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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

Play trailer 2:27 Poster for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc R 1999 2h 28m History Drama Adventure Biography War Play Trailer Watchlist
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31% Tomatometer 75 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Mystic, maiden, martyr -- whatever you choose to call her, it is difficult to dispute that Joan of Arc led a remarkably accomplished life for a peasant girl who never went to school and never saw her 20th birthday. It all began in 1429, when a teenage girl from a remote village in France stood before the world and announced she would defeat the world's greatest army and liberate her country.
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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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Critics Consensus

The heavy-handed narrative collapses under its own weight.

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Critics Reviews

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Desson Thomson Washington Post 01/01/2000
Like its almost-demented heroine, The Messenger is unnervingly consumed with energy. Go to Full Review Charles Taylor Salon.com 01/01/2000
I've never left a Luc Besson movie not thinking that the guy has Froot Loops for brains. Go to Full Review J. Hoberman Village Voice 01/01/2000
Besson seems to have no sense that Joan herself was giving a performance. Go to Full Review Chuck Klosterman Akron Beacon Journal 10/30/2023
2.5/4
Parts of The Messenger are downright inspiring. Unfortunately, other parts are accidently funny, and a few are simply boring. This is ultimately a sprawling fiasco with a few glimmers of greatness. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 02/17/2021
4/5
...a film that offers a strong, female character with deep religious convictions, and doesn't mock or water them down... Go to Full Review Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews 01/20/2009
2.5/4
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] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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T. Scott S @scotscottscottt Dec 30 Over 25 years later and this movie still looks and sounds like a billion bucks. It also feels more timely than ever thematically. Never understood most of the criticisms of the film but after a viewing tonight they make less sense than ever. Fantastic and visceral experience that intentionally derails itself in the final sobering act. Vastly underrated film and highly recommended. See more OM R @heartfeather Dec 28 It is a masterpiece. Mila Jovovich at her best, incredible. See more David F Dec 3 Admittedly, I was already a Luc Besson fan from Fifth Element, the Valerian film & The Professional, but this film stands alone as one of his most Faith & Christ affirming works, thus far. 13 thumbs 👍🏽up for this one 😜 💪🏾👊🏾🖖🏾☝🏾👍🏽👐🏾🙌🏾🤟🏾🙏🏾🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🙏🏿 ⁉️‼️❓🎶🎼❣️ See more Brad @Ilovemovies506 Jul 29 I have learn about Joan of arc and I really admire her because of her bravery and she is a warrior for her people I see her as a brave young woman and a saint She is the saint I admire the most and love her for it This movie doesn't deserve a 31% it truly deserves a 100% on this website See more SoulQuest 03/01/2024 This is a must see epic, absolutely one of my favorites. It's a very well executed movie, brilliantly capturing not just the head spinning, absurd insanity, pain, confusion and uncertainty involved with the life and struggles of Joan of Arc but human existence in general and what we can be trully certain of, if anything. From the very first scenes the breathtaking vistas and cinematography along with excellent cast of fine actors especially the delightful child actress playing her younger self deliver those themes so beautifully. Milla Jovovich was an excellent choice for capturing the unnerving grotesque insanity of it all. See more Nikos V 10/14/2023 Intense and Epic with a sense of grim realism. See more Read all reviews
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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Cast & Crew

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Luc Besson

Director

Milla Jovovich

Joan of Arc

John Malkovich

Charles VII

Faye Dunaway

Yolande D'Aragon

Dustin Hoffman

The Conscience

Pascal Greggory

The Duke of Alençon

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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc: Trailer 1 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc: Trailer 1 2:27 View more videos
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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

A young peasant girl (Milla Jovovich) leaves the only home she has ever known to follow her own path, take up arms and ultimately change the course of history. Deserted by the king she fought to have crowned, a battle-weary Joan (Milla Jovovich) is captured by the Burgundians, mercenaries working on behalf of the English. With the help of levelheaded Aulon (Desmond Harrington, far right), Dunois' (Tchecky Karyo, center) outrage toward Joan, his 17-year-old female commander, softens into genuine respect. The battle scenes from the Columbia Pictures presentation THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC were staged on the fields of France with close to 1,500 extras. (From left to right) Aulon (Harrington) looks on as the Dauphin, Charles VII (Malkovich), considers the admonitions of his advisors, Regnault de Chartres (Merrick) and Tremoille (Erickson). Coerced during her trial to admit that her "voices" were just the product of a hysterical mind and not from God, Joan confronts her Conscience (Dustin Hoffman). Rejuvenated by their inspirational, if unexpected, new leader, French troops rally behind Joan (Milla Jovovich) as she leads them into the crucial battle at Orleans. Dressed in white armor and carrying her personalized banner, Joan arrives at the battlefield for the pivotal siege of Orleans. A simple girl acting on celestial voices, Joan (Milla Jovovich) captivates her ruler, wins an army, and makes believers of her countrymen. Oscar winner Faye Dunaway plays Yolande D'Aragon, the queen of France who astutely recognizes that it may be politically advantageous for the Dauphin not to dismiss Joan. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Mystic, maiden, martyr -- whatever you choose to call her, it is difficult to dispute that Joan of Arc led a remarkably accomplished life for a peasant girl who never went to school and never saw her 20th birthday. It all began in 1429, when a teenage girl from a remote village in France stood before the world and announced she would defeat the world's greatest army and liberate her country.
Director
Luc Besson
Producer
Patrice Ledoux
Screenwriter
Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Gaumont
Rating
R (Some Language|Rape|Strong Graphic Battles)
Genre
History, Drama, Adventure, Biography, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 12, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$14.3M
Runtime
2h 28m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS, Dolby EX, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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