Scott has constructed a robust, action packed, historical drama that weaves a grand tapestry...
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In Ridley Scott´s "Kingdom of Heaven: The Director´s Cut", a film that boasts a new, longer, more expansive and handsome looking edit, there is a propulsive energy at work that solidifies the film as a true epic. The movie is sweeping in both scope and nature; with roughly 45 minutes of new footage added to the film. Presenting the Crusades as experienced by the chivalrous Balian (Orlando Bloom), Scott has constructed a robust, action packed, historical drama that weaves a grand tapestry that is much bigger than its star.
The film provides insightful discourse into religious pluralism, creating a seemingly historically accurate Jerusalem under the rule of King Baldwin (Ed Norton), a pragmatic ruler inflicted with leprosy. The story begins in the year 1184, as a group of righteous Crusaders return home under the leadership of Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson). Godfrey is a French baron, who offers his illegitimate son, Balian, an opportunity to join him on his next journey to Jerusalem. It was only recently Balian´s wife committed suicide over the death of their child, leaving Balian alone to mourn them. Balian´s crusade to the holy land, with the father he never knew, gives him a chance to redeem his soul and that of his wife, as well.
Along the way Balian and his companions meet many men who would perform inhuman acts in the name of their respective Gods. These not-so-Christian men are fully embodied by the villainous Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas), a British noble (and Templar Knight) who has recently married princess Sibylla (Eva Green), King Baldwin´s younger sister. Guy is reminiscent of the typical, mustache twirling, movie bad guys but Csokas plays him with enough sinister verve that he acts as an interesting foil for Bloom´s Balian. The two are polar opposites, morally charged yin and yang.
After Balian arrives in Jerusalem, he starts to hear tales of the Muslim leader, a righteous warrior named Saladin (Ghassan Massoud), who commands an army of over 200,000 men. All they wait for is proper motive to invade Jerusalem and take their lands back from the Christians, who are themselves defended by the Templar Knights and other Crusaders. In this respect, the film acts as a dichotic allegory that rests snuggly in between historical drama and modern day parable. Both sides of the war come with both noble and malicious intent. The Jerusalem of "Kingdom of Heaven" is a multicultural, multi-religious paradise where Muslims, Jews and Christians live, work and worship together. It´s a spectacular sight, as is much of the film.
The film is a glorious, sprawling adventure and although it may seem that Balian is lost in the midst of this, he is not. It isn´t that Bloom is ineffective, he often feels most at home in these types of films, although usually in supporting roles. Bloom´s doe-eyed, sweet faced nature works in that his young protagonist creates an interesting symbolism for modern day warfare in the way soldiers quickly rise through the ranks. Balian is an innocent, who is strongly committed to his sense of chivalry. The rest of the cast is strong and help carry the film to great heights, from the philosophically inclined Hospitaller (David Thewlis), to the gallant Tiberias (Jeremy Irons), to the sensually tempting (and no less pragmatic than her brother) Sibylla, to the noble Saladin; every character has something to offer Balian as well as the audience.
Although Balian is the film´s anchor, he is also, in many ways, a secondary player to the world of the film itself. Scott has crafted a moving and challenging secular film in this manner, which is best summarized by Thewlis´ Hospitaller character in a speech to Balian, "I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness." The film asks its viewers to question their sense of right and wrong, to take a look at moral actions and discern whether they are truly good. "Kingdom of Heaven: the Director´s Cut" offers simple answers to complex questions and in the end leaves you thinking that it could very well be just that easy.
Video
The film is presented in a wonderful 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. John Mathieson´s lush cinematography is beautifully displayed in this transfer. Blacks are deep and rich, while colors pop as necessary. The brightness of the expansive deserts near Jerusalem come across in quite stunning fashion. There is no damage anywhere; the video is sharp and highly detailed. "Kingdom of Heaven: The Director´s Cut" looks simply amazing.
Audio
The film also comes with English language Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 audio mixes. Both audio tracks are very impressive with the slight edge going to the DTS mix, which provides an overall richer and warmer experience. Dialogue is crisp and clean throughout and is always audible. Sound effects are finely detailed in both mixes, with battle scenes spreading across the various front and rear channels when necessary. There are also directional sounds in the less intense scenes, which add to the film´s overall experience. Which ever your choice, both tracks offer glorious sound mixes for your listening pleasure.
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[release]18372[/release]