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The movie captures the constant and brutal conflict between the Christians and the Muslims in the area. The Crusaders were motivated to fight in the Holy Land out of religious fervour fervor and 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 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 captures the threat posed by Saladin to the Crusaders because he was often regarded as a military genius.

Scott's depiction of the Crusaders near-annihilation at Hattin and Saladin's siege of Jerusalem and Scott's are both fairly accurate. 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 189</ref>.. 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 not only accurate but extraordinarily well done.

[[File: Kingdom_of_Heaven 2.jpg|350px|thumb|left| Balian of Ibelin surrendering Jerusalem to Saladin from a 15th-century manuscript]]The main character of the Balian who is played by the English actor Orlando Bloom. The screenwriter loosely based this character on a real-life character. In the movie, Balian is a young blacksmith who decides to go on Crusade when he meets his natural father, who is a knight and who is played by Liam Neeson. Balian is shown as both as both an illegitimate and a humble young man who goes on Crusade to help to secure his wife’s salvation after her suicide. The character played by Bloom was based on Balian of Ibelin's. Unlike the movie version, he was a member of the nobility and the legitimate son of his father Barisan of Ibelin. He also was definitely not a blacksmith.<ref> William of Tyre, A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea. E. A. Babcock and A. C. Krey, trans (Columbia, Columbia University Press, 1943), p 114</ref>

Instead of using Bailin's real father, the movie creates created a character, Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Liam Neeson. Neeson has played this type of role (the father-like mentor who dies in the movie) several times. In the movie, Neeson's character knights his son right before his death. By recognizing Bailian as his son, Bloom's character inherits his father's holding in the Holy Land. In reality, the knighting of an illegitimate son would not have been legally possible in the Middle Ages without some dispensation from a monarch or the Catholic Church. Ridley Scott introduces Balian as living in France, but his origins are unknown, and his family may actually have been Italian.

The character is also shown as making his way to the Holy Land , and he did make this journey at some time. His father in the motion picture is shown to be a crusader , and this was indeed the case. The motion picture shows Godfrey of Ibelin as a noble knight who went on Crusade for religious reasons. In fact, Balians Balian's father was one of the most powerful lords in the Crusader States and he . He ruled the County of Jaffa (modern Israel) and was a vassal of the King of Jerusalem .<ref> William of Tyre, p 201</ref>. In the movie we see Balian going on crusade with his father who died before arriving in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In fact, it seems It is likely that Balian had been living in the Crusader kingdom since he was a young man. He was not the only son of Barsian of Ibelin and was , in reality , his youngest son. His father gave Balian was given a large area of land and a castle by his father and he too became a vassal of the King of Jerusalem . <ref>William of Tyre, p 212</ref>. This meant that he He would have been very familiar with the culture and politics of the region. In the movie the main character is portrayed as Scott's depiction makes sense from a young man however at storytelling perspective. Most viewers would have been unfamiliar with the time of the events shown, he was a mature manCrusader Nation. The movie does correctly show that in the 1180s that Balian was provides a major figure in window into this world for the politics of the Kingdom of Jerusalemaudience. He was very involved in the power struggles that greatly weakened the realm. In the movie the hero While it is shown as struggling to save the Kingdom inaccurate from various factions who were only interested in power. In reality Balian was quite Machiavellian and sought to increase his own power and influence at the expense of his rivals. However, the movie does accurately shown that the character played by Bloom was a great and a brave knight. In the movie he is portrayed as a great swordsman and a brave leader. The commander of the Christian garrison of Jerusalem during the Ayyubid armyhistorical perspective, was indeed Balain and he provided to be a brilliant commander, as portrayed by the British Director. He was able to beat off countless attacks by the Muslims as in the 2005 motion picture. In the movie we seen Balian and Saladin reaching a negotiated settlement that ended the bloody siege. This was actually the case and the Christian did agree to surrender the city on terms in 1187. In one of the most memorable scenes we see the main character as leading the Christians safely out of Jerusalem as he hands it over allows Scott to Saladin. This actually happened and the Muslims did allow the garrison and the Christian population to leave the city unmolested. In the movie after the surrender of Jerusalem to the Muslim Sultan that he returns to Europe with Sybilla. In one scene he is shown as living happily as a blacksmith in his native village and refusing the entreaties of English knights introduce this bizarre world to go on the Third Crusade. In fact, after the fall of Jerusalem Balian stayed in the region and he became one of the leaders of the Crusader states. He actually participated in the Third Crusades and was a key advisor to the legendary Richard the Lionheartmodern audience. Scott shows the main character as having good relations with Muslim and indeed in real-life Balian of Ibelin had a good relationship with Saladin.[[File: Kingdom of Heaven 2.jpgFile.png|200px|thumb|left| Balian of Ibelin surrendering Jerusalem to Saladin from a 15th century manuscripts]]

