1999 The Messenger: The Story of Jeanne d'Arc


Suddenly Jeanne emerges from the mist, and brandishing her banner --

I hear you!
May God forgive your blasphemy... but I never can!

She turns and disappears back into the mist.

 (From the screenplay) Film Credits:
Producer: Patrice Ledoux
Director: Luc Besson
Screenplay: Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin
Click the thumbnail for a larger image.
Film info:
A total of 3000 costumes including the armor were specially made for the stars and some 1,500 extras. This modern version of Jeanne d'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. Gaumont has been producing Besson's films since Subway and this latest film project cost somewhere around 400 million francs to make.

The screenplay: [Read the complete movie script]
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...
Editor: Sylvie Landra
Photo: Thierry Arbogast
Music: Eric Serra, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Costume: Catherine Leffier

Jeanne d'Arc, the first European film mixed in Dolby Digital Surround EX, won the award for "Best Sound" (César du meilleur son)
Milla Jovovich .... Jeanne d'Arc
Dustin Hoffman .... The Conscience
Faye Dunaway .... Yolande D'Aragon
John Malkovich .... Charles VII
Tchéky Karyo .... Dunois
Vincent Cassel .... Gilles de Rais
Pascal Greggory .... The Duke of Alençon
Richard Ridings .... La Hire
Desmond Harrington .... Aulon
Timothy West .... Pierre Cauchon
Rab Affleck .... Comrade
Stéphane Algoud .... Look Out
Edwin Apps .... Bishop
Plot Summary/Synopsis:
The young Jeanne d'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, Jeanne d'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.

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 Jeanne's enormous faith. Nonetheless, Jeanne d'Arc was declared a heretic and burned at the stake.