Kingdom of Heaven: the Movie

[Elrohir]

From what I've read the main characters are crusaders as well.

The fact of the matter is that there WAS lots of internal strife among the crusaders, so it's quite possible to ahve good crusaders and evil crusaders in the same movies.

And the fact of the matter, too, is that actually the Kingdom of Jerusalem was on relatively decent terms with most of its arab neighbors, and that saracens, jews and christians got along semi-decently at least. So having good arabs and good crusaders in the same movie is hardly ahistorical either.

Yeah, I heard that too, but for awhile I was afraid Orlando was going to play Saladin. That would not have been good.

Sure there as a lot of internal strife, but I'm just sick of the Crusaders always being portrayed as the bad guys, and the Muslims always the peace-loving guys who get attacked. But at the same time, the whole "Brotherhood" with Christians, Jews and Muslims is inane and historically inaacurate. (Not to mention too Hollywood for me)

 

[Akka]

Excellent movie.
Seen it yesterday. More historically accurate I would have expected (of course, the characters were quite "romanced" to fit the movie plot, with a Guy much more cruel and ruthless as he should be, a Balian much more heroic and so forth, but all this fall into the "acceptable twisting of history" for a spectacle movie), the battle are just grand, both for the raw action and for showing an alternative point of view (you see that neither the attackers nor the besieged are happy to fight and both are frightened to death, you see the real ugliness and horror of siege fights, etc.), and there is good guys, bad guys, fanatics and nobles from both sides.

Great moment !

 

[WickedSmurf]

Seems worth watching! Me and a friend were on our way yesterday but some beers got in the way. Might go tonight though.

 

[robertoross24]

am seeing it 2moro

 

[luiz]

I'll see it very soon, given that I like the subject very much and most of the reviews have been positive.

I really hate when a movie or a book demonizes either the crusaders or the muslims. In the old movies it's all about glorious knights fighting muslim barbarians, and in the new PC-history the crusaders are basically nazis. Both accounts of course are completely wrong.

The overwhelming majority of the early crusaders were actually in it for religious reasons. Of course they also liked the prospect of getting rich, but that was secondary for most part. Proof is that the preaching of a fanatical monk, Bernard de Clairveaux, were the most efficient recruiting effort by far.

So I'm happy that the movie apparently portrays a more balanced picture, though I will be disappointed if the Templars get it bad, as stated here. They got a lot of bad publicity due to the propaganda of the Church and the kingdom of France in the 14th Century, and unfortunately some of the myths spread about them at that time live untill today. But truth is, among the military orders of the time they were the most civilised. They were respected by the muslims(OK, they were also hated - but that's because they were such an effective fighting force).

 

[Marla_Singer]

0_o
Are you sure she's the same ?

Yeah I'm sure Akka.

She's Marlene Jobert's daughter. Actually, she has a twin named Joy Green. Both where in my primary school... the "Ecole Active Bilingue" in Paris' 8th arrondissement.

I've seen her for the first time on TV for a theatre play. Then for the movie "Arsène Lupin"... and now for the new Ridley Scott's movie. Amazing how fast she's going in her carreer !

She has also done an advertisement for an Italian fashion brand. It's pretty weird to see an old friend from primary school in magazines ! And even more in a movie from Ridley Scott !

 

[Zardnaar]

The movie was alot better than I thought. The battle scenes were also some of the best in any movie. Some girls behind us in the theatre were actually gasping when some scenes were played- due to the graphic blood I suppose. Saladin comes across as a man of honour which in history he was while the Crusaders are good and bad. Overall I enjoyed it alot.

 

[Verbose]

She's Marlene Jobert's daughter. Actually, she has a twin named Joy Green. Both where in my primary school... the "Ecole Active Bilingue" in Paris' 8th arrondissement.

The Swedes are claiming her as well... well, sort of.
Her father is a Swedish dentist by the name of Walter Green.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The Swedes are claiming her as well... well, sort of.
Her father is a Swedish dentist by the name of Walter Green.

That would explain her great looking teeth.

