Production Year: 2005 - Action/Adventure - Director: Ridley Scott - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Eva Green, Marton Csokas, David Thewlis, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Orlando Bloom
Director Ridley Scott confronts hundreds of years of religious conflict in KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. An epic film set in Europe and the Middle East, the story follows one man's struggle... more
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Kingdom of Heaven [2005]
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 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
Kingdom of Heaven [2005]
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 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
King & Kingdom Of Heaven
THE GLORY OF HIS LIFE"When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye
... more
also with him be manifested in glory" (Col. 3.4). Where the life of Christ is, there is the manifestation of glory. Though the full manifestation is yet to come, we may enjoy the glory of His life even now.In this volume, which is a selection of messages culled from many given by Watchman Nee throughout his long years of faithful ministry to the church, we are enabled to see some of the manifold aspects of t ... [view complete description on our website]
Actor(s): Eva Green, Marton Csokas, David Thewlis, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Orlando Bloom
Director(s): Ridley Scott
Genre: Action & Adventure - Historical
Classification: 15 years and over
Production Year: 2005
Running Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: Set in Europe and the Middle East, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN follows one man's struggle to better himself and the world around him. French blacksmith Balian joins the Crusades in Jerusalem. 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 the evil Guy de Lusignan looks down his aristocratic nose at the former labourer. Balian comes to life in Jerusalem, protecting the weak and defenceless as his father told him he must, and catching the eye of the beautiful Princess Sibylla, unhappily married to de Lusignan.
Release details
DVD Region: Region B
Studio(s): 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Release date: 11/12/2006
Catalogue No: 3242907000
Barcode: 5039036029582
Producer: Ridley Scott
Languages
Main Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Over 18 hours of special features, ,
Professional reviews
Review: Visually stunning (Independent on Sunday, 25/10/2006)
Make no mistake this is a genuine must see movie (News of the World, 25/10/2006)
Gritty, bloody and epic (Nuts, 25/10/2006)
Spectacular (Q, 25/10/2006)
Breathtaking (Sunday Times, 25/10/2006)
DVD Description
Director Ridley Scott confronts hundreds of years of religious conflict in KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. An epic film set in Europe and the Middle East, the story 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 the evil Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) looks down his aristocratic nose at the former labourer. As he did in GLADIATOR, Scott explores the theme of a man who chooses his fate, instead of accepting the fate given to him at birth. Balian comes to life in Jerusalem, protecting the weak and defenceless as his father told him he must, and catching the eye of the beautiful Princess Sibylla (Eva Green), unhappily married to de Lusignan. Scott paints a stirring portrait of the struggle over Jerusalem among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In doing so, he also shows the passionate fight for religious freedom. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ably handles these delicate issues, effectively treating characters from all factions as individuals and not as stereotypes. By placing a virtuous man at the centre of this conflict, Scott creates a powerful, universal story. This director's cut includes an extra 45 minutes not in the original film.
Reviews which might be of interest for Kingdom Of Heaven (Director's Cut)
3 Similar Reviews of Kingdom Of Heaven DVD
Good Film Review ofKingdom Of Heaven DVDby
Dave5000
Advantages: Good Film, Good Story And Huge Battles Disadvantages: Lack of Action Only like one Huge Battle
...This Film is Good but not the best one i have seen by Director Ripley Scott. It doesn't come close to the epic film Gladiator as it lack the context that Gladiator Film Had, the story in kingdom of heaven ok it wont confused the audience but it feel like they have cut something out of it like something missin from it that would make it a great film.
Short Summary
The Film begins with Balian (Orlando Bloom) mourning as his had recently buried his wife and child. His Father (Baran of Ibelin) played by (Liam Neeson) decide to make himself know to his son "Balian" and talks him into going to Jerusalem to clear his sins and also his wife as both was consigned to hell for commiting suicide by the catholic doctrine.
So on their jounery to jerusalem they got into a battle, which end with Bailan father bein wounded and later on dieing from...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Good cinematography and set design Disadvantages: Orlando Bloom, One-dimensional characters, Frequently tedious
...Kingdom of Heaven (2005) - FILM ONLY REVIEW
Certificate: 15 (UK), R (USA), 15A (Ireland)
Running time: 145 minutes (there is also a director's cut at 194 minutes)
Writer: William Monahan
Director: Ridley Scott
Main cast:
Balian - Orlando Bloom
Godfrey - Liam Neeson
Guy de Lusignan - Marton Csokas
Nasir - Alexander Siddig
Sibylla - Eva Green
Tiberias - Jeremy Irons
King Baldwin - Edward Norton
Saladin - Ghassan Massoud
"Kingdom of Heaven" is the latest historical epic from Ridley Scott, he of "Gladiator" fame (as the DVD packaging and posters like to remind us). I liked "Gladiator" for all its faults - and I would probably liked it a good deal more if I had known that "Alexander", "Troy" and "King Arthur" were in my future - and I was hopeful of something equally absorbing in this offering. It initially looked bravely relevant...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Spectacular battle scenes in a vast setting. Disadvantages: Difficult to understand and historically inaccurate.
...KINGDOM OF HEAVEN - DVD
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Eva Green
THE STORY
In the late 12th Century, Balian (Orlando Bloom), a young French blacksmith, is mourning the suicide of his wife who took her life after the death of their new born baby. As she has killed herself, the local priest orders the grave-diggers to cut off her head before interring her body. The priest steals the cheap silver crucifix around her neck, wearing it himself.
Pushing his luck, the evil vicar taunts Balian, saying that his dead wife's soul will be cursed. The blacksmith is hammering a white hot sword at the time and he notices his wife's silver cross around the priest's neck. He stabs him with the sword and the priest ignites - as does the whole building.
Just before the vile vicar gets his just deserts, Godfrey...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 17.01.2007
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