Kingdom of Heaven [DVD] [2005]

It's hard to believe Ridley Scott's handsome epic won't become the cinematic touchstone of the Crusades for years to come. Kingdom of Heaven is greater than the sum of its parts, delivering a vital, mostly engrossing tale following Balian (Orlando Bloom), a lonely French blacksmith who discovers he's a noble heir and takes his father's (Liam Neeson) place in the center of the universe circa 1184: Jerusalem. Here, grand battles and backdoor politics are key as Scott and first-time screenwriter William Monahan fashion an excellent storyline to tackle the centuries-long conflict. Two forward-thinking kings, Baldwin (Edward Norton in an uncredited yet substantial role) and Saladin (Ghassan Massoud), hold an uneasy truce between Christians (who hold the city) and Muslims while factions champ at the bit for blood. There are good and evildoers on both sides, with the Knights Templar taking the brunt of the blame; Balian plans to find his soul while protecting Baldwin and the people.

The look of the film, as nearly everything is from Scott, is impressive: his CGI-infused battle scenes rival the LOTR series and, with cinematographer John Mathieson, create postcard beauty with snowy French forests and the vast desert (filmed in Morocco and Spain). An excellent supporting cast, including Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, and David Thewlis, also help make the head and heart of the film work. Many critics pointed out that Bloom doesn't have the gravitas of Russell Crowe in the lead (then again, who does?), but it's the underdeveloped character and not the actor that hurts the film and impacts its power. Balian isn't given much more to do than be sullen and give an occasional big speech, alongside his perplexing abilities for warfare tactics and his wandering moral compass (whose sole purpose seems to be to put a love scene in the movie). Note: all the major characters except Neeson's are based on fact, but many are heavily fictionalized. --Doug Thomas, Amazon.com

A film set in Europe and the Middle East, 'Kingdom Of Heaven' follows one man's struggle to better himself and the world around him. 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. Mindful that conducting the Lord's work will help him atone for his sins, Balian agrees and embarks on the perilous journey. Along the way, he reveals his gifts of inherent goodness and fair treatment of all human beings.

Upon reaching Jerusalem, a city where his meagre beginnings no longer matter, Balian earns respect and fealty while secretly courting the capricious wife of the ruthless Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) who seeks a way to destabilise the uneasy Christian-Muslim truce brokered by King Baldwin (Edward Norton) and wage war against his religious enemy...

Director Ridley Scott bring the scale of his previous epic 'Gladiator' to this film while confronting hundreds of years of religious conflict. At times controversial in both its content and production difficulties, populated by an all-star cast and held together by a sterling central performance from Orlando Bloom, 'Kindgom Of Heaven' is a multi-faceted classic of a humble man who chooses his fate, instead of accepting the fate given to him at birth.

A film set in Europe and the Middle East, Kingdom Of Heaven follows one man's struggle to better himself and the world around him. 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. Mindful that conducting the Lord's work will help him atone for his sins, Balian agrees and embarks on the perilous journey. Along the way, he reveals his gifts of inherent goodness and fair treatment of all human beings.

Upon reaching Jerusalem, a city where his meagre beginnings no longer matter, Balian earns respect while secretly courting the capricious wife of the ruthless Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) who seeks a way to destabilise the uneasy Christian-Muslim truce brokered by King Baldwin (Edward Norton) and wage war against his religious enemy...

Director Ridley Scott bring the scale of his previous epic Gladiator to this film while confronting hundreds of years of religious conflict. At times controversial in both its content and production difficulties, populated by an all-star cast, and held together by a sterling central performance from Orlando Bloom, Kindgom Of Heaven is a multi-faceted classic of a humble man who chooses his fate, instead of accepting the fate given to him at birth.