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

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:

France | Sword | Heretic | Fantasy Sequence | Severed Arm

Awards:

5 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Rab Affleck	...	Comrade
Stéphane Algoud	...	Look Out (as Stephane Algoud)
Edwin Apps	...	Bishop
David Bailie	...	English Judge
David Barber	...	English Judge
Christian Barbier	...	Captain
Timothy Bateson	...	English Judge
David Begg	...	Nobleman - Rouen's Castle
Christian Bergner	...	Captain
Andrew Birkin	...	Talbot
Dominic Borrelli	...	English Judge
John Boswall	...	Old Priest
Matthew Bowyer	...	The Bludgeoned French Soldier
Paul Brooke	...	Domremy's Priest
Bruce Byron	...	Joan's Father

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:

158 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) | Italy:VM18 (tv 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:

The last film of Joseph O'Conor.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When the British first see the army arrive on the far side of the river at Orleans just after Joan's first victory, you can see car tracks in the dirt of the shore.

Quotes:

[In questioning Joan regarding all the gifts that King Charles VII bestowed upon her]
Priest: Did he not also give you many dresses? Silk dresses, weren't they?
Joan of Arc: Yes, he gave me a few, but I never had time to wear them.
Priest: Still... You seem a little wealthy to be a simple peasant, don't you think?
Joan of Arc: You seem a little wealthy to be a servant of God, don't you think?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Eddie Izzard: Circle (2002) (V)

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