Kingdom of Heaven (R)
Violent movie about the Crusades not for kids.
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- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Twentieth Century Fox
- Directed By: Ridley Scott
- Cast: Jeremy Irons, Orlando Bloom, Ghassan Massoud
- Running Time: 145 minutes
- Release Date: 05/06/2005
- Video/DVD Release Date: 10/11/2005
- Genre: Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- MPAA Explanation: strong violence and epic warfare
Parents need to know
Families can talk about the film's representation of Muslims (those with speaking parts are virtuous, but those who serve as anonymous invaders of Jerusalem are shown to be barbarous and/or hacked up). Families might also talk about the ugly legacy of the Crusades, and their general whitewashing here. How does the movie show Balian's courage as an effort to protect a population, compared to the vainglorious ambitions of Guy and Reynald? How is Balian's friendship with Nasir a model for reaching across cultures to make peace?
Message
Social Behavior:
Villains start wars in search of "glory" and territory; the Crusades are the backdrop.
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Violence
Battle scenes are graphic, hard-hitting, and energetically depicted.
Sex
One sexual tryst, artistically rendered.
Language
Some strong language.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs
Good-hearted, hardworking blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom) learns that his long-absent father is a Crusader, Baron Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson). Mourning the recent suicide of his wife, Balian kills a local priest who refers to her as a sinner. This puts Balian on the run. He seeks the aid of his father, who is en route to Jerusalem, where Balian plans to seek forgiveness for himself and his wife. Along the way, Godfrey trains Balian in sword-fighting and predicts he will be a warrior.
Is it any good?
As these characters represent various civilian or military factions and religious beliefs, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN also delivers an anachronous "message" with weight for America's current wars. That is, Balian makes speeches about everyone getting along and no one having a singular claim to Jerusalem, even as he vows to fight to protect the people who live there against the Muslims who mean to win it back (the previous battle is reported to have left thousands dead).
Still, the film must lead to the 1187 siege of Jerusalem (here brought on by Baldwin's death and Guy's ascendance to the throne; he immediately picks a fight with the Muslims), and Balian must appear to be valiant and morally sound. While the battle scenes are vast and the landscapes are breathtaking, the movie contorts history and political context to achieve these ends. Though the onetime blacksmith tells his own fighters that the history of the place is not their fault ("None of us took this city from the Muslims!"), he also leads the bloody fight to keep the Muslims out.
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Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 18 reviews.
Common Sense Media has underated this! If you liked Gladiator, you'll like this!
Adult Reviews
There are 6 reviews.
Very good movie
Kids Reviews
There are 12 reviews.


