DVDs

The Messenger: Joan of Arc

Region 1

Region 4

By Richard Moore

What have the French ever done for us? Okay, they have given the world fine cooking, some pretty damn excellent movies, fashion and style, massive doses of radiation (in our part of the world), champagne and an excellent national soccer team.

Over the years they have also given the English hell.

It probably has something to do with the battles of Agincourt, Trafalgar and Waterloo, but the French pay the Brits back by blockading ports, beating up on beef or … the very rare, slightly boisterous, soccer fan.

Mind you, there is one darn good reason for French dislike of the people from over La Manche and that is the roasting of one of their national emblems - Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, who put some bone into the backs of the French armies and helped kick the English back to England.

After waging an extraordinary campaign against the invaders, the illiterate peasant girl was finally captured, tortured, tried and then burnt at the stake as a witch.

Now, many people want to do that to Luc Besson for his production of Joan of Arc but, it has to be said, the bad reports (rabid, from some) are going way over the top.

Okay, the dialogue does lapse and the feel of the film is that the voices Joan heard were all from not taking enough medication, but it is a lavish, bloody look at a legendary historical figure.

Milla Jovovich makes an interesting Maid of Orleans, whether she be twitchily mad or just running about like a loon high on God's will. She's wide eyed, frantic and it's hard to pick a better actress to put in her place who would have given so much manic energy to the role.

One replacement, we suppose, could have been Wynona Rider but that would have resulted in a more subdued, traditional haunted style. No, as an action gal - Milla does well.

John Malkovich and Faye Dunaway don't get a huge amount of leeway with their roles as the Dauphin and his mother in law and while a group of very fine French actors have strong support roles, Timothy West stands out as the trial judge.

The imagery in Joan of Arc is outstanding, with beautiful country landscapes and fields of gently waving lavender being interlaced with scenes of utter brutality and destruction on the battlefields of France.

It's grim, gritty and the hardcore, ultra realism of the battles contrasts well with mystic goings on around (or inside) Joan's head.

Joan of Arc is a long movie but, if you find yourself shifting about from cheek to cheek, is one that is well worth persevering with.

Conclusion:

Movie: 85%

DVD Extras: 60%