Brendan Gleeson, Edward Norton, Eva Green

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is an epic adventure about a common man who finds himself thrust into a decades-long war. A stranger in a strange land, he serves a doomed king, falls in love with an exotic and forb...( read more  read more... )idden queen, and rises to knighthood. Ultimately, he must protect the people of Jerusalem from overwhelming forces while striving to keep a fragile peace.

Flixster Users

72% liked it

332,937 ratings

Critics

39% liked it

183 critics

R, 2 hrs. 25 min.

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Release Date: May 6, 2005

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DVD Release Date: October 11, 2005

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Stats: 20,432 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (20,432)


  • June 25, 2009
    A young man who is wanted for murder joins the crusades. I thought this would be another 'Troy' with a good cast and director but the story was lame and I gave up watching half way through. Sorry Orly.
  • May 31, 2009
    Beautifully shot in Ridley Scott's sweeping style, rich in cinematic detail. I am looking forward to watching the Director's Cut, to see the film as was originally intended - a meditation on religion and history as opposed to a battle-heavy action adventure.
  • May 16, 2009
    Best epic battle ever!
  • April 15, 2009
    "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Safeguard the helpless, and do no wrong"

    Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people.

    ...( read more)erdana">REVIEW
    Sir Ridley Scott has made a movie that does not fit easily in today's Hollywood where the dollar is king. This is a complicated masterpiece full of Scott's signature imagery of magnificent landscapes and breathtaking battle scenes. Orlando Bloom does wonders with a role that is more complex than Russell Crowe's in Galdiator and Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons and Ghassan Massoud bring immense power to their parts. Alexander Siddig once again proves that he is quietly emerging into one of the most gifted actors of recent years, with a role that displays both elegance and intellect. It is of note that considering his lower profile he grabs your attention throughout the action. Ed Norton does likewise in a role that commands your respect, in a part that must have been physically and mentally demanding. In an age where tolerance is considered a redundant concept, this is a courageous attempt to at least grab your attention and make you think beyond your comfort zone. I wish the longer version had been released on screen as the major problem stems from the obvious editing down from the original vision. However despite this minor fault, this film is a success. A movie that asks you to engage your brain is never a failure.
  • February 7, 2009
    "The world will decide. The world always decides."

    Ridley Scott's attempt to gain the same success of "Gladiator" fails at some points, but in the end it's still mildly entertaining and a decent addition to the epic film genre.

    To me, "Kingdom of Heaven" is too religious and po...( read more)litical. It drags on a bit but on the positive side it has some very good scenes, like the final battle between the christian and muslim troops.

    Some beautiful images are also added, at times it almost feels like the filmmakers had copied the visual image of "Gladiator". Even the music of the film seems similar to Ridley Scott's masterpiece.

    In my opinion, the biggest flaw of the film is Orlando Bloom. He's not at all of the same caliber as Russell Crowe. The film features a lot of talent; Liam Neeson, Edward Norton, Jeremy Irons, just to name a few. The film also has the Finnish Jouko Ahola, "The world's strongest man" of 97 and 99, but that's about that...

    "Kingdon of Heaven" resembles "Gladiator" but lacks the spirit that the latter movie had. But the film is not at all a disaster, some might love it or hate it, some might just find it entertaining enough to enjoy it.
  • November 19, 2009
    KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (2005)
    dir. Ridley Scott
    cast. Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Edward Norton

    Apparently the theatrical cut of Kingdom of Heaven was quite bad. I havent seen it, therefor I cant tell. But I have seen the director's cut, and that one, I can call a very g

    ...( read more)ood film.

    Ridley Scott made a real epic film. With an overture and en entr'act, just like Ben-Hur and other such classics. Its the real deal, and it really is epic in everything sense of the word.

    Orlando Bloom is the lead, which isnt a good choice, but I cant deny, for the first time, he didnt annoy me at all. He almost managed to give a layered performance. He is surrounded by an amazing supporting cast though, including Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis and Brendan Gleeson, all doing stellar jobs. Edward Norton come out of the lot though, in a supporting role, which requires that he wears a mask at all time. His face is never seen. Eva Green completes the cast, as the obligatory strong woman, giving a strong performance.

    I dont think I need to give away any plot details, more than its epic. The battles are great, long and entertaining. Ridley Scott shows the extent of his talent when its time to craft a sequence of mayhem, with great cinematography, just like he did with Black Hawk Down.

    Kingdom of Heaven is more restrained than Gladiator, Scott's previous entry in a similar genre, and for that reason I think its more engaging. I strongly recommend it, but make sure you watch the director's cut.

  • November 18, 2009
    I'm going to spoil this for you, but it will save you some time. A guy gets picked up by his long-lost father to go fight in the crusades. There's fighting. His father dies. He meets a guy who doesn't like him and sleeps with the guy's wife. He almost becomes king but blows it. H...( read more)e singlehandedly loses the crusades (in which a vague statement about religion in general is buried somewhere), but somehow escapes with the girl, even though she was no good, and lives happily ever after. Not that great, if you ask me.
  • November 16, 2009
    Such a great classically told story. The acting, writing and directing was flawless (yes, even Orlando Bloom). The action sequences are amazing, yet don't become the central part of the plot. It was very character driven, something a lot of Ridley Scott's newer films have been mi...( read more)ssing. The story is such an amazing ride, you can't help but lose yourself in the majestic qualities. It's actually, without a doubt, my favorite historical genre pieces about the medieval era. I don't think i've seen anything handle the time so flawlessly, capturing the heart and soul of the time.
  • November 8, 2009
    A film worth watching for Orlando Bloom kicking ass!
  • November 8, 2009
    I think this movie was very entertaining! Great battle scenes, but the best of all was itīs intelligence. Orlando Bloom plays baron Balian who travels to Jerusalem during the crusades. He appears wisely and becomes very popular. He wants to be a good knight, among all other knigh...( read more)ts who just think about power! This movie makes me think about how strange the world has been during all these years! The religion is mystical and has been a reason for many problems during the time. This movie shows us one point of view of the history in an intresting way!

