A 17th-century nun in Italy suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. She is assisted by a companion, and the relationship between the two women develops into a romantic love affair.

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Luc Besson attempts an interpretation of the mad French heroine of the title, who believes it's her destiny to lead France to victory against the horrible English, but instead got sold to them when it suited her erstwhile fellow nationals. Lots of action and lots of mental self flagellation with a barbecue at the end. find out more...

Jane of Suffolk, a studious young girl, is married off to the feckless Duke of Guilford for political reasons. The throne must remain Protestant and the ruling faction must retain its power, so she found herself forced unwillingly on to the throne for nine days. An English costume drama of the finest pedigree. find out more...

In the 17th Century a group of nuns claimed to be possessed by the devil with Joan, the convent head, leading the possession stakes with at least 8 demons on her slate. An innocent young priest, the latest in a long line sent to investigate, is going to have to go to hell and back to save her soul. Chronologically the film acts as a sequel to Ken Russell's 1971 shocker 'The Devils', and if you've seen that you'll know what a lying bitch Joan is. Superb black and white photography gives an expres find out more...

Excellent, highly accessible production of Arthur Miller's play. Set in the fanatically puritan town of Salem in 1692, Ryder is one of several unfortunate teenage girls are caught "doing the Devil's work", inducing a potent and dangerous cocktail of paranoia, hatred and mass hysteria - Miller's contemporary references to 1950s America are all to palpable. Superb. find out more...

Bertrand Tavernier’s adaptation of Madame de la Fayette’s historical novel is a ravishing experience and has been cropping up in many critics’ Top 10 lists for 2011. find out more...

Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale of a woman stigmatised by the repressive puritan morality of New World America is very loosely adapted for the screen. Demi Moore plays the victimised main character who incurs religious wrath for getting pregnant outside marriage. Colourful and dramatic. find out more...

After the Civil War a wave of radicalism was unleashed in England, one of the most prominent groups being the Diggers, led by Gerrard Winstanley, who established a self-sufficient farming community in Surrey. This is their story. A thoroughly historically researched attempt to try and recreate the lives of a 17th Commune against a backdrop of ruling class antipathy and the cruel English weather. Very amateur, but totally magnificent in its scale and authenticity. find out more...