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THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN



CAST & CREW

Director:
Ridley Scott (Matchstick Men, Black Hawk Down, Hannibal, Gladiator, Blade Runner, Alien)

Actors:
Orlando Bloom (Balian of Ibelin)
Liam Neeson (Godfrey of Ibelin)
Eva Green (Sybilla)
Marton Csokas
Jeremy Irons (Tiberias)
David Thewlis
Brendan Gleeson (Reynald)
Jon Finch
Ghassan Massoud
Khaled el Nabawy
Edward Norton (King Baldwin,IV)


Plot:
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is an epic adventure about a common man (Orlando Bloom) who finds himself thrust into a decades-long war. A stranger in a strange land, he serves a doomed king, falls in love with an exotic and forbidden queen, and rises to knighthood. Ultimately, he must protect the people of Jerusalem from overwhelming forces – while striving to keep a fragile peace.


DETAILS

Studio:
20th Century Fox
Scott Free Productions

Release Date:
May 6, 2005


TheMovieBoX

© Copyrights and trademarks for the film and related entertainment properties mentioned herein are held by the respective owners of said properties.

MY REVIEW

MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE DAYS OF HIS MAJESTY,
KING STRONG TO AID; THE SUM OF PIETY,
BANE OF THE CRUCIFIX-IDOLATORY,
BANNERET OF RIGHT AND GENEROSITY,
EL-MELIK EN-NASIR SALAH-ED-DIN (YUSUF IBN AYYUB),
LORD OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMIN,
SAVING GOD'S HOUSE FROM THE NAZARENE,
SERVING THE HOLY PLACES TWIN,
VICTORIOUS YUSUFF, SON OF AYYUB, OF SHADY'S KIN:
GOD WATER HIS GRAVE WITH SHOWERS OF CLEMENCY,
AND GRANT HIM IN MERCY'S HOME THE MEED OF CONSTANCY.

-BAHA-ED-DIN

I have read the real account of the Third Crusades by reading the book - "Saladin and the fall of the kingdom of Jerusalem" written by Stanley Lane Poole , 1964, Khayats, Beirut. One of the best book I have read this summer . The book has excerpts are taken from his secretary Baha-ed-din and his friend Ibn-el-Athir. Many excerpts of various events are taken fom Christain chronicler Ernoul (who was with Balian of Ibelin) and William of Tyre. The book covers not only covers the all the events covered by the Kingdom of Heaven (though many events were changed or made up in the movie) but also how did he rise to power - his predeccessors-Zengy and Nureddin. I enjoyed reading the book more than the movie because the real conversations were far more better than the cheesy dialouges of the movie. For example after the Battle of Hittin when the King of Jerusalem (Guy) and Reginald of Chatillon were in Saladin's tent and after he gives water to drink, Guy drinks and passes to Reginald. Saladin was annoyed and tells to the interpreter "Tell the King that it was he ,not I,that gave that man to drink." Then he rose and confronted Reginald, who was standing: "Twice have I sworn ro kill him; once when he sough to invade the holy cities (Makkah & Medina), and again when he took the caravan (Saladin's sister was killed) by treachery-Lo! I will avenge Mohammed upon thee!" (which the movie doesnt show). And he drew his sword and cut him down with his own hand, as he had sworn. And said"and God sped his soul to Hell".The King, trembling at the sight, beleived his own turn was now coming, but Saladin reassured him: "It is not the custom of the kings to slay kings;but that man had transgressed all bounds , so what happened,happened". (which the movie doesnt reveal). One thing that really touched by heart was the simplicity of the Saracen kings- Zengy, Nur-ed-din and Saladin. All of them led austere life whose prime importance were the prosperity of the people. It is said when Saladin (king of the great nation) died ,he didn't leave neither property,lands, palaces not even enough money for his grave! The book also goes through plots of the Assassins against Saldin (really interesting and humorous) and the campaigns of Richard - Lion Heart (& other leaders) who was the one of the few leaders to win campaigns against the Saracens.I would recommend to read the book and then go for th movie as the book exposes the unity, treachery, conspiracy, plots & campaigns between the Saracens and the Franks.

MY RATING

The rating for the movie is 7.5/10 - Average

I actually enjoyed the movie. I thought the exotic queen not Exotic at all!

GOD DAMNIT man! Y did the mods move in this arts section. I want to create a seperate section! Smartd !!!!!!!! BTW the movie -most of the stuff were made up. like balian -the sole survivor of wrecked ship, handful of men including him fighting against 100000 Saracens, A blacksmith in one night becomes great warrior! He enjoys sleeping with the Queen when in those days the same ppl were considered exemplary ppl who abided the Ten Commandments. The truth according to Ernoul his secretary was Balian fought in the Battle of Hittin and fled like a coward and had a wife and children in Jerusalem when there was seige, so he made terms with Saladin which Saladin permitted him to enter Jerusalem and take his wife and children away if only he prromised that he wont fight against the Sultan anymore. But once he was in the Jerusalem the Patriach forced him to stay and told him u shouldn't fulfill the promise made to infidel. Guy de Lusac wasnt in the donkey have naked as they showedin the movie, but was freed in exchange of surrender of one of the castles. There were so many modifications in the surrender of the terms. For more read this link www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/salahdin.html has some accounts.

The way they made it results in the movie falling more in line with Hollywood pratices. It is easier to understand, for the masses, in the way they made it.

Hollywood loves a good love story and so do the viewers. People would not see the movie if it was just a regurgitation of facts.

Alexander wasn't exactly 100% based on fact either. His homo$exuality was definatly greater than what was in the movie and he died in India in life. They made him go around in circles in the movie which confused the audiance... But I digress

How did u know Alexander is more promiscous homo? Were u present and do u remember it? Anyways I do accept the fact that Hollywood makes some apocryphal story e.g in Kingdom of Heaven they show Balain and queen mating. in those days it was considered grave sin. But the real fact by ernoul is different.

Yes sniper, I was there when Alexander was galavanting around being allowed passage in the eastern world (he called it conquering, the Persians basically let him through). I am a 10,000 years old and I will never die...

Funny how his lover in the movie look alot like you... Are you sure it wasn't you???

I think the male concubine is based on your character and experiences.

now u sound lke complete retard. U didnt even see me. Wait a min! dont tell that u dreamt about me!