Title: "Kingdom of Heaven"
Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Ridley Scott
Editing: Dody Dorn
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Starring:
- Orlando Bloom as Balian of Ibelin
- Eva Green as Princess Sibylla
- Jeremy Irons as Raymond, Count of Tiberius
- Liam Neeson as Godfrey of Ibelin
Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Ridley Scott
Editing: Dody Dorn
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Starring:
- Orlando Bloom as Balian of Ibelin
- Eva Green as Princess Sibylla
- Jeremy Irons as Raymond, Count of Tiberius
- Liam Neeson as Godfrey of Ibelin
- Edward Norton as King Baldwin of Jerusalem
- Brendan Gleeson as Raynald of Chatillon
- Marton Csokas as Guy of Lusignan
Plot and Critical Review: In a remote village in France, Balian, a blacksmith, is haunted by his wife's recent suicide. A group of Crusaders arrive at the small village and one of them approaches Balian, introducing himself as his out-of-wedlock father, Baron Godfrey of Ibelin. Godfrey, having learned of Balian's loss, attempts to persuade Balian to join him as they travel to Jerusalem in the hope he will eventually take his place as Godfrey's heir. Balian quickly refuses. Shortly afterwards, the corrupt town priest reveals that Balian's wife's body was beheaded before burial. Balian also sees that the priest has taken the crucifix that belonged to his wife. Enraged, Balian lights the priest on fire, slays, and takes the crucifix from the priest's neck. Balian decides to follow his father after all in the hope of gaining redemption and forgiveness for both his wife and himself. Shortly after he catches up to his father, soldiers led by Godfrey's nephew arrive to arrest Balian. Godfrey refuses to hand Balian over and, though they win the ensuing fight, most of Godfrey's band is killed. Godfrey himself is wounded by an arrow and it becomes clear as their journey continues that he will soon die.
In Messina, Godfrey, on the brink of death, knights Balian and orders him to serve the King of Jerusalem and protect the helpless. He ultimately shares with him his vision of "a kingdom of conscience, morality, and righteousness in the Holy Land", where Muslims and Christians can peacefully coexist. On Balian's subsequent journey to Jerusalem, his ship is hit by a storm, leaving Balian and a horse as the sole survivors of the wreck, but the horse then runs away when Balian attempts to mount it. Tracking the horse into the desert Balian soon finds himself confronting a Muslim cavalier and his servant over possession of the horse. Balian slays the horseman in single combat but spares the servant, asking him to guide him to Jerusalem. Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, Balian releases his prisoner who then tells him his slain master was an important knight amongst the Saracens. As his prisoner departs, he remarks, "Your qualities will be known among your enemies before ever you meet them". Balian goes to Golgotha, where Christ was crucified, hoping to hear what God wishes of him. After a night of prayer Balian buries his wife's necklace. After being accepted as the new Lord of Ibelin by Godfrey's retainers, Balian soon becomes acquainted with the main players in Jerusalem's political arena: King Baldwin IV, stricken by leprosy yet a wise and sensible ruler, Tiberias, the noble but cynical Marshall of Jerusalem, Princess Sibylla, King Baldwin IV's sister, and Guy de Lusignan, Sibylla's scheming, bloodthirsty, and intolerant husband. Despite the respect Baldwin engenders from the combined Christian and Muslim population of Jerusalem, Guy, who is determined to rule after Baldwin's inevitable death, seeks to precipitate a war that will allow him to dispose of the Muslims and claim the "Kingdom" for Christians alone.
Guy and his co-conspirator Raynald of Châtillon massacre a Muslim trade caravan with the aid of the Templars. Saladin, leader of the Muslim forces seeking to retake Jerusalem, attacks Kerak, Raynald's castle. Balian decides to defend Kerak Castle from Saladin's cavalry, in order to protect the innocent villagers surrounding the castle. Though outnumbered, Balian and his knights charge Saladin's cavalry, allowing the villagers time to flee to the castle; Balian's cavalry is soon routed resulting in the capture of him and his men. In captivity, Balian encounters the 'servant' he freed, Imad ad-Din, learning he is actually Saladin's Chancellor, who then returns the favor, freeing Balian to Kerak as Saladin arrives with his infantry to besiege the castle. King Baldwin IV then arrives with his main army, successfully negotiates with Saladin, and averts a potential bloodbath. At Saladin's camp, Saladin Muslim Cleric is angry that he made a truce, but Saladin dismisses these complaints as a foolhardy rush to war; he will only launch an attack against Jerusalem after ample preparation and when he feels he is strategically strong enough. Baldwin punishes Raynald and orders his arrest, but the stress of the events causes him to collapse, and his physicians discover he will die shortly.
