McLEAN’S PICTURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1919, Page 1

McLEAN’S PICTURES.

“JOAN THE WOMAN,” FRIDAY. In the dark ages when the fate of France hung by a mere thread, a girl rose from the people and saved a nation from obliteration. Soldiers in tlio trenches to-day, fighting on French soil to preserve for themselves and the future what Joan of Arc gave to them, declare her figure hovers over them on the field of battle; her spirit leads them to deeds of greatness. The life of Joan or Arc is the only human history from birth to death which is a matter of sworn testimony, and in the making of t he mighty film spectacle, “Joan the Woman,” to bo screened at the Opera House on Friday evening, tlie French authorities gave the producer access to a complete record of Joan of Arc s trial in 1431. Throughout the twelve thousand feet of film special effort' has been made to hold to the historical accuracies of the life of Joan of Arc, not only because of the fascinating incident' but also because the ecclesiastical fea-. ture of the story is one, in the cor-ect J telling of which there can bo no ques- ( tion that Joan was a saint, and that among her persecutors were several. who turned the power invested in them j to their own personal ends. ! Nothing more strikingly portrays the lavishness with which Cecil B. do Mille has produced “Joan the Woman” than mention of the members of the cast, j Cura Id ino Farrar, noted American primn donna, and one of the greatest actresses that ever lived, is tlio star, appearing in the role of Joan of Aic. The hero, Eric Trent, is played by Wallace Reid, Hobart Bosworth as La Hire, Theodore Roberts as Gauclion, Raymond Hatton as King Charles Vll., Tally Marshall as L’Oiseleus, and Charles Clary as La Tremovillc, are but ai few of the well known stars who have prominent parts. “Joan the Woman is a production of magnitude, and tlie critics of London. I’aris and New York are unanimous in declaring tJiat nothing quite so beautiful and artistic has even been seen on tlio screen.