Kingdom of Heaven

Review by Richard Lee

Fox Home Video / 2005 / 145 Minutes / Rated R
Street Date: October 11, 2005

Specifications:
-DVD-Video
-DVD-9
-Region 1

Aspect Ratio:
-2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Audio:
-English DTS
-English 5.1 Dolby Surround
-French Dolby Surround
-Spanish Dolby Surround

Subtitles:
-English
-Spanish
-None

Main Menu:
-Play
-Scene Selection
-Language Selection
-The Pilgrim’s Guide
-Inside Look

Special Features:
Disc 1 
-The Pilgrim’s Guide – A Historical Reference Track providing background information on real people and events covered in the movie
-Inside Look – A preview of Fox’s upcoming movie “Tristan & Isolde”, executive produced by Ridley Scott. 
-Conspicuously missing is a commentary track by the director but that will most likely turn up on a purported 4 hour director’s cut that is supposedly in the works ( Ridley Scott is regarded as the “father of the director’s cut).

Disc 2 – To be covered at end of review

Ridley Scott has no doubt provided movie-goers with some of cinema’s most thought-provoking and technically cutting-edge works – “Blade Runner”, “Black Hawk Down”, and “Gladiator”. But he is also responsible for other less note-worthy pieces as well – “G.I. Jane” and “Hannibal” where I could only hope he agreed to those gigs to appease the powers that be to finance the projects that were closer to his heart. It all boils down to his technical prowess; you can always expect a visually stunning, meticulously produced, and well-directed film, but you either go with the subject matter or you don’t. With “Kingdom of Heaven”, Ridley tackles the highly sensitive and extremely volatile subject of the clash between Christians and Muslims centered in the holy city of Jerusalem; still relevant to this day where the conflict still rages on with no end in sight. 

The story focuses on Balian of Ibelin, played by Orlando Bloom; more on him later. He has just lost his only child and subsequently his wife to suicide; a sin that is damned with an eternity in hell. Lost in a nihilistic state, Balian questions his faith and murders a less-than holy priest, who like other religious figures in the movie, have personal agendas that supercede the true tenets of their faiths. The time is 1184 somewhere in France and Balian’s father Godfrey, played by Liam Neeson, has returned from his tour of duty with the Crusades and tries to convince Balian to return there with him. Balian sees this journey to Jerusalem as an opportunity to obtain absolution from God for his sins and for the suicide of his wife. Unfortunately, the start of the journey back is hindered when the church guards intercept them to bring back Balian to be tried for the murder of the priest. A fierce battle ensues and the guards are killed but Godfrey is mortally wounded. With nothing holding him back now, Balian continues on to Jerusalem to join the Crusades and protect the Christian-controlled city from an impending Muslim force that wants control back. When he arrives, the soap opera factor is amped up when the sister of the dying King, played by Ed Norton hidden behind a silver face plate to mask the ravages of leprosy, falls for the new kid in town. But it just so happens that this princess named Sibylla, played by Eva Green, is betrothed to a Templar Knight named Guy, played by Marton Csokas, who would like nothing better than to go to war with the Muslims. This fanatical depiction of the Templar Knights is indicative of all the main characters who represent the Christian faith – more after riches and glory while conveniently labeling their acts as “God’s Will”. In one scene, the city’s high religious authority is ready to convert to Islam when he sees all hope is lost. Muslims, on the other hand, are portrayed with dignity and show mercy to Balian’s army in the midst of defeat; something that the Christians did not display when they ousted the Muslims from Jerusalem 100 years prior. It is this attempt to be fair to all perspectives that ends up with no heroes to root for since everyone is fighting for something they believe is right. That basically leaves the only thing that can be appreciated as being the movie’s attention to detail and historical accuracy; whether this translates into a good time at the movies is totally up to the viewer. 

Nevertheless, fine performances abound in this historical epic which ultimately plays out more like Gladiator-Lite. Liam Neeson has a short but effective role as the father; he pretty much is a natural for period pieces such as this. Ed Norton is fine as the Leper King but I swear I heard what sounded like a Marlon Brando impression coming out from behind the mask. Eva Green is enchanting as the love-lorn princess with beautiful piercing eyes. Cast as Saladin, the leader of the Muslim army, is Syrian actor Ghasson Massoud who is no less than perfect for the role; you can see the years of hardship that his facial expressions convey. Jeremy Irons puts in a curious turn as Tiberius, a Roman warrior on the side of the Christians. Which leaves Orlando Bloom who has the film’s leading role; this is his first and to put it kindly, it is beyond his capabilities. Granted, he attracts the female demographic in hordes and it does appear that he bulked up a few pounds of muscle for the role; but his fey demeanor and soft-spoken delivery just does not equal a commanding and charismatic actor that this role demands. Witness his soul-stirring speech to rally the troops with his immortal battle cry “C’mon! C’mon!” He is fine in a supporting role; Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy was perfect for him. But to carry a film like this, you need a Russell Crowe. Whether Kingdom propels Orlando’s career like Gladiator did for Russell’s remains to be seen.

Picture Quality:

Overall, the video transfer is fine but I did notice the detail was softened somewhat; not as sharp as it could have been. The dark scenes at the beginning had good black levels and nice contrasting, bringing out the floating debris of ashes at Balian’s blacksmith shop. Desert scenes were bright bringing out the colors of the sands and of the fleshtones of the dark-skinned Muslims and light-skinned Christians. The re-creation of Jerusalem circa the 12th Century is absolutely stunning thanks to the special effects team and the climactic battle at the walls of the city reminded me of The Battle at Helms Deep from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, especially with the siege towers and the catapulting balls of flame; the only thing missing were the orcs.

Audio Quality:

Both a Dolby Digital and a DTS 5.1 track are provided though I always listen to DTS given the choice. The surround mix is expectedly top-notch; battle sequences had the rears constantly active with arrows and other projectiles whizzing by with distinct directionality. The LFE especially becomes active during the battle scenes with towers crashing and balls of flame hitting their targets. Music is frequently present and fills the room nicely.

Scenes For Demonstration Purposes:

1. (13:50) – Balian: A Wanted Man. 2. (65:00) – Defenders of Kerak. 3. (85:30) – Assassination Attempt On Balian. 4. (105:45) – Muslims 1st Assault on Jerusalem. 5. (110:00) – 2nd Assault. 6. (114:45) – 3rd Assault.

Special Features:
Disc 2 

This bonus disc is for die-hard fans who were so taken by the movie that they are compelled to know anything and everything that went into the making of the film – from the history of the depicted events, special effects, costuming, storyboarding, cast and crew interviews; it’s all here and then some.

“Interactive Production Grid” gives you access to various featurettes by subject – directing, crew, and cast in three stages of movie-making – Pre, Prod, and Post. You can choose any intersection on the grid or simply play all. 

“History vs. Hollywood” is a 43 minute TV documentary which discusses at length how accurate, or inaccurate, the portrayal of the movie is in line with history and what historians thought. 

“A&E Movie Real” is a 45 minute documentary which covers pretty much the same ground as the previous but concentrates more on the brutality of the Crusades, all in the name of religion.

“Internet Featurettes” include four, all pulled from the movie’s website. They are “Ridley Scott: Creating Worlds”, “Orlando Bloom: The Adventure of a Lifetime”, “Production Design: Bringing an Old City to Life”, and “Costume Design: Creating Character through Wardrobe”. Lastly, there is the theatrical trailer.