THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC

COLUMBIA TRISTAR

RELEASED 10 March 2000

Former model Milla Jovovich fills the shoes of the Maid d’Orleans for this big-budget interpretation of the events which led to the defeat of the English on French soil. Two years later her own people burned her at the stake (you knew the ending right?) It’s all played out in full widescreen style from French director Luc Besson (Leon, The Fifth Element), gory battle scenes and freaky dream sequences bearing his trademark flair. Unfortunately the script is also written by Besson and it stinks of Brie. And Dustin Hoffman’s in it. Done before and no doubt it’ll be done again, the Joan of Arc story remains a fascinating tale.

THREE OUT OF FIVE