Product Details

• Actors: Dustin Hoffman
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Spanish
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008
• Run Time: 158 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001GF8WOO
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,470 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

1999 may be remembered as the year of Joan of Arc: NBC created a miniseries in her honor, Carl Dreyer's long-lost The Passion of Joan of Arc was discovered in a mental hospital, and Facets re-released Jacques Rivette's Joan the Maid. Luc Besson rounds out the corpus with his stylistic and vaguely heretical grand-scale feature, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element) challenges established notions about the Maid of Orleans as he creates a decidedly more human heroine than have previous biopics. The story line is the same--a young, illiterate peasant girl convinces the dauphin of France to give her an army, and she leads them to victory in Orleans, only to be burned at the stake for heresy--but Milla Jovovich, in the title role, is a woman possessed. Her influences are less than heavenly; as a child she witnesses the murder of her sister by the English, a death caused by the sister's giving her hiding place to young Joan, which causes an intense desire for revenge. Yes, God still speaks to Joan, but even this is undermined, as Dustin Hoffman, playing The Conscience, questions her motives. Cinematically, The Messenger is stunning, with fantastical sequences of Joan in communication with higher powers. Yet the graphic violence (scenes include random decapitation and a dog gnawing on a body); the uneven accents, which make it difficult to tell who is fighting on which side; and the rewriting of lore may make this version of Joan of Arc appeal only to Besson fans. Jovovich is convincing, and while at times the film may drag (at times you wish they'd hurry up and burn her), it is a remarkable and insightful retelling of a well-known piece of history. --Jenny Brown

Product Description

The year is 1429 France is in political and religious turmoil as members of the royal family battle for rule. But one peasant girl arrives beating a message that wins the hearts of her countrymen and the throne for her king. Features: talent files animated menus isolated music score and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars People ...chill out!, January 10, 2009

By	H. Morze (Perth Amboy, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is just in response to several people's reviews (or rants) that the blu-ray version isn't the international version. Had they bought it before complaining? Apparently not... see below. Amazon has listed it (blu-ray) at a run time of 158 minutes. I have the DVD of The Messenger (with a red band at the top of the cover) that says 'International Version' and it's run time is also 158 minutes. Unless, of course, Amazon had erroneously labeled the blu-ray at 158 minutes. But I think not... again, read below.

According to a review of the blu-ray release from Hi-Def Digest: "The disc contains only the 158-minute International Version of the movie which reflects an on-screen title of simply 'Joan of Arc'. The 148-minute American theatrical cut is not included."

So all y'all who complained about THIS release as NOT being the International Release... chill out first and do some research before freaking yourselves and other perspective buyers out.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, November 29, 2008

By	Burak Guven "bufo" (Mineola, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This old story is one of it's kind that will never die regardless of the times to come. It just kind of story we daily live in today's world were corruptions lies and power struggles are all around us. Even if you have no idea about Joan of Arc this movie will just show you what one persons believe have good affect on a whole nation that lost hope and can't find its way out will receive unconditional attention of a person who will make different not just only in one country but also amoung the human race.
Great movie to watch and learn lot more than we can expect.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luc Besson/ Millia Jovovich as Joan!/ Castles that are not CGI!, January 14, 2009

By	A Customer "film historian" (L.A.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Cinematography fantastic. Sound design fantastic. BD's A/V quality fantastic. Hop on board and have some fun. Besson style. Great effects, bloody battles, fiery drama as well lush location spots. This movie confounded pundits when it came out. Still does. Doesn't anybody try anything different anymore? Look! Low price advantage.