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__NOTOC__[[File:KoHposter.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Kingdom of Heaven]][https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ICLRIE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=IntroductionB000ICLRIE&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9c4ccbf03b28480046f0dc3cc1b739e4 The Kingdom of Heaven ] is a 2005 historical epic directed by Ridley Scott, who directed some of the most memorable movies of recent decades such as Gladiator. The historical epic was produced in Spain and Morocco. The movie starred Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson , and Jeremy Irons, among others. It The movie was scripted by Academy Award winner William Monahan who is an Academy award winner. It was one of the most anticipated releases in 2005 but the movie theatrical release did not live up to people’s expectations. The motion picture was something of a box-office flop and it was not appreciated liked by the critics, who complained that felt that it was incomplete and fragmentary.  Most of the movie's problems because Ridley Scott was obliged forced to cut his original version of the picture by the studio executives. He did this against his will and he later released these cuts gutted the movie. Later, Scott was allowed to release a directors’ director's cut of the movie on Blu-ray and DVD. The new cut, which included many scenes that Scott was forced to delete. The director’s cut and is some fifty minutes longer than the movie that theatrical release. The director's cut was shown in the cinemas. This longer version a dramatic improvement and was widely praised by the critics and it . It is now regarded as the definitive versionof the movie. The This article evaluates the director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven and its historical accuracy is examined in this articleinstead of the dramatically inferior theatrical version. [[File: Kingdom of Heaven 1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Orlando Bloom in 2005]]====The historical background==The background to the British director’s movie was the decline and the fall of the First Kingdom of Jerusalem (1091-1087). This kingdom was established by the Crusaders after they had captured the city in 1081. They were Christian knights and soldiers who had taken a religious vow to recapture the sacred sites in the Holy Land (modern Israel). The Kingdom of Jerusalem had been under near constant attack from the Arabs and Muslims, for whom the city is of great religious significance <ref> Runciman, Steve. A History of the Crusades, vol. II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1952), p 167</ref>. The movie captures very well the near constant and brutal conflict between the Christians and the Muslims in the area. The Crusaders were motivated to fight in the Holy Land out of religious fervour and they genuinely believed that they could save their souls from eternal damnation by fighting the Muslims. The movie concentrates on the growing threat posed to the Kingdom of Jerusalem by the rise of the Ayyubid Sultanate. This was a kingdom founded by Saladin who deposed the last Fatimid Caliph in Egypt and later captured Syria. He was the most powerful Islamic ruler in the region in a century. The movie very well captures the threat posed by Saladin to the Crusaders who is often regarded as a military genius. Scott’s movie also shows very accurately the lead up to the Battle of Hattin (1187). As in the motion picture this battle was fought in a desert and it was a military disaster for the Crusaders and a great victory for the Ayyubid Sultan <ref> Runciman, p 189</ref>. The British director’s account of the Crusaders near-annihilation by the army of Sultan is factually correct. The aftermath of the battle was that Saladin was able to besiege Jerusalem and this is also correctly shown in the 2005 movie. The capture of Jerusalem was a complete disaster for the Crusaders, and they lost most of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In the movie this is shown as leading to the start of the Third Crusade and attempt by mainly English and French Crusaders to recapture Jerusalem<ref> Runciman, p 189</ref>.. This is also historically accurate. In general, the historical background of the movie and its portrayal of major events such as sieges and battles are fairly accurate. ==

