Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

"If this is the kingdom of heaven, let God do with it as he wishes" so spoke Balian of Ibelin during his defence of the city of Jerusalem, unfortunately it is Ridley Scott and not god who calls the shots here. Ridley Scott does have an impressive back catalogue under his belt, Blade Runner remains high on my list of favourites but with Black Hawk Down, Thelma and Louise, Alien and the obvious point of reference Gladiator all on his C.V. you know ...
...Kingdom of Heaven is centred on real historical events, places and people and as such should try to uphold the responsibility of portraying actual events. Balian of Ibelin played by Orlando Bloom was the hero of the doomed defence of Jerusalem in 1187, then controlled by the Christian knights, as the truce with Saladin collapsed beginning a series of events that ultimately lead to the third crusade and the name that most people have heard of Richard ...

steerpyke 25.02.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

...FILM - KINGDOM OF HEAVEN >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THE STORY BEGINS (AS I UNDERSTOOD IT) Between the 2nd and 3rd Crusades, the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem is at peace, while an uneasy truce exists between King Baldwin IV and Salah-ad-Din, following a victory by the young king many years before when he was only 16. One successful knight, (the fictitious) Godfrey of Ibelin, finding himself without an heir, decides ...
...(post-crusades). Thus, we chose KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, as it was set between the second and third of the eight main "Crusades" to reclaim the holy land for pilgrims seeking to more fully appreciate their redemption through Christ, who lived, died and rose there. We had mixed feelings when it was finished (explained above) due to the contrast between the content and the spectacle. VISUALLY: This is a magnificent panoramic spectacle on a wide screen. ...

jesi 18.06.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

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" ...
...this time is a Christian kingdom captured during the first Crusade and held/ occupied (depending on your perspective) by European soldiers seeking wealth and glory as much as for religious reasons. The kingdom is divided between Baldwin's party, led by Tiberius (Jeremy Irons), who have brokered an uneasy peace with Saracen leader Saladin (Ghassan Massoud); and the war mongering Knights Templar (who I'm sure you will remember from "The Da Vinci Code") ...

Collingwood21 04.12.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Kingdom of Heaven is the latest epic from Director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien) and stars Orlando Bloom. There are also appearances from a number of established actors such as Liam Neeson and Jeremy Irons. Kingdom of Heaven is based between the 2nd and 3rd Crusades, where Jerusalem is currently held by the Christians. There is currently a kind of peace (in that there is not an open war) in Jerusalem and Christians, Moslems and Jews all co-exist ...
...Richard (the Lionheart) set of on his Crusade. THE STORY: Set in 1186, the story centres around Balian (Bloom), a young French blacksmith mourning the recent death of his wife who committed suicide after their baby died. As a result of this the local priest cheerfully assures Balian that his wife will be at that very moment burning in hell as suicide is a sin! At this point Baron Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson) turns up claiming to be Balian's ...

karenes 09.05.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

...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 ...
...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 ...

JEStevens 22.05.2006 (23.05.2006) · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

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 ...
...Neeson), a Baron of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, finds the smithy. He tells Balian that he is his illegitimate son, and tries to persuade him to come to Jerusalem to inherit the baron's title and lands. Balian, shocked by his father's sudden appearance, declines the offer. Following his murder of the priest, Balian decides that true forgiveness for himself, and his wife, can only come direct from Christ in Jerusalem. He chases after the baron pursued ...

alfeebee 17.01.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Often tagged 'Gladiator 2', Kingdom of Heaven is Ridley Scott's take on The Crusades during the 12th century, and fans of Gladiator should know what to expect; Elaborate sets and constumes; dynamic shots of armoured men in frenzied battle; a fearless yet tormented hero rising from the bottom to change the course of history. Balian (Orlando Bloom) a bereaved blacksmith, is approached by his previously unknown father, a crusading Lord named Sir Godfrey ...
...but his father and his men are ambused and killed en route and Balion ends up taking up his fathers office in Jerusalem, a Crusader stronghold in the Holy Land. There he becomes embroiled in a political struggle between rivalling orders of Christian knights, and after the tensions spill out into war and defeat at the hands of Saladin's Saracen army in the desert, Balion is left to defend Jerusalem and its townsfolk against Saladin's overwhelming ...

