Kingdom of Heaven | 
| Director: Ridley Scott
Actors: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Martin Hancock, Michael Sheen
Category: DVD
Buy New: $14.94
New (9) Used (5) from $13.43
Rating:  626 reviews
Sales Rank: 108432
Format: Ntsc
Languages: Arabic (Original Language), English (Original Language), German (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 144 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 024543206439
EAN: 0024543206439
ASIN: B000AM6MM8
Theatrical Release Date: May 6, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Description
From Ridley Scott, the visionary director of Black Hawk Down and Gladiator, comes this spectacular epic of courage, honor and adventure. Orlando Bloom stars as Balian, a young Frenchman in Medieval Jerusalem during the Crusades, who, having lost everything, finds redemption in a heroic fight against overwhelming forces to save his people and fulfill his destiny as a knight.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 621 more reviews...
 Far Superior June 25, 2009
Alessandra Vasyuta (Iowa, USA)
I have seen both versions of this film several times, and I will say that the Director's Cut is far superior to the Theatrical Cut. Typically I don't feel this way about films (Apocalypse Now, for example) but the DC version vastly improves the character development, plot, and historical questions that the TC failed to offer. I have never considered this film to be anti-Muslim or even anti-Christian: as far as Hollywood is capable, I felt that this was fair to both sides of the debate, without offering what I might consider serious revisionist problems. It correctly established that Jerusalem was brutalized by both sides, Christians when they first re-took the city and by the Muslims as they attempted to re-take it. For a complete discussion of the differences between the film and history, you would need to consult a website or book on the subject; but I felt that Ridley Scott achieved rare distinction with this film, far more so than with Gladiator, perhaps on par with Black Hawk Down.
The sets are well-crafted, the cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, and the plot well-established. I personally felt that Orlando Bloom did quite well in this film, even if his character does not "pop" as one might expect from the main character of an epic film; but his quiet intelligence is equal to the real Balian, even if the other details of his biography are not accurate. I feel that this film will provide one with a new take on the Middle East and the fluid, often subtle struggles that occur between the three religions in Jerusalem. Whether this new take offers anything valid to the discussion is not the point; I see the history of the Middle East differently because of the film, and I see the city itself differently. This film also encouraged a resurge of my interest in the Crusades, which is a worthy result of such a well-formed and well-acted film.
If you choose to see this film, this is the version you should see. I do not believe that you will be disappointed.
One of my favorite movies of all time May 31, 2009
F. Galvan (Houston, TX)
I love this movie, that's all I'm going to say. I can watch it over and over again.
 No special features??? May 26, 2009
J. Norton (NOVA)
It looked spectacular! But come ON!!!! It had the original theatrical trailer and that was IT! And having just WATCHED the movie, why do I want to see the trailer??
It's called Blu-Ray, and it's supposed to hold 16-32gigs! It should have the decency to include some decent special features!
Good movie, if a little too dark May 20, 2009
Lance Dolan
Seems historically accurate, at least as much as possible while still having Hollywood fun. The ending also doesn't feel as fulfilling as you believe it will be as you watch.
Pros:
-Stunning visuals
-Adrenaline pumping sword-fight scenes
Cons:
-little or no comic relief. It becomes maybe too intense
-Slightly anticlimactic.
Kingdom of Heaven May 17, 2009
Kathryn B. Woods (Mauldin, SC)
This was a gift for my son and it is so much better than the theatre version. It is difficult to describe how the directors cut enhances the story except to say you have to see it for yourself. I highly recommend this version, especially to those that enjoyed Kingdom of Heaven in the theatre. A must own version!!!
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