Saint Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc (BCCLS)
By Diane Stanley
Ages 9-14

Grade 4-7-This magnificent picture book exemplifies the author's talent for historical research, skill in writing clear and interesting prose, and ability to adopt different art styles and techniques appropriate to her subject. Joan of Arc's story is both history and mystery. How a peasant girl living in a class-structured century, a female in a man's world of war and politics, an unlettered visionary in a church-dominated society could change the course of history has been an ever-intriguing puzzle. Stanley finds answers in Joan's own words spoken before the Inquisition during her trial for heresy and in the 115 eyewitness accounts recorded in the Trial of Rehabilitation held after her martyrdom. From these 15th-century documents and other sources, the author weaves an absorbing and convincing story of a naive, brave, and driven young woman willing to face death to accomplish God's will as she heard it in her "voices." Stanley does not answer the question of whether Joan's role was divine or human in origin, concluding, "Sometimes, in studying history, we have to accept what we know and let the rest remain a mystery." The meticulously designed pages and colorful, decoratively framed illustrations are full of details from Joan's era. Decorative banners, costumes, scenes with crowds of soldiers and nobles, rooms with patterned floors, and gabled houses and crenellated castles reflect the bright world of the Flemish art of the late Middle Ages. Joan is pictured as young and serene, an innocent child among a throng of cynical warriors and disapproving priests. This narrative description of the greatest of French saints is a work of art, a good story, and a model of historical writing.
Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

Joan of Arc : heroine of France / Ann Tompert ; illustrated by Michael Garland. (BCCLS)
Honesdale, Penn. : Boyds Mills Press, 2003.
Gr 3-6-Only a true fabulist could have come up with the life lived by Joan of Arc, an obscure peasant girl from a farming family who took the fate of two European countries into her hands and changed the course of history. Born in 1412 in the sleepy village of Domremy, she lived her early years in the same manner as most young girls of her time and social class. However, the summer of her 13th year, an angel appeared to her, telling her to go to the aid of the King of France, who was embattled by the invading British. Never doubting her visions and the voices that impelled her forward, Joan lifted the siege of Orleans, saw her liege lord crowned, and was later captured by the British and burned at the stake. This well-told history, set out in picture-book format, makes superb use of Joan's own words to present her life, times, and mission. Factually accurate and involvingly written, the text is set off on bordered pages facing full-page color illustrations. The art, which looks a bit like stills frozen from an animated cartoon, is bright and detailed, but seems at odds with both the tone of the text and the age range at which the narrative is pitched. Regardless, this is an informed, sympathetic, and accurate treatment of an interesting and controversial life that is textually the equal of either Diane Stanley's Joan of Arc (Morrow, 1998) or Margaret Hodges's Joan of Arc: The Lily Maid (Holiday, 1999).-Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

The life and times of Joan of Arc / Jim Whiting. (BCCLS)
Hockessin, Del. : Mitchell Lane Publishers, c2006.

Ages 9-12

Until she was thirteen, Joan of Arc led a normal life. Then she began hearing voices. She believed these voices spoke for God. At first, they told her to be a good girl. A few years later, they told her that her destiny was to save France from its English invaders. Joans inspirational leadership helped the French to defeat the English at the city of Orlans. Soon afterward, she persuaded the crown prince Charles to become King of France. A few months later, Joan was captured by her enemies. Charles refused to help her in spite of all she had done. After a one-sided trial, she was burned at the stake. She was not forgotten. Today she is honored with a national holiday in France.

Joan of Arc : the teenager who saved her nation / Philip Wilkinson. (BCCLS)
Gr 4–7—These colorful, appealing biographies are attractively illustrated and pleasingly presented. The books are divided chronologically into four sections; each consists of three to four chapters and a historical segment, thus covering the lives and the times of their subjects. Dates, highlighted across the bottom of pages in a colorful band, note biographical points of reference and historical events. The writing is competent, though lacking spark or flair, and covers all the essentials. Anne Frank and Joan of Arc both contain incorrect dates and Anne Frank presumes knowledge of Judaism; Newton is the best of the three. Many other titles are available on these individuals, although an appallingly high percentage are riddled with errors. Kathleen Krull's Isaac Newton (Viking, 2006) lacks Steele's excellent visuals but is lively and entertaining. Diane Stanley's Joan of Arc (Morrow, 1998) provides a full, accurate narrative in a picture-book format. Johanna Hurwitz's Anne Frank: Life in Hiding (HarperCollins, 1993 ), Gene Brown's Anne Frank: Child of the Holocaust (Gale, 1993), and Ruud Van der Rol and Rian Verhoeven's Anne Frank: Beyond the Diary (Viking, 1993 ) are all helpful (the last is the best illustrated).—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Saint Joan of Arc
by: Susan Helen Wallace, Ray Morelli

