Jerusalem is a holy city for three major religions. For some two centuries, Christian and Muslim men fought to lay exclusive claim to this holy land during the period known as the Crusades. Others looked at the bigger world picture and decided to defend the city for all. "Kingdom Of Heaven" is a look at a part of the battle for Jerusalem that is set about halfway through that historical conflict.
Orlando Bloom stars as Balian, a French blacksmith drawn into the battle by circumstance. After the suicide of his wife following the death of their baby, a priest orders orders her corpse to be beheaded so that she cannot enter heaven. Balian later kills the priest when he comes and speaks of what he has done, and takes the crucifix the cleric had taken from Balian's wife. At the same time, Balian's father, Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson), has come for him and to tell him of the heritage he never knew. Godfrey is a knight who has fought for the defense of Jerusalem with the Christians. He also wants Balian to be the rightful owner of the land some day. Godfrey has come to convince Balian of these facts in an effort to bring the young man to Jerusalem.
Balian, with little more to lose at home, agrees to make the journey. As they travel, Godfrey teaches Balian some important lessons in sword fighting. They come in handy when French authorities come to arrest Balian for the priest's murder. Godfrey and his men lay their lives on the line to prevent this arrest. Godfrey is among those mortally wounded, but before he dies, he makes sure Balian is knighted. The journey to Jerusalem doesn't get any easier, though, once he reaches the sea. He washes up on a shore that is nearly desolate, save for a pair that means to do Balian harm. He kills one man, but the other is spared. That man takes Balian to Jersualem.
Once in Jerusalem, Balian surveys the lands left to him by his father. He also meets the knights who fought on Godfrey's side, including King Baldwin of Jerusalem (Edward Norton), a warrior dying of leprosy, and Tiberias (Jeremy Irons), a trusted confidant who has grown weary of the Crusades. However, some of the knights want Jerusalem in control of the Christians. That group of knights is led by Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) and his trusted warrior ally Reynald (Brendan Gleeson). Guy is married to Baldwin's sister, Princess Sybilla (Eva Green), though neither she nor Baldwin look forward to the prospect of Jerusalem under the leadership of Guy. In fact, Sybilla would prefer to share her time - and her bed - with the more level-headed Balian. When Baldwin dies, Guy and the Christian extremists lead an ill-advised charge into the desert to face the forces of Saladin (Ghassan Massoud), leaving Balian and Tiberias to the defense of the city.
"Kingdom Of Heaven" is more than a stylish action picture. It is a thoughtful look at religion, and the faith that compels men to action. While extremists like Guy were a part of the Crusades, so were men like Balian and Saladin, who would prefer to settle their differences without warfare. There are scenes in this movie where bloodshed ends without total annihilation of one side. Sadly, Balian and Saladin realize they can only stop a certain amount of the fighting. In one scene, Balian reminds his knights that these were wars they did not begin, and that the battles would continue for many years to come. Balian, given his circumstances, is certainly not interested in using the Crusades to spread Christianity. He, like Saladin, would like to see Jerusalem serve as a peaceful home for all faiths. The best they know to expect is that their conflict will lead to some sort of uneasy truce. Balian understands what Saladin will do, as the Muslims have a much larger army than the Christians. Swords, stones, and fireballs fly in the climactic fight for Jerusalem. Director Ridley Scott handles the battle scenes well, with a minimum of graphic violence. However, Scott's battle scenes aren't as moving as the ones he created in movies like "Alien" and "Black Hawk Down." The screenplay of William Monohan is respectful and even-handed, with very interesting characters.
Bloom epitomizes the thoughtfulness of the story with his performance. Balian has been given an opportunity to start a new life on the land of his father. He also knows he risks everything because of the battles. He's a quick study, and his experiences allow him to be a visible chameleon. He can be a warrior, a landowner, or a simple blacksmith at a moment's notice. He knows his pursuit of Sibylla could have fatal consequences, yet he takes that risk because he's lost all of his family. Paradoxically, he has been given a reason to live because of his fresh start. Green, as Sibylla, proves that she's just as much a chameleon as Balian. While marriage might make her someone else's wife, she puts on her best private face just for Balian. She knows that men like Balian are more interested in preserving her homeland than destroying it. Massoud has one of the best lines in the film. When Balian asks Saladin what Jerusalem means to him, he responds that it means nothing...and everything. In addition to Green and Massoud, Neeson, Irons, and Gleeson bring exceptional support to their roles.
"Kingdom Of Heaven" has been seen as a statement about the uneasy peace that often continues to exist between two religions and two ideologies, as one leader tries to exert his power and influence over that section of the world. As was the case so many centuries ago, not everybody agrees about whether or not such an exertion of power is warranted. Balian and Saladin have entered the Crusades in an attempt to do right, but they will not allow themselves to be wronged in the process. "Kingdom Of Heaven" has a crusade of its own in addition to telling its story. It's a call to accept religious differences, regardless of the god who is worshiped. Without peace, everybody loses.
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