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__NOTOC__[[File:KoHposter.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Kingdom of Heaven]][https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ICLRIE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000ICLRIE&linkCode=Introductionas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9c4ccbf03b28480046f0dc3cc1b739e4 The Kingdom of Heaven ] is a 2005 historical epic directed by Ridley Scott, who directed some of the most memorable movies of recent decades such as Gladiator. The historical epic was produced in Spain and Morocco. The movie starred Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson , and Jeremy Irons, among others. It was scripted by Academy Award winner William Monahan who is an Academy award winnerscripted the movie. It was one of the most anticipated releases in 2005 , but the movie theatrical release did not live up to people’s meet expectations. The motion picture was something of a box-office flop and it was not appreciated liked by the critics, who felt complained that it was felt incomplete and fragmentary.  Most of the movie's problems were a result of studio meddling in the film's final cut. Ridley Scott was obliged forced to cut his original version of the picture by film to satisfy the studio executives. He did this against his will , and he later released these cuts gutted the movie. Later, Scott was allowed to release a directors’ director's cut of the movie on Blu-ray and DVD. The new cut, which included many scenes that Scott was forced to delete. The director’s cut and is some fifty minutes longer than the movie that theatrical release. The director's cut was shown in the cinemas. This longer version a dramatic improvement and was widely praised by the critics and it . It is now regarded as the definitive version. The director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven and its historical accuracy is examined in this article. [[File: Kingdom of Heaven 1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Orlando Bloom in 2005]]==The historical background==The background to the British director’s movie was the decline and the fall of the First Kingdom of Jerusalem (1091-1087). This kingdom was established by article evaluates the Crusaders after they had captured the city in 1081. They were Christian knights and soldiers who had taken a religious vow to recapture the sacred sites in the Holy Land (modern Israel). The Kingdom director’s cut of Jerusalem had been under near constant attack from the Arabs and Muslims, for whom the city is of great religious significance <refi> Runciman, Steve. A History of the Crusades, vol. II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1952), p 167Heaven</refi>. The movie captures very well the near constant and brutal conflict between the Christians and the Muslims in the area. The Crusaders were motivated to fight in the Holy Land out its historical accuracy instead of religious fervour and they genuinely believed that they could save their souls from eternal damnation by fighting the Muslimsdramatically inferior theatrical version. The movie concentrates on the growing threat posed to the Kingdom of Jerusalem by the rise of the Ayyubid Sultanate. This was a kingdom founded by Saladin who deposed the last Fatimid Caliph in Egypt and later captured Syria. He was the most powerful Islamic ruler in the region in a century. The movie very well captures the threat posed by Saladin to the Crusaders who  ==What is often regarded as a military genius. Scott’s movie also shows very accurately the lead up to the Battle of Hattin (1187). As in the motion picture this battle was fought in a desert and it was a military disaster for the Crusaders and a great victory for the Ayyubid Sultan <ref> Runciman, p 189real story that </refi>. The British director’s account of the Crusaders near-annihilation by the army of Sultan is factually correct. The aftermath of the battle was that Saladin was able to besiege Jerusalem and this is also correctly shown in the 2005 movie. The capture of Jerusalem was a complete disaster for the Crusaders, and they lost most of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In the movie this is shown as leading to the start of the Third Crusade and attempt by mainly English and French Crusaders to recapture Jerusalem<ref> Runciman, p 189Heaven</refi>.. This is also historically accurate. In general, the historical background of the movie and its portrayal of major events such as sieges and battles are fairly accurate. based on? ==

