Product: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Region 2) (1999)
Rating: 3.0
Joan cast in an unpleasant light...
Joan Of Arc has always been a hero of mine. This film was painfully to watch...In fact, I almost stopped watching it very early into the film at the point of a particularly brutal rape scene (which, according to historical records, never happened). But I did finish watching the film, and although I don't agree with this portrayal of The Maid as a almost stark raving-mad lunatic, it does a very good job of presenting a different angle on what drove this brave girl to do what no one else could do.I happen to believe Joan was divinely inspired, not a self-deluded lunatic. I still believe it. But entertaining someone else's ideas and interpritations by watching this movie for a couple hours isn't that hard to do. The photography and costumes are beautiful, and the performances range from good to excellent.I'm glad I bought it, but the TV mini-series "Joan Of Arc" starring Leelee Sobieski was better, and more emotionally moving and satisfying.