To the movie's credit, it does a good job accurately portraying the defense of Jerusalem by Balian and his forces. In the movie, Balian was shown as an outstanding swordsman, a brave leader, and an outstanding tactician. Bloom's character became the commander of the Christian garrison of Jerusalem before the Battle of Hattin and he devised the defense of Jerusalem that effectively beat off countless attacks by the Muslims. Balian was the commander, but the movie diminishes the importance of other leaders who were also pivotal in the defense of Jerusalem. Balian is essentially a composite character for the purposes of this battle.
<dh-ad/>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 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 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 Lionheart. 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.
==== Sibylla of Jerusalem====
====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====
Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. (London, Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978).
