The Trial of Joan of Arc () is a 1962 French historical drama film written and directed by Robert Bresson. The title role is played by Florence Delay. Synopsis In 1431, Jeanne d'Arc, a peasant girl who has led the French troops against the English during the third phase of the Hundred Years' War, is imprisoned for heresy and brought to trial by an pro-English court in Rouen. From the trial's beginning, it is made clear by English representatives that the courts' verdict has to be Jeanne's execution by fire. Despite constant interrogations by the judges, Jeanne's faith in her mission, which she insists was assigned to her by God, remains unshaken. During the trial, she is not only questioned, but also tortured, her virginity examined, and molested. In a moment of weakness, Jeanne recants her faith, but later retracts her earlier confession. She is sentenced to death and burned at the stake. Cast Florence Delay (credited as Florence Carrez) – Jeanne d'Arc Jean-Claude Fourneau – Bishop Cauchon Roger Honorat – Jean Beaupère Marc Jacquier – Jean Lemaître Jean Gillibert – Jean de Chatillon Michel Herubel – Frère Isambert de la Pierre André Régnier – D'Estivet André Brunet – Jean Massieu Marcel Darbaud – Nicolas de Houppeville Philippe Dreux – Frère Martin Ladvenu Paul-Robert Mimet – Guillaume Erard Richard Pratt – Warwick Gérard Zingg – Jean Lohier André Maurice – Tiphaine Harry Sommers – Bishop of Winchester Production As with all of Bresson's films after 1945, The Trial of Joan of Arc stars non-professional actors. In his version of the historical events, Bresson tried to "avoid 'theater' and 'masquerade', but to arrive at a non-historical truth by using historical words." He spoke unfavourably of Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 film, which covered the same subject, calling the actors' performances "horrible buffoonery". The screenplay is drawn from the transcriptions of Joan's trial and rehabilitation. Release The Trial of Joan of Arc premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 1962. It was screened the following year at the first New York Film Festival and saw a limited New York theatrical release in 1965. Reception The Trial of Joan of Arc was not warmly received by critics on its original release and for a long time regarded a minor work in the director's oeuvre, including critic Susan Sontag, who otherwise spoke highly positive of Bresson's work. An exception was director Jean-Luc Godard,