Messenger, The: The Story of Joan of Arc (US)

7 / 10
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"A Gorgeous Epic…Easily The Best…Since "Braveheart". - Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Certificate: R
Running Time: 158 mins
Retail Price: $24.95
Release Date:

Synopsis:
The year is 1429. France is in political and religious turmoil as members of the royal family battle for rule. But one peasant girl from a remote village gave her country the miracle it was looking for. Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element, Dazed and Confused) is Joan of Arc, a young woman who would inspire and lead her countrymen until her execution at the age of nineteen. Raised in a religious family, Joan witnessed her sister`s rape and death at the hands of an invading army. Years later, as the same war raged on, Joan stood before her king with a message she claimed came from God: give her an army, and in God`s name she would reclaim his diminished kingdom.

But was the message real, or the delusion of a girl whose life had been shattered? This startling epic drama by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) explores the life of Joan of Arc, her amazing victories, relationship with God, and tragic death. Co-starring John Malkovich and Academy Award winners Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway, The Messenger is a modern take on a medieval saint who enthralls people even today.

Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
"The Messenger: The Search For The Real Joan Of Arc" HBO First Look
Isolated Music Score
Theatrical Trailers
Talent Files

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English

Subtitle Tracks:
English
CC: English

Directed By:
Luc Besson

Written By:


Starring:
Vincent Cassel
Pascal Greggory
Tchéky Karyo
John Malkovich
Faye Dunaway
Dustin Hoffman
Milla Jovovich

Casting By:
Lucinda Syson

Soundtrack By:
Eric Serra

Director of Photography:
Thierry Arbogast

Editor:
Sylvie Landra

Costume Designer:
Catherine Leterrier

Production Designer:
Hugues Tissandier

Producer:
Oldrich Mach
Marc Jenny

Executive Producer:
Patrice Ledoux
Bernard Grenet

Distributor:
Columbia / Tristar

Your Opinions and Comments

7 / 10
A long and mostly boring movie about Joan of Arc`s life.
The acting is good, although the usage of the "F" word seems inadequate for the year 1429.
The video transfer is good. there are no compressions signs and the visuals are very impressive.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good. The surrounds are mainly used during the battle scenes, but also during several quiet, hallucinated scenes.
The menus are all still.
The extras include a behind the scenes look and an isolated music score.
Bottom line - despite everything - boring. Burn the witch.
posted by Zvi Josef on 9/9/2001 14:14