Theatrical Release Date:1948 Release Date:May 18, 2004 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping:Expedited shipping available Shipping:International shipping available Condition:BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED
Amazon.com The lavish 1948 production of Joan of Arc may not qualify as a great movie, but it scores a triumphant victory as a great DVD. Thanks to a stunning restoration by the renowned UCLA Film and Television Archive, this relic from Hollywood's golden age can now be appreciated in all its magnificent Technicolor glory, restored to its original theatrical length of 145 minutes after decades of truncated TV broadcasts. Under the direction of Victor Fleming (whose credits include Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz), this is a stodgily respectable mini-epic, adapted from Maxwell Anderson's acclaimed play Joan of Lorraine and giving 33-year-old Ingrid Bergman one of her quirkiest star turns as the 19-year-old "Maid of Lorraine," destined by divinely inspired fate to rescue imperiled France from British occupation, and face trial on charges of witchcraft. Winner of three Oscars (for cinematography and costumes, and an honorary award to Producer Walter Wanger for boosting Hollywood's "moral stature") and five nominations (including acting nods for Bergman and Jose Ferrer, making his screen debut as the French Dauphin), the film suffers from an abundance of talky exposition and stage-bound incident, but the battle scenes are still rousing, Bergman glowing beatifically in polished armor and surrounded by a seasoned cast of studio-era character players in a rampant case of Hollywood anachronism (somehow, Ward Bond just doesn't belong in medieval France!). If you get bored during the slow parts, you can always marvel at the pristine restoration, full of heavenly sunbeams, masterful matte paintings, and enough colorful detail to make most 1948-vintage films pale by comparison. Frame by gorgeous frame, martyrdom never had a classier showcase. --Jeff Shannon
Description Academy Award-winner Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca) is spellbinding as the 15th century French peasant girl who rouses a nation and inspires the world with her faith and bravery. Fiercely believing that she is directed by God, Joan triumphantly leads an army into battle against the British, who are driven from France. When a new king (Jose Ferrer in a extraordinary film debut) is crowned, Joan's influence grows and makes him wary of her power, ultimately betraying her to martyrdom. This powerful, visually stunning epic of one of history's most fascinating heroines features spectacular action and unforgettable drama! Completely restored, original full-length version with footage not seen in the U.S.,from Victor Fleming, Director of Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Winner of three Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Honorary Award to producer Walter Wanger with Five additional Academy Award: nominations: Best Actress (Ingrid Bergman), Best Supporting Actor (Jose Ferrer), Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Score.
They Don't Make 'Em Like This AnymoreMarch 26, 2008 This is just a beautiful depiction of the life of one of God's saints, Joan of Arc. Ingrid Bergman is inspirational. I love movies and television, but pretty much nowadays you can't watch anything without sex, drugs, rock'n'roll and a serial killer. It's so refreshing just to see something that is just pure and lovely and good. I love the way it depicts Joan trusting God and putting her life on the line for Him. And I love the last line of the film, which I won't give away. I recommend this for anyone who wants to walk the walk of faith and trusting in Jesus.
One that enrages, not 'one for the ages'July 17, 2007 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
To each his own, to be sure. I myself have guilty pleasures and I dislike stepping on the toes of those who get pleasure from movies I don't happen to like. But this is such a phony movie with no relationship to any reality that has ever existed. I'm a sucker for 'Hollywoodization' when it's as good as Casablanca, but this is almost as poorly produced as an unrehearsed college theater production. An astonishing example of moviemaking at its most unconvincing. Please don't waste your time on this drivel (but that's just my opinion!)
A Fantastic MovieMay 26, 2007 Wow! This movie is truely awesome. A movie this good needs to be experienced more than once, and so will remain in my collection. Saint Joan of Arc, a "Child of God," who made no mistakes, save only one, which she was forgiven for. This is truely a heavy movie about a woman of great faith and love for God. Enough said. Take care and have a nice forever. Ed.
a 35 year old swede plays an insipid little 17 year old frenchie: quelle masterpiece!May 11, 2007 2 out of 12 found this review helpful
ingrid bergman was way too old and way too pretty for this part, but they figured they had a smash hit, i guess. the tale of the late medieval schizophrenic girl who somehow won a couple of battles (amazing what group psychosis can do, isnt it?) is told here in full pomp and splendor, but everything -- even jose ferrer in the seemingly unmessable up part of the dauphin -- falls flat. the most overrated woman in history seems to get bad movies made about her life regularly, and while this isnt as abominable as jean seberg & otto "premature" violating bernard shaw a decade later, its pretty bad.
A Classic JoanMarch 8, 2007 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the first version of Joan of Arc I viewed as a young girl. It is well done for the time period. Ingrid Bergman is fantastic as usual. I would recommend this movie to anyone.