==The historicity background to the British director’s movie was the decline and the fall of the main characters==The hero First Kingdom of the movie is Balian who is played Jerusalem (1091-1087). This kingdom was established by the English actor Orlando BloomCrusaders after they had captured the city in 1081. The screenwriter loosely based this character on They were Christian knights and soldiers who had taken a real-life character. In religious vow to recapture the sacred sites in the movie Balian is a young blacksmith who decides to go on Crusade when he meets his natural fatherHoly Land (modern Israel). The Kingdom of Jerusalem had been under near constant attack from the Arabs and Muslims, who is a knight and who for whom the city is played by Liam Neesonof great religious significance.<ref> Runciman, Steve. In <i>A History of the movie Balian is shown as a very humble young man who goes on Crusade to help to secure his wife’s salvation after her suicideCrusades, vol. II: The character played by Bloom was based on Balian Kingdom of Ibelin's and he was a member of the nobility. He was definitely not a lowly blacksmith. Rather he was the legitimate son of his father Barsian of Ibelin Jerusalem</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1952), p 167</ref> William of Tyre, A History of Deeds Done Beyond  The movie captures the constant and brutal conflict between the Sea. E. A. Babcock Christians and Athe Muslims in the area. CThe Crusaders were motivated to fight in the Holy Land out of religious fervor and they genuinely believed that they could save their souls from eternal damnation by fighting the Muslims. Krey, trans (Columbia, Columbia University Press, 1943), p 114</ref>. The motion picture gives Balian’s father The movie concentrates on the growing threat posed to the name Kingdom of Godfrey Jerusalem by the rise of Ibelin which is incorrectthe Ayyubid Sultanate. In This was a kingdom founded by Saladin who deposed the movie Godfrey played by Liam Neeson recognized Balian as his son last Fatimid Caliph in Egypt and before he dies he knights his sonlater captured Syria. The knighting of an illegitimate son would not have been legally possible He was the most powerful Islamic ruler in the Middle Ages without some dispensation from region in a monarch or century. The movie captures the threat posed by Saladin to the Catholic ChurchCrusaders because he was often regarded as a military genius. Ridley Scott introduces Balian as living  Scott’s movie accurately depicts the lead up to the Battle of Hattin (1187). While the Battle of Hattin is one of the most significant battles in Franceworld history, but his origins are it was a one-sided slaughter. Scott does not known, spend much time on the Hattin and his family may actually have been Italianthe climax of the movie focuses on the defense of Jerusalem. The character Scott's decision makes a lot of sense because the defense of Jerusalem is also shown as making his way to the Holy Land a far more compelling story.<ref> Runciman, p 189</ref>  Scott's depiction of the Crusaders near-annihilation at Hattin and he did make this journey at some timeSaladin's siege of Jerusalem and Scott's are both fairly accurate. His father in The capture of Jerusalem was a complete disaster for the motion picture is shown to be a crusader Crusaders, and this was indeed they lost most of the caseKingdom of Jerusalem. The motion picture shows Godfrey In the movie, this is shown as leading to the start of Ibelin as a noble knight who went on the Third Crusade for religious reasonsand attempt by mainly English and French Crusaders to recapture Jerusalem. In fact<ref> Runciman, p 189</ref> This is also historically accurate. In general, Balians father was one the historical background of the most powerful lords in the Crusader States movie and he ruled the County its portrayal of Jaffa (modern Israel) major events such as sieges and was a vassal of the King of Jerusalem <ref> William battles are not only accurate but extraordinarily well done. ====The historicity of Tyre, p 201</ref>. In the movie we see main characters====[[File: Kingdom_of_Heaven 2.jpg|350px|thumb|left| Balian going on crusade with his father who died before arriving in of Ibelin surrendering Jerusalem to Saladin from a 15th-century manuscript]]The main character of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In fact, it seems likely that Balian had been living in who is played by the Crusader kingdom since he was a young manEnglish actor Orlando Bloom. He was not The screenwriter loosely based this character on a real-life character. In the only son of Barsian of Ibelin and was in reality his youngest son. movie, Balian was given is a large area of land and a castle by young blacksmith who decides to go on Crusade when he meets his natural father , who is a knight and who is played by Liam Neeson. Balian is shown as both as both an illegitimate and he too became a vassal of the King of Jerusalem <ref>William of Tyre, p 212<ref>humble young man who goes on Crusade to help to secure his wife’s salvation after her suicide. This meant that he would have been very familiar with the culture and politics The character played by Bloom was based on Balian of the regionIbelin's. In Unlike the movie version, he was a member of the main character is portrayed as a young man however at nobility and the time legitimate son of the event shown, he was a mature manhis father Barisan of Ibelin. The movie does correctly show that in the 1180s that Balian He also was not a major figure in the politics blacksmith.