Baldwin asks Balian to marry Sybilla, knowing that the pair have affection for each other, but Balian does not accept as he refuses to be associated with the necessary murder of Guy; such political intrigue being counter to Balian's morality. Baldwin dies and Sybilla names Guy as her King Consort of Jerusalem. Guy, now free to do as he pleases, releases Raynald, and has Raynald provoke Saladin to war by murdering innocent Saracens, among them Saladin's sister. When Saladin sends an emissary to demand the return of his sister's body, the heads of those responsible, and the surrender of Jerusalem, Guy answers by cutting the emissary's throat. Guy orders Jerusalem's army be assembled for war.
In their arrogance, they march to the desert without adequate food and water to fight Saladin. Saladin's army ambushes Guy and Raynald, and the Crusader army is annihilated. Saladin executes Raynald, and then marches on Jerusalem, sparing Guy out of tradition but stating that he is not worthy of this. Balian prepares the defences, challenging the Patriarch's advice to flee. Balian insists that their goal is to defend Jerusalem's population, not the city itself. Knowing they cannot defeat the Saracens, the defenders' only hope is to delay their enemies long enough for them to negotiate.
Saladin's forces besiege the walls of Jerusalem. During the three-day siege Balian demonstrates tactical skill in knocking down siege towers and inspiring the defenders to hold the line when a section of city wall is broken open. Having proven their resolve, Saladin offers terms: Balian surrenders Jerusalem to Saladin when Saladin offers the inhabitants safe passage to Christian lands. Balian points out that when the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem a hundred years previously, they massacred the Muslim inhabitants, but Saladin assures him that he is a man of honor, and, keeping his word, allows Balian and his people to leave.
Later, Balian has returned to his village in France. A column of English knights rides through, led by King Richard I of England, who tells Balian that they are commencing a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem from Saladin. King Richard states that he is looking for Balian. Balian simply says "I am the blacksmith" and refuses to go with them. Having been rebuffed, Richard and his knights ride off. Balian is met by Sybilla. In a glance they exchange unspoken words and ride off to aide the Crusaders in pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Plot and Critical Review: In a remote village in France, Balian, a blacksmith, is haunted by his wife's recent suicide. A group of Crusaders arrive at the small village and one of them approaches Balian, introducing himself as his out-of-wedlock father, Baron Godfrey of Ibelin. Godfrey, having learned of Balian's loss, attempts to persuade Balian to join him as they travel to Jerusalem in the hope he will eventually take his place as Godfrey's heir. Balian quickly refuses. Shortly afterwards, the corrupt town priest reveals that Balian's wife's body was beheaded before burial. Balian also sees that the priest has taken the crucifix that belonged to his wife. Enraged, Balian lights the priest on fire, slays, and takes the crucifix from the priest's neck. Balian decides to follow his father after all in the hope of gaining redemption and forgiveness for both his wife and himself. Shortly after he catches up to his father, soldiers led by Godfrey's nephew arrive to arrest Balian. Godfrey refuses to hand Balian over and, though they win the ensuing fight, most of Godfrey's band is killed. Godfrey himself is wounded by an arrow and it becomes clear as their journey continues that he will soon die.
In Messina, Godfrey, on the brink of death, knights Balian and orders him to serve the King of Jerusalem and protect the helpless. He ultimately shares with him his vision of "a kingdom of conscience, morality, and righteousness in the Holy Land", where Muslims and Christians can peacefully coexist. On Balian's subsequent journey to Jerusalem, his ship is hit by a storm, leaving Balian and a horse as the sole survivors of the wreck, but the horse then runs away when Balian attempts to mount it. Tracking the horse into the desert Balian soon finds himself confronting a Muslim cavalier and his servant over possession of the horse. Balian slays the horseman in single combat but spares the servant, asking him to guide him to Jerusalem. Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, Balian releases his prisoner who then tells him his slain master was an important knight amongst the Saracens. As his prisoner departs, he remarks, "Your qualities will be known among your enemies before ever you meet them". Balian goes to Golgotha, where Christ was crucified, hoping to hear what God wishes of him. After a night of prayer Balian buries his wife's necklace. After being accepted as the new Lord of Ibelin by Godfrey's retainers, Balian soon becomes acquainted with the main players in Jerusalem's political arena: King Baldwin IV, stricken by leprosy yet a wise and sensible ruler, Tiberias, the noble but cynical Marshall of Jerusalem, Princess Sibylla, King Baldwin IV's sister, and Guy de Lusignan, Sibylla's scheming, bloodthirsty, and intolerant husband. Despite the respect Baldwin engenders from the combined Christian and Muslim population of Jerusalem, Guy, who is determined to rule after Baldwin's inevitable death, seeks to precipitate a war that will allow him to dispose of the Muslims and claim the "Kingdom" for Christians alone.
