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

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc is a French war film first released in 1999, directed by Luc Besson.  The film stars Milla Jovovich, Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, John Malkovich and Tchéky Karyo.  It has also been released under the title: Joan of Arc.  Our overall rating for this film is: mediocre.


At the time of the 100 years’ war between England and France, a young country girl, Jeanne, believes she has a mission from God to rid France of the English.  She arrives in the court of the Dauphin, Charles, and manages to convince him of her divine purpose.  She is given an army and miraculously manages to liberate the towns of Orléans and Reims.  However, once the Dauphin has been crowned King of France, he finds that he has no further use for Jeanne.  He betrays her to the English and she is tried as a heretic at Rouen.  Aged just 19, Jeanne is burnt alive for witchcraft.

Luc Besson’s version of the Joan of Arc story is original and exciting, but sadly lacks the impact and flair of earlier attempts by other French film directors (most notably Dreyer’s La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc and Bresson’s Le Procès de Jeanne d’Arc).

The film fails for two reasons.  Firstly, there is an excess of violence that is carried to almost operatic extremes and ultimately appears comical.  (Some of the battle scenes look as if they have been lifted from a Monty Python film.)  More importantly, the film suffers from an ambiguity of purpose.  It attempts to rationalise the young Joan’s motivation for her actions – somewhat superficially – whilst covering the battle compaigns in immense detail.  Is it a film about Joan of Arc’s state of mind or is it about her battles?  The film tries to tackle too much ground, and, as a result, neither aspect is satisfactory.

That said, the film does have some plus points and, as an adventure historical, it is not a bad effort.   Apart from some unintentionally comic mutilations, the battle scenes are brilliantly executed, with an amazing attention to detail.

Milla Jovovich puts up a very creditable performance as the young Joan of Arc.  I would not rate Ms Jovovich as a great actress, but there is an intensity and self-belief in her performance that is instantly striking.  It is just possible to believe that she could goad the French armies to victory whilst facing down the English at Orlèans.

The film does go down hill at a fare rate of knots after Joan’s entrapment and arrest.  All that nonsense in the prison cell where Joan is taunted by Dustin Hoffman in a cloak is confusing, plodding, and seems to serve no other purpose than to drag out the suspense until the inevitable burning scene.

It was perhaps brave of Besson to attempt a Joan of Arc film, and doubtless he would have been vilified whatever the quality of his film.  However, this film is overall a disappointment and is yet another addition to the ever-growing pile of Joan of Arc films that failed to hit their mark.

© James Travers 2000

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