There is another article about the theological concept of the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdom of Heaven (or the kingdom of God, basileia tou theou) is a key concept in both Judaism and Christianity. ...

Kingdom of Heaven

Directed by	Ridley Scott
Written by	William Monahan
Starring	Orlando Bloom Liam Neeson Eva Green Jeremy Irons
Produced by	Ridley Scott
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	May 6, 2005
Runtime	145 min.
Language	English
Budget	$135 million
IMDb page

Kingdom of Heaven is a movie that was released on May 6, 2005, written by William Monahan, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Edward Norton and Eva Green. Its story deals with the Crusades of the 12th century, and 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 script is loosely based on the life of Balian of Ibelin. Download high resolution version (609x900, 96 KB)Poster for the movie Kingdom of Heaven. ... Ridley Scott Sir Ridley Scott (born November 30, 1937 in South Shields) is an influential British film director and producer. ... William Monahan (born November 3, 1960) is an American screenwriter. ... Orlando Bloom portrays Legolas in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. ... Liam Neeson Liam Neeson (born 7 June 1952) is a Northern Irish actor. ... Eva Green, (born July 5, 1980 in Paris, France), is a French actress. ... Jeremy Irons Jeremy Irons (born September 19, 1948) is a British actor. ... 20th Century Fox logo Fox Plaza, the company headquarters. ... May 6 is the 126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Film refers to the celluloid media on which movies are printed Film is a term that encompasses motion pictures as individual projects, as well as the field in general. ... May 6 is the 126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). ... This is a list of film-related events in 2005. ... William Monahan (born November 3, 1960) is an American screenwriter. ... Ridley Scott Sir Ridley Scott (born November 30, 1937 in South Shields) is an influential British film director and producer. ... Orlando Bloom portrays Legolas in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. ... Liam Neeson Liam Neeson (born 7 June 1952) is a Northern Irish actor. ... Jeremy Irons Jeremy Irons (born September 19, 1948) is a British actor. ... Edward James Norton Jr. ... Eva Green, (born July 5, 1980 in Paris, France), is a French actress. ... This article is about the medieval Crusades . ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Blacksmith Blacksmith at work Blacksmith at work Blacksmiths fire Hot metal work from a blacksmith A blacksmith is an artisan specializing in the hand-wrought manufacture of metal objects, such as wrought iron gates, grills, railings, light fixtures, furniture, sculpture, weapons, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils and tools. ... Jerusalem (31°46′ N 35°14′ E; Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yerushalayim; Arabic: القدس al-Quds; see also names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ... This article is about the Muslim general, for the British armoured vehicle named after him, see Alvis Saladin. ... Balian of Ibelin (c. ...

It was reported that the Moroccan government sent hundreds of soldiers to protect the set and crew. However, the Moroccan cavalry were actually on hand as extras in the epic battle-scenes.

Most filming took place in Ouarzazate in Morocco, where Scott filmed Gladiator and Black Hawk Down. A replica of the ancient city of Jerusalem was constructed in the desert. It was also filmed in Spain, at the Luarre castle and buildings in Seville. The surroundings of Ouarzazate Ouarzazate (Arabic, ورزازات, Warzāzāt) (called The door of the desert) is a Moroccan city at the southern part of the country. ... Gladiator was a popular movie that appeared in 2000, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. ... Movie Poster from Ridley Scotts Black Hawk Down Black Hawk Down is a 2001 film by Ridley Scott, based on the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War about the Battle of Mogadishu, the U.S. military attempt of 1993 to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. ... Jerusalem (31°46′ N 35°14′ E; Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yerushalayim; Arabic: القدس al-Quds; see also names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ... The Giralda Tower Seville (Spanish: Sevilla, see also different names) is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain, crossed by the river Guadalquivir (37° 22′ 38″ N 5° 59′ 13″ W). ...