==The historicity British director’s movie's followed the decline and fall of the main characters==First Kingdom of Jerusalem (1091-1087). The hero of the movie is Balian who is played by Crusaders established this kingdom after they had captured the English actor Orlando Bloomcity in 1081. The screenwriter loosely based this character on kingdom was created by Christian knights and soldiers who took a realreligious vow to recapture the Holy Land's sacred sites (modern Israel). The Kingdom of Jerusalem had been under near-life character. In constant attack from the movie Balian Arabs and Muslims. Jerusalem is a young blacksmith who decides significant to go on Crusade when he meets his natural fatherthree religious: Christianity, Judaism, who is a knight and who is played by Liam NeesonIslam.<ref> Runciman, Steve. In <i>A History of the movie Balian is shown as a very humble young man who goes on Crusade to help to secure his wife’s salvation after her suicide. Crusades, vol. II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1952), p 167</ref>  The character played by Bloom was based on Balian of Ibelin's movie captures the constant and brutal conflict between the Christians and he was a member of the nobilityMuslims in the Holy Land. He was definitely not a lowly blacksmith. Rather he was The Crusaders were motivated to fight in the legitimate son Holy Land out of his father Barsian of Ibelin <ref> William of Tyre, A History religious fervor. They genuinely believed that they could save their souls from eternal damnation by fighting the Muslims. The movie concentrates on the growing threat posed to the Kingdom of Deeds Done Beyond Jerusalem by the SeaAyyubid Sultanate's rise. E. A. Babcock This was a kingdom founded by Saladin, who deposed the last Fatimid Caliph in Egypt and Alater captured Syria. CHe was the most powerful Islamic ruler in the region in a century. Krey, trans The movie captures the threat posed by Saladin to the Crusaders because he was often regarded as a military genius.  Scott’s movie accurately depicts the lead up to the Battle of Hattin (Columbia, Columbia University Press, 19431187), p 114</ref>. The motion picture gives Balian’s father While the name Battle of Godfrey Hattin is one of Ibelin which is incorrect. In the movie Godfrey played by Liam Neeson recognized Balian as his son and before he dies he knights his sonmost significant battles in world history, it was a one-sided slaughter. The knighting of an illegitimate son would not have been legally possible in Scott does not spend much time on the Middle Ages without some dispensation from a monarch or Hattin, and the Catholic Churchmovie's climax focuses on Jerusalem's defense. Ridley Scott introduces Balian as living in France, but his origins are not known's decision makes a lot of sense because Jerusalem's defense is a far more compelling story.<ref> Runciman, p 189</ref>  Scott's depiction of the Crusaders near-annihilation at Hattin, and his family may actually have been ItalianSaladin's siege of Jerusalem and Scott's are fairly accurate. The character is also shown as making his way to capture of Jerusalem was a complete disaster for the Holy Land Crusaders, and he did make this journey at some timethey lost most of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. His father in the motion picture In the movie, this is shown as leading to be a crusader and this was indeed the case. The motion picture shows Godfrey start of Ibelin as a noble knight who went on the Third Crusade for religious reasonsand an attempt by mainly English and French Crusaders to recapture Jerusalem. In fact<ref> Runciman, p 189</ref> This is also historically accurate. In general, Balians father was one of the most powerful lords in the Crusader States movie's historical background and he ruled the County its portrayal of Jaffa (modern Israel) major events such as sieges and was a vassal battles are not only accurate but extraordinarily well done. == How realistic is the portrayal of the King Balian of Jerusalem Ibelin in <refi> William Kingdom of Tyre, p 201Heaven</refi>? ==[[File: Kingdom_of_Heaven 2. In the movie we see jpg|350px|thumb|left| Balian going on crusade with his father who died before arriving in the Kingdom of Ibelin surrendering Jerusalem. In fact, it seems likely that to Saladin from a 15th-century manuscript]]The main character of the Balian had been living in who is played by the Crusader kingdom since he was English actor Orlando Bloom. The screenwriter loosely based this character on a young manreal-life character. He was not In the only son of Barsian of Ibelin and was in reality movie, Balian is a young blacksmith who decides to go on Crusade when he meets his youngest son. Balian was given natural father, a large area of land knight, and a castle plays by his father Liam Neeson. Balian is shown as both an illegitimate and he too became a vassal of the King humble young man who goes on a Crusade to help to secure his wife’s salvation after her suicide. The character played by Bloom was based on Balian of Jerusalem <ref>William of TyreIbelin's. Unlike the movie version, p 212<ref>. This meant that he would have been very familiar with was a member of the nobility and the culture and politics legitimate son of his father, Barisan of the regionIbelin. In the movie the main character is portrayed as a young man however at the time He also was not a blacksmith.