Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6589 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-03-05
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 186 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's hard to believe Ridley Scott's handsome epic won't become the cinematic touchstone of the Crusades for years to come. Kingdom of Heaven is greater than the sum of its parts, delivering a vital, mostly engrossing tale following Balian (Orlando Bloom), a lonely French blacksmith who discovers he's a noble heir and takes his father's (Liam Neeson) place in the center of the universe circa 1184: Jerusalem. Here, grand battles and backdoor politics are key as Scott and first-time screenwriter William Monahan fashion an excellent storyline to tackle the centuries-long conflict. Two forward-thinking kings, Baldwin (Edward Norton in an uncredited yet substantial role) and Saladin (Ghassan Massoud), hold an uneasy truce between Christians (who hold the city) and Muslims while factions champ at the bit for blood. There are good and evildoers on both sides, with the Knights Templar taking the brunt of the blame; Balian plans to find his soul while protecting Baldwin and the people. The look of the film, as nearly everything is from Scott, is impressive: his CGI-infused battle scenes rival the LOTR series and, with cinematographer John Mathieson, create postcard beauty with snowy French forests and the vast desert (filmed in Morocco and Spain). An excellent supporting cast, including Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, and David Thewlis, also help make the head and heart of the film work. Many critics pointed out that Bloom doesn't have the gravitas of Russell Crowe in the lead (then again, who does?), but it's the underdeveloped character and not the actor that hurts the film and impacts its power. Balian isn't given much more to do than be sullen and give an occasional big speech, alongside his perplexing abilities for warfare tactics and his wandering moral compass (whose sole purpose seems to be to put a love scene in the movie). Note: all the major characters except Neeson's are based on fact, but many are heavily fictionalized. --Doug Thomas

Synopsis
Director Ridley Scott confronts hundreds of years of religious conflict in KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. An epic film set in Europe and the Middle East, the story follows one man's struggle to better himself and the world around him. Orlando Bloom stars as Balian, a French blacksmith who is mourning the deaths of his wife and baby when his estranged nobleman father (Liam Neeson) arrives and asks him to join the Crusades in Jerusalem. Mindful that conducting the Lord's work will help him atone for his sins, Balian agrees, and embarks on the perilous journey. Along the way, he reveals his gifts of inherent goodness and fair treatment of all human beings. Upon reaching Jerusalem, a city where his meagre beginnings no longer matter, Balian earns respect and fealty, while the evil Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) looks down his aristocratic nose at the former labourer. As he did in GLADIATOR, Scott explores the theme of a man who chooses his fate, instead of accepting the fate given to him at birth. Balian comes to life in Jerusalem, protecting the weak and defenceless as his father told him he must, and catching the eye of the beautiful Princess Sibylla (Eva Green), unhappily married to de Lusignan. Scott paints a stirring portrait of the struggle over Jerusalem among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In doing so, he also shows the passionate fight for religious freedom. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ably handles these delicate issues, effectively treating characters from all factions as individuals and not as stereotypes. By placing a virtuous man at the centre of this conflict, Scott creates a powerful, universal story. This director's cut includes an extra 45 minutes not in the original film.

Customer Reviews

Superb 4 Disc Version (Ridley Approved) For Peanuts Money!!
This Extended Ridley Scott Approved Cut of his movie is far better than the released version and is now re-issued out of its 4DVD Card Box (£30 or more) and into this collector's metal tin. This "Definitive Edition" places all discs (4 in this case) in a shiny metallic embossed tin (later issues are in a card wrap) and at £10 or under - is an absolute steal. Unfortunately there's no booklet - a shame that.

The film itself is split across Discs 1 and 2, beginning with an Overture and continued on Disc 2 with an Interval - like an old style epic. In some places it's way more uncomfortable in the bloody department. When Brendan Gleeson (part mad, part catalyst for other people's evil) is unleashed on the Muslim King's village and family - it's not pretty. It's a ruse to deliberately goad him and his armies into war - and it works. There is a superb extension of the Eva Green scenes which fleshes out the story so much more (speaking of flesh - hers is quite lovely!). And right from the opening shot of men around the suicide grave of Orlando's wife, as it's a RS movie, every shot is lovingly framed. There are snowflakes wafting through the air, engrained dirt on hands and under fingernails, sweaty horses heaving under blood-stained chainmail above, swords dripping red stuff like it was the Meat Counter at Tescos. The attention to detail is fabulous. The battle sequences are awesome - thousands of extras - war machines, flaming balls smashing through turrets - unbelievable stuff. The cast - especially Liam Neeson, David Thewlis, Eva Green, Martin Csokas and Jeremy Irons - all surround Orlando with superb back-up. Liam Neeson in particular is fantastic.