Cast/Characters

Many of the characters in the movie are heavily fictionalized versions of historical figures:

• Orlando Bloom - Balian of Ibelin
• Eva Green - Sibylla
• Liam Neeson - Godfrey of Ibelin
• Jeremy Irons - Tiberias (the movie's name for the historical Raymond III of Tripoli)
• Marton Csokas - Guy de Lusignan
• Jon Finch - Patriarch of Jerusalem
• Brendan Gleeson - Reynald of Chatillon
• Ghassan Massoud - Saladin
• Edward Norton - Baldwin IV
• Alexander Siddig - Nasir
• David Thewlis - Hospitaller

sun sun sun Orlando Bloom portrays Legolas in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. ... Balian of Ibelin (c. ... Eva Green, (born July 5, 1980 in Paris, France), is a French actress. ... Sibylla of Jerusalem (c. ... Liam Neeson Liam Neeson (born 7 June 1952) is a Northern Irish actor. ... Jeremy Irons Jeremy Irons (born September 19, 1948) is a British actor. ... Raymond III of Tripoli (c. ... Marton Csokas as Celeborn in The Fellowship of the Ring. ... Guy of Lusignan (died 1194) was a French knight who became king of Jerusalem and led the Kingdom to disaster at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. ... Heraclius of Caesarea (died 1191) was archbishop of Caesarea and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. ... Brendan Gleeson was born March 29, 1955 in Dublin, Ireland. ... Raynald of Châtillon (also Reynald or Reginald of Chastillon) (died July 4, 1187) was a knight who served in the Second Crusade and remained in the Holy Land after its defeat. ... Ghassan Massoud is a Syrian actor and film-maker. ... This article is about the Muslim general, for the British armoured vehicle named after him, see Alvis Saladin. ... Edward James Norton Jr. ... Baldwin IV (1161 – 1185), the son of Amalric I of Jerusalem and his first wife Agnes of Courtenay, was king of Jerusalem from 1174 to 1185. ... Categories: Stub | 1965 births | Cinema actors | Star Trek actors | Television actors ... David Thewlis in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. ... The Knights Hospitaller (the or Knights of Malta or Knights of Rhodes) is a tradition which began as a Benedictine nursing Order founded in the 11th century based in the Holy Land, but soon became a militant Christian Chivalric Order under its own charter, and was charged with the care...

Historical accuracy

It is true that Baldwin IV, King of Jerusalem from 1174-1185, was a leper, and that his sister Sibylla was married to Guy of Lusignan. Also, Baldwin IV had a falling out with Guy before his death, and so Guy did not succeed Baldwin IV immediately; instead, he was in reality succeeded by Sibylla's son from a previous marriage, the five-year-old Baldwin V. Sibylla fully supported Guy and was not sympathetic toward the faction that wanted peace with Saladin. After the death of the child Baldwin V, Guy garrisoned the city and Sibylla became queen. The crowning scene in the movie was, in real life, more of a shock: Sibylla had been forced to divorce Guy before becoming queen, with the assurance that she would be permitted to pick her own consort. She chose to re-marry Guy and he was crowned king-consort by Patriarch Heraclius (who is unnamed in the movie). Official language Latin, French, Italian, and other western languages; Greek and Arabic also widely spoken Capital Jerusalem, later Acre Constitution Various laws, so-called Assizes of Jerusalem The Kingdom of Jerusalem was a short-lived country established in the 12th century by the First Crusade. ... Events Vietnam is given the official name of Annam by China. ... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Sea Battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Hansens disease, commonly known as leprosy, is an infectious disease caused by infection by Mycobacterium leprae. ... Baldwin V (1177 – 1186) was the son of Sibylla of Jerusalem and her first husband, William of Montferrat. ... This article is about the Muslim general, for the British armoured vehicle named after him, see Alvis Saladin. ...