<ref> William of the event shownTyre, he was a mature man. The movie does correctly show that in A History of Deeds Done Beyond the 1180s that Balian was a major figure in the politics of the Kingdom of JerusalemSea. He was very involved in the power struggles that greatly weakened the realmE. A. Babcock and A. In the movie the hero is shown as struggling to save the Kingdom from various factions who were only interested in powerC. In reality Balian was quite Machiavellian and sought to increase his own power and influence at the expense of his rivals. HoweverKrey, trans (Columbia, Columbia University Press, 1943), p 114</ref>  Instead of using Bailin's birth father, the movie does accurately shown that the movie created a character , Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Bloom was a great and a brave knightLiam Neeson. Neeson has played this role (the father-like mentor who dies in the movie) several times. In the movie he is portrayed , Neeson's character knights his son right before his death. By recognizing Bailian as a great swordsman and a brave leader. The commander of his son, Bloom's character inherits his father's holding in the Christian garrison of Jerusalem during the Ayyubid armyHoly Land. In reality, was indeed Balain and he provided to be an illegitimate son's knighting would not have been legally possible in the Middle Ages without some dispensation from a brilliant commander, as portrayed by monarch or the British DirectorCatholic Church. He was able to beat off countless attacks by the Muslims Ridley Scott introduces Balian as living in the 2005 motion picture. In the movie we seen Balian France, but his origins are unknown, and Saladin reaching a negotiated settlement that ended the bloody siegehis family may have been Italian. This was actually the case  The character is also shown as making his way to the Holy Land, and the Christian he did agree to surrender make this journey at some time. His father in the city on terms in 1187motion picture is shown to be a crusader, and this was indeed the case. In one The motion picture shows Godfrey of Ibelin as a noble knight who went on Crusade for religious reasons. Balian's father was one of the most memorable scenes we see powerful lords in the main character as leading Crusader States. He ruled the Christians safely out County of Jerusalem as he hands it over to SaladinJaffa (modern Israel). This actually happened and He was a vassal of the Muslims did allow the garrison and the Christian population to leave the city unmolestedKing of Jerusalem . <ref> William of Tyre, p 201</ref> In the movie after the surrender of Jerusalem to the Muslim Sultan that he returns to Europe with Sybilla, we see Balian going on crusade with his father, who died before arriving in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In one scene he is shown as  Balian had likely been living happily as a blacksmith in his native village and refusing the entreaties of English knights to go on the Third CrusadeCrusader kingdom since he was a young man. In fact, after He was not the fall only son of Barisan of Jerusalem Balian stayed in the region Ibelin and he was, in reality, his youngest son. His father gave Balian a large land area and a castle, and he too became one a vassal of the leaders King of the Crusader statesJerusalem. <ref>William of Tyre, p 212</ref> He actually participated in would have been very familiar with the Third Crusades region's culture and was politics. Scott's depiction makes sense from a key advisor to storytelling perspective. Most viewers would have been unfamiliar with the legendary Richard the LionheartCrusader Nation. Scott shows Balian provides a window into this world for the main character audience. While it is inaccurate from a historical perspective, Scott can introduce this bizarre world to a modern audience.  Balian is portrayed as having good relations with Muslim and indeed a young man in the Kingdom of Heaven, but the real-life Balian of Ibelin had was already a good relationship with Saladinmature man by this time period.[[File: The movie does correctly show that in the 1180s, Balian was a major figure in the Kingdom of Heaven 2Jerusalem's politics.jpgFile He was very involved in the power struggles that greatly weakened the realm.png|200px|thumb|left| Balian of Ibelin surrendering Jerusalem In the movie, the hero struggles to Saladin save the Kingdom from a 15th century manuscripts]] == Sibylla of Jerusalem==In the movie we see various factions interested in power. In reality, Balian having a passionate affair with Sibylla of Jerusalem. She was a real-life character quite Machiavellian and a sister of one King of Jerusalem sought to increase his own power and later became Queen of the Kingdominfluence at his rivals' expense. However, for the movie accurately shows that Bloom's character was a brief time ref>Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: great and brave knight.  