Burning_Darkness 12.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Balian de Ibelin is aggrieving blacksmith. His wife committed suicide when their baby died and she has just been buried. Balian receives a visit from Knight Godfrey de Ibelin and finds out that he is his father and Balian is asked to go with him on their journey to Jerusalem to find peace with God but Balian refuses. Not long after the priest comes to visit Balian and a fight ensues as the priest tells Balian that he had his wife beheaded as she ...
...kills the priest and soon sets off to find his father and join him on his journey to Jerusalem where he hope he can pray for forgiveness and get his wife into heaven. Balian and soon catches up with his father and start to prepare to go on their way but soon a group of rider turn up and demand Balian is handed over as he killed the priest but Godfrey dies not allow this and the fight sees a lot of Godfrey’s men being killed. Godfrey is also injured ...

sewbizzie 18.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

...it and I feel that Kingdom of Heaven is approaching a similar level. Although many comment on how apparently the soundtrack is not quite up to the same level of Hans Zimmer's astonishing music for Gladiator. I believe differently, I feel it delivers a brilliant mix of eastern and European music. The score manages to create a powerful soundtrack at the same time as being spiritual. It near enough some s up this entire film, as the film does exactly ...
...What I personally was most impressed by was the way in which the film deals with the difficult confrontations between both Christianity and Islam. Both are given equal screen time and we are shown briefly about there ideologies and their beliefs. The film attempts to teach the viewer about tolerance between these two religions and the very king that Blooms character is fighting for also believes strongly in tolerance between these two religions and ...

kreig 29.01.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Great story and idea told and portrayed all wrong, from an unconvincing cast to ridiculous dialogue leads to believe the studios were behind this catastrophe that Ridley usually avoids. ...

Lestat_ 26.07.2007
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Kingdom of Heaven, Ridley Scott (2005) Staring: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons Plot: Orlando Bloom plays Balian a simple blacksmith who embarks on a exciting adventure. After the death of his wife Balian the village blacksmith is approached by an ageing knight who claims to be his father. Balian pays the knight little heed until he is forced to flee the village and his life is saved by the man who claims to be his father who is gravely ...
...the Holy Land. Which is where the adventure really starts. After a shipwreck and a desert trek Balian finally arrives at Jerusalem, where he inherits his fathers title and lands and must face the attacking muslim hordes. At first I thought this film was going to be a standard hack and slash journey through Biblical lands but the film is better than this on many levels. Firstly Balian as a character is played well by Bloom who gives a sterling performance ...

dannyjb123 15.05.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Now this film is by Ridley Scott, and therefore, must be enjoyable, which it is. Although it has to be said it isn't going to be in his top ten. However it succeeds on a number of levels but also irritates from time to time, depending on what exactly you're expecting. The basic plot is that of a French blacksmith (Balian/Orlando Bloom) who, on discovering he is the bastard son of a nobleman, embarks on one of the mediaeval crusades after a touch ...
...skirmish, Balian takes the title and goes on to save the people of Jerusalem. Along the way there are a fair few sword fights and some major love interest in the form of an Arab princess (Eva Green). If you're expecting a swashbuckling mediaeval adventure with plenty of hacking action you won't be disappointed. The battle scenes are spectacular and fulfil the need for blood, if you like that kind of thing. If you want an engrossing adventure, you ...

bigush 10.12.2006 (14.12.2006) · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

...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 ...
...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 getting a fever from his wounds. Soon after Bilian has more trouble when at sea with ended with his ship-wrecked. Months later he finally arrives at jerusalem and gain his father title (Baran of Ibelin. Meanwhile Arabs were planing to attack the holy city with ...

Dave5000 12.10.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)

Orlando Bloom is a talented & gitfted actor, But is often dismissed as just a pretty face, What most people do not realise is that he is a great actor & takes his work very seriously! The story is about the Crusades of the 12th century, and it involves a blacksmith who aids the city of Jerusalem in its defense against the great Islamic leader Saladin. Who battles to reclaim the city from the Christians. The story isn't really all about religion ...
...belive in & obey) was not mentioned, It's mostly about economy that drove 8 crusades across 2oo years. The script is slackly based on the life of Balian of Ibelin. Professor Hamid Dabashi of Columbia university was the film's leader academic consultant. It was told that the Moroccan government had sent hundreds of soldiers just to protect the set and crew. :S woow! Most of the filming took place in Ouarzazate in Morocco. This is the same place ...

ZuZuZu 17.04.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Kingdom Of Heaven (DVD)