Guy and his co-conspirator Raynald of Châtillon massacre a Muslim trade caravan with the aid of the Templars. Saladin, leader of the Muslim forces seeking to retake Jerusalem, attacks Kerak, Raynald's castle. Balian decides to defend Kerak Castle from Saladin's cavalry, in order to protect the innocent villagers surrounding the castle. Though outnumbered, Balian and his knights charge Saladin's cavalry, allowing the villagers time to flee to the castle; Balian's cavalry is soon routed resulting in the capture of him and his men. In captivity, Balian encounters the 'servant' he freed, Imad ad-Din, learning he is actually Saladin's Chancellor, who then returns the favor, freeing Balian to Kerak as Saladin arrives with his infantry to besiege the castle. King Baldwin IV then arrives with his main army, successfully negotiates with Saladin, and averts a potential bloodbath. At Saladin's camp, Saladin Muslim Cleric is angry that he made a truce, but Saladin dismisses these complaints as a foolhardy rush to war; he will only launch an attack against Jerusalem after ample preparation and when he feels he is strategically strong enough. Baldwin punishes Raynald and orders his arrest, but the stress of the events causes him to collapse, and his physicians discover he will die shortly.
Baldwin asks Balian to marry Sybilla, knowing that the pair have affection for each other, but Balian does not accept as he refuses to be associated with the necessary murder of Guy; such political intrigue being counter to Balian's morality. Baldwin dies and Sybilla names Guy as her King Consort of Jerusalem. Guy, now free to do as he pleases, releases Raynald, and has Raynald provoke Saladin to war by murdering innocent Saracens, among them Saladin's sister. When Saladin sends an emissary to demand the return of his sister's body, the heads of those responsible, and the surrender of Jerusalem, Guy answers by cutting the emissary's throat. Guy orders Jerusalem's army be assembled for war.
In their arrogance, they march to the desert without adequate food and water to fight Saladin. Saladin's army ambushes Guy and Raynald, and the Crusader army is annihilated. Saladin executes Raynald, and then marches on Jerusalem, sparing Guy out of tradition but stating that he is not worthy of this. Balian prepares the defences, challenging the Patriarch's advice to flee. Balian insists that their goal is to defend Jerusalem's population, not the city itself. Knowing they cannot defeat the Saracens, the defenders' only hope is to delay their enemies long enough for them to negotiate.
Saladin's forces besiege the walls of Jerusalem. During the three-day siege Balian demonstrates tactical skill in knocking down siege towers and inspiring the defenders to hold the line when a section of city wall is broken open. Having proven their resolve, Saladin offers terms: Balian surrenders Jerusalem to Saladin when Saladin offers the inhabitants safe passage to Christian lands. Balian points out that when the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem a hundred years previously, they massacred the Muslim inhabitants, but Saladin assures him that he is a man of honor, and, keeping his word, allows Balian and his people to leave.
Later, Balian has returned to his village in France. A column of English knights rides through, led by King Richard I of England, who tells Balian that they are commencing a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem from Saladin. King Richard states that he is looking for Balian. Balian simply says "I am the blacksmith" and refuses to go with them. Having been rebuffed, Richard and his knights ride off. Balian is met by Sybilla. In a glance they exchange unspoken words and ride off to aide the Crusaders in pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven.
"Kingdom..." was met with generally favorable reviews as many critics felt it expanded on the cinematic and story-telling ideas Scott began in "Gladiator". Many were disappointed, however, with Bloom's stale and displaced performance as Balian, although Norton and Neeson's performances were praised. While "Kingdom..." didn't receive the same attention from the Academy as "Gladiator", it is an important milestone in Scott's career; a career we can expect to go on for many more years and ascend into greater directing glories.
My Rating: 7.5/10
Content to Caution:
V-3.5 - Many battle scenes of intense combat. Think "Gladiator" and add an army to that level of violence.
L-2 - Some minor cursing.
DU-1 - No comment.
RT-2 - There is significant racial hatred toward the Saracens (and Muslims in general) from several of the Christian soldiers and/or knights.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-2 - One scene of sexual intimacy, but no nudity.
The "Reel Revelation": "Seek Forgiveness"
Few things trouble the human soul like the distance that exists between people because of wrongdoing, misunderstanding, and sin. All the more troubling is the distance between people and God because of the same. This distance and the internal irritation it causes is at the root of human weakness because it has been part of the human condition since the very beginning. Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned against Him in the Garden of Eden, our human race has been seeking after forgiveness, even if we've looked in all the wrong places and tried all the wrong methods to gain what only God can give. It's this searching and seeking for forgiveness that is at the heart of "Kingdom of Heaven."
