by Rob

Jan 25, 2000

Very disappointed! Very little in this movie is historically accurate. Another case of hollywood adding special effects and shock treatment. Jeanne D'arc's life was astonishing to say the least. Why not tell the true story. If you want to see a better movie on her life rent the mini-series that has Leelee Sobieski as Jeanne D'arc. Much better!

 

by Allison

Jan 25, 2000

Tonight I went to see the movie "The Messenger," a Hollywood rendition of the Joan of Arc story. Within approximately the first 10 minutes of the film is a graphically violent scene in which Joan's sister is brutally murdered and her dead body is raped as other men and Joan, a young child, watch. This scene, which surely has no documented basis in history, was so disturbing that I not only left the theater immediately, I had to run to the ladies room for fear of being ill. Not only do I recommend that you do not see this film for your own well-being, I also request that you and your acquaintances boycott "The Messenger" out of respect for yourself, your family, and those viewers who may be unprepared for the violent nature of this scene. Please also boycott "The Messenger" as a demonstration to the film industry that this degree of violence in public cinema, the extreme liberty in representation of history, the lack of respect for French culture and history, and especially the lack of respect for women and victims of rape and violence, are not to be tolerated.

 

by Steve Jaszka

Jan 25, 2000

This was a disappointment considering the talent that passes before us in the credits. I am not very knowledgeable about Joan of Arc, but feel this must be a real Hollywood version. The writing is very poor, at times they try to portray the language of the times, at other times it seems like simple one liners from a 30 minute sitcom. Dustin Hoffman is poorly cast, and Joan of Arc comes off as intense but shallow. The best parts were the war scenes, the challenge was to decide if Joan of Arc was as unstable as this portrays her. The rape scene is particualrly vile. If you are curious check it out, but keep expectations low.

 

by John Doe

Jan 25, 2000

Joan of Arc, a mere child in years, ignorant, unlettered, a poor village girl unknown and without influence, found a great nation lying in chains, helpless and hopeless under an alien domination, its treasury bankrupt, its soldiers disheartened and dispersed, all spirit torpid, all curage dead in the hearts of the people through long years of foreign and domestic outrage and oppression, their King cowed, resigned to its fate, and preparing to fly the country; and she laid her hands upon this nation, this corpse, and it rose and followed her. She led it from victory to victory, she turned back the tide of the Hundred Years' War, she fatally crippled the English power, and died with the earned title of DELIVERER OF FRANCE, which she bears to this day.

And for all reward, the French King, whom she had crowned, stood supine and indifferent, while French priests took the noble child, the most innocent, the most lovely, the most adorable the ages have produced, and burned her alive at the stake.

The film, while not accurate to her life, still reminds us what can be done if you have a message.

 

by George Jobson

Nov 16, 2003

Milla Jovovich gave her best, but the best wasn't good enough. "The Messenger:The Story of Joan of Arch" is a film that was weight down on lukewarm stript and tired acting. Dustin Hoffman appeared towards the end, but it was too little too late. "The messenger's" message wasn't loud and clear.