# The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

> 1999 film by Luc Besson

**Wikidata**: [Q1140257](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1140257)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Messenger:_The_Story_of_Joan_of_Arc)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-messenger-the-story-of-joan-of-arc

## Summary
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc is a 1999 historical drama film directed by Luc Besson that depicts the life and military campaigns of Joan of Arc, the French heroine and saint. The film stars Milla Jovovich as Joan and features an international cast including John Malkovich, Dustin Hoffman, and Faye Dunaway. It was produced by Gaumont and Columbia Pictures, with a budget of $85 million, making it one of the most expensive European films ever made at the time.

## Key Facts
- Released on November 12, 1999, with additional release dates in January 2000 in various countries
- Directed by Luc Besson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Birkin
- Produced by Gaumont and Columbia Pictures with a production budget of $85 million
- Stars Milla Jovovich as Joan of Arc, John Malkovich as Charles VII, Dustin Hoffman as the Conscience, and Faye Dunaway as Yolande of Aragon
- Genre classifications include historical drama, war film, epic film, biographical film, and drama film
- Country of origin: France
- Running time: 158 minutes
- IMDb ID: tt0151137
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 31% critic score, 54/100 Metacritic
- Box office gross: $66,976,317 worldwide, with $14,276,317 from the United States
- Received César Award nominations for Best Sound and Best Costume Design
- Filmed in multiple languages including English and French
- Distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment through Columbia Pictures

## FAQs
**What is the historical basis for The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc?**
The film is based on the life of Joan of Arc (1412-1431), the French peasant girl who claimed divine guidance and led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War. The movie covers her military campaigns, capture by the English, trial for heresy, and execution at age 19, though it takes some artistic liberties with historical events and characterizations.

**Who directed The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc and what was their vision?**
Luc Besson directed the film, bringing his signature visual style and action-oriented approach to the historical material. Besson aimed to present Joan as a complex, sometimes unstable character rather than a purely saintly figure, exploring her psychological state and the political machinations surrounding her. This interpretation was controversial among some historians and religious groups.

**What was the production scale and budget of The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc?**
The film had a substantial budget of $85 million, making it one of the most expensive European productions at the time. The production involved elaborate battle sequences, period-accurate costumes and sets, and filming in various locations across Europe. The scale allowed for large-scale battle scenes and detailed historical recreation, though the high budget also created significant financial pressure for the film to succeed commercially.

**How was The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc received by critics and audiences?**
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 31% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 54/100. Critics were divided on Besson's interpretation of Joan's character and the film's historical accuracy. Some praised the visual spectacle and performances, particularly Milla Jovovich's intense portrayal, while others criticized the psychological approach and historical liberties. The film performed moderately at the box office, grossing $66.9 million worldwide.

## Why It Matters
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc matters as a significant entry in the canon of historical epic films, representing one of the most expensive European productions of its era and showcasing Luc Besson's ambitious approach to historical storytelling. The film brought renewed attention to the story of Joan of Arc, one of history's most famous female military leaders, and presented a psychologically complex interpretation that sparked discussion about historical accuracy versus artistic license in biographical films. Its substantial budget and international production demonstrated the growing capability of European cinema to produce large-scale historical epics that could compete with Hollywood productions. The film also marked an important role for Milla Jovovich, who had previously worked with Besson on The Fifth Element, further establishing her as an action-oriented leading actress capable of carrying major productions.

## Notable For
- One of the most expensive European films ever made at the time with an $85 million budget
- Luc Besson's ambitious attempt to bring his distinctive visual style to historical epic filmmaking
- Milla Jovovich's intense and physically demanding performance as Joan of Arc
- Controversial psychological interpretation of Joan's character and divine visions
- Large-scale battle sequences and period-accurate production design
- International cast featuring both French and American actors
- Multiple César Award nominations including Best Sound and Best Costume Design
- Significant box office performance for a European historical epic, grossing over $66 million worldwide
- Sparked debate about historical accuracy and artistic interpretation in biographical films

## Body

### Production and Development
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc was produced by Gaumont, the oldest film company in the world, founded in 1895, in collaboration with Columbia Pictures, an American film production and distribution company founded in 1918. The film was directed by Luc Besson, the French filmmaker known for La Femme Nikita, Leon: The Professional, and The Fifth Element. Besson co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Birkin, adapting the historical story of Joan of Arc for a modern audience. The production budget of $85 million was substantial for a European film, reflecting the ambitious scale of the project with its elaborate battle sequences and period recreation.

