The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

By Luc Besson

  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Date: 1999-11-12
  • Advisory Rating: R
  • Runtime: 2h 37min
  • Director: Luc Besson
  • Production Company: Gaumont
  • Production Country: France
  • iTunes Price: USD 12.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
6.4/10
6.4
From 1,359 Ratings

Description

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 the delusion 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® winners Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway, "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc" is a modern take on a medieval saint who enthralls people even today.

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Reviews

  • Um

    2
    By nycmode75
    This movie should have been titled Joan of Arc and Dustin Hoffman’s nostrils Bad camera angles and hysterical acting aside, this could have been a better film since it did have some decent moments. The scenes of battle are intense but unfortunately few and far between. Again, the odd marriage of Joan and her psyche (see multiple shots of said nostrils) was more distracting than relevatory.
  • Great

    5
    By Giancarlomh
    Great
  • Gives a sense of being there

    4
    By k24anson
    How many books and research can one purview to then portray to capture on film this time period accurately? The sense is there as good as any that you were a witness to the emotions and events with The Maiden of Orléans after watching the film. I thought the nonsense talk portrayed by Dustin Hoffman to be utter fabrication though. Joan had no doubts about her calling and wasn't confused or doubtful the last days of her life. I suppose the script writers only wanted to inject the sense into those in the audience who watch the film to think that belief in God causes people to act kooky sometimes, because God isn't really real …, to them. Odd that such a remarkable person as Joan of Arc has never had someone like Ted Turner who produced the Gettysburg film to portray these events with more fidelity and tact. You know, what was God doing with her? What is It doing now? ††
  • The Messanger

    5
    By Mavious88
    reading the reviews from Rotten Tomatoes; then watched the movie for myself, it seems to that they judge to swiftly.
  • Joan of Arc gets demoted from hero to crazy lady

    1
    By Jonathan1412
    The movie unfortunately portrays Joan of Arc as nothing more than an ignorant, insane peasant girl. All of her strengths as a leader, politician, tactician, and warrior are downplayed as either chance or the miraculous fortunes of a crazed and fragile mind. Not only does The Messenger ruin Joan of Arc by dismissing her historical strengths, but her excessive fragility makes the rest of the story inconceivable. It makes no sense for anyone to support Joan of Arc the way she is portrayed here. If the historical Joan of Arc was really this insane and fragile, then the entire world of the 1400s must have gone mad with her. Nothing short of worldly insanity could explain how such a hysterical Joan of Arc was able to overcome both the rapacious sexism of her times and the English. The real Joan of Arc story is much more interesting. It is a shame that none of it comes through in this movie. Unless you enjoy watching gore and the graphic abuse of women, you can skip this title.
  • The Messenger…a good watch.

    4
    By toakhill
    Nice telling of the story of Joan of Arc. The female lead is well done and will keep you riveted.
  • I love this movie

    5
    By Zalmo1
    I have it in my collection since it came out in 2000. The real life cruelty of what a hero actually is depicted by Joan D'arc character is fantastic. Especially since this is one of the few movies in which the hero has a complex personality disorder, which leads it to be portraied later on as a saint with a calling from GOD. As well as far as i kmow Luc Besson is the only director that aver had the nerve to portray a battle without a sense of winning, for there is none in killing other folks may they be your neighbours or not. Great cast as well, extremely well played and directed. Authentic french humor, and a true medieval sense. All side characters in the movie exposing a simple peasant mindset and behavior, leaving the intricacy of the movie happening in the real place in between a few powerfull, frustrated, rulers lacking of any vision or courage to pursuit for their nations needs. If history should be depicted, this is the way to di it. Not in some propagwndostic mumble jumble for "there is nothing decent in war"
  • Watch this movie

    4
    By Pozest0606
    Dustin Hoffman is awesome in this film. This is an ART film. If you like foreign films and indies you'll probably like this movie. If not go watch High School Musical 8.
  • ok i guess

    2
    By the lethal mango
    it definatly wasnt great but i cant really say that it was bad either
  • Jeanne d'Arc or la Pucelle

    4
    By Xena Forever
    Although historically inacurate, it does break down some of the more important and often overlooked elements of St. Joan's personal life; from her redoubtable spiritual and religious beliefs to life as a brilliant military tactician. Born in Domremy in Champagne on January 6th 1412. Burned as a heretic by a secular court at Rouen on May 30, 1431. Beatified by final decree from Pope Pius X on April 11, 1909.

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