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

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Top Critics

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: 45,312

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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

R, 2 hr. 28 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: Luc Besson

Written By: Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin

In Theaters: Nov 12, 1999 Wide

On DVD: Oct 30, 2001

Columbia Pictures

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Trailer & Photos

Cast

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
Timothy West
Vincent Tulli
Orleans' Physician
Toby Jones
British Judge

Critic Reviews for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

All Critics (90) | Top Critics (25) | 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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Top Critic

Besson is unable to weave the comic scenes together with the serious gory ones, so both seem increasingly jarring and unbelievable.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Jonathan Foreman

New York Post

Top Critic

Half-baked.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

| Comment

Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Top Critic

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]

January 20, 2009 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews

| Comment

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews Source: Groucho Reviews

Without Besson's style, this film would be a real disaster. As it is, it's just a middle-of-the-road picture.

December 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Impressive to look at, but in the end, it just doesn't ring true.

November 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

Makes precious little sense.

March 7, 2002 Full Review Source: Matinee Magazine

| Comment

Chuck Rudolph

Matinee Magazine

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Audience Reviews for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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When Joan walks into the royal court for the first time to plead her cause, to free France of English poachers, they are already whispering about the peasant girl some claim as a saint. Except for not seeing how she came to be whispered about I really enjoyed Besson's tale (pro-French and anti-Catholic) that

June 10, 2011

moon rivers

Super Reviewer

Luc Besson's mad tale is more of a visual experience than a story.

August 5, 2007

Tim Salmons

Super Reviewer

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Quotes

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1. Joan of Arc: Go now... in peace. If you do not go now, you will be buried in this field. I've seen... enough... blood. But if you want more, I can't stop you. I can only warn you that it will be your blood... not our's.
– Submitted by Tom B (2 months ago)

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