- Actors: Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Rab Affleck, Stéphane Algoud, Edwin Apps
- Directors: Luc Besson
- Writers: Andrew Birkin, Luc Besson
- Producers: Luc Besson, Marc Jenny, Oldrich Mach, Patrice Ledoux
- Format: PAL
- Language German, English
- Subtitles: Arabic, German, Danish, English, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Dutch, Icelandic, Croatian, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Czech, Turkish, Hungarian, Hindi, Bulgarian
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Run Time: 148 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004TLLI
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 162,950 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Over the years, many film directors have attempted to tell the story of legendary 15th-century heroine Joan of Arc, a simple country girl who claimed she was inspired by God to lead the French troops in a victorious assault on the mighty English army. Luc Besson's 1999 epic might not be the best version of her life, but it's certainly the biggest. The movie cost a reported $60 million. Even if you are terminally unimpressed by the scale of such recent blockbusters as Gladiator, your eyes will pop out at the sheer number of bodies (living and dead) that Besson has assembled for the dynamic battle scenes. The lavish sets and costumes are almost equally gobsmacking, though neither will show to maximum advantage on the small screen. That's a pity because size is the only thing Joan of Arc really has going for it--as a human drama, it falls completely flat.
The historical Joan was eventually made a saint by the Catholic Church, and earlier biopics tended to treat her celestial visions as literal fact. It was probably a mistake for Besson and his co-screenwriter Andrew Birkin to take a more psychological approach and present them as figments of her hysterical imagination. It makes it hard to work up the necessary empathy when the spectacle revolves around a confused and neurotic babe who couldn't organise a Tupperware party, let alone a vast military campaign. Milla Jovovich (the star of Besson's previous The Fifth Element and formerly his wife) doesn't help matters with her shrill and amateurish performance. But a couple of the supporting players are passably amusing--John Malkovich camps it up energetically as Charles, the dispossessed French king whom Joan reinstates, while Faye Dunaway wears outlandish headgear and carries on like a science-fiction creation in the role of his scheming mother-in-law. (The less said the better about Dustin Hoffman's pompous turn as Joan's personified conscience.) Besson keeps to the same glossy visual style even when the Maid is burning at the stake, but it isn't enough to prevent this empty shell of a movie from being a colossal yawn. --Peter Matthews
Synopsis
Action master Besson takes on French history in this ambitious look at the legendary saint and martyr. Beginning with a young Joan witnessing her sister's rape and murder at the hands of brutal English soldiers, the film picks up years later when Joan (Jovovich) appears at the court of the French Dauphin (Malkovich), who is making little progress against his enemies. Joan's self-confidence and charisma induce the Dauphin to take a gamble by allowing her to lead troops, resulting in an upset victory at Orleans. However, Joan eventually outlives her usefulness to the French throne and is sold out to the English, who burn her for heresy. All the while, Joan struggles with her faith, exasperating the experienced French generals and having impassioned arguments with her imaginary 'Conscience' (Hoffman).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Luc Besson has a reputation for spectacular movies such as Taxi, Leon, The Fifth Element, etc. Joan of Arc is no exception. It details the life of Jeanne, the maiden of Lorraine, who in and around the year 1431, helped France defeat England, and win a war that has lasted for almost an entire century. The plot is great, and paced well. The performances that impressed me the most, however, were those of Milla Jovovich and Dustin Hoffman, as Jeanne and her conscience, respectively. They never cease to amaze me. The characters were well-written and credible. I liked the way the film seems to question Jeanne's sanity; whereas most believe that she *was* in fact, sent by God, this film sits down and asks the question, if she really was, or if the signs and miracles weren't all in her head, and caused by everyone wanting to believe it. The very last scenes especially puts doubt in the viewer. It was quite a gutsy move by Besson, to question his own country's hero. I will admit, the film does really make it seem more like she is crazy rather than sent by God, but it doesn't feel like Besson is pushing his view onto us, telling us that that's the way it was; it feels more like he tries to make us question it. The action and the war scenes were very well done, very chaotic and disturbing, very intense and bloody.
All in all, a very enjoyable war-drama, with an authentic story and some well-done battle sequences. I recommend it to fans of the actors, of Luc Besson's other work and of war movies/dramas in general. Just don't expect a full-out war movie; it's two hours and thirty minutes long, and I don't think more than forty-five minutes in total are spent fighting.