 

[odintheking]

Saw it today. It's friggin' awesome! The one thing that is the best about Ridley Scott movies is that they don't have obviously fake sex and sappy, boring love elements every second. The best idea of the movie is that they both are fighting for their one God. If you think about it, it could be the same God, and thousands of people fight like bitter enemies over the same principle. They don't directly address it in the movie, but everyone makes their own conclusions, . Also, it doesn't romantacise either side. No one is completely good or evil.
BTW. This movie's more fun if you know nothing about the Crusades. Ignorance makes the story have surprises,

 

[luiz]

I'm just back from the movie. I liked it; it was historically accurate and the action scenes were great. Plus, it did not demonize either side.

The problem is, I can't stand Orlando Bloom. He is the lamest actor ever. Also, Guy de Lusignan was portrayed as a charicature(BTW, did anyone notice that Guy was the only person who sounded like a frenchmen, even though all the main characters were french?).

Those two problems aside, I can safely recommend the movie.

 

[Akka]

Yeah I'm sure Akka.

She's Marlene Jobert's daughter. Actually, she has a twin named Joy Green. Both where in my primary school... the "Ecole Active Bilingue" in Paris' 8th arrondissement.

I've seen her for the first time on TV for a theatre play. Then for the movie "Arsène Lupin"... and now for the new Ridley Scott's movie. Amazing how fast she's going in her carreer !

She has also done an advertisement for an Italian fashion brand. It's pretty weird to see an old friend from primary school in magazines ! And even more in a movie from Ridley Scott !

Interesting...

Could you introduce me to her ?

 

[Marla_Singer]

The Swedes are claiming her as well... well, sort of.
Her father is a Swedish dentist by the name of Walter Green.

Well, maybe... I've never said that as a French, I was "claiming" her. The thing is simply that she's been raised in the same primary school as I.

Interesting...

Could you introduce me to her ?

Sadly it's been about 15 years I haven't seen her...

 

[CenturionV]

I thought it was an OK movie, for the first half I felt like the "christians" in the movie were being some what demonized, but then realized they were catholics and started to enjoy the movie more.

The only thing I found VERY unrealistic was the semi-agnostic style beliefs of orlando bloom and liam neesons characters, thats just not period realistic IMO.

Story qualms aside the presentation, music, Special FX where all excellent, top notch stuff.

 

[E-Raser]

I hate this movie. The most brave German warrior was killed in the first quarter.
Awful!
As if a Teutonian knight could ever be killed be one crossbow shot and two arrows.
R-e-d-i-c-u-o-u-s
Would need in fact a full hit from a catapult plus a decapitation to finish him of!

Just realistic he really started to fight after a crossbow hit his throat. After this puny scratch a real Teutonian warrior is furious enough to samsh a battalion.
This guy in fact would have liberated Jerusalem by his own! Raping Salahudins sister in between and after.

I liked the red haired Teamplar in fact. At least he had some honest intentions. Not bribable as the whining king of Jerusalim who was king only of Salahudins mercy. He deserved his fate.

Orlando B. was the impressing character IMO. The only one in the whole world who could resist the obvious invitation of the queen of Jerusalem. At last a man with principles and most propable without balls.

The best quote of the movie: Gott will es! (god wants it)
I am always happy when humans claim they know what god wants!

 

[Xen]

saw the movie on friday night; it was pretty good, though I disliked the deamonization of the Templars

 

[Wolfe Tone]

I saw it a couple of days ago. It was an ok movie. Jeremy Irons was great. Watching him in this movie convinced me that he would make a great Jedi in any future Star Wars production, he would have made a great Dooku in my opinion but I'm happy with Lee. Liam Neeson was also great. The whole council scene was kinda cool, it cracked me up when they started shouting 'We must go to war, GOD WILLS IT.' The score was pretty crappy though and I don't really like Orlando Bloom

 

[JoeM]

Overall, not a good movie IMO.

Good points:
Battle scenes
Jeremy Irons
Scenery and sets

Bad points:
Storyline
Character development

I heard there was a lot cut out, and it shows. The Queen character and Saladin's motives should be filled out.


Liked the leper king too.

 

[Verbose]

Well, maybe... I've never said that as a French, I was "claiming" her. The thing is simply that she's been raised in the same primary school as I.

I know, I know.

It's just that she's generally presented as the French actress Eva Green. And the Swedes then like to bring up her dad...
I somehow doubt she speaks much Swedish.

 

[robertoross24]

i liked the film alot