Adaptations in Books and Movies

The Popess in the Historical Novel

Roidis, Emmanuil. 2000. Die Päpstin Johanna. Ihre Wahre Geschichte. Bergisch Gladbach: Bastei-Lübbe. (German version)
The novel caused a scandal when it was published in 1866, the author was excommunicated.
The book is still available today and in numerous editions and translations.
The story served as a script template for the 1972 film version.

  • Cover book of D. W. Cross

    Cross, Donna W. Pope Joan.
    For 1,200 years her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die--the woman who disguised herself as a man and sat for two years on the papal throne.
    Three Rivers Press
    The book was a bestseller and the template for the 2009 film version.

    • The Pope in the Monumental Film

    Anderson, Michael, and John Briley. 1972. Pope Joan. UK.
    Especially interesting is the scene in wich the Popeess crowns Emperor Louis II and how he later recognizes her in the private audience as a woman he already knew from earlier.
    Summary of the film
    DVD
    The DVD is available in stores.

    Wortmann, Sönke. 2009. Pope Joan (Film)
    The film shows the Pope's election by the people correctly.
    Summary of the film
    DVD