Some of my fondest memories with my siblings are when I directed skits at our babysitter's home, the Solberg's -- Ralph and Lorraine. In good weather, we were always wandering and playing some sort of game outside. During inclement weather, however, we would hang out in the basement and I oftentimes decided that a stage production was in order. Being the oldest of five, directing came naturally. Ha!
Some of my fondest memories after we left the farm, located just outside of Warden, and moved to Ephrata, Washington, was watching classic movies on cable television. I loved the classic films and one that I never tired of was Joan of Arc, starring Ingrid Bergman, which was released by RKO studios in 1948.
Enjoying a quick search on wikapedia.org, I learned that this movie was a dream come true for Ingrid Bergman:
Bergman had been lobbying to play Joan for many years, and this film was considered a dream project for her. It received mixed reviews and lower-than-expected box office, though it clearly was not a "financial disaster" as is often claimed. Donald Spoto, in a biography of Ingrid Bergman, even claims that "the critics' denunciations notwithstanding, the film earned back its investment with a sturdy profit".[5]
On history.com, I learned that Jeanne d'Arc was born in northeastern France in 1412. Her father was a tenant farmer and her mother was a very devout Catholic. France had been at war with England for decades and, during Jeanne's life... England had gained the upper hand. A peace treaty in 1420 disinherited the French crown prince, Charles of Valois, amid accusations of his illegitimacy, and King Henry V became King of England and France.
History.com mentions that, when Jeanne was about 13 years-old, she began to hear voices which she believed were the voices of God telling her that Prince Charles was the rightful king of France. She was faithful to what she heard, which influenced her denial to follow through on the marriage arranged by her father when she was 16. This denial to marry included presenting her argument to court. Her faith also instilled the strength to eventually persuade Prince Charles to provide her an army that she led in several battles, resulting in the successful return of French power in Orleans.
There were many layers of politics that eventually came into play, resulting in Jeanne's imprisonment with many charges filed against her -- including witchcraft, heresy, and wearing men's clothes. Jeanne was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. History.com mentions:
Her fame only increased after her death... and 20 years later a new trial ordered by Charles VII cleared her name. Long before Pope Benedict XV canonized her in 1920, Joan of Arc had attained mythic stature, inspiring numerous works of art and literature over the centuries and becoming the patron saint of France. In 1909, Joan of Arc was beatified in the famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris by Pope Pius X. A statue inside the cathedral pays tribute to her legacy.
