The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

R

Released Nov 12, 1999

2h 28m

History

Drama

Adventure

Biography

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

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75 Reviews

58%

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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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Critics Consensus

The heavy-handed narrative collapses under its own weight.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Apr 25, 2003

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Almar Haflidason

BBC.com

Rated: 2/5

Apr 24, 2001

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Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 30, 2023

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...a film that offers a strong, female character with deep religious convictions, and doesn't mock or water them down...

Rated: 4/5

Feb 17, 2021

Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

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]

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 20, 2009

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SoulQuest

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

W B

Love Luc Besson's films (Le Femme Nikita, The 5th Element, Lucy) but this comes across as disjointed with poorly attempted and unnecessary humor in a saga that I found myself fast-forwarding through.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

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Nikos V

Intense and Epic with a sense of grim realism.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

Lisa S

What just happened to such a powerful, well documented piece of history?

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 02 hours: and 28 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Based on the 19-year-old legend Joan of Arc who died in England saving the freedom of France!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/23

Full Review

Stephen P

This is a fantastic movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/29/23

Full Review

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Luc Besson

Director

Milla Jovovich

Joan of Arc

John Malkovich

Charles VII

Faye Dunaway

Yolande D'Aragon

Dustin Hoffman

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Pascal Greggory

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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc: Trailer 1

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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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