Saint Joan of Arc: God's Soldier (Encounter the Saints Series) (Paperback)
Ages 9-12

Joan of Arc / by Shana Corey ; illustrated by Dan Andreasen. (BCCLS)
Step into Reading - Level 4
A lovely beginning reader that brings the story of Joan of Arc to life, from her simple childhood to her tragic end. Sensitively and dramatically told, this book is a wonderful introduction to what has become a classic tale.

Joan of Arc : the warrior saint / by Stephen W. Richey. (BCCLS)

“This latest rendition of the life of Joan of Arc analyzes the concept of "warrior" (soldier) and how Joan managed to obtain this status. Richey's extensive military career is useful in this analysis of the "what" and "how" of Joan's military career....Richey's attempt to clarify further a much discussed topic is admirable. His military background adds to his analysis of Joan's military career, yet he is forced to conclude that the "how" of Joan of Arc is still a mystery. Nonetheless, Richey's work is a nice addition to those existing about Joan of Arc.”–The Sixteenth Century Journal

Jeanne D’Arc (BCCLS)
By: Aileen Fisher, Illustrated by Ati Forberg

The Story of Joan of Arc (BCCLS)
By: Jeannette C. Nolan, Illustrated by Pranas Lape
Novel

Joan of Arc (BCCLS)
By: Maurice Boutet de Monvel
Picture book

The Story of Joan of Arc (Dover Pictoral Archive Series) (Paperback)
by Gregory Guiteras (Author)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
This book recounts the incredible story a simple country maiden who answered a divine call to drive the English from her country and set the dauphin atop the precarious French throne. Twenty-nine illustrations trace Joan's progress from farm to royal court, through her miraculous victory at Orléans, to her capture, trial, and execution.

The Story of Joan of Arc (Paperback)
by E. M. Wilmot-Buxton (Author)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Inspiring story of a fifteenth-century farm girl who answered a divine call to drive the English from France. The miraculous story of the Maid of Orleans unfolds from her early childhood and the touching story of the "Voices," to the battles she led and the splendid march to Rheims.

The Animated Hero Classics - Joan of Arc (LF)
Studio: Nest Family Entertainment

Joan of Arc : [videorecording (DVD)] child of war, soldier of God / Faith and Values Media.
Worcester, PA : Faith and Values Media/Vision Video, 2005 (BCCLS)
Joan Of Arc: Child Of War, Soldier Of God An illiterate peasant girl, Jeanne d’Arc emerged at 17 from an obscure corner of war-torn France, rallied a demoralized army and changed the course of history. Inspired by "her voices," she stunned the English invaders, brought about the coronation of the Dauphin and dazzled even her persecutors with her wit and grace. Now go beyond the image of this legendary heroine and discover a fascinating young woman struggling to achieve her own vision in a brutal and dangerous world. Running Time: Approx. 60 Minutes Color/NTSC/Stereo 05-51626

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) (BCCLS)

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Dustin Hoffman Director: Luc Besson Rating

DVD/VHS

1999 may be remembered as the year of Joan of Arc: NBC created a miniseries in her honor, Carl Dreyer's long-lost The Passion of Joan of Arc was discovered in a mental hospital, and Facets re-released Jacques Rivette's Joan the Maid. Luc Besson rounds out the corpus with his stylistic and vaguely heretical grand-scale feature, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.
Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element) challenges established notions about the Maid of Orleans as he creates a decidedly more human heroine than have previous biopics. The story line is the same--a young, illiterate peasant girl convinces the dauphin of France to give her an army, and she leads them to victory in Orleans, only to be burned at the stake for heresy--but Milla Jovovich, in the title role, is a woman possessed. Her influences are less than heavenly; as a child she witnesses the murder of her sister by the English, a death caused by the sister's giving her hiding place to young Joan, which causes an intense desire for revenge. Yes, God still speaks to Joan, but even this is undermined, as Dustin Hoffman, playing The Conscience, questions her motives.

