Product Details

• Actors: Leelee Sobieski, Chad Willett, Jacqueline Bisset, Powers Boothe, Neil Patrick Harris
• Directors: Christian Duguay
• Writers: Michael Alexander Miller, Ronald Parker
• Producers: Andrew Deane, Brenda Friend, Deb LeFaive, Ed Gernon, Graham Flashner
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: August 14, 2001
• Run Time: 140 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (133 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005QCVQ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,371 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Joan of Arc" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video
A strong cast, impressive production values, and astute direction distinguish this generally successful dramatization of the tumultuous life of the 15th-century French heroine whose military victories were eclipsed by her martyrdom. At the heart of the story is the conflict between the teenager's simple but fierce faith and the more complex political and theological issues that influence her downfall, a theme fleshed out through the portrayals of the young warrior's liege, the Dauphin (later King) Charles, and the Bishop Cauchon.

The 140-minute feature follows Joan D'Arc's odyssey from peasant obscurity to notoriety as the "Maid of Orleans," spiritual fulcrum for the beleaguered French forces struggling to halt English invaders. As played by Leelee Sobieski (Eyes Wide Shut), her evolution from naive farm girl to seasoned soldier is convincing, as is her gradual awakening to the underlying agendas of church and state. Most critically, Sobieski radiates the young girl's fervent spiritual devotion.

Framing Sobieski's focal performance are two equally fine turns from Neil Patrick Harris, who erases his legacy as TV's Doogie Howser, M.D. with a neatly shaded, steely Charles, and Peter O'Toole, who balances his signature reserve and present physical frailty to make Cauchon a moral compass for the story. Having opposed Joan as a threat to orthodoxy, the Bishop recognizes her purity too late; O'Toole turns this moment into a dreadful epiphany that resonates through the story's inevitable, fiery denouement. Fine supporting performances from Peter Strauss, Shirley MacLaine, and Maximillian Schell, plus evocative medieval locations in the Czech Republic, further buttress the story. French-Canadian director Christian Duguay handles the large-scale battle sequences with fluid blocking and smart camera work. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description
The heroic story of a 19-year-old woman whose saintly visions lead her to unite france against its english invaders. Five hundred years later she is burned at the stake for heresy she is declared a saint and revered by the country she saved. Features: cast and crew production notes and more. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 03/08/2005 Starring: Leelee Sobieski Chad Willet Run time: 140 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Christian Duguay

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leelee Sobieski as Joan of Arc - Stunning performance A+, June 6, 2000

By	Dennis A. Amith (kndy) (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Joan of Arc (DVD)

I remember seeing this DVD and wondering which one should I get, "Joan of Arc" which was a television movie or "The Messenger", a big budget movie. It was a hard decision but what drew me to purchasing this movie was the cover.

Sobieski's look as Joan of Arc looked more convincing and she looked so pure and innocent. I wondered how this person who projects innocence in the cover will play a military leader? Well, I don't know much about Leelee Sobieski and after watching this movie, now I want to watch the movies that she has appeared in because on "Joan of Arc", you get solid acting.

The long time of this movie made me wonder if it was going to drag but if anything this movie drew me in from start to finish and here is why: The good acting by the cast members, the great scenery and the selection of Leelee Sobieski as the innocent "Maid of Lorraine". She brought something to this movie that drew you in. Her facial expressions and even the ending still stays in my mind. Wow! It's unexplainable but I really enjoyed the movie. It was done very well and I'm impressed that it's a TV movie. The movie gets an A+.

What about the DVD? Well, since this is a TV movie, I didn't expect too much from the DVD. The audio was good and the video was good but at times I saw some lines on the screen on parts where there is a lot of action. The production notes were nice to see but I have to give the DVD a D- for no significant extras.

It appears Sobieski had much to say about the part according to the production notes, why not include a featurette then? Or even the television commercials or promotional features.

So, yes...the extras rating gets a D-. But you know what, the movie is wonderful and it deserves to be seen and due to it's size, DVD is the way to go. "Joan of Arc" a definite A+. Highly recommended!

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leelee Sobieski - the French connection, March 4, 2000

By	T.Wong (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joan of Arc (DVD)

In terms of historical value, not extremely accurate - but who cares? When you get a TV movie that is this spectacular, visually lush, brilliantly acted and emotionally gripping, historical accuracy is the last thing you'll complain about.

