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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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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 23 2009 03:15 AM

    Screen International

    tomato
    2.5/4

    Peter Canavese

    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]

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 20 2009 12:12 PM

    Groucho Reviews

    splat
    68/100

    Brian Webster

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 13 2008 08:02 PM

    Apollo Guide

    N/R

    Garth Franklin

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 15 2008 03:15 AM

    Dark Horizons

    N/R

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    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 24 2006 04:23 AM

    Time Out

    N/R

    Jeffrey M. Anderson

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 26 2006 03:17 AM

    Combustible Celluloid

    tomato
    4/5

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 06 2005 08:12 PM

    Film Threat

    N/R

    Robin Clifford

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2005 03:48 AM

    Reeling Reviews

    N/R

    Janet Maslin

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    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 30 2004 10:17 PM

    New York Times

    N/R

    Peter Rainer

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    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 07 2004 09:23 AM

    New York Magazine

    splat
    1/4

    Susan Tavernetti

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 20 2003 05:18 PM

    Palo Alto Weekly

    splat
    2/4

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 25 2003 08:17 AM

    Globe and Mail

    tomato
    4/5

    John R. McEwen

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 08 2003 08:34 AM

    Film Quips Online

    tomato
    4/5

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 08 2002 08:44 AM

    Film Threat

    N/R

    Ginette Vincendeau

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 02 2002 08:35 AM

    Sight and Sound

    N/R

    Annlee Ellingson

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    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 05 2002 08:22 AM

    Boxoffice Magazine

    N/R

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    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 24 2002 08:19 AM

    Boston Phoenix

    splat
    short

    Chuck Rudolph

    Makes precious little sense.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2002 11:46 PM

    Matinee Magazine

    tomato

    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

    This unusual French interpretation of Joan of Arc sees her as a radical zealot like John Brown.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 04 2002 09:51 AM

    Spirituality and Practice

    splat
    2/5

    Almar Haflidason

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 24 2001 10:41 PM

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