Cinematically, The Messenger is stunning, with fantastical sequences of Joan in communication with higher powers. Yet the graphic violence (scenes include random decapitation and a dog gnawing on a body); the uneven accents, which make it difficult to tell who is fighting on which side; and the rewriting of lore may make this version of Joan of Arc appeal only to Besson fans. Jovovich is convincing, and while at times the film may drag (at times you wish they'd hurry up and burn her), it is a remarkable and insightful retelling of a well-known piece of history. --Jenny Brown

Good movie, but do not watch with children.
Violent scenes, especially in the beginning

Joan of Arc (1999)

Starring: Leelee Sobieski, Jacqueline Bisset Director: Christian Duguay

DVD/VHS

A strong cast, impressive production values, and astute direction distinguish this generally successful dramatization of the tumultuous life of the 15th-century French heroine whose military victories were eclipsed by her martyrdom. At the heart of the story is the conflict between the teenager's simple but fierce faith and the more complex political and theological issues that influence her downfall, a theme fleshed out through the portrayals of the young warrior's liege, the Dauphin (later King) Charles, and the Bishop Cauchon.
The 140-minute feature follows Joan D'Arc's odyssey from peasant obscurity to notoriety as the "Maid of Orleans," spiritual fulcrum for the beleaguered French forces struggling to halt English invaders. As played by Leelee Sobieski (Eyes Wide Shut), her evolution from naive farm girl to seasoned soldier is convincing, as is her gradual awakening to the underlying agendas of church and state. Most critically, Sobieski radiates the young girl's fervent spiritual devotion.

Framing Sobieski's focal performance are two equally fine turns from Neil Patrick Harris, who erases his legacy as TV's Doogie Howser, M.D. with a neatly shaded, steely Charles, and Peter O'Toole, who balances his signature reserve and present physical frailty to make Cauchon a moral compass for the story. Having opposed Joan as a threat to orthodoxy, the Bishop recognizes her purity too late; O'Toole turns this moment into a dreadful epiphany that resonates through the story's inevitable, fiery denouement. Fine supporting performances from Peter Strauss, Shirley MacLaine, and Maximillian Schell, plus evocative medieval locations in the Czech Republic, further buttress the story. French-Canadian director Christian Duguay handles the large-scale battle sequences with fluid blocking and smart camera work. --Sam Sutherland

Joan of Arc (1984)

Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Francis L. Sullivan Director: Victor Fleming (BCCLS)

DVD/VHS

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.

Joan of Arc - Biography (BCCLS)
VHS

Joan the Maid - The Battles / The Prisons (1993)

Starring: Pierre Baillot, Jean-Pierre Becker
DVD
In this extraordinary, two-part historical epic, director Jacques Rivette (La belle Noiseuse, La Religieuse) presents a fresh, brilliant re-interpretation of one of the great historical figures of all time - Joan of Arc. Joan the Maid features a spectacular performance by Sandrine Bonnaire that the New York Times calls "unadorned but magnetic."
Joan the Maid offers an amazing portrayal of a simple young woman who is driven by her belief that she is destined to save France. Joan the Maid: The Battles follows Joan from her birth, through her response to inner voices, to triumphant early victories over the English. Joan the Maid: The Prisons continues with Joan and the Dauphin of France embarking on series of victories. But Joan is eventually captured and imprisoned. She is tried for sorcery, impurity, wearing men's clothing, and refusal to submit to English rule, then condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake.

The Passion of Joan of Arc - Criterion Collection (1928)

Starring: Maria Falconetti, Eugene Silvain Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
DVD

With its stunning camerawork and striking compositions, Carl Th. Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc convinced the world that movies could be art. Renée Falconetti gives one of the greatest performances ever recorded on film, as the young maiden who died for God and France. Long thought to have been lost to fire, the original version was miraculously found in perfect condition in 1981-in a Norwegian mental institution. Criterion is proud to present this milestone of silent cinema in a new special edition featuring composer Richard Einhorn's Voices of Light, an original opera/oratorio inspired by the film.

Joan of Arc DVD (2004)
Studio: Educational Video Network, Inc