Kingdom of Heaven

[Krusader]

Let's turn to a good source for info...or so I believe...IMDB!!!

IMDB - Kingdom of Heaven info

Plot Outline: "During the Crusades of the 12th Century, Balian of Ibelin (Bloom), a young blacksmith in Jerusalem, rises to protect his people from foreign invaders."

Hmm....another Troy?
If you check the cast listing, you will see a woman named Eva Green plays Sybilla... Didnt she marry Guy de Lusignan? And then make him King of Jerusalem after her son Baldwin V died?

[Spino]

...If you check the cast listing, you will see a woman named Eva Green plays Sybilla... Didnt she marry Guy de Lusignan? And then make him King of Jerusalem after her son Baldwin V died?

I think that will still be in the movie. The trailer mentioned something about an 'exotic queen' and 'forbidden love' or some such nonsense. I imagine the writer concocted a secret love affair between Balian of Ibelin and Sybilla to spice things up (unless of course, such an affair actually took place which given the reputation of European royalty is entirely possible).

[Chimpyang]

Let's turn to a good source for info...or so I believe...IMDB!!!

IMDB - Kingdom of Heaven info

Plot Outline: "During the Crusades of the 12th Century, Balian of Ibelin (Bloom), a young blacksmith in Jerusalem, rises to protect his people from foreign invaders."

Hmm....another Troy?
If you check the cast listing, you will see a woman named Eva Green plays Sybilla... Didnt she marry Guy de Lusignan? And then make him King of Jerusalem after her son Baldwin V died?

A young blacksmith..anyone remember Pirates of the Carribean? Whats it with Hollywood and Blacksmiths...?

[Spino]

A young blacksmith..anyone remember Pirates of the Carribean? Whats it with Hollywood and Blacksmiths...?

Haven't you heard? Hollywood ran out of ideas back in the early 80s.

[Hurin_Rules]

If they called him 'Balain of Ibelin' then how can he not be noble? In the twelfth century, only nobles had patronyms (last names) like Ibelin (the Ibellines were a powerful family; I believe they give their name to the Ghibellines, those who supported the emperors as opposed to those who supported the popes [the Guelphs] in Italy).

My point: if the man's name is Balain of Ibelin, he can't be a 'humble blacksmith'.

Moreover, Jerusalem fell to Muslims under Saladin in 1187. If Bloom is really to fight Christians in Jerusalem, then that'll all have to occur before 1187, which was also the date of the Battle of Hattin (which, it seems, the movie WILL show-- we seem to have a shot of Saladin and the Crusaders preparing for Hattin).

[Pindar]

If they called him 'Balain of Ibelin' then how can he not be noble? In the twelfth century, only nobles had patronyms (last names) like Ibelin (the Ibellines were a powerful family; I believe they give their name to the Ghibellines, those who supported the emperors as opposed to those who supported the popes [the Guelphs] in Italy).

My point: if the man's name is Balain of Ibelin, he can't be a 'humble blacksmith'.

Moreover, Jerusalem fell to Muslims under Saladin in 1187. If Bloom is really to fight Christians in Jerusalem, then that'll all have to occur before 1187, which was also the date of the Battle of Hattin (which, it seems, the movie WILL show-- we seem to have a shot of Saladin and the Crusaders preparing for Hattin).

I think this is right: the film is the Period leading up to and including the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin. Thus, there should be all sorts of Crusader intrigue and the foolishness of Hattin.

[PanzerJaeger]

Does anyone know who the silver faced person is supposed to be? Was there someone in history famous for that kind of makeup?

[the Count of Flanders]

Does anyone know who the silver faced person is supposed to be? Was there someone in history famous for that kind of makeup?

I *think* that would be Baldwin, the leper king.

[_Aetius_]

Im glad a film about the crusades is being made but historicla epics have been so hit and miss lately that im abit weary. Observe Alexander *shudders*

I love the crusades history and the bravery of the men involved but despise it for its greed 4th crusade, being a byzantine history fanatic lol the 4th crusade understandably annoys me.

Im more than abit annoyed that Orlando Bloom is in it Hollywoods latest whore to saturate cinema with, seems to be in every movie these days.

I just hope they dont ruin it with massive historical inaccuracy and desperate attempts to outdo gladiator.

Ive heard that alot of muslims are annoyed by this movie already which is also annoying, im sure they arent the biggest fans of the crusades lol but its a massive! part of european history and more than worhty of being told i just hope its not biased or wrecked to please most western audiences hence my annoyance at Orlando Bloom being in it.

[Mr Durian]

If you goto the official website you see Jeremy Irons play Tiberias? Who is Tiberias. It sounds Byzantine.
http://www.kingdomofheavenmovie.com/

And which kingdom in Sybbla queen of?

[discovery1]

Wasn't Tiberias a city on the border of the southern most Crusader kingdom. Was the first to fall under siege during Sals big push against the Crusaders.

[Longshanks]

If they called him 'Balain of Ibelin' then how can he not be noble? In the twelfth century, only nobles had patronyms (last names) like Ibelin (the Ibellines were a powerful family; I believe they give their name to the Ghibellines, those who supported the emperors as opposed to those who supported the popes [the Guelphs] in Italy).

My point: if the man's name is Balain of Ibelin, he can't be a 'humble blacksmith'.

Moreover, Jerusalem fell to Muslims under Saladin in 1187. If Bloom is really to fight Christians in Jerusalem, then that'll all have to occur before 1187, which was also the date of the Battle of Hattin (which, it seems, the movie WILL show-- we seem to have a shot of Saladin and the Crusaders preparing for Hattin).

From what I've read in reviews from those who have been to the test screening, they made him the illegitimate son of the noble Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Liam Neeson. So he's noble by blood but raised in a peasant background. The historical Balian's father was also named Balian, the film probably changed it to Godfrey to avoid confusion. Godfrey was the father of Balian I. They also seem to have combined the historical Balian with his brother Baldwin, who was involved with Sybilla. Instead the film leaves Baldwin out and gives Balian the romance.

Also some of the film reviews are incorrect...Bloom isn't fighting the Christians, he is fighting the Muslims. Just like the historical Balian he survives Hattin to lead the defense of Jerusalem. I think the bit in the trailer where he is saying, "rise a knight" is when he knights all the children of nobles over 13 for the defense of the city. Jerusalem is the final battle in the movie, and it doesn't follow Balian during the Third Crusade when he served Richard the Lionheart.

[Hurin_Rules]

From what I've read in reviews from those who have been to the test screening, they made him the illegitimate son of the noble Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Liam Neeson. So he's noble by blood but raised in a peasant background.

Aaahhh. Ok, that's not too bad then.

Are you sure the last part is the siege of Jerusalem? It looked like they were firing all those trebuchets at Acre, not Jerusalem. I thought it might conclude with the siege of Acre on the Third Crusade. Does that mean that all those siege towers and trebuchets are Saladin's? I thought I saw some Christian banners in amongst them; I'll check later on.

[Hurin_Rules]

Ok, tried to see tonight but the darn trailer is just too small. I can't be sure of the identity either of the city or the besiegers, so it appears the movie may well end with the siege of Jerusalem. But did Saladin have that many trebuchets at the siege?

Darn, I was hoping to see Acre.