Kingdom of Heaven

[Ash]

Personally, I think the Crusades themselves were ignorant, hate-bearing and ultimately totally useless, while the people of Outremer were those that were productive. Yet, Christians had lived in Outremer since long before the Crusades, so ultimately you can conclude the Crusades to be something generally bad.

True, but that's also quite revisionist, which is too easy IMO.

[Spino]

Oooh, Orlando Bloom! What a powerhouse of talent and ability! You would think Liam Neeson was enough of a name (and a talent) to carry the film but nooooo, they had to go and hire one-note-overexposed-pretty-boy-Bloom. Something tells me the studio execs were adamant that Scott get Bloom or some other flash in the pan pretty boy. Well at least it's not Keanu Reeves...

As far as I'm concerned Ridley has been banished to the directorial doghouse for that pile of crap called Gladiator. I do hope Kingdom of Heaven is good but I fear that much like Gladiator (which was CRAP), the trailer promises much more than the film will actually deliver.

[Sethik]

What was so bad about Gladiator, Spino? That was a good movie. Is it the historical (i.e. it wasn't) part of it that pissed you off?

BKB can you elaborate on:

The last defence of acre was incredible and the last stand of some of the knighly orders as the walls collapsed around them was almost perfectional heroism.

Have any websites that offer explicit details?

[Lazul]

If they really want a good story they should film the books by Jan Guillo, the swedish writer.
The books are about Arn de Gothia, or as the arabs later called him Al Gothi (i think)

Im not sure if they are translated in to english but if they are read it!
Not only is Arn fighting down in Outremer and is participating in the crusade, he is also a Templar Knight, and once he returns to Sweden, he has to fight the Danish invaders.

Its a really good book, if your intrested in the crusades and scandinavian history.

These are the books they should film... and get rid of Bloom, who wasnt even good as Legolas...

*searching the web*

here yha go; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Seth, i'm not sure of any websites on the subject but i do know Osprey are bringing out a campaign book of Acre 1291 sometime in the spring or summer but the best book is the third part of stephen runcimans Crusade trilogy. It is such a great read

[the Count of Flanders]

Trailer looks pretty good: they're wearing chain instead of the usual hollywood full plate armour. The norman-style helmets also gave me a good impression.
I also read the last book in the series of Jan Guillo (the one with the fall of Jerusalem) but I didn't like it too much as the style of the english translation is rather "common" (don't know a better word for it) and the main character is too much a flawless hero. Just my opinion tough.

[Krusader]

Jan Guillou's (or how is surname is written) Templar Trilogy is quite good, although there are a few "quirks" I dont like, like that he is a flawless hero (he isn't entirely perfect, I believe there were some minor flaws revealed in the third book) and the main characters has some few "modern views", although the books are so well-written you will overlook it.

The author wanted to show medieval Scandinavia, the Church's role, and women's life in a macho society. And also to "enlighten" the reader on how much of Scandinavian culture was imported from Europe and the Muslim world.
The Muslims are shown in a good light, and Scandinavian bishops in a very bad light.

The author nicely combines imagination with history, and some historical characters make their appearance. Saladin for instance, and Gerard de Ridefort. He is also accurate with equipment and warfare.

As a sidenote, Jan Guillou also wrote a fourth book, a continuation of the series, where he described Birger Jarls life. He did alot in Sweden, like found Stockholm, the capital, and seperating Church and State.

And back to topic (sorry for the topic hijack):
Kingdom of Heaven seems okay for now. But I fear the love story might overshadow the historical part