### Cast and Characters
The film features an international ensemble cast led by Milla Jovovich as Joan of Arc. Jovovich, a Ukrainian-American actress who had previously starred in Besson's The Fifth Element, took on the physically and emotionally demanding role of the French heroine. John Malkovich, the American actor known for his distinctive voice and intense performances, portrayed Charles VII of France. Dustin Hoffman, another prominent American actor, played the Conscience, a character representing Joan's internal doubts and questioning. Faye Dunaway, the American actress and former fashion model, took the role of Yolande of Aragon, Charles VII's mother-in-law and political advisor. The cast also included French actors such as Tchéky Karyo as the Duke of Alençon and Pascal Greggory as La Trémoille.

### Historical Context and Story
The film depicts the life of Joan of Arc (1412-1431), the French peasant girl who claimed to receive visions from saints instructing her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination during the Hundred Years' War. The story follows Joan's journey from her village of Domrémy, through her military campaigns including the lifting of the Siege of Orléans, to her capture by the Burgundians, trial for heresy, and execution by burning at the stake in Rouen at age 19. While based on historical events, the film takes artistic liberties, particularly in its psychological interpretation of Joan's visions and mental state, presenting her as potentially suffering from mental illness rather than purely receiving divine guidance.

### Genre Classification
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc spans multiple genre classifications, reflecting its complex narrative structure. As a historical drama, it focuses on real historical events and figures while emphasizing dramatic storytelling. The war film elements are prominent in the depiction of medieval battles and military strategy. The epic film classification applies due to its large scale, sweeping scope, and spectacular battle sequences. As a biographical film, it dramatizes the life of an actual historical person, though with interpretive elements. The drama film classification encompasses the psychological and emotional aspects of Joan's character and her relationships with other historical figures.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a running time of 158 minutes, making it a substantial epic in terms of length. It was filmed in multiple languages, primarily English and French, reflecting its international production and cast. The cinematography, handled by Thierry Arbogast, Besson's frequent collaborator, features the director's signature visual style with dynamic camera movements and striking compositions. The production design, led by Jacques Bufnoir, created elaborate period-accurate sets and costumes to recreate 15th-century France. The battle sequences involved extensive choreography and visual effects to depict medieval warfare on a large scale.

### Distribution and Release
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc was distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment through its Columbia Pictures division. The film had its premiere on November 12, 1999, in various international markets, with additional release dates in January 2000 in different countries. The distribution strategy reflected the film's international production, with coordinated releases across multiple territories. The film's performance at the box office was moderate, grossing $66,976,317 worldwide, with $14,276,317 from the United States market. This performance was considered respectable for a European historical epic but fell short of the commercial success of some Hollywood blockbusters of the era.

### Critical Reception and Awards
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 31% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews from critics, and a Metacritic score of 54 out of 100. Critics were divided on Besson's interpretation of Joan's character, with some praising the psychological complexity and others criticizing the departure from traditional saintly portrayals. The performances, particularly Milla Jovovich's intense portrayal, received both praise and criticism. The film's visual style and production values were generally well-received, though some critics found the historical liberties problematic. The film received César Award nominations for Best Sound and Best Costume Design, recognizing the technical achievements in these areas, though it did not win in either category.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc represents an important moment in European cinema's ability to produce large-scale historical epics that could compete with Hollywood productions. The film's substantial budget and international scope demonstrated the growing capability of European filmmakers to create spectacular historical dramas. While not achieving the same level of commercial success as some Hollywood epics, it established a precedent for European productions of similar scale. The film also contributed to the ongoing cultural fascination with Joan of Arc, presenting a psychological interpretation that differed from more traditional saintly portrayals and sparking discussion about historical interpretation in cinema. Milla Jovovich's performance further established her as a capable action and historical drama actress, building on her previous work with Besson.

### Music and Sound
The film's score was composed by Éric Serra, a frequent collaborator with Luc Besson who had previously worked on The Fifth Element and Leon: The Professional. Serra's score combined traditional orchestral elements with more contemporary sounds, reflecting the film's approach to historical material. The sound design, which received a César Award nomination, created an immersive experience for the battle sequences and period atmosphere. The film's sound work was integral to creating the epic scale and emotional impact of the historical events depicted.

### Production Companies and Industry Context
The collaboration between Gaumont and Columbia Pictures represented a significant international co-production, combining French cinematic tradition with American distribution power. Gaumont, founded in 1895, brought historical expertise and European production capabilities, while Columbia Pictures provided American market access and distribution infrastructure. This partnership reflected the increasingly global nature of film production in the late 1990s, with European filmmakers able to access Hollywood-level resources while maintaining creative control. The film's production occurred during a period when historical epics were experiencing renewed popularity, though The Messenger's psychological approach distinguished it from more traditional treatments of the genre.

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