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Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Starring Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, and Eva Green. Cinematography by John Mathieson. Editing by Dody Dorn. Produced by Ridley Scott. Written by William Monahan. Directed by Ridley Scott.
Balian is blacksmith living in twelfth century France. The recent loss of his wife and child has cast him into a realm of despair of which there seems little hope for return. The seemingly endless cycle of anguish is suddenly interrupted with the appearance of his estranged father, Godfrey of Ibelin. Godfrey, who is a knight in King Baldwin IV’s army, has sought out his son to invite him to Jerusalem. Though initially resistant, Balian eventually follows his father to the Holy Land hoping to find the answers to questions of faith and family that have been plaguing him. Along the way his father’s caravan is attacked and Godfrey is mortally wounded. Before his death he knights his son, bestowing upon him the responsibility of maintaining the peace in Jerusalem. Balian finishes his pilgrimage east, where he begins the process of starting a new life. But he quickly discovers that the one hundred year harmony between the Christians and Muslims is being challenged by a handful of extremist who lust for power. A horrible war looms on the horizon and Balian will soon find himself right in the middle of it.
Since his youth, Sir Ridley Scott has harbored a fascination for medieval knights. He sites the genesis of this attraction with the 1961 Anthony Mann film El Cid. It was this intrigue that prompted a conversation with screenwriter William Monahan while they were discussing their future collaboration Tripoli. When Scott mentioned his affinity for knights, Monahan suggested that they develop a project together that takes place during the Crusades; a time in history rich with potential for amazing stories. Together they choose the period right before the Third Crusades during the era of King Baldwin IV and the legendary Saladin. Monahan began researching the project, using the firsthand accounts of William of Tyre who chronicled much of the action. Monahan spent months studying documents, and eventually amassed an enormous library of reference for the film’s production team. With a script finally in place, the job was now up to Scott to get it up on the screen.
Few filmmakers in the world have the combination of creative vision and financial resources to take on a project as epic in size as Kingdom of Heaven. With over fifteen thousand costumes, tens of thousands of weapons and extras, eight hundred special effects shots, and one of the largest sets assembled for any movie in recent years, the project was large even by Scott’s own standards. Scott also took on a tremendous responsibility when he decided to tackle a subject like the one featured in Kingdom of Heaven. In a xenophobic world still recovering from effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, a big budget film about the Crusades was a huge risk. But the story was sensitive and respectful, showing balance to each side of the conflict. The ultimate message that Scott has said he intended for his audience to take away from Kingdom of Heaven was one of tolerance and compromise. The message was well received and the film went on to earn decent reviews and a modest box office run.
Budget: $130,000,000
Total US Gross: TDB
Genre: War
Runtime: 145 Minutes
US Release Date: 5/6/05
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Awards: TBD
Tagline: none
Quote: “Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath.”
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