Kingdom of Heaven

Release Date: May 6th 2005
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Certificate: 15
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Ed Norton
Director: Ridley Scott
Running Time: 145 mins

After a year which has seen two disappointing big budget epics in ‘Troy’ and ‘Alexander’, it is with baited breath that we await the latest sword-and-sandals flick. But fear not, it is brought to the screen by the man who reinvented the genre with ‘Gladiator’, Ridley Scott.

Our story is set during a momentary time of peace between the Second and Third Crusades. Although there is no fighting, the peace is a fragile one, with different factions battling it out for control under the command of a weak, but good king (Norton).

Our hero is Balian (Bloom) a young French blacksmith, mourning the recent deaths of his wife and son, who is brought to Jerusalem by his father Godfrey of Ibelin (Neeson). Godfrey is a man deeply committed to promoting peace in the Holy Land, and wants his son to help him do just that.

Although initially hesitant, Balian’s mind is changed by circumstance, and he soon finds himself turning from humble blacksmith to noble Knight as he endeavours to end the infighting that is causing the troubles. What’s more he also finds himself drawn to the king’s beautiful and enigmatic sister Princess Sibylla (Green).

After the unexpected death of his father, and with the king’s health growing ever worse, Balian finds himself under pressure to guarantee peace at all costs – even if that means fighting for it...

‘Kingdom Of Heaven’ acts as a showpiece for all of Ridley Scott’s strengths – it boasts compelling storytelling and stunning cinematography. It also draws great performances from its cast, particularly Liam Neeson and Jeremy Irons. Orlando Bloom too, climbs out of the shadow of Legolas to prove he is capable of anchoring a film in his own right.