Joan of Arc (miniseries)

Joan of Arc is a 1999 Canadian two-part television miniseries about the 15th-century Catholic saint of the same name. The miniseries stars Leelee Sobieski as Saint Joan. A joint production of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Alliance Atlantis Communications, it was shown internationally in 1999.

Joan of Arc
DVD cover for the film
GenreHistorical Drama/Biography/Adventure
Written byMichael Alexander Miller
Ronald Parker
Directed byChristian Duguay
StarringLeelee Sobieski
Chad Willett
Peter O'Toole
Jacqueline Bisset
Powers Boothe
Neil Patrick Harris
Maximilian Schell
Maury Chaykin
Olympia Dukakis
Jonathan Hyde
Robert Loggia
Peter Strauss
Shirley MacLaine
ComposersAsher Ettinger
Tony Kosinec
Charlotte Church
(special vocals)
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes2
Production
Executive producersGraham Flashner
Ed Gernon
Peter Sussman
ProducerPeter Bray
CinematographyPierre Gill
EditorRalph Brunjes
Running time140 minutes (180 minutes - uncut version)
Production companiesCBC
Alliance Atlantis Communications
Budget$20.000.000 (estimated)
Original release
ReleaseMay 16 (1999-05-16) –
May 18, 1999 (1999-05-18)

The miniseries received thirteen Primetime Emmy Awards nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations.

Plot

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The miniseries tells the story of Joan of Arc, from her birth in 1412 until her death in 1431.

Joan of Arc is born in 1412 in the village of Domrémy in the war zone of Northern France. During her youth, she often witnesses the horrors of war, and when 11 years old she starts hearing divine voices. Her spirit is kept high by the legend of the Maiden of Lorraine. This says that a young maiden one day will unite the divided country and lead the people to freedom.

At 17, Joan's village is invaded and burned, and her blind best friend, Emile, killed. She begs God to tell her what she said to deserve this, and the visions come back, telling her to travel to Charles, (rightful heir to the throne) and reunite France under his crown.

Joan leaves her small village to find Charles. She jumps into a livestock cart that is supposedly being taken to the king. Instead she is taken to Vaucouleurs, where she is denied help to get to Charles. Here she finds refuge with a nun, who helps her unite the people of Vaucoleurs and build defenses against the English and Burgundian invaders. With this unification and defensework, rumor starts spreading that Joan is the Maid of Lorraine.

Although Joan doesn't seem to believe that she is The Maid, she goes along with it to give the people hope. After bringing the people together, the lord of Vaucouleurs finally gives her the tools she needs to find Charles.

Cast

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Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
1999 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Movie Michael Joy, Shannon Grover, Martin Martinec Nominated
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special Deirdre Bowen, Susan Glicksman, Fern Orenstein Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special John Hay Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Christian Duguay Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Leelee Sobieski Nominated
Outstanding Miniseries Joan of Arc Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Peter O'Toole Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Jacqueline Bisset Nominated
Olympia Dukakis Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials Won
2000 Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Television Film Joan of Arc Nominated
Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Leelee Sobieski Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Peter O'Toole Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Jacqueline Bisset Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Leelee Sobieski Nominated
Best Miniseries Joan of Arc Nominated

See also

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