Tiberias, whose name in real history was Raymond III, Count of Tripoli, cousin of the king and the Kingdom's most important noble, as well as sometime regent, often conflicted with Guy and Raynald, both fortune-seekers having come from Europe, unfamiliar with the local situation. They had risen to their positions by marrying wealthy heiresses. Raymond preferred friendly relations with Muslims, as Tiberias does in the movie. Guy and Raynald, seeking rapid profits, harassed Saladin's caravans, and Raynald captured Saladin's sister during one of these raids. Saladin attacked the kingdom in revenge for this harassment. The kingdom was defeated at the Battle of Hattin, partly due to the conflict between Guy and Raymond/Tiberias. The aftermath of the battle is depicted in the movie: Guy and Raynald were captured, and according to al-Safadi in al-Wafi bi'l-wafayat, Raynald was executed after drinking from the goblet offered to Guy, as the sultan had once made a promise never to give anything to Raynald. Guy was imprisoned but later freed, and eventually became lord of Cyprus when others paid for him to receive it, apparently desiring to move him away from Palestine. The Battle of Hattin in 1187 was a major setback in the fortunes of the Crusader movement, enabling the Muslims to regain control of Jerusalem from the Christians. ...

There was a Haute Cour, a "high court", a sort of medieval parliament, in which Jeremy Iron's character Tiberias is seen arguing with Guy for or against war, in front of Baldwin IV as the final judge. The Haute Cour (High Court) was the feudal council of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. ...

The movie alludes to the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, in which 16-year-old Baldwin IV defeated Saladin, with Saladin narrowly escaping. The Battle of Montgisard was fought between Saladin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem on November 25, 1177. ... Events November 25 - Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Raynald of Chatillon defeat Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard. ...

The Knights Hospitaller and Knights Templar were the most enthusiastic about fighting Saladin and the Muslims. They were monk-knights, committed to celibacy. Neither Guy nor Raynald was a Templar, as the movie implies. The Knights Hospitaller (the or Knights of Malta or Knights of Rhodes) is a tradition which began as a Benedictine nursing Order founded in the 11th century based in the Holy Land, but soon became a militant Christian Chivalric Order under its own charter, and was charged with the care... The Seal of the Knights — the two riders have been interpreted as a sign of poverty or the duality of monk/soldier. ...

Orlando Bloom's character Balian the Younger supported Raymond/Tiberias and favoured peace. However, Balian was at that time a mature gentleman and one of the most important nobles in the kingdom, not a blacksmith. His father, Balian the Elder (also known as Barisan), was the founder of the Ibelin family in the east. Balian and Sibylla were indeed united in the defense of Jerusalem; however, there is no known romantic relationship between the two. Balian was in fact married to Sibylla's step-mother Maria Comnena, Dowager Queen of Jerusalem and owner of the lordship of Nablus. The real Sibylla had, in her late teens, over ten years earlier, apparently been infatuated with the real Balian's elder brother Baldwin of Ibelin, who is not mentioned in the movie: Baldwin has partially been merged into the character of Balian. The events of the siege of Jerusalem are based on the chronicle of Ernoul, a favourable account written by one of Balian's officers, and other comtemporary documents. Saladin did besiege Jerusalem for almost a month, and was able to knock down a portion of the wall; Balian knighted everyone who could carry a sword, and personally negotiated the surrender of the city with Saladin, after threatening to destroy every building and kill every Muslim who entered. Saladin allowed Balian and his family to leave in peace, along with everyone who could arrange a ransom, but many of the poorer inhabitants who could not pay were sold into slavery. Ibelin was a castle in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century. ... Maria Comnena (c. ... Baldwin of Ibelin, also known as Baldwin of Ramla (died c. ... The Siege of Jerusalem took place from September 20 to October 2, 1187. ...

