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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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    61 - 80 (sorted by date)
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    Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Madeleine Williams
    Madeleine Williams
    Cinematter

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marc Savlov
    Marc Savlov
    Austin Chronicle

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marty Mapes
    Marty Mapes
    Movie Habit

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    MaryAnn Johanson
    MaryAnn Johanson
    Flick Filosopher

    If all history lessons were this stylish, elementary school would have been a better place.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Matt Kelsey
    Matt Kelsey
    TNT's Rough Cut

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Max Messier
    Max Messier
    Filmcritic.com

    Marvelously shot.

    Full Review Source: Mr. Showbiz | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Michael Atkinson
    Michael Atkinson
    Mr. Showbiz
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    I can only conclude that Milla Jovovich's woefully unconvincing performance as the title character was a prominent reason for Luc Besson's split with her.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    Both visually spectacular and staggeringly awful.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Michael Wilmington
    Michael Wilmington
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Poorly conceived.

    Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Neil Kendricks
    Neil Kendricks
    San Diego Union-Tribune

    Fails on nearly every count.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Peter Brunette
    Peter Brunette
    Film.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Rob Blackwelder
    Rob Blackwelder
    SPLICEDWire

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A great movie that doesn't know when to quit

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Ross Anthony
    Ross Anthony
    Hollywood Report Card

    In Luc Besson's The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, little is compelling, explained or even interesting.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Sandra Ramani
    Sandra Ramani
    Citysearch

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Scott Mantz' Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Scott A. Mantz
    Scott A. Mantz
    Scott Mantz' Movie Reviews

    While The Messenger feeds our appetite for visual panache, it starves the soul.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Sean Means
    Sean Means
    Film.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Milla Jovovich, who plays Joan, is a young woman who has been unmemorable in several pictures.

    Full Review Source: New Republic | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Stanley Kauffmann
    Stanley Kauffmann
    New Republic
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Stephanie McGrath
    Stephanie McGrath
    Jam! Movies

    Half-baked.

    Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Steve Murray
    Steve Murray
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    61 - 80 (sorted by date)
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    Latest News for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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    May 25, 2006: Sony Buys Besson's "Angel"
    French filmmaker Luc Besson, who produces tons of flicks but hasn't directed one since "The Messenger," has directed a new movie. It's a comedy called... More...

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