Born to a peasant family in northeastern France during the Hundred Years’ War with England, Joan (Leelee Sobieski) hears the voices of saints instructing her to help the Dauphin Charles (Neil Patrick Harris) claim the French kingship and drive out the Brits. Charles persuades Joan to declare herself the prophesied Maid of Lorraine and inspire an army against the invaders. Peter Strauss plays the skeptical captain, Peter O'Toole a bishop, Powers Boothe her grim father and Shirley MacLaine Madame de Beaurevoir.