This was the dark ages (called that because it was before the age of enlightenment), a time when most people couldn't read, and even if they could, didn't have anything to read because everything was in latin, including the bible. The time of the crusades was one of fanaticism based on beliefs that the only way to heaven was by being absolved of sin the catholic church in their greed to rule the world, set out in a bloody conquest to destroy the Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land and the only way that they could get commoners to participate was to promise that heaven awaited them on the other side. It was like a 20th (or now 21st) century man thrown in to a world of political, religious and social disorder. Historically, the film was surprisingly accurate, but the characters were not believable in this time period specifically Orlando Bloom's character. What I saw was an anti-war "epic" wanna-be. I am a student of medieval history, the crusades, and the Templars and I expected an intelligent film (which Ridley Scott usually produces). I guess I just expected too much before I watched this film. By placing a virtuous man at the center of this conflict, Scott creates a powerful, universal story.ĭisappointing! Not what I expected. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ably handles these delicate issues, effectively treating characters from all factions as individuals and not as stereotypes. In doing so, he also shows the passionate fight for religious freedom. Scott paints a stirring portrait of the struggle over Jerusalem among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Balian comes to life in Jerusalem, protecting the weak and defenseless as his father told him he must, and catching the eye of the beautiful Princess Sibylla (Eva Green), unhappily married to de Lusignan. Upon reaching Jerusalem, a city where his meager beginnings no longer matter, Balian earns respect and fealty, while the evil Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) looks down his aristocratic nose at the former laborer.As he did in GLADIATOR, Scott explores the theme of a man who chooses his fate, instead of accepting the fate given to him at birth. Along the way, he reveals his gifts of inherent goodness and fair treatment of all human beings.
Mindful that conducting the Lord's work will help him atone for his sins, Balian agrees, and embarks on the perilous journey. Orlando Bloom stars as Balian, a French blacksmith who is mourning the deaths of his wife and baby when his estranged nobleman father (Liam Neeson) arrives and asks him to join the Crusades in Jerusalem. An epic film set in Europe and the Middle East, the story follows one man's struggle to better himself and the world around him. Director Ridley Scott confronts hundreds of years of religious conflict in KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
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