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The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc)

 

 

Jeanne d'Arc

Joan of Arc, 1412 - 1431

As the history books recount, Joan of Arc was convinced that she had a divine mission to expel the occupying English from the north of France. She was a successful military leader winning such battles as Orleans. But when she failed to take Paris, she was sold out to the British and found guilty of witchcraft and heresy. It was in 1431 on May 31 in Rouen that the 19 year-old was burned at the stake. Almost five hundred years later in 1920, she was canonized by the Vatican Saint Joan of Arc.

 

Joan of Arc, in the movies

Georges Melies signed the first version in 1900 and Cecil B. DeMille made Joan the Woman with Geraldine Farrar in 1917. Carl Theodor Dreyer made the highly acclaimed The Passion of Joan of Arc in 1928. Ingrid Bergman starred in two different versions: Victor Fleming's Joan of Arc in 1948 and Roberto Rossellini's Joan of Arc at the Stake in 1954. Three years later, Otto Preminger made Saint Joan with Jean Seberg. The most recent version was Jeanne la Pucelle in two parts by Jacques Rivette with Sandrine Bonnaire in 1993.

Jeanne d'Arc, à la Luc Besson

This modern version of Joan of Arc takes place during the 100 Years' War. For a realistic style, the shooting took place in natural settings in France and in the Czech Republic. A total of 3000 costumes including the armor were specially made for the stars and some 1,500 extras. In the role of Jeanne d'Arc, Milla Jovovich (his wife since 1997) is once again his leading lady after starring in The Fifth Element, accompanied by John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Tcheky Karyo, Pascal Gregory, Dustin Hoffman, Vincent Cassel...

The screenplay took a year and a half to finalize, a collaboration between Luc Besson and screenwriter Andrew Birkin. Besson worked with his core group that have contributed to the Besson style film after film: Eric Serra - composer, Thierry Arbogast - camerman, Sylvie Landra - editing...Gaumont has been producing Besson's films since Subway and this latest film project cost somewhere around 400 million francs to make.

Synopsis

The young Joan of Arc spent her youth in a quiet village called Domrémy until the English Army came pillaging. The pious young girl becomes terribly disturbed by the violence and injustice of the war. Convinced that she is receiving divine messages, Joan of Arc is further reinforced by her frequent confessions and dialogues with the church clergy. She sets out to deliver France from the hands of English rule.

Jeanne d'Arc


Now a young lady, she convinces the King - after a first trial and a virginity check - to place her at the head of the army. Her military success that forced the English to give up the city of Orleans led to the crowning of Charles VII in Reims, while her failure to take Paris led to her capture by the Bourguignons, allied with the English. The Bishop Cauchon who headed the final trial was quite disconcerted by Joan's enormous faith. Nonetheless, Joan of Arc was declared a heretic and burned at the stake.

Luc Besson, filmography

Le dernier combat (The Final Combat) -1983
Subway -1985
Le grand bleu (The Big Blue) - 1988
Nikita (La Femme Nikita) - 1990
Atlantis - 1991
Léon (The Professional) - 1994
Le cinquième élément (The Fifth Element) - 1997 (Cesar for Best Director)

 

Comments from Danny Kaufman :

If Luc Besson spent one half the effort on the substance and story of his recent films as he does on the style of his films, his would be among the great works of art ever created in this medium.

Yes, it is true, THE MESSENGER looks amazing. But in this instance, Besson's fancy camera moves and music video type edits actually serve to distract us away from the story. I came away from THE MESSENGER confused as to what Mr. Besson was actually trying to say. His Joan of Arc is wholly bizarre and her cohorts are never developed beyond cardboard cut-outs. But saying that, in some cases I have no problems with cardboard cut-outs. However, in this particular case, these characters are never developed enough to even know their names.

Besson chooses mix in new-age type dream images of Jesus into the period of 16th century France. But the results end up muddling the impact of the film. I found it confusing and distracting.

In the past I have been a great fan of Luc Besson. I particularly like his second movie, SUBWAY. Where he finds a way to use his flashy imagery and irresistible style in to further the story of two star crossed lovers. Another favorite is LA FEMME NIKITA, where his style also furthers the cause of his story and characters rather than setting them at odds with each other. But I am afraid that THE MESSENGER is not a movie to applaud. It is tedious, cumbersome, and a waste of time.


 
FILM CREDITS
Producer Patrice Ledoux
Director Luc Besson
Screenplay Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin
Editor Sylvie Landra
Photo Thierry Arbogast
Decor Hugues Tissandier
Music Eric Serra, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Costume Catherine Leffier
Cast Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Tcheky Karyo, Pascal Gregory, Dustin Hoffman, Vincent Cassel
Running time 160 min
International sales GBVI