the Church opens her doors to you
but as you are guilty of such a great sin, we condemn you...
to perpetual imprisonment.
There to eat the bread of sorrow and drink the water of affliction.
You have done a good day's work - you have saved your life and your soul.
She has only made fools of you.
Long live Jeanne!
Go and fetch the judges!
I have forsaken God…I have lied...
hurry!
I have been a wicked person...
I have denied God, to save my life.
But, Jeanne, you have admitted in front of everybody,
that you were sent by the Devil.
So you still believe that you are sent by the Lord?
That was a fatal answer.
I have confessed only for fear of being burned.
Have you anything else to tell us?
We have come to prepare you for death.
Now already?
What kind of death?
At the stake!
I will go and fetch the Sacrament.
Tell me, how can you still believe that you are sent by God?
His ways are not our ways.
Yes - I am His child.
And the great victory?
My martyrdom!
And your release?
Death!
Do you wish to confess?
"Heretic, Relapsed, Apostate, idolatress."
May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul
unto life everlasting, Amen.
Jeanne, gather yourself... your last moments are near.
Dear, dear Jesus... I accept my death willingly...
let my suffering be short...
will I be with you tonight in Paradise?
Jesus!
You have burned a saint!
The surrounding flames protected Jeanne's soul as it rose towards Heaven -
Jeanne, whose heart has remained the heart of France
Jeanne, whose memory for all time will be cherished by the people of France.