If you like one-dimensional movies, the sort in which the poor peasant becomes a knight, attains glory, gets the girl and lives happily ever after, give Kingdom of Heaven a miss.You should stick with ‘A Knight’sTale’ and the rest of the ilk(which by the way was a very wonderful movie but sadly one-dimensional).But if you would prefer something with a little more bite into it, Kingdom of Heaven would suit you very well.
History
Let us have some background info first.The movie set in 12th century somewhere between the second and third crusades, when Jerusalem was ruled by King Baldwin IV and the muslims under Saladin werepreparing to take it back.The movie is based on Balian of Ibelin a real historical figure though his history is vastly fictionised for the movie.
Plot
A sort of uneasy peace exists between the two rulers.But there are some fanatics in both the camps who would love to break the uneasy truce.In the Christian camp the chief of the troublemakers is Guy deLusignan, husband to Princess Sibylla, the sister of King Baldwin.
It was during these desperate times that Balian of Ibelin comes to Jerusalem.He was a village black smith in distant France and the illegitimate son of a knight, Godfrey of Ibelin.He came to Jerusalem to make penance for his wife who had committed suicide.Godfrey was a close confident of King Baldwinand endorsed his ideas of justice for the helpless and the rest of the knightly virtues which he passed on to Balian.
Balian was only too happy to tend to his people of Ibelin(an estate in Palestine which he inherited from his father)and leave the weightier matters of the realm to others.But he was soon embroiled in the intrigues at Court.He became a close confident of King Baldwin and soon fell in love with Princess Sibylla.He earned the enemity of her husband Guy de Lusignan who was anold enemy of Balian’s father.
Matters became worse after the death of King Baldwin when Guy became the next king.He immediately declared war on the muslims.He was soundly trounced and the responsibility of defending Jerusalem fell on Balian’s shoulders.He was in an unenviable position of defending anundefendable city from the vastly superior army of Saladin.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.Balian certainly belongs to the last category.He is not without his faults too.He is stubborn and adheres to hisideals at a time when a little compromise could have saved many lives.As the Princess Sibylla says “There will be a day when you will wish you had done alittle evil to do a greater good.”
Why you should watch it
Excellent performance by all the cast.Orlando Bloom acquits himself well in his first movie as a solo hero.Liam Neeson as Godfrey of Ibelin and Jeremy Irons as Tiberias are magnificent.Special mention should be made about the actor who portrays the leper King Baldwin.He wears a mask at all time and must portray the emotions just with his voice.
The music by Gregson-Williams is haunting and lilting and suits the period and the location very well.
The costumes and the makeup suit the era and the people very well.The mail and the armor and the hand crafted mask of KingBaldwin are good examples.Princess Sybilla’s costume(with the yellow turban, bindi and all) looks so exotic and much different from the standard garb for princesses in Holywood movies.
The movie stays true to the customs of that time.Like the belief that suicides go to hell.Hence the cutting off of their heads.The use of polished metal instead of glass as mirrors.
The battle scenes are shot very realistically.The part where the horses first trot, then pick up momentum andcharge is a particular favorite of mine.Also you get a good idea of the battle tactics of the time courtesy of Balian’s defense plans for the city.Another favorite is when theJerusalem army comes riding with King Baldwin riding in front and the giant silver cross glinting in the light with dust waves all about them.
The dialogues touch the heart and are a credit to the writer.For example
King Baldwin IV: A King may move a man, a father may claim ason, but remember that even when those who move you be Kings, or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say, "But I was told by others to do thus." Or that, "Virtue was notconvenient at the time." This will not suffice. Remember that.
Still unconvinced?Try this.
Balian of Ibelin: [to the people of Jerusalem]It has fallen to us, to defend Jerusalem, and we have made our preparations as well as they can be made. None of us took this city from Muslims. No Muslim of the great army now coming against us was born when this city was lost. We fight over an offence we did not give, against those who were not alive to be offended. What is Jerusalem?Your holy palaces lie over the Jewish temple that the Romans pulled down. The Muslim places of worship lie over yours. Which is more holy?
Balian of Ibelin: The wall? The Mosque? The Sepulchre? Whohas claim? No one has claim.
Balian of Ibelin: All have claim!
Bishop, Patriarch of Jerusalem: That is blasphemy!
Balian of Ibelin: We defend this city, not to protect these stones, but the people living within these walls.
And that says it all.Balian does not defeat the muslim army.But what he ultimately manages is to stall them for time and bargain withSaladin for the lives of all the inhabitants.That is ultimately what makes the movie different.It conveys the message that Jerusalem is her people and not the city itself.
It does not romanticize war.All the goriness ofwar is laid open.From carrion eating birds picking on a battlefield of thedead, the murder of the emissary of Saladin, to the scenes where people are gutted open, the movie proves that there is not anything glorious about war.Within moments of appearance, before we get to know them at all, several characters aredead. I’m talking about the soldiers with Godfrey who defends Balian from theknights seeking to arrest him.
Demerits
The movie suffers from lack of character development.Balien’srise from lowly blacksmith to skilled knight is almost instant.I wonder how ablacksmith with no training whatsoever could defeat knights who had been better trained and had more experience too.His initial treatment of his father too, was distressing.Heck, the man was practically begging Balian to come with him toJerusalem.Granted that Balian had just lost his family, but couldn’t he cut him some slack.His love for Sibylla also, is too sudden and fails to convince.And don’t let me get me started about the infamous ship wreck scene where Balian emerges as the sole survivor with a sword and a horse conveniently placed nearby, just for him.
Conclusion
My complaints aside, Kingdom of Heaven is a gem of a moviewhich manages to portray the events surrounding the Crusade through the eyes ofa man who is a cynic and an idealist at the same time.If you are curious to know more about the real Balian check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balian_of_Ibelin