Kingdom Of Heaven - Definitive Edition [DVD] [2005]

RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £7.97 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

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

Orlando Bloom is such a wet blanket
Review date: 2010-08-24 Rating: 4 out of 10

As a cinematographic experience, this is superb. The consensus among history experts is that yes, it has its fair share of inaccuracies and is somewhat slanted toward a modern agenda of cryptoislamophilia, but it is enjoyable nonetheless as a depiction and evocation of the period.

This would have been one of my all-time favourites if it weren't for one big problem.

And that one big problem is that Mr Bloom has no screen presence whatsoever and is not believable as a leader of men. In fact, I doubt that he could be believable as a bowl of lettuce. The lack of charisma might have been exactly what Scott wanted for the central role (for one of those impenetrable post-modern reasons, perhaps), but it seems unlikely since the film fairly consistently goes for the heroic notes, which fall flat each time.

Reviews

Compulsive Viewing
Review date: 2010-08-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Wanted this for some time as had seen parts of it on TV. Delighted to be able to watch it at leisure.

Not really bad, but it could have been so much better
Review date: 2010-07-21 Rating: 4 out of 10

The makers of this movie did have everything. Clearly a sufficient budget, good actors and a great setting. And yet the result is disappointing. The movie is full of cliches, the Templar Knights are the cruel killers without anything admirable, Saladin is the noble revenger of the attrocities commited by the savage crusaders in the past and even the priest is a despicable coward. The historical truth is of course a lot more complicated. Saladin wasn't the merciful, reasonable and tolerant king as pictured by years and years of western self-hatred and sentimental nonsense. The Templar Knights weren't the bloodthirsty thugs that Scott and his companians try to make us believe. But it DOES make a good story of course, especially in the time of renewed wars in the Middle-East. Another thing that annoyed me was the casting of the ordinary soldiers (was a regiment of the Royal Moroccan army hired?) and the ridiculous fighting scenes in the breach of the walls of Jerusalem. Well, perhaps I expected too much. All in all, not really bad, but it could have been so much better. A missed opportunity.

No information with disc's
Review date: 2010-06-19 Rating: 6 out of 10

Good price for 4 disc set but no insert with the disc's, or any information telling you what is on each disc or what is extra to the standard disc's, not even on the sleeve. Just a box with 4 disc's inside.

Kingdom of Heaven
Review date: 2010-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

This was purchased by request for a relative's birthday and they said it was exactly what they wanted.

Product Details/Specifications

Artist(s):
Orlando Bloom

Actor(s):
Orlando Bloom
Eva Green
Edward Norton
Jeremy Irons
David Thewlis

Creators:
Orlando Bloom (Primary Contributor)
Eva Green (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

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Recording label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
EAN: 5039036029964
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Anamorphic, Box set, Colour, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2007-03-05
Aspect ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 186 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005
Language: English (Original Language)