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Movies / On DVD / The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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

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Reviews Counted:72

Fresh:22

Rotten:50

Average Rating:4.5/10

Consensus: The heavy-handed narrative collapses under its own weight.

Runtime: 2 hrs 38 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Action master Besson takes on French history in this ambitious look at the legendary saint and martyr. Beginning with a young Joan witnessing her sister's rape and murder at the hands of brutal... Action master Besson takes on French history in this ambitious look at the legendary saint and martyr. Beginning with a young Joan witnessing her sister's rape and murder at the hands of brutal English soldiers, the film picks up years later when Joan (Jovovich) appears at the court of the French Dauphin (Malkovich), who is making little progress against his enemies. Joan's self-confidence and charisma induce the Dauphin to take a gamble by allowing her to lead troops, resulting in an upset victory at Orleans. However, Joan eventually outlives her usefulness to the French throne and is sold out to the English, who burn her for heresy. All the while, Joan struggles with her faith, exasperating the experienced French generals and having impassioned arguments with her imaginary "Conscience" (Hoffman). Features several exciting medieval battle scenes. [More]

Starring: Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman

Starring: Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman, Pascal Greggory, Vincent Cassel, Tcheky Karyo, Richard Ridings, Timothy West, Desmond Harrington, Andrew Birkin

Director: Luc Besson

Director: Luc Besson
Screenwriter: Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin
Producer: Patrice Ledoux
Composer: Eric Serra

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Dec 2, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The year is 1429. France is in political and religious turmoil as members of the royal family battle for rule. But one peasant girl from a remote village gave her country the miracle it was looking for. Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element, Dazed and Confused) is Joan of Arc, a young woman who would inspire and lead her countrymen until her execution at the age of nineteen. Raised in a religious family, Joan witnessed her sister's rape and death at the hands of an invading army. Years later, as the same war raged on, Joan stood before her king with a message she claimed came from God: give her an army, and in God's name she would reclaim his diminished kingdom. But was the message real, or thedelusion of a girl whose life had been shattered? This startling epic drama by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) explores the life of Joan of Arc, her amazing victories, relationship with God, and tragic death. Co-starring John Malkovich and Academy Award(r) winners Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway, THE MESSENGER is a modern take on a medieval saint who enthralls people even today.
  • Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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    Reviews for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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    The battles and scenes of medieval mayhem and beauty are brilliant.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    E! Online
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Reel.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    03/24/02
    Boston Phoenix

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Film Threat

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    04/25/03
    Globe and Mail

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    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Time Out
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
    01/23/09
    Screen International

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
    04/24/01
    Almar Haflidason
    Almar Haflidason
    BBC

    The ludicrous casting of Hoffman is just the fatal bit of kindling on this Joan's fire.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Andy Klein
    Andy Klein
    New Times
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    06/05/02
    Annlee Ellingson
    Annlee Ellingson
    Boxoffice Magazine

    Besson manipulates his audience's emotions instead of informing, inspiring, or illuminating its intellect.

    Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Arthur Lazere
    Arthur Lazere
    culturevulture.net
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Beth Armitage
    Beth Armitage
    PopMatters

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bob Bloom
    Bob Bloom
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

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

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    11/13/08
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bryant Frazer
    Bryant Frazer
    Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

    I've never left a Luc Besson movie not thinking that the guy has Froot Loops for brains.

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Charles Taylor
    Charles Taylor
    Salon.com

    My guess is Columbia has virtually no chance of finding an audience for this misfire.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Chris Grunden
    Chris Grunden
    Film Journal International

    Makes precious little sense.

    Full Review Source: Matinee Magazine | comment Comment
    03/07/02
    Chuck Rudolph
    Chuck Rudolph
    Matinee Magazine
     
     
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