Directed by Ridley Scott
2005
WARNING THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS
For all those you say this movie is a cheap Gladiator 2, you are sadly mistaken. While in Gladiator, Russell Crowe playing Maziumas, a Spaniard General who becomes a Slave, then a Gladiator who in turns defies as Emperor, had to deal with a selfish Prince (Joaquin Phoenix) who killed his father to become King & keep Maxiumus from taking over the Empire
In this movie, which is set in the 12th Century, Orlando Bloom plays Balian, a young blacksmith who has started to lose his faith after his wife kills herself over the lose of their child, meets for the first time his father, Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Liam Neeson. Godfrey tells him that he wants him to come back to Jerusalem with him. At first Balian does not want to go, but with certain events happen, Balian decides to go with Godfrey to Jerusalem to seek forgiveness for both his & his wife's sins. On the way there, Godfrey shows Balian what the true meaning of Knighthood is. Soon Balian finds himself the Lord of Ibelin, during the time between the Second and Third Crusades - a fragile peace prevails, through efforts of its enlightened Christian King, Baldwin IV, aided by his advisor Tiberias, and the military restraint of the legendary Muslim leader Saladin. As Godfrey passes his sword to his son, he also passes on that sacred oath: to protect the helpless, safeguard the peace, and work toward harmony between religions and cultures, so that kingdom of heaven can flourish on earth. This view is also shared with the King Baldwin IV, his vision of a peace - a kingdom of heaven - is shared by a handful of knights, Godfrey of Ibelin included, who swear to uphold it with thier lives and honor. However, once Balian reaches Jerusalem, his days become numbered, and strains of fanaticism, greed, and jealousy among the Crusaders threaten to shatter the truce. While there, Balian becomes close friends, like his father, with the King. When the King realizes he is about to die, he offers Balian the thrown & Sibylla's (the King's sister), who will become Queen & her husband, Guy de Lusignan (who also has a hatred for Balian), will become King) hand in marriage. Balian is about to accept the offer until he learns that Sibylla's husband would be killed & all his soldiers, unless they give their loyalty to Balian. Balilan cannot do this and refuses the crown. Which I think is really great, because Balian is staying true to himself, he doesn't want something bad to happen to someone else just to gain for himself. Even when Sibylla tells him that one-day he will wish he had done some evil for the better good, he does not change his mind. Soon Balian finds himself the defender of the city of Jerusalem and it's people.
This is a really great movie & I think it took things a step farther then Gladiator. It was respectful to both the Christian & Muslim religions. The acting by Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, David Thewlis (Hospitaler), Marton Csokas (Guy de Lusignan) Eva Green (Sibylla), Jeremy Irons (Tiberias), Edward Norton (King Baldwin), Ghassan Massoud (Saladin), & all the rest was amazing. Truly breathe taking. The action was great, it didn't slow down, the movie kept moving. I think this movie will help show people that Orlando Bloom is not only just a hunk, but also an amazing actor. Before this, he was being labeled as a pretty boy because of the roles he got. But I really think this movie shows him more as an actor & he does an amazing job as Balian of Ibelin.
