Hello everyone, my names john, im off to university this september (yay!) to study Business managmen...
Hello everyone, my names john, im off to university this september (yay!) to study Business managment studies with economics. am interested in music, computers, beer and socialising
cheers all
Member since:21.08.2004
Reviews:13
Background The film is set in the age of the Christian Crusades, a controversial time of both extreme bravery but also of extreme barbarity. The movie is directed by Ridley Scott, whose other works include the epics Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and Kingdom Of Heaven certainly follows these titles footsteps in the impressive battle scenes.
Actors Include: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Eva Green and Brendan Gleeson amongst others.
Certificate 15 Film Time 138 minutes
The main vein of the storyline is a Hollywood approach to the pre-third crusade Jerusalem. The main character, Blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom) who has just lost his child and wife (dieing of suicide - against the period rules!) is found by his father, a real knight of the holy land the Baron of Ibelin who has returned to bring his son into the fold. Balian refuses, subsequently kills a really annoying priest and then trots after his father in a search for forgiveness in the holyland.
- Here we have the typical hollywoodisation of what could have been a really historically accurate film, while the film puts Balian as a blacksmith who rises through the ranks of society (a feat totally unrealistic in the day) the real Balian was a minor noble/knight of some standing
Once in the holyland we are treated to a quick guide to Jerusalem politics, on the one hand there are the Knights Templars who we see being portrayed as a bunch of bloodthirsty militaristic bible bashers - we see these being hung as punishment for killing Arabs - and the medieval periods version of the Lib Dems who want everyone to get along. Having succeeded his father to his title, Balian now faces a series of trials and tribulations, after a brief interlude, the death of the king and the murder of Saladin's sister war breaks out and the new king leads the army off on a who can get killed quickest walk. Enter Balian who arrives to defend Jerusalem and after a epic four day defence manages to get terms that enables the people who have survived to survive the victors.
While the film has a hint of historical accuracy certain factors, such as Balian's social standing, manages to take the edge off of it. Much like Gladiator and Black Hawk Down the film will leave the viewer torn between two emotions - wow look at all the effects (because believe me this director can do action scenes) and the feeling yeah ok I'm not convinced this is 80% genuine and for me that takes the shine from an otherwise excellent film. One other problem is the acting of Orlando Bloom, although I admit he is a good actor he just doesn't seem to be the right person for this film - he's a bit too much of a pretty boy and lacks that rough edge. The portrayal of the knights Templar does dumb down the film for me, but I suppose in today's PC society we Christians-based western countries must have some ways for explaining the brutality of a so called peaceful religion - mind you just look at George Bush for an example.
What else can I say about the film, supporting actors, especially Liam Neeson, do a cracking job - and I do believe I spotted the dude from Harry Potter in amongst the cast?? I would recommend this film to anyone as a part of their DVD collection, however there are better films out at the moment and so this film would be a bit of a buy if it's on offer type thing. Whereas Gladiator had believability this film joins it only with the quality and scale of its action scenes.
Can be purchased for around £10 at various places
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Thanks for letting me know you've updated this. Re-rated for you.
Soho_Black 23.05.2006 15:19
I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" in the top right of the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
DBZKing 22.05.2006 18:44
Decent review, I've seen this, fell asleep through the good part ;) -Shaun
It's hard to believe Ridley Scott's handsome epic won't become the cinematic touchstone of ... more
the Crusades for years to come.Kingdom of Heavenis greater than the sum of its parts, delivering a vital, mostly engrossing tale following Balian (Orlando Bloom)...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Brilliantly shot with lavish sets and costumes and exciting action sequences Disadvantages: Feels a little disjointed, Orlando Bloom doesnt quite work as the lead
Burning_Darkness 12.06.2009 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)
Advantages: This is fictionalised history, set between the 2nd and 3rd Crusades - shortly before the time of King Richard the Lionhearted - Balian of Ibelin was historically "the defender of Jerusalem" Disadvantages: It was a harsh, superstitious time - the film highlights this through its bloodiness; although not "anti-God" the film is somewhat anti-religious. NOT FOR THE QUEASY - very gory!
jesi 18.06.2005 (18.06.2005)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)
![Kingdom of Heaven (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [2005]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78516049.jpg "Kingdom of Heaven (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [2005]")
![Kingdom of Heaven [DVD] [2005]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78505779.jpg "Kingdom of Heaven [DVD] [2005]")
![Kingdom Of Heaven (2 Disc Special Edition) [2005] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78501343.jpg "Kingdom Of Heaven (2 Disc Special Edition) [2005] [DVD]")
May 22nd, 2006
(May 23rd, 2006)
very helpful by (100%):
![The Kingdom of Heaven [DVD] [2007]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/88540117.jpg)