== Sibylla Balian is portrayed as a young man in Kingdom of Jerusalem==In Heaven, but by this time period, the movie we see real Balian having was already a passionate affair with Sibylla of Jerusalemmature man. She The movie does correctly show that in the 1180s that Balian was a real-life character and a sister of one King of Jerusalem and later became Queen major figure in the politics of the Kingdom, for a brief time ref>Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. (London, Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978), p 17</ref>. She He was a very powerful woman and had great influence among the Crusaders. This is captured involved in the movie and especially in power struggles that greatly weakened the performance of Eva Greenrealm. In real life she was married to Guy de Lusignan (1150-1194). Balian did not have an affair with Sibylla as shown in the movie. They did not return , the hero is shown as struggling to Europe and live in a remote village as shown save the Kingdom from various factions who were only interested in the climax of the 2005 workpower. In reality, Balian was married to a Byzantine Princess quite Machiavellian and Sibylla remained married sought to Guy increase his own power and did not leave him, in fact she died of an epidemic while campaigning with Guy in 1190, dying influence at the age expense of thirty <ref> William of Tyrehis rivals. However, p. 178</ref>. The love affair between Sibylla of Jerusalem the movie does accurately show that the character played by Bloom was a great and Balian is a complete fictionbrave knight.

== Guy de Lusignan==The ‘bad’ guy in To the movie is the nobleman Guy de Lusignan. He was 's credit, it does a real-life historical character and one who was very important in good job accurately portraying the history defense of the CrusadesJerusalem by Balian and his forces. In Scott’s the movie he , Balian was shown as an evil manoutstanding swordsman, a brave leader, and this was pretty much an outstanding tactician. Bloom's character became the commander of the Christian garrison of Jerusalem before the case. He had been expelled from France for murder Battle of Hattin and he had had fled to devised the Kingdom defense of Jerusalemthat effectively beat off countless attacks by the Muslims. Guy later married Sibylla as shown Balian was the commander, but the movie diminishes the importance of other leaders who were also pivotal in the moviedefense of Jerusalem. In the motion picture he Balian is shown as very anti-Muslim and aligning with essentially a composite character for the fanatical Knights Templers <ref> Runciman, p 212purposes of this battle. <dh-ad/ref>. Scott’s movie shows him and his allies treacherously attacking a caravan of Muslims and slaying, every man, woman, and child Balian and this prompted Saladin to invade the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which was reaching a disaster for negotiated settlement that ended the Crusadersbloody siege. This is a historical fact was actually the case and Guy’s massacre of innocent Muslims the Christian did provoke Saladin and this led agree to surrender the ultimate capture city on terms in 1187. In one of Jerusalem by the Muslims <ref>Runcimanmost memorable scenes, p 213</ref>. The movie shows Balian and Guy we see the main character as leading the Christians safely out of Jerusalem as implacable enemies and this is only partially truehe hands it over to Saladin. The men in real life had a complex relationship This actually happened and were at times enemies but occasionally also allies. Guy was captured the Muslims did allow the garrison and later released by Saladin as shown in the movieChristian population to leave the city unmolested. In the finale movie after the surrender of Jerusalem to the Muslim Sultan that he returns to Europe with Sybilla. In one scene there is a great duel between Balian and Guy. The hero he is shown as defeating living happily as a blacksmith in his enemy native village and utterly humiliating him and Scott suggests that Guy was a broken man who was utterly disgraced. The duel probably did not take place and there are no records refusing the entreaties of Balian and Guy engaging in hand English knights to hand combatgo on the Third Crusade. MoreoverIn fact, Guy after the fall of Jerusalem had a claim on Balian stayed in the region and he became one of the kingship leaders of the Crusader states through his wife Sybilla. He began a civil war actually participated in a desperate bid to become king but was defeated the Third Crusades and was forced a key advisor to flee from the Holy Landlegendary Richard the Lionheart. However, this rather unpleasant Scott shows the main character was very fortunateas having good relations with Muslim and indeed in real-life Balian of Ibelin had a good relationship with Saladin. He was able to seize control  ==== Sibylla of Jerusalem====In <i>Kingdom of the island Heaven</I>, Balian has a passionate affair with Sibylla of Cyprus Jerusalem. She was a real-life character and become its Lord. Indeed, he established a dynasty sister of King of Jerusalem and his successors ruled later became Queen of the islands as kingsKingdom after she married Guy Lisignan.