Critic Reviews


May 6, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Since we barely know what's at stake -- we're too confused and bored to care -- all this fighting means nothing to us, and yet Scott still hopes to rev us up with it. full review

May 6, 2005
David Edelstein, Slate

An epic about Christian crusaders who happen to be liberal humanists willing to die for the sake of religious tolerance. That's just ... weird. full review

May 6, 2005
Kurt Loder, MTV

The movie is distinguished by the uniform excellence of its actors ... Orlando Bloom, in particular ... gives a performance of striking stillness and reserve ... full review

May 6, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

No one should be offended except, of course, those who like movies that excite the mind as well as the pulse. full review

May 5, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A spectacular battle for Jerusalem, as only Ridley Scott could direct. full review

May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

A film about holiness beset by a pedestrian spirit. full review

May 4, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

William Monahan's deft script underscores the modern parallels in this story without hitting us upside the head. full review

May 2, 2005
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

One imagined that a movie about the Crusades would be gallant and mad; one feared that it might stoke some antiquated prejudice. But who could have dreamed that it would produce this rambling, hollow ... full review

View more Kingdom of Heaven reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • bluehawk2008
    September 23, 2009
    All must see this film, deus vult!
  • pirategal1023
    December 31, 2008
    hahaha
    i saw this poster in marley & me!!
    watch that movie and you'll see it!!!!
  • anypv91
    June 7, 2008
    esa peli solo s la mejor ya que el prota s el guapo actor orlando bloom!!!!!
  • me234
    May 26, 2008
    i dont agree i thought Orlando bloom was amazing in this movie any one ealse would have killed the part u pple are crazy in thinking orlando bloom should not have been cast ur all nuts but i do agree that sabylla could have had a lil more purpose in the movie i felt like she was just kinda there u no i have never seen the DC but maybe i should but i still think orlando bloom was a great choice
  • NubianElfWitch
    March 19, 2008
    I love this movie! My favourite characters are King Baldwin IV and Princess/Queen Sibylla. I think Ed Norton and Eva Green did fantastic jobs on this film. Eva Green's character was given mixed reviews because her character's story wasn't all that good, but that's only because the theatrical release cut out the boy, which was the whole centre of her character. It just seemed like she was moping around for nothing in the theatrical, that she should have got over Baldwin's death, but the whole plot with her son was as Scott said the whole 'juice' of her part, and without that her character seemed to just be a silly love interest who didn't seem to quite know what she was meant to be doing. But in the DC she was great and that's what I'm going by. I always thought Scott was silly to cast Bloom, I mean he was alright, but they only got him because they couldn't get Russell Crowe, so that says something. And when Baldwin died, well...I really thought they should have made that later on!
  • PirateChick09
    November 26, 2007
    i thought it was good in my opinion. the entire cast did a good job
  • nbhatti3000
    October 3, 2007
    It's set in the 1180s, during a time of relative peace between the 2nd and 3rd crusades. Jerusalem and its surrounding territory are controlled by Christians, descendants of the First Crusaders, who had conquered it in 1099 from Muslims, who had themselves conquered it in the 7th century from Byzantine Christians.as the Muslim armies have united under Saladin to attempt a reconquest.

    King Baldwin of Jerusalem did die young from leprosy, but served as a respected ruler before that. Baldwin's sister Sibylla was unfortunately less noble than shown. Instead of trying to escape her inept and nasty husband.

    Muslim Govts had a pretty good record for tolerance. They levied extra taxes on Jews and Christians under their rule, forbad them to proselytize, but otherwise left them alone to worship. And under Muslim control.
    The Christian record is far more troubling. The Crusades unleashed a torrent of hatred directed at non-Christians, spurred by the new teaching that "killing for Christ
  • QueenOfSparta
    September 16, 2007
    love it;)
  • jimmorrison713
    July 12, 2007
    I agree with a few other people on here that this movie could have been so much more. How could scott been so blind to cast orlando bloom with the lead?.
  • reichmanix
    June 1, 2007
    Brilliant movie. Kind of sad after reading allot of comments and reviews that some of you are so blinded by the hypocrisy of your own beliefs.

    Sad, really, that some of you missed the whole point of the movie.



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Kingdom of Heaven Trivia


  • In this movie the main character is Bialian, he fights to save jerusalum, and he surenders the city for the good of the people. He also fell in love, with the princess of jurusalum. Name the movie...  Answer »
  • Which of these is not a remade movie?  Answer »
  • In what movie do we hear: "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Speak the truth,always,even if it leads to your dead.Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong.That is your oath.(He slaps the man in front of him) That is for you to remember."  Answer »
  • what movie of a kingdom heaven did orlando bloom star in?  Answer »

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