Director: Luc BessonScreenplay: Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin
Starring: Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman
Country: France
Running Time: 158 minutes
Year: 1999
BBFC Certificate: 15
Director Luc Besson delivers a dumb fun action blockbuster with Jeanne d’Arc / Joan of Arc (1999) which tells the story of the French warrior saint on an epic scale.
StudioCanal is releasing a new 4K UHD restoration of the movie on steelbook and digital. The package comes in a box with striking new artwork designed by artist Flore Maquin with three discs, a UHD disc which includes the feature, along with two HD discs, with the feature and extras.
Helmed by legendary 90s director Besson, who was behind La Femme Nikita (1990), The Fifth Element (1997), the Léon: The Professional (1994), the rip-roaring action-war-epic serves as a great throwback to that era. It features sharp editing and is fast-paced, providing a compelling narrative which shows the rise and fall of Joan, charting her glories in battle and eventual capture, kangaroo court trial and burning at the stake.
Ukrainian actress Milla Jovovich, who stars as Joan, is entirely unconvincing as the peasant girl turned martyr-and-saint but she’s gorgeous to look at, fitting the blockbuster vibe and as a star, she feels like a distinct product of that 90s era. Plus, I don’t think there’s any expectation we’re so supposed to believe this action blockbuster matched reality, so that makes it easier to accept the petulant and often-frenzied Jovovich in the role.
The cast is packed with a veritable who’s-who of star-studded cameos with a slimy John Malkovich, as Charles VII of France, and a conniving Faye Dunaway, with a costume so lavish and over-the-top, she looks a cross between the Gatekeeper in Little Nicky (2000) and Will Ferrell in Zoolander (2001).
Dustin Hoffman features as a mystical spirit; and there’s the actor who played Quinn from Dexter (2006); Vincent Cassel appears in what feels like quite a minor role, for his talents, despite delivering the ultimate bravado; and abrasive performance from the late Timothy West.
Picture and Sound
The 4K restoration is a feast for the senses and was so immersive. The battle sequences are vast and packed with bloody and gory set pieces.
The picture is crystal clear and vibrant with high levels of contrast bringing out a real sense of depth in the picture. Textures are clearly defined, you can see every pore in Jovovich’s beautiful face as she grimaces through the blood and sweat of war.
Besson has made a striking film on an operatic scale, and this restoration feels befitting of that vision.
The sound design for the 5.1 surround soundtrack was absolutely epic. It felt like the full range of speakers were put to good use in every single scene with atmospheric noises of the setting, clop of hoof, scrape and clatter of sword.
With the battle scenes, it felt like being transported through a medieval soundscape, with the deep echoing drone of bull horns piercing through the speakers with heavy bass, the clash and banging of steel reverberating through the rear speakers, rallying noise of battle cries and zip of arrows being fired. Intense dream sequences are also impactful, and the film features a rousing score.
Film:
Special Features
- Making of (86 mins)
- Interview with André Labbouz, technical director (5 mins)
- Interview with Gérard Krawczyk, second unit director (25 mins)
- Interview with Thierry Arbogast, cinematographer (8 mins)
- Interview with Sylvie Landra, editor (16 mins)
- Interview with Catherine Leterrier et Olivier Bériot, costume designers (28 mins)
- Interview with Hugues Tissandier, production designer (32 mins)
- Interview with Bruno Tarrière, sound designer (35 mins)
‘In the Footsteps of Joan’ making-of documentary is a blockbuster sized documentary feature with extensive behind the scenes footage, showing before and afters of how key set pieces and battle scenes were achieved. It’s edited quickly and follows director Besson, making for compelling viewing.
The rest of the features are presented in a fairly similar manner with direct to camera interviews, intercut with clips of the film, focusing on the challenges and craft that went into making the movie, with some background on how they got into film and how it was like to work with Besson. These were produced by Gaumont so the interviews are presented in French with English subtitles.
These extras provide a well-rounded insight into what goes into being part of Besson’s film crew. There’s a lot for a big fan to get their teeth stuck into with extensive detail on the production. With 2.5 hours of interview, it feels like the definitive package. It just feels a shame the interviews are all with behind-the-scenes talent, I’d like to have had some interviews with Besson and the stars.
Extras:
StudioCanal releases Joan of Arc on 4K UHD on 3 August, 2026.