<ref>Bernard Hamilton, until "Women in the coming Crusader States: The Queens of the Ottomans Jerusalem", in 1476 Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. (London, Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978), p 17</ref> Edbury She was a very powerful woman and had an extraordinary amount of influence among the Crusaders. I In real life, she was married to Guy de Lusignan (1150-1194), Peterbut Sibylla did not have affair with Balian. The Kingdom Additionally, Sybilla did not return to Europe and live in a remote village as shown in the climax of Cyprus the movie. Balian was married to a Byzantine Princess and Sibylla remained married to Guy and the Crusadesnever left him. Ultimately, 1191–1374 (Cambridgeshe succumbed an epidemic while campaigning with Guy in 1190, 1991)dying at the age of thirty.<ref> William of Tyre, p 22 . 178</ref>The love affair between Sibylla of Jerusalem and Balian while an important part of the movie was completely fiction.  ==== Guy de Lusignan====

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>, and that's essentially correct. 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 death of Sibylla's brother. In the motion picture, he is shown as a radical anti-Muslim and is 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 his 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 the army of Jerusalem, and the expulsion of the Crusaders from Jerusalem. In one of the key scenes in the movie, Guy and his allies are to shown attacking a caravan of Muslims. The then kill every man, woman, and child in the caravan in violation of their agreement with Saladin. This attack forced Saladin to invade the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which was a disaster for the 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 unlikely that the duel ever took place. There are no records of Balian and Guy engaging in hand to hand combat.  Moreover, Guy, after the fall of Jerusalem, still had a claim on the kingship of the Crusader states 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 coming of the Ottomans in 1476.<ref> Edbury, Peter. The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades, 1191–1374 (Cambridge, 1991), p 22 </ref> ====Conclusion====The 2005 movie especially Despite its rocky start, <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> after the release of the Director’s Cut is now regarded very highly has been hailed by criticsand has been discovered by audiences. With regard to the question of Remarkably, the movie does a good job balancing historical accuracy of the movie it is broadly accurateand telling a story. The historical background and major events such as the Battle of Hattin are portrayed in a very fairly accurate way. 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 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. Balian, Sibylla, and Neeson's character were either heavily fictionalizedor created specifically for the movie, but each of these characters 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 and ambiguous figureguide for the viewer. The love affair between him and Sybilla It is a complete fabrication. The portrayal through his eyes that the viewers are introduced to the Crusades, learn about the history of Guy de Lusignan captures the character Kingdom of this rather repulsive personJerusalem, and are shown the divisions with the Kingdom that lead to its destruction. In real life he did not receive his due deserts as shown in Sibylla also helps connects the viewer to the decaying Kingdom and humanizes the final scenes’King of Jerusalem, but he became played by Edward Norton.  Ultimately, <i>Kingdom of Heaven</i> does a powerful Lord he even founded a royal dynastypretty good job telling an exciting and surprisingly historically accurate story.  ====Further Reading====

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