On the downside though, and this may seem odd after all the praise, somehow Kingdom of Heaven just doesn't float the boat so much like Gladiator did. It's difficult to describe why, but something is missing. Unfairly Bloom got blamed for this - I don't think so - he's very, very good in it. It's just a shame it somehow doesn't grab the heart like Maximus did when clearly so much effort went into it.

The "making-of" documentaries on Disc 3 and 4 go on for hours - and are fascinating and in-depth - they make so many thrown-together DVD extras look like the utter filler crap they are. But the best bit is called "THE DOCUMENTARY" which is so long that it spreads from Disc 3 to Disc 4. It goes through the entire production of this gargantuan project - right from initial script discussions to Ridley in the editing room putting it all together. He even suggests the dialogue from the movie to go over the trailer (a suggestion they stupidly ignore). It goes into the music; the casting, the costumes, the effects, screenings of the initial cut... everything! In fact the whole process seems draining - and the people and money logistics of the production alone are mind-blowing. Then he brings it all in on budget! Unbelievable!

Is it any wonder this Director is held in such affection and awe in the industry. Ridley Scott loves film - and it shows - giving his loyal punters the goods on this exemplary 4DVD set. This is how an issue of a film should be done.

PS: How about a remake of "Forbidden Planet"??

Superb 4 Disc Set
Ridley Scott certainly knows how to make them. After his great success with Gladiator, he has come up trumps with this 185 minute version which fleshes out the story about a simple blacksmith who makes a name for himself as the Defender of Jerusalem.

The original 140 minute version was good, but with an added storyline in this version based around a small boy who becomes King of Jerusalem after the death of his Uncle, the Leper King, King Baldwin, it adds much more detail to the film itself. After all, The Kingdom of Heaven is based around, not a war between two armies, but a military conflict between two faiths. It is also a great human story involving many characters who did actually exist during the late 12thC (the siege of Jerusalem between Balian (portrayed by Orlando Bloom in the film) and Saladin took place during late September, early October 1187). The original Balian was not a blacksmith as depicted in the story, but that doesnt matter because it is the human side of this conflict which is so interesting. Eva Green, a French actress is wonderful in the part as the princess, sister to King Baldwin, and mother to the young King who succeeds to the throne only to find his reign cut short for reasons which I wont reveal here since it might spoil it for viewers who may not have seen this version.

Also in the cast is Liam Neeson, Martin Csokas, Jeremy Irons, and David Thewlis.

Considered not entirely successful during its initial release, this version makes up for that. I am sure it will be considered in the years ahead as one of the finest 'Epics' ever made.

The film is spread over 2 DVDs, and begins with an overture before the first part of the film and the second part on Disc Two. This enhances that 'Epic' feel of the film which movie buffs like myself who was brought up with the films of Ben-Hur, Gone With The Wind and The Ten Commandments. The print is extremely good, supplemented with a superb soundtrack which sounds great on a Digital Audio 5:1 system. The other discs are crammed with extras, The Making Off ..., interviews with many of the cast, locations, well just about everything a movie buff could wish for. A fantastic buy.

Kingdom of Heaven a Modern Epic
Ridley Scotts Kingdon of Heaven is a masterpiece one of the best films to come out this decade from the man who brought us Gladiator.
The film is the story of Balian,a blacksmith who loses his family and loses his faith his father shows him his destiny,Balian defends his country in the process.
This is the whole version of the movie with Overture,Intermission, and Ent're act spread over 2 discs with 40 minutes more footage then previous dvd and cinema release.
Dont get the other directors cut edition this is the same and is cheaper an is nice and compact.