<ref> William of Tyre, A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Kingdom of JerusalemSea. E. A. He was very involved in the power struggles that greatly weakened the realmBabcock and A. C. In the movie the hero is shown as struggling to save Krey, trans (Columbia, Columbia University Press, 1943), p 114</ref>  Instead of using Bailin's real father, the Kingdom from various factions movie created a character, Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Liam Neeson. Neeson has played this type of role (the father-like mentor who were only interested dies in powerthe movie) several times. In reality Balian was quite Machiavellian and sought to increase his own power and influence at the expense of his rivals. Howevermovie, the movie does accurately shown that the Neeson's character played by knights his son right before his death. By recognizing Bailian as his son, Bloom was a great and a brave knight's character inherits his father's holding in the Holy Land. In reality, the movie he is portrayed as a great swordsman and knighting of an illegitimate son would not have been legally possible in the Middle Ages without some dispensation from a brave leadermonarch or the Catholic Church. The commander of the Christian garrison of Jerusalem during the Ayyubid armyRidley Scott introduces Balian as living in France, but his origins are unknown, was indeed Balain and he provided to be a brilliant commander, his family may have been Italian.  The character is also shown as portrayed by the British Director. He was able making his way to beat off countless attacks by the Muslims as Holy Land, and he did make this journey at some time. His father in the 2005 motion picture. In the movie we seen Balian is shown to be a crusader, and Saladin reaching a negotiated settlement that ended the bloody siege. This this was actually indeed the case and the Christian did agree to surrender the city . The motion picture shows Godfrey of Ibelin as a noble knight who went on terms in 1187Crusade for religious reasons. In Balian's father was one of the most memorable scenes we see powerful lords in the main character as leading Crusader States. He ruled the Christians safely out County of Jerusalem as he hands it over to Saladin. This actually happened Jaffa (modern Israel) and was a vassal of the Muslims did allow the garrison and the Christian population to leave the city unmolested. King of Jerusalem .<ref> William of Tyre, p 201</ref> In the movie after the surrender of we see Balian going on crusade with his father who died before arriving in the Kingdom of Jerusalem to the Muslim Sultan . It is likely that he returns to Europe with Sybilla. In one scene he is shown as Balian had been living happily as a blacksmith in his native village and refusing the entreaties of English knights to go on the Third CrusadeCrusader kingdom since he was a young man. In fact, after He was not the fall only son of Barsian of Jerusalem Balian stayed Ibelin and was, in the region reality, his youngest son. His father gave Balian a large area of land and a castle and he too became one a vassal of the leaders King of the Crusader statesJerusalem. <ref>William of Tyre, p 212</ref> He actually participated in would have been very familiar with the Third Crusades culture and was a key advisor to politics of the legendary Richard the Lionheartregion. Scott shows 's depiction makes sense from a storytelling perspective. Most viewers would have been unfamiliar with the main character as having good relations with Muslim and indeed in real-life Crusader Nation. Balian of Ibelin had provides a good relationship with Saladinwindow into this world for the audience.[[File: While it is inaccurate from a historical perspective, it allows Scott to introduce this bizarre world to a modern audience.  Balian is portrayed as a young man in Kingdom of Heaven 2.jpgFile.png|200px|thumb|left| , but by this time period, the real Balian of Ibelin surrendering Jerusalem to Saladin from was already a 15th century manuscripts]] == Sibylla of Jerusalem==In mature man. The movie does correctly show that in the movie we see 1180s that Balian having was a passionate affair with Sibylla major figure in the politics of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. She He was a real-life character and a sister of one King of Jerusalem and later became Queen of very involved in the power struggles that greatly weakened the realm. In the Kingdommovie, for a brief time ref>Bernard Hamilton, "Women the hero is shown as struggling to save the Kingdom from various factions who were only interested in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Bakerpower. (LondonIn reality, Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978), p 17</ref>. She was a very powerful woman Balian was quite Machiavellian and sought to increase his own power and had great influence among at the Crusadersexpense of his rivals. This is captured in However, the movie and especially in does accurately show that the performance of Eva Green. In real life she character played by Bloom was married to Guy de Lusignan (1150-1194)a great and brave knight. Balian did not have an affair with Sibylla as shown in  To the movie's credit, it does a good job accurately portraying the defense of