JOAN OF ARC - THE LIBERATOR OF FRANCE

Cinemavixion Review

Michael Löseke's "Joan of Arc - The Liberator of France" plunges into the extraordinary life of a young woman who defied the conventions of her era. The film chronicles Joan's remarkable journey from a humble peasant girl to a divine-messenger who rallied a fractured France during the Hundred Years' War. Nadja Bobyleva embodies Joan with a compelling mix of conviction and vulnerability, portraying a figure driven by celestial voices and an unyielding will. The narrative effectively captures the dire state of 15th-century France, highlighting the monumental odds Joan faced—her gender, age, and background all working against her. Löseke illustrates how Joan's unwavering faith and strategic prowess, particularly in the pivotal liberation of Orléans, became the turning point for the French crown, culminating in the coronation of Charles VII. While the film touches upon her eventual trial and tragic end, it primarily celebrates her indomitable spirit and lasting legacy as a national heroine and, centuries later, a saint.