The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)
Average Rating: 4.5/10
Reviews Counted: 73
Fresh: 22 | Rotten: 51
The heavy-handed narrative collapses under its own weight.
Average Rating: 3.4/10
Critic Reviews: 22
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 21
The heavy-handed narrative collapses under its own weight.
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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 46,470
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Movie Info
In the 15th century, France is mired in the 100 Years War when a humble voice appears, claiming to have been instructed by the Lord to lead the French army into battle and defend their land against the British. The voice belongs to Jeanne d'Aragon, a teenage girl from a tiny village, and, to the surprise of many, her story does not fall on deaf ears. Wearing the armor of a soldier, the girl known as Joan of Arc leads the French troops in what she believes is a holy battle. Joan would soon be
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Cast
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Milla Jovovich
Joan of Arc -
John Malkovich
Charles VII -
Faye Dunaway
Yolande d?Aragon, Yolan... -
Dustin Hoffman
Joan's conscience -
Pascal Greggory
Duke of Alencon -
Vincent Cassel
Gilles de Rais -
Tcheky Karyo
Dunois -
Richard Ridings
La Hire -
Desmond Harrington
Aulon -
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Vincent Tulli
Orleans' Physician -
Toby Jones
British Judge
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All Critics (91) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (53) | DVD (16)
The lack of a plausible leading lady is enough to sink what is otherwise an eye-catching, although heavily '90s-style, telling of one of history's most frequently filmed stories.
Top CriticHalf-baked.
Besson seems to have no sense that Joan herself was giving a performance.
Jovovich brings an intensity to the role well-matched to Besson's stylistic energy, though this comic-bookish take on Jeanne D'Arc won't be winning any historical-society awards. [Blu-ray]
Without Besson's style, this film would be a real disaster. As it is, it's just a middle-of-the-road picture.
Impressive to look at, but in the end, it just doesn't ring true.
Audience Reviews for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Joan of Arc: I'm off my meds.
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- Joan's conscience: I can't save this movie. I can only stink it up even more.
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- Joan of Arc: I'm on the rag.
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- Joan of Arc: May God forgive your blasphemy, because I never will!
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- Joan of Arc: : I've seen enough blood, but if you want more, I can't stop you. But I must warn you, that it will be your blood, and not ours.
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- Joan of Arc: They have nothing to hear because there's nothing to hear! And why is there nothing to hear? Because I haven't DONE anything! And why haven't I done anything? Because none of you, WILL LISTEN TO ME!
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May 25, 2006:
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Foreign Titles
- Johanna von Orléans (DE)
- Jeanne d'Arc (FR)
