Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Kingdom of Heaven
2005
**½
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Irons, Eva Green, Edward Norton, Liam Neeson

This dull and muddled crusade epic is set in the 12th century when Christians and Muslims continue to fight over Holy Land. The film is visually striking but you need some background knowledge on crusades in order to make sense of all the characters and their respective allegiances. The final attack on Jerusalem is very reminiscent of the battle of Helm's Deep in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The Director's Cut, which is about 45 minutes longer, is apparently a much better film, although it still stars the bland Orlando Bloom.