The "uneasy truce" referred to in the closing scene actually refers to the the peace negotiated, with Balian's help, at the end of the Third Crusade. The Third Crusade is alluded to at the end of the movie, when Richard Lionheart visits Balian in France. Balian, of course, was not from France and did not return there with Sibylla; Sibylla and her two little daughters died of an epidemic in the military camp during Guy's two-year-long siege of Acre in 1190 when the despised Guy had been denied entry to the remaining stronghold of Tyre and thus he attempted to take another castle for himself. The Third Crusade (1189 - 1192) was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin. ... Richard I (September 8, 1157 – April 6, 1199) was King of England from 1189 to 1199. ... The Battle of Acre of 1189 was fought on the ground to the east of Acre, and affords a good example of a battle of the Crusades. ... Events March 16 - Massacre and mass-suicide of the Jews of York, England prompted by Crusaders. ...

The young Balian of the movie thus did not exist in reality. His namesake, the historical Balian, had descendants by Maria Comnena. Thanks to their close relationship to Sibylla's half-sister and successor, Maria Comnena's daughter the Queen Isabella (not shown in the movie), the Ibelins became the most powerful noble family in the rump Kingdom of Jerusalem as well as in Cyprus in the 13th century. Most notably, Maria and Balian's son John, the Lord of Beirut, was to be a dominant force in the politics of Outremer for the first third of the 13th century. Isabella of Jerusalem (c. ... John of Ibelin (c. ... Central Beirut (2004) Beirut (Arabic: , transliterated Bayrūt - the French name, Beyrouth, was also commonly used in English in the past) is the capital, largest city and chief seaport of Lebanon. ...

Brief Outline of Plot

Kingdom of Heaven follows the story of a blacksmith, who, after finding out the existence of his father, and having to deal with his wife's suicide, goes to Jerusalem in hopes of redemption and forgiveness.

Balian (Bloom), heads off to Jerusalem, after being knighted by his newlyfound father, to purge his sins and those of his wife. Upon arriving he finds that he has the favor of many men who were under his father Godfrey's (Neeson) command. He is befriended by the King of Jerusalem (Norton), who suffers from leprosy, and the Protector of Jerusalem, Tiberias (Irons). He subsequently has an affair with the Princess, Sybilla (Green), and goes on to defend Jerusalem from Saladin's (Massoud) army. There are also the antagonists, the war-hungry, power-hungry men, of Guy de Lusignan (Csorkas) and Raynald de Chatillon (Gleeson) who want nothing more than to annihilate the armies of Saladin.

As the film progresses, following Godfrey's death, Baldwin dies from inevitable leprosy, Raynald is dead together with the Knights Hospitaller (Thewlis). After 3 days of intense siege battle, and after the breaking down of a section of Jerusalem's walls, Balian surrenders to Saladin under conditions of safe passage of the inhabitants to the shore. At the end of the film, we see Balian and Sybilla heading off to an unknown location.

Criticism

The general criticism has been either clearly negative or clearly positive. Critics such as Roger Ebert found the film to be deeper and perhaps more emotionally engaging than Scott's previous Gladiator. The unanimously praised performance was that of Edward Norton who played the leper king of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV. Critics have described his acting as near "phenomenal", "eerie," and "so far removed from anything that he has ever done that we see the true complexities of his talent." (Jack Moore, Movie Insider). Many didn't recognize him until his name appeared in the end credits. Roger Ebert (born June 18, 1942) is a film critic who writes for the Chicago Sun-Times; his reviews are syndicated to over 200 newspaper in the U.S. and abroad. ... Gladiator was a popular movie that appeared in 2000, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. ... Edward James Norton Jr. ...

Academic criticism has focused on the supposed peaceful relationship between Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem and other cities depicted. Historians such as Jonathan Riley-Smith called the film "rubbish," "ridiculous," "complete fiction" and "dangerous to Arab relations." Fellow crusade historians Jonathan Phillips and Amin Maalouf also spoke against the film.

External links

• Kingdom of Heaven (2005) at the Internet Movie Database
• Kingdom of Heaven Movie Site
• London Telegraph article (reprinted by the Washington Times), with criticism from Riley-Smith and others