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Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Rated: 15
Runtime: 3 hrs 14 mins
Theatrical Release: 06-05-2005
Synopsis: "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..." Director Ridley Scott is the master of epic cinematic storytelling with a deeply personal core, as he has shown in films like... "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..." Director Ridley Scott is the master of epic cinematic storytelling with a deeply personal core, as he has shown in films like Gladiator, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down. In KINGDOM OF HEAVEN he now turns to the Crusades — that world-shaping 200-year collision between Europe and the East — to frame the tale of a young Frenchman who discovers his destiny as a knight, then lives out what that glorious title really means. Orlando Bloom stars as Balian, a blacksmith who has lost his family and nearly lost his faith. The religious wars raging in the far-off Holy Land seem remote to him, yet he is pulled into that immense drama. Amid the pageantry and intrigues of medieval Jerusalem he falls in love, grows into a leader, and ultimately uses all his courage and skill to defend the city against staggering odds. Destiny comes seeking Balian in the form of a great knight, Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson), a Crusader briefly home to France from fighting in the East. Revealing himself as Balian's father, Godfrey shows him the true meaning of knighthood and takes him on a journey across continents to the fabled Holy City. In Jerusalem at that moment — between the Second and Third Crusades — a fragile peace prevails, through the efforts of its enlightened Christian king, Baldwin IV, aided by his advisor Tiberias (Jeremy Irons), and the military restraint of the legendary Muslim leader Saladin (Ghassan Massoud). But Baldwin's days are numbered, and strains of fanaticism, greed, and jealousy among the Crusaders threaten to shatter the truce. King Baldwin's vision of peace — a "kingdom of heaven" — is shared by a handful of knights, including Godfrey of Ibelin, who swear to uphold it with their lives and honor. As Godfrey passes his sword to his son, he also passes on that sacred oath: to protect the helpless, safeguard the peace, and work toward harmony between religions and cultures, so that a kingdom of heaven can flourish on earth. Balian takes the sword and steps into history. -- © 20th Century Fox [More]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Marton Csokas
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 4, 2008
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 - French, Spanish
- Subtitles - Spanish, French - Optional
- Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
- Disc 1: KINGDOM OF HEAVEN - Feature Presentation
Additional Release Material:
- Featurette - "Inside Look: TRISTAN & ISOLDE"
- Trailers - Bonus Trailer
Interactive Features:
- Pop-Ups - Text Commentary
- Disc 2: KINGDOM OF HEAVEN - Supplemental Material
Additional Release Material:
- Behind the Scenes - 1. Production
- 2. Wardrobe
- Documentaries - 1. "History vs Hollywood: KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
- 2. "A&E Movie Real: KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
- Featurettes - 1. "Ridley Scott: Creating Worlds"
- 2. "Orlando Bloom:The Adventure of a Lifetime"
- Trailers - Bonus Trailers
Interactive Features:
- Additional Features - Scene Editing
Reviews
Neeson plays yet another mentor (really, it's actually getting silly now) and, as usual, walks off with the entire thing - the film suffers considerably once he carks it.
The Christian knights are mouldy cynics. The Saracens are polished snakes. The twists are marvellous. And dying with an axe in your head is a fine art.
It's a gorgeous-looking film, expertly orchestrated and extremely watchable. But it's also both uninvolving and exhausting.
Another failed attempt to add to the pile of forgettable blockbusters. If you go in expecting no more, you’ll leave satisfied, but there's no real substance to its style.
Kingdom of Heaven is profoundly relevant for our troubled times.
... an extraordinary work of art, a plea for religious tolerance that works because of sheer filmmaking prowess and good, old-fashioned storytelling. (Director's Cut)
One of the more violent films in recent memory. But maybe the violence serves a purpose-it keeps your mind off the inanities of the plot.
Kingdom inevitably invites comparisons to Gladiator, Scott's last major epic. But it is a better film, partly because it does less violence to the history.
As with Gladiator, Scott's Kingdom is a busy but empty place with no heart.
Kingdom of Heaven has little going for it outside of its lavish and gory battle sequences.
...the movie survives its lackluster star and cluttered plot, thanks largely to director Ridley Scott, who makes most of the goings-on fun while we're sitting through them.
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