Joan of Arc is not only the greatest national heroine of France, but also one of the biggest historical icons who served as inspirations for countless works of art and literature. That included many film makers, including some highly respected names like Dreyer, Fleming, Preminger and Bresson. In 1999 two rival projects dealing with the same historical personality were made, better known among them being The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, Luc Besson’s epic starring his then-wife Milla Jovovich. Few months before that films came to cinema, American television viewers had opportunity to watch Joan of Arc, two-part miniseries directed by Christian Duguay.
The plot is set in 1429, during time when France experienced one the darkest chapters of its history. Hundred Years War has left one half of country under English rule, while the rest is ravaged by civil war in which English side is aided by treacherous Duke of Burgundy (played by Jaimz Woolvett). The protagonist, played by Leelee Sobieski, is Jeanne d’Arc, 17-year old illiterate peasant girl from backwater village of Domremy. Ten years earlier she had visions about her role in history and recently became intrigued by the tales of Maid of Lorraine, legendary figure that would the French people free themselves from English yoke. In the moment when the rule of Dauphin Charles (played by Neil Patrick Harris), legitimate heir of the French throne, consists of couple of castles and empty treasury, Jeanne meets him in the castle of Chinon and talks young prince into giving her army with which she would try to relieve the key French stronghold of Orleans from English siege. Although Jeanne doesn’t have a clue about tactics and strategy, she is soon joined by large number of enthusiastic volunteers led by experienced La Hire (played by Peter Strauss). With his help Jeanne succeeds in relieving Orleans and her forces defeat the English in series of battles. With the tide of the war turned Charles is crowned as King of France in Reims. This changes his strategy and he prefers to deal with English diplomatically instead of militarily, and considers fanatical Jeanne impediment rather than asset. Jeanne is under suspicious circumstances captured by Burgundians who turn over to the English. Bishop Pierre Cauchon (played by Peter O’Toole), Dauphin’s former advisor who now serves the English, starts trial accusing Jeanne for heresy.
Comparisons between Joan of Arc and Besson’s The Messenger, despite the latter having larger budget and more creative freedom than something originally aired on broadcast television, are more favourable to the former. Main reason is in Christian Duguay, Canadian director with not particularly remarkable filmography, doing the solid job, mostly evading attempts to look “cool” and allowing the plot to play out in conventional manner which is easy to comprehend for audience. Script by Michael Alexander Miller and Ronald Parker is also much better than Besson’s script in The Messenger. While both discard religious explanation for Joan of Arc, they interpret her motives in different ways; Besson shows her as a lunatic taken seriously by desperate people, while the miniseries shows her as intelligent woman who uses the old legend as a way to help her people. Jeanne is further made more human with subtle hints about Jean de Metz (played by Chad Willet), one of her most loyal supporters, being romantically interested in her. Duguay is, on ther other hand, less effective than his scriptwriters when it comes to delivering spectacle to the audience. There are very few battle scenes, they lack spectacle and the violence you could have expected in films dealing with medieval warfare. Duguay also insists too much on slow motion and adds unnecessary pathos to various scenes. The cast is, on the other hand, very good. Young Leelee Sobieski handles the demanding role of a historic action with ease. Neil Patrick Harris and Peter O’Toole are even better in the roles of characters that struggle with their own moral dilemmas. While hardly a classic, Joan of Arc is mostly satisfying depiction of history that could be recommended to fans of fact-based dramas.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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