Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]

Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray] Review

If you want to see a good action/adventure/drama type film then this is the one for you. The cinematography, action sequences, and music are great. The movie centers one one character, Balian, as he journeys to Jerusalem in search of salvation and answers to some of life's questions. The movie does offer some interesting philosophical insights or questions that we all probably ask ourselves concerning faith and religion.

This movie is not an accurate portrayal of the crusades. The characters in the movies and the period it is set during (the second crusade) did exist. But, as is typical with Hollywood and political correctness, they depict the Christians as the aggressors and the Muslims as the noble warriors. The Muslims were extremely cruel in their treatment of Christians and Jews. They also started the crusades when they invaded Jerusalem and moved in on the Byzantine Empire, murdering any who did not accept Muslim rule. The Byzantine Emperor asked the Pope for help and that is when the Pope sanctioned the first crusade. The first crusaders defeated the Muslims (and yes they did massacre everyone within the city) and Jerusalem remained under Christian for about a hundred years until the time of the second crusade which is when this movie is set. The second crusade did not begin because a bunch of knights set out to start a war. There were aggressors on both sides. The fact is, the Muslims are ordered by their religion to spread sharia law and Mohammad himself left orders that Jerusalem be taken under Muslim rule. Muslims took the city of Jerusalem during the second crusade and when Richard the Lion-heart headed to Jerusalem in the third crusade, he lost miserably. There were other crusades fought in the Middle East but not all of them were over Jerusalem.

One thing the movie gets right are some of the reasons why people went to the crusades. Europe was in shambles at that time and Jerusalem, while controlled by Christians, gave people a chance to better their circumstances. There were those that went for fame, power, glory, wealth, greed, but their were also those that went for spiritual reasons seeking salvation, or trying to discover something about themselves.

Like I said, do not take this movie as an accurate portrayal of history. However, it is a good movie and worth watching. But make sure you watch the director's cut and not the theatrical version. It gives more insight in the character's lives and back stories explaining more of why they do what they do. Among the best directors of our time, Ridley Scott (Gladiator), contributes generously to this extraordinary Collector's Edition of Kingdom of Heaven. Featuring his Director's Cut of the film and hours of fascinating extras ? including a six-part tour from conception to completion of filmmaking ? this definitive set makes what Variety called a "genuinely spectacular" film even more so!

An epic marvel that's as beautifully acted as it is visually awesome, Kingdom of Heaven stars Orlando Bloom as Balian, a Jerusalem blacksmith who has lost his family ? and his faith. But when his father (Liam Neeson) shows him his destiny, Balian vows to defend his country, and in the process, falls in love, becomes a formidable leader, and steps forever into history

• Audio: English: 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (Lossless)
• Language: Subtitled: English, Spanish, & French
• Theatrical Aspect Ratio: Widescreen: 2.35:1