Balian initially sets out for Jerusalem with the hope of erasing his sins and the sins of his wife. When he arrives, he is challenged by God's apparent absence and the spiritual turmoil he observes between Christians and Muslims. His quest for personal forgiveness is quickly abandoned as he becomes caught up in the political battle between Guy and King Baldwin. As time progresses, he sees that many of the Crusaders (on both Christian and Muslim sides) believe they are fighting for Jerusalem so that they may achieve forgiveness with God and earn His favor. This concerns Balian as he sees it overwhelm people and their common sense. Sometimes we can be the very same way; so obsessed with achieving something we abandon our senses in pursuit of the prize.
In some cases this sort of reckless pursuit is quite acceptable, but more often than not it leads to the same destruction as it did for the Army of Jerusalem. So many lives were lost because one man believed he was doing God's bidding. But even his misplaced passion points back to the deep need for forgiveness and wholeness within every human; some humans simply choose the wrong ways to achieve what God has made freely available to us through Christ.
"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Content to Caution:
V-3.5 - Many battle scenes of intense combat. Think "Gladiator" and add an army to that level of violence.
L-2 - Some minor cursing.
DU-1 - No comment.
RT-2 - There is significant racial hatred toward the Saracens (and Muslims in general) from several of the Christian soldiers and/or knights.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-2 - One scene of sexual intimacy, but no nudity.
The "Reel Revelation": "Seek Forgiveness"
Few things trouble the human soul like the distance that exists between people because of wrongdoing, misunderstanding, and sin. All the more troubling is the distance between people and God because of the same. This distance and the internal irritation it causes is at the root of human weakness because it has been part of the human condition since the very beginning. Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned against Him in the Garden of Eden, our human race has been seeking after forgiveness, even if we've looked in all the wrong places and tried all the wrong methods to gain what only God can give. It's this searching and seeking for forgiveness that is at the heart of "Kingdom of Heaven."
Balian initially sets out for Jerusalem with the hope of erasing his sins and the sins of his wife. When he arrives, he is challenged by God's apparent absence and the spiritual turmoil he observes between Christians and Muslims. His quest for personal forgiveness is quickly abandoned as he becomes caught up in the political battle between Guy and King Baldwin. As time progresses, he sees that many of the Crusaders (on both Christian and Muslim sides) believe they are fighting for Jerusalem so that they may achieve forgiveness with God and earn His favor. This concerns Balian as he sees it overwhelm people and their common sense. Sometimes we can be the very same way; so obsessed with achieving something we abandon our senses in pursuit of the prize.
In some cases this sort of reckless pursuit is quite acceptable, but more often than not it leads to the same destruction as it did for the Army of Jerusalem. So many lives were lost because one man believed he was doing God's bidding. But even his misplaced passion points back to the deep need for forgiveness and wholeness within every human; some humans simply choose the wrong ways to achieve what God has made freely available to us through Christ.
"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!
When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said , "I will confess my transgression to the LORD";
And you forgave the guilt of my sin." (Psalm 32:1-5)
David's prayer and honesty reverberates in our lives as being achingly true; when we withhold our sins from God (and from others) we "waste away". This is why Jesus came into the world; to relieve our souls of the tremendous weight we bear from withholding our sins and running from the freeing graces of God's forgiveness. Jesus also came to teach us why we must show abundant forgiveness to one another; that our relationships and communities might be free and open and uninhibited by the obstacles that unresolved sin can (and will) present.
David's prayer and honesty reverberates in our lives as being achingly true; when we withhold our sins from God (and from others) we "waste away". This is why Jesus came into the world; to relieve our souls of the tremendous weight we bear from withholding our sins and running from the freeing graces of God's forgiveness. Jesus also came to teach us why we must show abundant forgiveness to one another; that our relationships and communities might be free and open and uninhibited by the obstacles that unresolved sin can (and will) present.
Remember David's words: "How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!" In our search for blessedness, may we humbly acknowledge our sins before God and before those we've sinned against. God has already placed the deep yearning for forgiveness within us, but we must step out in faith and pursue the prize of God's peace through confessing our sins and giving and receiving the gift of God's forgiveness. May that be our resolve this Lenten season. God be with you as you seek forgiveness.
See you Monday - E.T.
I have begun to learn in the past year of my life just how crucial and necessary the act of confession is -- not only voicing my wrongdoings, but also fears, emotions, and the deepest parts of me. It is only through this process that I have found healing. Thank you for reminding me of the blessing of confession and forgiveness, Eric.
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