A 9th century woman of English extraction born in the German city of Ingelheim disguises herself as a man and rises through the Vatican ranks.
Costume
The papal vestments never looked so deliciously subversive on the wrong body.
Acting
Johanna Wokalek burns through every scene like Joan through patriarchal nonsense.
Production
Medieval filth and grandeur so authentic you'll smell the chamber pots.
Director
Sönke Wortmann
John Goodman
Pope Sergius II.
Johanna Wokalek
Johanna von Ingelheim
David Wenham
Gerold
Iain Glen
Village Priest
Edward Petherbridge
Aesculapius
Anatole Taubman
Anastasius
Lotte Flack
Johanna von Ingelheim - Age 10-14
Tigerlily Hutchinson
Johanna von Ingelheim - Age 6-9
Jördis Triebel
Joan's Mother
Oliver Cotton
Arsenius
Nicholas Woodeson
Arighis
Suzanne Bertish
Bishop Arnaldo
Richard van Weyden
Eusthasius
Branko Tomović
Paschal
Lenn Kudrjawizki
Jordanes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Pope Joan' legend was widely believed for centuries; Protestant reformers loved it, Catholic scholars suppressed it. This film adapts Donna Woolfolk Cross's novel, not strict history.
The 2009 release was blocked in Italy for months—Vatican City isn't technically Italy, but apparently the film's shadow crossed the border anyway.
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