Jerusalem by Balian and his forces. In the movie. They did not return to Europe and live in a remote village as shown in the climax of the 2005 work. , Balian was married to shown as an outstanding swordsman, a Byzantine Princess brave leader, and Sibylla remained married to Guy and did not leave him, in fact she died an outstanding tactician. Bloom's character became the commander of an epidemic while campaigning with Guy in 1190, dying at the age Christian garrison of Jerusalem before the Battle of thirty <ref> William Hattin and he devised the defense of Tyre, p. 178</ref>Jerusalem that effectively beat off countless attacks by the Muslims. The love affair between Sibylla of Jerusalem and Balian is a complete fiction. == Guy de Lusignan==The ‘bad’ guy in was the commander, but the movie is diminishes the nobleman Guy de Lusignan. He was importance of other leaders who were also pivotal in the defense of Jerusalem. Balian is essentially a real-life historical composite character and one who was very important in for the history purposes of the Crusadesthis battle. In Scott’s movie he was an evil man, <dh-ad/>Balian and this was pretty much Saladin reaching a negotiated settlement that ended the casebloody siege. He had been expelled from France for murder This was actually the case and he had had fled the Christian did agree to surrender the Kingdom of Jerusalemcity on terms in 1187. Guy later married Sibylla as shown in In one of the movie. In most memorable scenes, we see the motion picture he is shown main character as very anti-Muslim leading the Christians safely out of Jerusalem as he hands it over to Saladin. This actually happened and aligning with the fanatical Knights Templers <ref> Runciman, p 212</ref>Muslims did allow the garrison and the Christian population to leave the city unmolested. Scott’s In the movie shows him and his allies treacherously attacking a caravan after the surrender of Muslims and slaying, every man, woman, and child and this prompted Saladin Jerusalem to invade the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which was a disaster for the CrusadersMuslim Sultan that he returns to Europe with Sybilla. This In one scene he is shown as living happily as a historical fact blacksmith in his native village and Guy’s massacre refusing the entreaties of innocent Muslims did provoke Saladin and this led English knights to go on the ultimate capture Third Crusade. In fact, after the fall of Jerusalem by Balian stayed in the Muslims <ref>Runciman, p 213</ref>region and he became one of the leaders of the Crusader states. The movie shows Balian He actually participated in the Third Crusades and Guy was a key advisor to the legendary Richard the Lionheart. Scott shows the main character as implacable enemies having good relations with Muslim and this is only partially true. The men indeed in real -life Balian of Ibelin had a complex good relationship and were at times enemies but occasionally also allies. Guy was captured and later released by Saladin as shown in the moviewith Saladin.  ==== Sibylla of Jerusalem====In the finale <i>Kingdom of the scene there is Heaven</I>, Balian has a great duel between Balian and Guypassionate affair with Sibylla of Jerusalem. The hero is shown as defeating his enemy and utterly humiliating him and Scott suggests that Guy She was a broken man who was utterly disgraced. The duel probably did not take place real-life character and there are no records a sister of Balian and Guy engaging in hand to hand combat. Moreover, Guy after the fall King of Jerusalem had a claim on the kingship and later became Queen of the Crusader states through his wife SybillaKingdom after she married Guy Lisignan. He began a civil war <ref>Bernard Hamilton, "Women in a desperate bid to become king but was defeated and was forced to flee from the Holy Land. HoweverCrusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", this rather unpleasant character was very fortunatein Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. He was able to seize control of the island of Cyprus and become its Lord. Indeed(London, he established a dynasty and his successors ruled the islands as kingsEcclesiastical History Society, until the coming of the Ottomans in 1476 <ref> Edbury, Peter. The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades, 1191–1374 (Cambridge, 19911978), p 22 17</ref> She was a very powerful woman and had an extraordinary amount of influence among the Crusaders. I In real life, she was married to Guy de Lusignan (1150-1194), but Sibylla did not have affair with Balian. Additionally, Sybilla did not return to Europe and live in a remote village as shown in the climax of the movie. Balian was married to a Byzantine Princess and Sibylla remained married to Guy and never left him. Ultimately, she succumbed an epidemic while campaigning with Guy in 1190, dying at the age of thirty.<ref> William of Tyre, p. 178</ref> The love affair between Sibylla of Jerusalem and Balian while an important part of the movie was completely fiction.<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Medieval History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=6}}</div>==== Guy de Lusignan====