The Queens of movie's credit does a good job accurately portraying Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited 's defense by Derek BakerBalian and his forces. (LondonBalian was an outstanding swordsman, Ecclesiastical History Societya brave leader, 1978), p 17</ref>and an outstanding tactician in the movie. She was a very powerful woman and had great influence among Bloom's character became the Crusaders. This is captured in commander of the movie and especially in Christian garrison of Jerusalem before the performance Battle of Eva GreenHattin. In real life she He devised the defense of Jerusalem that effectively beat off countless attacks by the Muslims. Balian was married to Guy de Lusignan (1150-1194)the commander, but the movie diminishes the importance of other leaders who were also pivotal in Jerusalem's defense. Balian did not have an affair with Sibylla as shown in the movieis essentially a composite character for this battle. They did not return to Europe <dh-ad/>Balian and live in Saladin reached a remote village as shown in negotiated settlement that ended the climax of the 2005 workbloody siege. This is accurate. Balian was married The Christians did agree to a Byzantine Princess and Sibylla remained married to Guy and did not leave him, surrender the city on terms in fact she died 1187. In one of an epidemic while campaigning with Guy in 1190the most memorable scenes, dying at we see the main character leading the age Christians safely out of thirty <ref> William of TyreJerusalem as he hands it over to Saladin. This actually happened, p. 178</ref>. The love affair between Sibylla of Jerusalem and Balian is a complete fictionthe Muslims did allow the garrison and the Christian population to leave the city unmolested. == Guy de Lusignan==The ‘bad’ guy After Jerusalem's surrender to the Muslim Sultan, he returns to Europe with Sybilla in the movie is the nobleman Guy de Lusignan. He was is shown as living happily as a real-life historical character blacksmith in his native village and refusing English knights' entreaties to go on the Third Crusade in one who was very important scene.  After the fall of Jerusalem, Balian stayed in the history region and became one of the CrusadesCrusader states' leaders. In Scott’s movie he was an evil man, He actually participated in the Third Crusades and this was pretty much a key advisor to the legendary Richard the caseLionheart. He had been expelled from France for murder and he had had fled to Scott shows the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Guy later married Sibylla main character as shown in the movie. In the motion picture he is shown as very anti-Muslim having good relations with Muslims, and aligning with the fanatical Knights Templers <ref> Runcimanindeed, p 212</ref>in real-life, Balian of Ibelin had a good relationship with Saladin. Scott’s movie shows him and his allies treacherously attacking a caravan of Muslims and slaying, every man, woman, and child and this prompted Saladin to invade the Kingdom  == Who was Sibylla of Jerusalem, which was a disaster for the Crusaders. This is a historical fact and Guy’s massacre ? ==In <i>Kingdom of innocent Muslims did provoke Saladin and this led to the ultimate capture of Jerusalem by the Muslims Heaven<ref/I>Runciman, p 213</ref>. The movie shows Balian and Guy as implacable enemies and this is only partially truehas a passionate affair with Sibylla of Jerusalem. The men in She was a real -life had character and a complex relationship and were at times enemies but occasionally also allies. Guy was captured King of Jerusalem and later released by Saladin as shown became Queen of the Kingdom after she married Guy Lusignan.<ref>Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the movie. In the finale Crusader States: The Queens of the scene there is a great duel between Balian and GuyJerusalem," in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. The hero is shown as defeating his enemy and utterly humiliating him and Scott suggests that Guy (London, Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978), p 17</ref> She was a broken man who was utterly disgraced. The duel probably did not take place and there are no records potent woman and had an extraordinary amount of Balian and Guy engaging in hand to hand combatinfluence among the Crusaders. Moreover I In real life, she was married to Guy after the fall of Jerusalem had a claim on the kingship of the Crusader states through his wife de Lusignan (1150-1194), but Sibylla did not have an affair with Balian. Additionally, Sybilla. He began a civil war did not return to Europe and live in a desperate bid to become king but was defeated and was forced to flee from remote village, as shown in the Holy Landmovie's climax. However, this rather unpleasant character Balian was very fortunate. He was able married to seize control of the island of Cyprus a Byzantine Princess, and become its Lord. Indeed, he established a dynasty Sibylla remained married to Guy and his successors ruled the islands as kingsnever left him. Ultimately, until the coming of the Ottomans she succumbed to an epidemic while campaigning with Guy in 1476 1190, dying at thirty.<ref> Edbury, Peter. The Kingdom William of Cyprus and the Crusades, 1191–1374 (Cambridge, 1991)Tyre, p 22 . 178</ref>The love affair between Sibylla of Jerusalem and Balian, while an important part of the movie, was complete fiction. <div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Medieval History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=6}}</div>==Did <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> accurately depict Guy de Lusignan? ==

