Main Cast: Leelee Sobieski, Jacqueline Bisset, Powers Boothe, Neil Patrick Harris, Maury Chaykin
Release Year: 1999
Country: US
Run Time: 180 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
A literal interpretation of the oft-produced biography of 15th century historical heroine Joan d'Arc, this four-hour television miniseries version of Joan's story is lavishly produced. In a tiny village during the Hundred Years' War, teenager Joan d'Arc (Leelee Sobieski) has been raised by her parents, flinty Peter (Powers Boothe) and Isabelle (Jacqueline Bisset), amidst the wreckage continually wrought by British incursions into the area. A devout girl, Joan experiences visions of St. Catherine, which lead her to believe that she may be the "Maid of Orleans," a mythical figure who will lead France to victory over its enemies. Counseled by local priest Father Monet (Robert Loggia), Joan pursues her destiny in spite of her father's wishes. At first supported only by lowly commoners, Joan comes to the attention of the Dauphin, King Charles (Neil Patrick Harris). Together with his scheming advisor Bishop Cauchon (Emmy-winner Peter O'Toole), Charles uses Joan to unite his quarreling factions. Skeptical but superstitious, Charles' generals, including La Hire (Peter Strauss) are eventually won over by Joan's startling victories. But awaiting Joan is a disastrous Parisian campaign and Charles' betrayal. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Review
Presented tastefully and even reverentially, this 1999 made-for-TV film chronicles the short life of St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431), the warrior maiden who roused France to arms against the English during the Hundred Years' War. Like a rough-cut diamond, the motion picture shines but is not without flaws. For example, although Leelee Sobieski projects the purity and stubborn resolve demanded of her role as Joan, she seldom exhibits the depth or range of emotion required to reflect the inner struggle of a visionary called upon to lead a nation; her tears and anguish seem forced and staged. Meanwhile, Neil Patrick Harris (the erstwhile teen doctor of TV's Doogie Howser) ably portrays Charles II, the French monarch Joan defends, but the scriptwriters' characterization of Charles as a forceful, articulate wheeler-dealer who is charming and quick with the quip is off the mark. The historical Charles was a retiring, acne-ridden, immature lout who was weak and indecisive. Inaccuracies also mar the depiction of other historical characters. Nevertheless, the supporting performances of old pros Robert Loggia, Peter O'Toole, Olympia Dukakis, Peter Strauss, and Maximilian Schell are strong, investing the film with gravity and power. In addition, the battle scenes, period attire and overall medieval ambience of the film are first-rate. On the negative side, the story is unremittingly somber. Touches of humor or wit -- somewhere, anywhere -- in the 180-minute drama would have rounded Joan and her compatriots into more credible human beings and helped accentuate, by contrast, the starkness of the principal themes. Still, taken in its totality, the film is a worthy one and certainly far superior to The Messenger, an abominable revisionist version of Joan's story made one year later. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
Olympia Dukakis - Mother Babette; Jonathan Hyde - Duke Of Bedford; Robert Loggia - Father Monet; Shirley MacLaine - Madame De Beaurevoir; Peter O'Toole - Bishop Cauchon; Cliff Saunders - Bertrand De Poligny; Maximilian Schell - Brother John Le'Maitre; Peter Strauss - La Hire; Chad Willett - Jean De Metz; Ron White; Jaimz Woolvett; Ted Atherton; Chandra Engstrom; Jaroslav Fricek; Robert Haley; Mat Hoffman; Jirina Klinkova; Kristopher Lemche; Greg Linnington; Klara Issova - Michael's Wife
Credit
Deirdre Bowen - Casting, Fern Orenstein - Casting, Susan Glicksman - Casting, John Hay - Costume Designer, Christian Duguay - Director, Ralph Brunjes - Editor, Peter Sussman - Executive Producer, Ed Gernon - Executive Producer, Benjamin Robin - Hair Styles, Benjamin Robin - Makeup, Michael Joy - Production Designer, Pierre Gill - Cinematographer, Peter Bray - Producer, Urmas Rosin - Sound/Sound Designer, Ronald Parker - Screenwriter, Michael Alexander Miller - Screenwriter, Charlotte Church - Featured Music
