Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1869 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-03-05
• Rating: To Be Announced
• 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

the first cut is the deepest
If you are going to watch this movie make sure its the definitive/directors cut. It makes far more sense than the theatrical release/DVD it is, however, still left wanting.
As you would expect for a Ridley Scott film it looks sumptuous, truely breathtaking in places but this cant make up for a flawed script and some poor casting. Orlando struggles with poor characterisation and lacks the gravitas to lead such an epic, starkley highlighted when he shares the srceen with the likes of Jeremy Irons and Liam Neeson (perhaps a better choice?) Even Ed Norton who wears a mask for the whole film comes out of it better. Eva Greens performance is fleshed out in an entire sub plot and benefits greatly in the process, one of the standout performances of the film.

Whilst making far more sense than the theatre release the editing is still a bit 'jerky' at times with some puzzling and uneccessary scenes restored (do we need to see Guy fiddling with his sword and then getting it on with his wifes maid to understand that he's a bit of a bad 'un - any worse than his wife who's already 'stalked' Balian into bed)

Generally a bit more gory than the original but not gratuitously so the film is far more watchable but can't overcome its in built deficiencies (poor scripting and slight misscasting) Its a worthy attempt at trying to bring to film a complex and violent period of history whilst obviously trying to draw parrallels with the situation in the middle east today. It succeeds on some levels and not on others but I found that whilst it was historically innacurrate it DOES portray the 'spirit' of the times well and is even handed. I would find it hard to accept that muslim or christian could complain about how their ancestors are portrayed.

The extras are exhaustive and far more interesting and engaging than your average DVD .. I havn't been as interested since the LOTR extended versions so you will always get your moneies worth with this purchase.

Ultimately very watchable but not overly engaging or involving, i was left thinking 'close but no cigar' however it IS the best of the recent clutch of 'sword & sandle' movies and in time, as with many of Ridleys films, feel sure this will be seen as a flawed classic.

Film with a message, if you like that kind of thing
Ridley Scott is one of the greatest film makers of the last thirty years. His breadth is incomparable, and his mastery of story is superb. However, just occasionally, his desire to make a point can become a little obtrusive.

Kingdom of Heaven is a film with a message: mercy saves the day. Fairly early in the film, Balian (Orlando Bloom) spares the life of an Arab who he takes to be the servant of the man he has just killed. "Your qualities will be known among your enemies before ever you meet them", is the man's response. Later it turns out that the man is not the servant of the man killed, but his master, and the right hand man of Saladin. A little later, Balian is captured while defending Kerak, and the same man frees him, repeating his quotation. Balian's mercy is strongly contrasted with the butchery and warmongering of his crusader enemies Raynald and Guy. Eventually, Guy and Raynald together start a war which leads inevitably to the destruction of their army and the siege of Jerusalem. After defending it skilfully against several attacks, Balian accepts Saladin's merciful proposal to allow all the people safe passage to a Christian country. Right at the end of the film, Balian refuses Richard the Lionheart's request to join in a crusade to retake Jerusalem.

The film concludes with the written text: "Almost a thousand years later, peace in the Kingdom of Heaven remains elusive".

This is a beautifully filmed story, with a perfectly timed plot, a strong undercurrent of romance, genuine excitement and wonderfully accurate depictions of the culture and historical background of the times. However, the storyline is not historically accurate: it is largely contrived in order to hammer in Ridley Scott's point. What is slightly odd is that this is almost exactly the opposite point from the message of his previous epic Gladiator ("I will have my revenge").

I really, really like this film, but, for once with a Ridley Scott production, I see it as a flawed picture (even though, basically, I agree with the message). The point was a little too obvious the first time I watched it. On subsequent viewings, I feel like shouting out 'I get it, I get it!'

Nonetheless, still warmly recommended, if not in the first league of Scott productions.

Good potential -> Poor result.
I love epics, and here the setting, the visuals, the screenplay, and ( despite some heavy boring cliches ) the story could have made a great one. But the movie suffers from being unbelievably slow-paced & long-winded. There's enough material for an interesting 2 hours at most, but it's over 3 hours long. Disappointing waste of good potential.