Joan Of Arc (UK)

Besson stubs his toe against the table with this, it`s still visually very good but, is inferior to some of his past accomplisments.

I bought this disc purely on the strength of the cast list and hoping it would be an historical epic along the lines of Braveheart and The Patriot (both Mel Gibson movies) and I was not disappointed !

Right from the opening scenes, the film grabbed in an interesting and slightly off the wall way in its introduction to the young Joan Of Arc with its use of flashbacks and eeire interpretations of Joans visions. Although these were used throughout the movie they were never tiresome and I found them effective in breaking up the pace of the film which in itself was never boring despite its length of two and a half hours.

The battles were convincing and the sound helps to remind you why we have all fallen for the fantastic DVD format. Even without all the wonderful scope for sound effects the makers have in a film set in modern times, you really do feel like you are in the middle of a battle!

All the cast were superb and you do end up being educated in the historical element of the movie even if at times I suspect certain license may have been taken with the facts.

All in all a worthy addition to any collection. Fantastic picture, wonderful sound and a story well worth more than one viewing - highly recommended !