==Conclusion==The 2005 movie especially One of the key characters in the Kingdom of Heaven is Guy de Lusignan. He was a real-life historical character and critical in the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He is the villain in <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i>. He had been expelled from France for murder, and he had fled to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Guy later married Sibylla and became King of Jerusalem after the release death of Sibylla's brother. He is shown as a radical anti-Muslim in the Director’s Cut motion picture and is now regarded very highly closely aligned with the Knights Templars.<ref> Runciman, p 212</ref> In the movie, Guy repeatedly made horrible decisions. Each of the decisions was driven by criticshis hatred of Muslims and his desire to expel them from the Holy Land. Essentially, his choices led to the Battle of Hattin, the slaughter of Jerusalem's army, and the Crusaders' expulsion from Jerusalem. In one of the movie's key scenes, Guy and his allies attack a Muslim caravan. They then kill every man, woman, and child in the caravan to violate their agreement with Saladin. With regard This attack forced Saladin to invade the question Kingdom of Jerusalem, which was a disaster for the historical accuracy Crusaders. This attack occurred, and Guy’s massacre of innocent Muslims provoked Saladin. This incident precipitated the capture of Jerusalem by the Muslims.<ref>Runciman, p 213</ref>  The movie shows Balian and Guy as implacable enemies, and this is only partially true. The men in real life had a complicated relationship. Occasionally, they were enemies and, other times, allies. In the movie , there is a duel between Balian and Guy. Balian easily defeats Guy and utterly humiliates him. Balian's victory elevated him and disgraced Guy. While it's enjoyable to watch Balian school Guy, it is broadly accurateunlikely that the duel ever took place. There are no records of Balian and Guy engaging in hand to hand combat.  Moreover, after the fall of Jerusalem, Guy still had a claim on the Crusader states' kingship through his wife, Sybilla. He remained in the former Kingdom of Jerusalem and began a civil war in a desperate bid to become king but was defeated. Ultimately, he was forced to flee from the Holy Land. Despite his repeated failures, he was able, after he fled, to seize control of the island of Cyprus and become its lord. He even established a dynasty, and his successors ruled the islands as kings until the Ottomans took control in 1476.<ref> Edbury, Peter. The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades, 1191–1374 (Cambridge, 1991), p 22 </ref> == Is the <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> realistic? ==Despite its rocky start, <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> after the Director’s Cut release has been hailed by critics and discovered by audiences. Remarkably, the movie does a good job balancing historical accuracy and telling a story. The historical background and major events such as the Battle of Hattin are portrayed in a very accurate wayfairly. It shows very well does a good explaining the decline and fall of the First Kingdom of Jerusalem. The nature of warfare at the time is shown very well. Moreover, it does present a realistic portrait of Saladin. In essence, this the type of historical accuracy most movies should strive for.  The main issue Kingdom of Heaven does take substantial liberties with the movie is that while its main characters are based on historical figures they are also involved in the Fall of Jerusalem, but these choices made a lot of sense for a movie. Balian, Sibylla, and Neeson's character were either heavily fictionalizedor created specifically for the movie, but each of them is critical to tell the story. For exampleBalian, in addition to being the hero, Balian is shown serves as a typical Hollywood hero but in reality he was a much more complex guide for the viewer. Through his eyes, the viewers are introduced to the Crusades, learn about the history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and ambiguous figureare shown the divisions with the Kingdom that lead to its destruction. The love affair between him Sibylla also helps the viewer see the decaying Kingdom and Sybilla is a complete fabricationhumanizes the King of Jerusalem, played by Edward Norton. The portrayal  Critical opinions of Guy de Lusignan captures the character <i>Kingdom of this rather repulsive personHeaven</i> are pretty mixed. In real life he did not receive his due deserts as shown in Whatever you do, avoid the theatrical release version and watch the final scenes’, but he became a powerful Lord he even founded a royal dynastylonger edition released on blu-ray.  ====Further Reading====Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem,", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. (London, Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978).

====References====<references/> [[Category: Historically Accurate]] [[Category: Middle Eastern History]] [[Category:History of the Middle Ages]] [[Category:Wikis]]