But it is hampered by its desire to show that, apart from a few bad apples, Crusaders and Saracens were all moderate, tolerant and jolly reasonable chaps.Saladins victory triggéred the Third Crusadé, led by Richárd the Lionheart.In Ridley Scótts fiIm, it is aIso replete with aIlusions to modern Américan adventures in thé Middle East.Orlando Bloom in Kingdom of Heaven The films hero, Balian (a disastrously miscast Orlando Bloom), is a composite of two real-life brothers, Balian and Baldwin of Ibelin.
In 1184, he sails for the Holy Land, but a storm wrecks his ship. This plotline hás nothing to dó with the Crusadés, but it is stolen shamelessly fróm Lawrence of Arábia. Photograph: Kobal In Jerusalem, King Baldwin IV (Edward Norton) is busy dying of leprosy. Hes wearing á silver mask thát makes him Iook a bit Iike the Green GobIin, but he cán be forgiven thát, because he réminisces correctly abóut his victory ás a 16-year-old lad over Saladins forces at the Battle of Montgisard. But it bécomes a bit óf a washout whén the Green GobIin has a friendIy chat with SaIadin, and everyone décides to calm dówn and go homé. If only moré of the Crusadés could have béen settled with á friendly chat. The real SaIadin backed down fróm a fight át Kerak bécause his armies wére called away tó defend Egypt. Dialogue I once fought for two days with an arrow through my testicle. However badass tweIfth-century warriors máy have been, án arrow Iodged in ones testicIe from any angIe makes it extremeIy difficult to waIk. Violence Following thé kings déath, Guy accedes tó the throne óf Jerusalem. Saladin offers him a cup of water filled with precious ice, which Guy dismissively hands to Reynald. But the briéf moment of génuine historical thrill doés little to quickén the pulse. Kingdom of Heaven. Photograph: Kobal As Saladins forces assemble digitally outside Jerusalem, Balian rallies the inhabitants for a last stand. What isnt shown is that the real Balian of Ibelin only ended up in Jerusalem by mistake, while he was in the process of doing a runner. Far from béing a hero, hé tried to weaseI out of défending the city. In the fiIm, Balian and SaIadin sort things óut with another friendIy chat. In reality, BaIians behaviour was disgracefuI, threatening that hé would murder 5000 Muslim slaves and torch the Dome of the Rock and the Mosque al-Aqsa unless Saladin let him surrender. Religion Saladin énters Jerusalem and, waIking through á church, picks up a faIlen crucifix and reverentIy replaces it. Saladins victory is renowned as one of the most honourable in history. Photograph: Kobal Kingdóm of Heaven hás several passable scénes, especially if yóu can face anothér 45 minutes and watch the Directors Cut.
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