The film

Another "American" film - with a lot of international actors and crew members - by Luc Besson. The epic visualisation of the historical French cultural legend was a huge commercial succes in France and a commercial dissapointment in the USA. The critics were divided, as always, but all agreed on a visual masterpiece that, according to some can not make up for lack of other qualities in the film, yet on the other hand could have simply blinded those narrow minded critics. Besson's usual style is prominently present in the way the story is brought to life, with humour, drama and action, slowly but oh so pleasantly paced and surounded by gorgeous sets. It is sad to see how some conservative critics and the bulk of audiances outside of France failed to recognize the beauty of simplicity and open characters added with with subtle yet powerfull visual storytelling that Besson chose over the all too often portrayed literary aproach that risks to fail acknowledge the the emotion behind the politics and the politics behind emotion.

The music

The album consists of no less than 27 tracks, yet plays like one piece of over an hour long. Heavy on ambient feel, but almost constantly leaning on orchestral performance, this is serious yet refreshingly light. Without the constant need for melodie Serra guides the listener through his set of emotions, using soundscapes with strings, choirs, synths and the occasional Leon-esque percussion and effects. Not very uplifting but effective in bringing to live a world full of religious and heroic overtones.

The end song must be one of the most beautifull ever to have graced the cinema, and Serra was wise enough not to sing it himself but to effectively use the talents of Noa with whome he worked together before (both on his own Goldeneye song for background vocals and on her own album as instrument performer).

The album was heavily promoted in France with flyers, posters, etc.. See also the picture below of a cardboard stand up of almost 2 meters. There also was a French limited special edition at the time of release, which came in a peculiar carboard foldout package. The music however was exactly the same. See the news section.

  1.  Talk to Him                 2:30
  2.  A Sword in the Field        0:50
  3.  Joan and the Wolves         1:16
  4.  Burying our Childres        1:30
  5.  No Amen                     1:52
  6.  At One with You             1:12
  7.  Chinon                      1:08
  8.  Yolande                     1:37
  9.  The Messenger of God        2:44
  10. Find Him                    1:20
  11. Secrets of a Strange Wind   4:52
  12. To the King of England      1:35
  13. Sent by God                 1:03
  14. Procession to Orleans       1:29
  15. Recrossing the River        2:16
  16. The Rourelles               4:10
  17. La Hire's Lucky Charm       1:48
  18. To Arms                     6:00
  19. Armaturam Dei               3:17
  20. The Miracle of Orleans      2:00
  21. Rex Coronatur               2:47
  22. Trial                       3:40
  23. Anger and Confession        2:03
  24. Answer Me                   1:13
  25. The Repentance              2:49
  26. Angelus in Medio Ignis      2:15
  27. My Heart Calling            4:20

Singles

A promotional single was released with the Noa performed end song "My Heart Calling". The lyrics are creditted to "Noa et Eric Serra" and the music to "Eric Serra et Noa". Pictures of both are on the back (from the normal French album artwork). There is only one track on the single and it's uneditted.

There was also another promotional release, a 5 track EP CD, four from the score and the "My Heart Calling" song. It was given out without any artwork, as "Visa 4884".

A polish promo in the CDmaxi format was released of "My Heart Calling". There's no clear artist indication, but both Serra and Noa are creditted on the cover.