Rarely does a TV movie come along that is as well conceived as its mega budget says it should be. Absolutely stunning battle scenes (especially for a TV production), rich location shooting and a superb cast make Joan of Arc unquestionably one of the best TV movies ever made.

But what crowns Joan of Arc as a "5 star" production is it's outstanding lead, Leelee Sobieski. Perfectly cast, Sobieski brings qualities to the French saint never seen before - an innocent, yet strong and commanding personality, a "virginial" presence, a face resembling something of a saint/angel/renaissance painting plus not to mention that she was "actually" the right age to play the legendary teenage warrior. Sobieski's performance is so exceptional, she holds the entire 4 hours together, and at the same time, leaves other Joan of Arc interpretations by the likes of Ingrid Bergman and Milla Jovavich in her wake.

Definitely the best TV movie I've ever, and a far better bet than Luc Besson's/Milla Jovavich's version...

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A soul-stirring epic masterpiece, August 23, 2003

By	Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Only rarely does a television miniseries rival the power, beauty, and excellence of Hollywood's most celebrated theatrical releases. 1999's Joan of Arc is one of those rare gems; it is simply an exquisite film of epic proportions, boasting one of the most impressive cast lists I have ever seen. Yet even among such stellar names as Jacqueline Bisset, Peter O'Toole, Robert Loggia, Shirley MacLaine, and Maximilian Schell, the young Leelee Sobieski keeps all eyes riveted upon herself with her moving, deeply human portrayal of one of history's most famous and tragic heroines.

Over the course of three hours, we follow the young peasant girl who became The Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc, from the day of her birth to her final fiery moments. I do not know enough details of the historical Joan of Arc's life to truly judge the historical accuracy of this film, but from what I can tell and have read, it does try mightily to follow the story as closely as possible, working especially hard to recreate the social and political situation of Joan's time. The historical Joan of Arc remains a controversial figure, with learned men and women interpreting her life and story in a couple of quite divergent ways. This movie's Joan is the bravest and most pious of souls, and she meets her fate willingly as a martyr and not a victim; her faith in God's plan for her never wavers. The presentation of her visions is kept low-key and free of creative exploitation. The compassion of her soul is revealed countless times over the course of the movie, and the incredible humanity of her character is this film's true strength. Still, it remains difficult to understand exactly how the French nation could turn against and burn at the stake a girl who fought for the unification of the French people. The film offers some illuminating yet difficult to understand (at least for me) reasons and motivations through the story of Bishop Cauchon. Peter O'Toole is absolutely marvelous as Cauchon, reflecting much of Joan's tragic end in his own life. The character remained something of an enigma to me until the end, but no moment was as moving and telling as a short shot of Cauchon privately breaking down in tears as Joan is being executed. Shirley MacLaine warrants special mention in honor of her memorable cameo appearance toward the end. Suffice it to say that I could write many glowing paragraphs in praise of all of the incredible performances in this movie. The only performance that failed to enthrall me was Neil Patrick Harris's portrayal of King Charles; even with his Moe Howard-inspired haircut, all I could see was Doogie Howser, making it hard for me to accept the wiliness and despotism of the character.

No epic is complete without incredible visuals and sound, and Joan of Arc is amply blessed, with an exception or two, in both regards. The music is just wonderful and soul-stirring, particularly the one battle scene in which the angelic voice of Charlotte Church singing Panis Angelicus looms over the fray. The 15th century battle scenes were done quite well, as was the look and feel of the mediaeval French setting. One would never know that filming actually took place in the Czech Republic. The fact that this is not a big-budget Hollywood theatrical release is apparent in two scenes, though; both of these involve characters standing in the foreground watching a group of people in the background, and it appears obvious to my eyes that what we are seeing in front of our characters is a screen projection. My only other quibbles have to do with the actual fight scenes. While men were slashing each other down left and right, I only saw blood appear on one sword over the course of the movie. Even more interestingly, whenever an important character was killed or injured in battle, both sides seemed to just stop fighting as long as we and the other characters were focused on the injured party.

All in all, though, I was more than impressed with Joan of Arc. No matter how accurate or inaccurate it might be in terms of the history, it is inarguably a touching dramatic masterpiece. Even though you know how it will end even before you watch it, the final moments are sure to send tears coursing down your cheeks and move your heart in ways few movies can ever succeed in doing. Leelee Sobieski is fast becoming one of my favorite actresses, and this movie is one I will not soon forget.