**Kingdom of Heaven**

[Despot of the English]

I haven't seen the film but I expect nothing more than the Christian faith being demonized and Islam being the enlightened religion. The vast majority of those who died in the Christian army at Hattin were Palestinian-Franks and *not* Crusaders. They just happened to be born in this land and had every right to live there and did try to live with their Muslim neighbours. Obviously the Crusaders from Europe didn't help to preserve what they had. The First Crusade and the brutal sack of Jerusalem was never forgotten and the Palestinian-Franks were always going to live there on borrowed time.

[Pericles]

Well, lord knows I never would have thought I'd provide a review of a movie on fansite for a pc game. Ach. . .*@$! it!

The general impression upon exiting the theatre was, as others have hinted at, "is that all?"

Much too much is missing here for Kingdom to be onsidered a classic in my books, and I don't mean pyrotechics you Star Wars and GTA fans! Additionally, I think the love story should have been developed a bit more. I love the Leper bit, though the money shot was WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too long. Ye, we get your point Scott: Lepers lose their noses. Too bad Scott lost his tact during editing. This is similar to the gratuitous violence glorifying images repleat in the film; apealing to the slobbering masses, yes, but it is largely unecessary to draw so much attention to it.

Still, any work that attempts to recreate history in a culturally and historically sensitive manner is always appreciated by the educated.

KRALLODHRIB:

You insights are welcome :)

I think the fact that ONE FULL HOUR was cut from the film before it hit the theatres does explain the rush feel of some scenes.

Scott will be including that extra hour of film on the dvd, and it does flesh-out the film more.

Personally, I am a bit upset having to pay full price for two-thirds of a movie at the theatre.

Scott had originally intended the full 3 1/2 hour movie to be shown in the theatres, but was forced to cut it.

No wonder the film has drawn criticism. Hacking out bits of film can only hurt reviews of it...

However, based on what I saw in the theatre I will be buying the dvd when it comes out. I think Scott will have something to prove.

Cheers!

[Pericles]

I haven't seen the film but I expect nothing more than the Christian faith being demonized and Islam being the enlightened religion. The vast majority of those who died in the Christian army at Hattin were Palestinian-Franks and *not* Crusaders. They just happened to be born in this land and had every right to live there and did try to live with their Muslim neighbours. Obviously the Crusaders from Europe didn't help to preserve what they had. The First Crusade and the brutal sack of Jerusalem was never forgotten and the Palestinian-Franks were always going to live there on borrowed time.

Personally, I thought the film was relatively even-handed.

Scott's ultimate purpose was to show that fighting over Jerusalem has been going on thousands of years...

[KRALLODHRIB]

I think we need to remind ourselves that Scott's intentions are good.
Attempting to provoke the bovine masses in the United States out of their thoughtless, in terms of historical consciousness, slumber is not an altogether promising feat.
And while we must always be vigilant in analyzing art, even popular, emphatically uncomplicated art, I think there is susbstance in this film, even it is often presented in a discontinuous and, frankly, incomplete manner.

Still, I will absolutely purchase the DVD, as I have purchased Scott's "Gladiator".

We love to dream about what "might have been", and how it might have looked. And, if we could only participate. . . the glory!!!

Our criticisms are meant to help not hinder future art, whether on the silver screen or LCD screens.

KEEP EM' COMING SCOTT!

[Despot of the English]

When will it be available on DVD?

[Pericles]

It should be on dvd this December.

I'm also hoping there will be some documentaries on the history of the crusades on the dvd as well. Here is a golden opportunity to entertain and educate.

Cheers!