Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) Movie Review

Kingdom of Heaven [Director's Cut] (2005)

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Written by: William Monahan
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Marton Csokas, Liam Neeson, 
Rated: R
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Plot
Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the Crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people.

Verdict
It's an absolutely epic tale of knights, kings, and battles; provided you're watching the Director's Cut which is the only version worth watching. A blacksmith becomes a knight and ends up defending Jerusalem. The production value is astounding. We watch this knight continually attempt to preserve life in an effort to make up for his past mistakes. He's not the hero typically displayed in movies, refusing battle to further his goal. In this movie it's not the Saracens that are warmongers but many of the Crusaders, arrogance ultimately leading them to a surrender and forced to leave Jerusalem.
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Review
The director's cut is the superior version. It adds forty-five minutes, developing sub plots and character motivations. I didn't care for the theatrical version, but the directors cut is so much better. It might be the best improvement on a theatrical release.

Orlando Bloom plays Balian

Blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom) grieves the recent loss of his wife as crusaders come through the town. One of them, Godfrey (Liam Neeson), admits to being Balian's father, asking him to join the trip. Balian initially refuses but is forced to change his mind after killing the local, crooked priest when he discovers the priest stole his wife's necklace and desecrated her body before burial. Balian must leave town in a hurry with a newfound vigor to join Godfrey. Balian also hopes to erase his and his wife's sins if he ventures to Jerusalem. It's that desire that influences every decision Balian makes.

Ed Norton plays King Baldwin IV

En route Balian becomes a knight and a baron. He was just a blacksmith back home, but now he has quite the inheritance and comeuppance. That doesn't endear him to the French Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas), a contender for the throne. That immediately draws the lines for good and bad guy. It's a little too simplistic.

Guy wants to attack the Saracens, believing that God will lead them to victory regardless of the opposition despite Tiberius (Jeremy Irons) realizing the Saracens far outnumber the Crusaders. Guy breaks the truce anyway, losing the battle. King Baldwin (Edward Norton) punishes him, but it isn't much of a deterrent.

Jeremy Irons plays Tiberius

Balian's knowledge of irrigation transforms his lands of Ibelin, and he catches the eye of the King's sister Sibylla (Eva Green) who of course is married to Guy. Balian also frees a Muslim servant which earns him praise, and it later earns him his release when captured in battle. I don't know how historic this is, but it does use a lot of common tropes. The bad guy, Guy, is a terrible strategist that manages to fail at every turn. Maybe it's a result of being born into royalty and spoiled, but he lacks depth. Everything falls to Balian. He must defend the city and achieve victory because of Guy's mistakes. King Baldwin even asks Balian to marry Sibylla to get rid of Guy. Balian refuses. He will not participate in killing. That does leave a way for Guy to become king and really screw things up.

The scope and scale of this movie always impresses. Battles are always huge, and the production design never disappoints. They're aren't many medieval battle movies and even fewer at this size.

Balian is a contrast to the Crusaders that claim to kill in the name of God. Balian often defies the religious rules to do what is prudent. His goal is always to preserve life. Many movies would extol the Crusaders, but this shows us not all are virtuous. While Godfrey seemed good, Guy and his ilk just like war. It's less about God and more about self. The Sararcens are presented as peaceful, with Guy as the warmonger. The Saracens only attack in defense or after many provocations. It would be easy and reductivist to show the Crusaders as the heroes and the Saracens as the enemy. Our hero Balian wins by surrendering and saving lives. In the context of the movie it makes sense, as his goal is to save lives at every step.