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

Director:

Luc Besson

Writers:

Luc Besson (writer)
Andrew Birkin (writer)

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:

Interrogation | Battle Scene | Medieval | 15th Century | Action Heroine

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:

Philippines:PG-13 | New Zealand:R15 (re-rating) | Malaysia:18PL | Iceland:16 | 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:

Europa Corp.

Trivia:

The last film of Joseph O' Conor.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In one fight, a man cuts off another's arm. He hits him in the forearm with the sword but you can clearly see the arm come off much higher towards the shoulder.

Quotes:

Joan of Arc: This morning God gave us a great victory, but it is nothing compared to what he is ready to give us now. I know you are all tired and hungry, but I swear to you that even if these English were hanging from the clouds by their fingertips we would pull them down before nightfall. Now let all those who love me... follow me! Follow me!

Movie Connections:

Version of Joan of Arc (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

My Heart Calling

Not the greatest war movie, but a good movie, and a somewhat true-to-facts portrayal of Jeanne d'Arc

Luc Besson usually makes spectacular movies; Leon, The Fifth Element, etc. Joan of Arc is no exception. It details the life of Jeanne, the maiden of Lorraine, who in and around the year 1431, helped France defeat England, and win a war that has lasted for almost an entire century. The plot is great, and it has a very good pace. I am almost never bored when watching this film, despite the fact that it's fairly long(about two and a half hours long), and I've seen it at least half a dozen times. What I've found to be great about the film is the re-watchable quality it has; I've seen it many times, yet I haven't grown tired of it. Up to the very end, it always has a scene or two that you can look forward to, either because it's exceptionally well done, has very good cinematography, has great acting and/or dialog, or every one of those qualities. The acting is great. Every single actor gives a great performance, even the child actors were convincing. The performances that impressed me the most, however, were those of Milla Jovovich and Dustin Hoffman, as Jeanne and her conscience, respectively. They never cease to amaze me. The characters were well-written and credible. I particularly liked the way Jeanne was written as having a very notable temper and being very decisive. I also very much enjoyed the various supporting characters, the best being La Hire and The Conscience. I liked the way the film seems to question Jeanne's sanity; whereas most believe that she *was* in fact, sent by God, this film sits down and asks the question, if she really was, or if the signs and miracles weren't all in her head, and caused by everyone wanting to believe it. The very last scenes especially puts doubt in the viewer. It was quite a gutsy move by Besson, to question his own country's hero. I will admit, the film does really make it seem more like she is crazy rather than sent by God, but it doesn't feel like Besson is pushing his view onto us, telling us that that's the way it was; it feels more like he tries to make us question it. The action and the war scenes were very well done, very chaotic and disturbing, very intense and bloody. This isn't the best war movie ever made, nor is it the most factually accurate; it might not even be the best retelling of the legend of Jeanne d'Arc. But I have found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable, well-acted, well-choreographed, well-done film that makes you think. And that's good enough for me. Several scenes are quite memorable, as are some of the lines. All in all, a very enjoyable war-drama, with an authentic story and some well-done battle sequences. I recommend it to fans of the actors, of Luc Besson's other work and of war movies/dramas in general. Just don't expect a full-out war movie; it's two hours and thirty minutes long, and I don't think more than forty-five minutes in total are spent fighting. 7/10