One of the key characters in the Kingdom of Heaven is Guy de Lusignan. He was a real-life historical character and critical in the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He is the villain in <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i>, and that's essentially correct. He had been expelled from France for murder, and he had fled to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Guy later married Sibylla and became King of Jerusalem after the death of Sibylla's brother. In the motion picture, he is shown as a radical anti-Muslim and is closely aligned with the Knights Templars.<ref> Runciman, p 212</ref> In the movie, Guy repeatedly made horrible decisions. Each of the decisions was driven by his hatred of Muslims and his desire to expel them from the Holy Land. Essentially, his choices led to the Battle of Hattin, the slaughter of the army of Jerusalem, and the expulsion of the Crusaders from Jerusalem. In one of the key scenes in the movie, Guy and his allies are to shown attacking a caravan of Muslims. The then kill every man, woman, and child in the caravan in violation of their agreement with Saladin. This attack forced Saladin to invade the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which was a disaster for the Crusaders. This attack occurred, and Guy’s massacre of innocent Muslims provoked Saladin. This incident precipitated the capture of Jerusalem by the Muslims.<ref>Runciman, p 213</ref>  The movie shows Balian and Guy as implacable enemies, and this is only partially true. The men in real life had a complicated relationship. Occasionally, they were enemies and other times allies. In the movie, there is a duel between Balian and Guy. Balian easily defeats Guy and utterly humiliates him. Balian's victory elevated him and disgraced Guy. While it's enjoyable to watch Balian school Guy, it is unlikely that the duel ever took place. There are no records of Balian and Guy engaging in hand to hand combat.  Moreover, Guy, after the fall of Jerusalem, still had a claim on the kingship of the Crusader states through his wife, Sybilla. He remained in the former Kingdom of Jerusalem and began a civil war in a desperate bid to become king but was defeated. Ultimately, he was forced to flee from the Holy Land. Despite his repeated failures, he was able, after he fled, to seize control of the island of Cyprus and become its Lord. He even established a dynasty, and his successors ruled the islands as kings, until the coming of the Ottomans in 1476.<ref> Edbury, Peter. The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades, 1191–1374 (Cambridge, 1991), p 22 </ref> ====Conclusion====The 2005 movie especially Despite its rocky start, <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> after the release of the Director’s Cut is now regarded very highly has been hailed by criticsand has been discovered by audiences. With regard to the question of Remarkably, the movie does a good job balancing historical accuracy of the movie it is broadly accurateand telling a story. The historical background and major events such as the Battle of Hattin are portrayed in a very fairly accurate way. It shows very well does a good explaining the decline and fall of the First Kingdom of Jerusalem. The nature of warfare at the time is shown very well. Moreover, it does present a realistic portrait of Saladin. In essence, this the type of historical accuracy most movies should strive for.  The main issue Kingdom of Heaven does take liberties with the movie is that while its main characters are based on historical figures they are also involved in the Fall of Jerusalem, but these choices made a lot of sense. Balian, Sibylla, and Neeson's character were either heavily fictionalizedor created specifically for the movie, but each of these characters is critical to tell the story. For exampleBalian, in addition to being the hero, Balian is shown serves as a typical Hollywood hero but in reality he was a much more complex and ambiguous figureguide for the viewer. The love affair between him and Sybilla It is a complete fabrication. The portrayal through his eyes that the viewers are introduced to the Crusades, learn about the history of Guy de Lusignan captures the character Kingdom of this rather repulsive personJerusalem, and are shown the divisions with the Kingdom that lead to its destruction. In real life he did not receive his due deserts as shown in Sibylla also helps connects the viewer to the decaying Kingdom and humanizes the final scenes’King of Jerusalem, but he became played by Edward Norton.  Ultimately, <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> does a powerful Lord he even founded a royal dynastypretty good job telling an exciting and surprisingly historically accurate story. {{MediaWiki:AmNative}}====Further Reading====

====References====<references/> [[Category: Historically Accurate]] [[Category: Middle Eastern History]] [[Category:History of the Middle Ages]] [[Category:Wikis]]