Joan of Arc

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Summary: The best story of Joan of Arc
Review: This is the best movie ever! LeeLee S. portrays Joan perfectly. The storyline and everything is very interesting, and it got me into France and the French history. I highly recommend this!

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Summary: A TV Movie
Review: I would have liked this movie a whole lot more if I couldn't tell where the commercials were supposed to go.

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Summary: Stephanie's Review of this awesome movie!
Review: Hi! I'm Stephanie and I have always been quite intrested in the story of Joan of Arc. I even named her my patron saint. Having watched every movie about her I can really say that this one has got to be the best so far. It's a family classsic that can be watched over and over again

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Summary: Realistic Version
Review: This version of the story of Joan of Arc is so much better than the motion picture version titled "The Messenger". I have been facsinated with the story of Joan of Arc since I was a little girl. The motion picture version disgusted me as the character was portrayed as downright psychotic and just plain nuts. The television version was much more enjoyable and in characteristic of other Biblical stories. If you are the least bit interested in the story this version is quite a bit more entertaining and not insulting to the name of Joan of Arc!

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Summary: The best Joan of Arc television film yet!
Review: I absolutely love this film!!!

Joan is superbly acted by the beautiful and talented leelee sobieski, her portrayal of joan is captivating and believable(the most lovable joan). A Brillant Cast of characters, each with a unique degree of personality and character, especially from the performance of legendary actor Peter O'Toole(Bishop Cauchon) and Neil Patrick Harris(King Charles) plays his part very well(not sure about his hair style but). The costume designs are excellent and the scenery brillantly chosen and filmed(real castles)...

This is a family film with hearts, a very moving film that introduces the life of joan of arc in all her glories. As I understand many critics will argue against the lack of historical accuracy of this film... I agree, certain scenes are dramatized and distorted in the film, but only to enchance the viewing experience(entertainment values). This is not a documentary and it should be enjoyed as a family film... Atleast this is how I want to remember Joan of Arc as she is portrayed in this film.

I also love the angelic voice of Charlotte church at the opening and ending of the film... Wow!

If you ask me? I enjoyed every minutes of it... 5 Stars ***** If you don't ask me I still give it a 5 Stars :D

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Summary: Brilliant
Review: A absolutly brilliant film. Enhanced for proper 16:9 widescreen format the picture quality and sound are excellent. A long film but never boring. I found it gripping with a great script and film layout. I would recomend everyone buying this on DVD.

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Summary: Best Television Movie I've Ever Seen
Review: Never before has a television movie moved me more than this one. The calabor of this production is excellent and the acting superbly strong and powerful by all invloved. Leelee Sobieski as Joan is simply outstanding, her performance is the backbone of the production. Her conviction in her portrayal of Joan was so moving, I found myself in tears at the end. I recommend this movie to everyone, young or old. Joan's faith and courage will touch you all, guaranteed.

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Summary: AAAaaahhhhh
Review: The worst Crusader movie ever made. Yikes. LeeLee Sobieski's screaming, invincibility was not only not believable, but downright silly. She is beaten, shot w/ arrows and thrown from turrets yet she screams on. I am in shock at the 'positive' reviews I've read here - clearly the same people that enjoy the acting of Ally McBeal or Friends.

Stay away from this movie if you value your time!

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Summary: Keeps your attention
Review: The first time that I saw this movie was on TV. I love it. It goes through Joan Of Arc's life right from when she was born until she was burned. The Girl who play's Joan is a wonderful actor and fills the part wonderfully. All of The actor did an excellent job. The last hour is sad because you see how badly she was treated. It is a very long movie so make sure that you put it is early!

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Summary: Quite possibly one of the best movies on the Middle Ages.
Review: Joan of Arc has been the subject of numerous films, probably more than any other medieval figure. This is one of the best of the lot. It's generally historically accurate, although it has its flaws. The acting was solid and the cinematography and technical elements were surprisingly good for a TV movie.

For the actors, LeeLee Sobieski was an excellent Joan. I have yet to see another actress successfully capture all elements of Joan's personality. Her spirituality, confidence, strength, and courage are all portrayed very well. Peter O'Toole is, of course, excellent as Bishop Cochon and Peter Strauss played a convincing, if somewhat subdued Le Hire. The biggest surprise was Niel Patrick Harris's phenominal performance as Charles. He turned in a performance that splendidly captured the man who, despite being trapped in a bad situation prior to Joan's arrival, grew into one of the finest kings in French history.

Historically, the movie does an excellent job at portraying the period and the characters. The writers, director, and Sobieski, for instance, resisted the temptaion to write Joan off as a mindless fanatic she's often made out to be, despite the fact that no such description occurs in any source, French, English, or Burgundian. Instead, they accurately portrayed her as the charismatic girl who convinced hardened generals to follow her and confounded the judges at her trial with her faith and intellect. Similarly, the movie captured the despair in France during the losing days of the Hundred Years War, a despair that turned to optimism surprisingly quickly.

However, the movie does have several major historical flaws, and these are the only reasons I feel it doesn't deserve a fifth star. There was no attempt to rescue Joan from Rouen, nor were any of her key supporters present. More importantly, the movie tends to combine characters - partly to keep the cast size down and make the movie more watcheable, but also to give some of their big-name actors more to do. That said, the choices are forgiveable (they arguably make it a better movie). The movie combines Jean de Metz and Jean d'Aulon. De Metz, while faithful to Joan, played only a minor role after bringing Joan to Charles. From that point on, the movie uses him in place of d'Aulon. Similarly, the movie combines Cochon and Reignault of Chartres, Charles's spiritual advisor. Other deficiencies are minor (Cochon never received an archbishopric and was demoted to a lesser see, Joan is burned in the winter rather than spring, etc.).

What the movie does exceedingly well, however, is create a sense of doubt. The movie lets the viewer interpret some of the elements for him or herself. O'Toole, like the historical record, leaves the audience guessing as to whether or not Cochon believed in Joan and was merely following orders, as well as whether or not the trial left him a broken man. Similarly, the movie leaves the extent of Charles's machinations and the true nature of Joan's belief open to question. It is a rare movie that captures this fundamental historiographical problem. For that alone it's worth a watch.