The Film (4/5)

Based on the stage play retelling of Joan of Arc entitled "Joan of Lorraine" by Maxwell Anderson, JOAN OF ARC is about Joan (Ingrid Bergman), a 19-year farmer's daughter with a special gift. Her gift is hearing from the saints and God itself, as her "voices".  Who tell her to help save France from the invading British. But as she becomes a solider for France, her King (Jose Ferrer) will betray her. And then the true test of her faith will begin.

The story of Joan of Arc has been dramatized many times on screen before. Two of the most famous being THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (1928) from Carl Theodor Dreyer, and Luc Besson's THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC (1999). Dreyer's film is by far the most emotionally raw and tragic of the adaptations. It's also my personal favorite. But stuck in the middle is the big budget epic of JOAN OF ARC (1948). That just happens to come from Director Victor Fleming who worked on both GONE WITH THE WIND and WIZARD OF OZ (both 1939).

Going in I was worried that it being a Blockbuster would mean it was preachy and shallow. Feeling way too clean and polish for a tragic story. But luckily that wasn't the case. JOAN OF ARC is a grand super production with a stellar cast. While a little too clean up in spots and having some hilarious sexist content such as the dressing in "boys'" clothes debate, it works as a great drama.

Every detail is of the highest quality. The costumes, the sets, the action set pieces, and textures are massive and eye catching. The film also features some of the most elegant matte paintings. As for the action, the censorship of the time was strict, but some of the deaths are still graphic.

The shiny star of the film of course is Ingrid Bergman (INTERMEZZO, SPELLBOUND).  Bergman is hardly believable as a 19-year old girl, but she embodies some fierce feminist power as Joan. Her short hair and androgynous features make her visually interesting. It also reflects how daring and against the normal Hollywood Type Bergman was. The supporting cast is filled with great parts for J. Carrol Naish, Ward Bond, Cecil Kellaway, George Zucco, and John Ireland.

Audio/Video (5/5)

Kino brings JOAN OF ARC to stunning light in this transfer. The movie has an English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. The sound mix is smooth and has no issues like pops or hiss. The score stands out too. The audio is impressive for a film of this vintage. There are no English subtitles included.

The 1080p HD transfer is a real beauty. The colors are vivid, especially the oranges and reds. The black levels are smooth, and the focus is razor sharp. The matte paintings look even more impressive, and don't look faded. The film's camerawork is also spotlighted thanks to this transfer.

Extras (1/5)

Extras are limited to a trailer gallery featuring INTERMEZZO, DAVID AND BATHSHEBA, PRINCE OF FOXES, THE VIKINGS, TARAS BULBA, and KINGS OF THE SUN.

Overall (4.5/5)

Not the most well-known version of Joan of Arc, but a worthwhile and exciting epic from Hollywood's Golden age. The film isn't too preachy, and it's an impressive showcase for Bergman. Elevating the material from a simple religious film. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray is a handsome upgrade on older editions. Highly Recommended.