Genres:
Epic
Historical Film
Theatrical Release: 05/06/2005(USA)
Release Date: 01/01/2001
Sound: DD5.1/DDS/DTS
Run Time:
Flags: Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox
Ridley Scott directed this epic-scale
historical drama inspired by the events of the Crusades of the 12th century.
Balian (
Orlando Bloom) is a humble French blacksmith who is searching for a reason to go on after the death of his wife and children.
Balian is approached by
Godfrey of Ibelin (
Liam Neeson), a fabled knight who has briefly returned home after serving in the East.
Godfrey informs
Balian that he is his true father, and urges the blacksmith to join him as he and his forces journey to Jerusalem to help defend the holy city.
Balian accepts, and he and
Godfrey arrive during the lull between the Second and Third Crusades, in which the city is enjoying a fragile peace. Both Christian and Muslim forces are temporarily in retreat, thanks to the wisdom of the Christian monarch
King Baldwin IV (
Edward Norton), his second-in-command
Tiberias (
Jeremy Irons), and Muslim potentate
Saladin (
Ghassan Massoud). Violent agitators on both sides are foolishly eager to end the peace in a bid for greater power, and
Saladin bows to pressures from Muslim factions;
Godfrey is one of a handful of brave knights who has thrown his allegiance behind
Baldwin IV and his community of diversity, and
Balian joins him as they use their skills as warriors in a bid to build a lasting peace.
Kingdom of Heaven also stars
Eva Green as the princess
Sibylla,
David Thewlis as
Hospitaler the priest, and
Brendan Gleeson as
Reynald. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
;)
