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

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Luc Besson

Writers:

Andrew Birkin (written by) &
Luc Besson (written by)

Release Date:

12 November 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | War

Plot:

A young girl receives a vision that drives her to rid France of its oppressors.

Plot Keywords:

Action Heroine | Battle Scene | Necrophilia | Medieval | French Court

Awards:

5 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Milla Jovovich	...	Joan of Arc
Dustin Hoffman	...	The Conscience
Faye Dunaway	...	Yolande D'Aragon
John Malkovich	...	The Dauphin / Charles VII
Tchéky Karyo	...	Dunois
Vincent Cassel	...	Gilles de Rais
Pascal Greggory	...	The Duke of Alençon
Richard Ridings	...	La Hire
Desmond Harrington	...	Aulon
Timothy West	...	Pierre Cauchon
Rab Affleck	...	Comrade
Stéphane Algoud	...	Look Out
Edwin Apps	...	Bishop
David Bailie	...	English Judge
David Barber	...	English Judge

Also Known As:

Joan of Arc (Australia) (Philippines: English title) (UK)
Jeanne d'Arc (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic battles, a rape and some language.

Runtime:

160 min | USA:148 min

Country:

France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18PL | New Zealand:R15 (re-rating) | Philippines:PG-13 | New Zealand:R18 (theatrical rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Japan:PG-12 | Mexico:C | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Beynac, Dordogne, France

Company:

Gaumont

Trivia:

Giles de Rais (Vincent Cassel's character) was a real person who after the war and Joan's death retired to his lands. Years later, he was arrested for the murder of more than a hundred young boys and was executed. Some historians believe that his crimes became the basis for the French fairy tale "Bluebeard" about a rich man who murders his wives and hides their bodies in his grand house.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Joan meets Dauphin Charles for the first time she holds her arms around him shifting from just above his waist to around his hips.

Quotes:

La Hire: I swear those Goddamned bloody English will pay for this.
Joan of Arc: They will. And so will you, if you don't stop swearing!

Movie Connections:

Version of Joan of Arc (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

My Heart Calling

very impressive and intelligent leap in time

Joan of Arc the legend which was described as saint, warrior, frantic, heretic etc. is brilliantly played by Milla Jovovich. This movie isn't the typical hero stuff you would expect. It has many sides to think of and gives you space to make your own thoughts about the character Joan of Arc. And that is exactly what I liked the most about the movie. You can almost feel what this very young woman must have felt to be on the battlefield at this age, fighting for her vision, faith or whatever it was. Intoxicated by the battles and her mission to fight the war for god, for France.

Besides from that you will see a lot of battles. Great visuals and good to memorable acting.

Most people seem to get the movie wrong. They probably wanted a clean hero saga or some documentary movie, I don't know. This movie is something different. Sometimes you have to read between the lines, make your own thoughts. But as I said, that's what I like and that's what I want from a good movie.

10/10