All in all, a very enjoyable war-drama, with an authentic story and some well-done battle sequences. I recommend it to fans of the actors, of Luc Besson's other work and of war movies/dramas in general. Just don't expect a full-out war movie; it's two hours and thirty minutes long, and I don't think more than forty-five minutes in total are spent fighting.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I really enjoyed this film. Contrary to Amazon's review, I felt that Milla gave a riveting performance as Joan, making her a sympathetic, but real, warts and all, character. The portrayal of her God given messages are suited to today's more sceptic audiences. The film never really answers the question were they real or not, which is a positive point, as no one really knows. It's nice not to be offered simple answers. On a personal level it's the interaction between Joan and the generals that interested me most, and which gives the film a human aspect. I know very little about the real Joan of Arc, but this film makes me want to find out more, which is what historic films should do. The battle sequences were honestly brutal - making Gladiator look tame by comparison. Not a film for the faint hearted but fascinating for anyone who wants to watch a complex film that doesn't insult the audience by offering a lame, cliched solution.!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
My wife and I enjoyed this movie. Joan's behaviour is a bit bizarre, but seeing the other down to earth characters and their humorous bewilderment in her wake, it seems obvious that Joan acts exactly as the Director intended.
The battle scenes, costumes and sets are great, this is no b-rated movie. The dialogue makes sense and flows through well. Its true Dustin Hoffman's cameo appearance at the end is drawn out, tedious and confusing, but this should not put you off getting the film as, on the whole, it is well worth viewing.
The Blu-ray quality is fantastic; crystal clear full 1920x1080p video and perfect audio makes this a great blu-ray for trying out your new home cinema system.
The battle scenes, costumes and sets are great, this is no b-rated movie. The dialogue makes sense and flows through well. Its true Dustin Hoffman's cameo appearance at the end is drawn out, tedious and confusing, but this should not put you off getting the film as, on the whole, it is well worth viewing.
The Blu-ray quality is fantastic; crystal clear full 1920x1080p video and perfect audio makes this a great blu-ray for trying out your new home cinema system.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Tons of eye-candy but not much else
Positive: Spectacular, well-choreographed battle scenes; Milla Jovovitch puts in a decent enough performance and looks the part; blu-ray image quality is highly impressive; Dolby... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cartimand
AUDIO Y SUBTITULOS CASTELLANOS
ESTE BLU-RAY EDICION UK CONTIENE AUDIO Y SUBTITULOS EN CASTELLANO TANTO EN LA PELICULA COMO EN LOS EXTRAS.ESPERO HABEROS SERVIDO DE AYUDA
Published 3 months ago by Pirujo
A lot better than 'Braveheart'
...as a visual spectacle, with a realistically professional looking enemy. Although, like 'Braveheart' also historically highly flawed. Read more
Published 5 months ago by P. F. Darlington
A Visually Impressive Unworthy Romp
Whatever may be the truth behind the mystery of the real Joan of Ark, this film fails to carry any conviction. Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. C. Ross
Jeanne, the maiden of Lorraine, on film by Besson
Luc Besson tackled a difficult subject when he decided to film Joan of Arc, an enigmatic historical character, despite the information we have. Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
A bit of a bugger's muddle!
That the tale of Joan of Arc has over the years and not just in films led to so many different interptetations of the character and the actual facts used, inevitably means that Luc... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Siriam
best one yet
as far as ''maid'' films go its the best one out, still loads of historical faults, and skims over quite a lot, but saying that it has to be the best one about her
Published 8 months ago by Mr. B. B. Etteridge
Joan of Ark
Another great production from Luc Besson. Plenty of action & amusing in parts. Milla Jovovich looks hot as usual & John Malkovitch is as brilliant as ever.
Published 9 months ago by A fan
I don't think. I leave that to God. I'm nothing in all this, I'm just...
Luc Besson directs and Milla Jovovich stars as the Maid Of Orleans who lifted France of its knees-and was tried and executed for being a heretic. The End. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Spike Owen
Joan of Arc, a modern take
An interesting take on the Joan of Arc tale. Mila J. is quite annoying but the awesomness of Hoffman's character has to be seen to be believed. Seriously he. is. the. best. Read more
Published 15 months ago by MadHatter
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