Kingdom Of Heaven

Plot:

It is the time of the Crusades during the Middle Ages – the world shaping 200-year collision between Europe and the East. A blacksmith named Balian has lost his family and nearly his faith. The religious wars raging in the far-off Holy Land seem remote to him, yet he is pulled into that immense drama. Amid the pageantry and intrigues of medieval Jerusalem he falls in love, grows into a leader, and ultimately uses all his courage and skill to defend the city against staggering odds. Destiny comes seeking Balian in the form of a great knight, Godfrey of Ibelin, a Crusader briefly home to France from fighting in the East. Revealing himself as Balian’s father, Godfrey shows him the true meaning of knighthood and takes him on a journey across continents to the fabled Holy City. In Jerusalem at that moment–between the Second and Third Crusades–a fragile peace prevails, through the efforts of its enlightened Christian king, Baldwin IV, aided by his advisor Tiberias, and the military restraint of the legendary Muslim leader Saladin. But Baldwin’s days are numbered, and strains of fanaticism, greed, and jealousy among the Crusaders threaten to shatter the truce. King Baldwin’s vision of peace–a kingdom of heaven–is shared by a handful of knights, including Godfrey of Ibelin, who swear to uphold it with their lives and honor. As Godfrey passes his sword to his son, he also passes on that sacred oath: to protect the helpless, safeguard the peace, and work toward harmony between religions and cultures, so that a kingdom of heaven can flourish on earth. Balian takes the sword and steps into history

The story begins in the year 1184 during the time of the Crusades for the city of Jerusalem. Balian, (Orlando Bloom), a peasant blacksmith in France is visited by Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson). Godfrey reveals to Balian that he is his father, and he asks Balian to come with him and fight in the Crusades. Balian tells his father that he is mourning his wife, who has just committed suicide after the death of their newborn.

The village priest callously informs Balian that his late wife burns in hell for her actions, and enrages the grieving blacksmith to the point where he attacks and murders the holy man. Fleeing his native village, he joins up with Godfrey and heads off to the Crusades. Before dying, Godfrey knights his bastard Son, and makes him Baron of Ibelin, a territory in the Holy Land. Balian hopes that he can reach Jerusalem and beg forgiveness for himself and his late wife.

After being shipwrecked on the Levant coast, Balian is forced to fight for survival. He defeats an Arab “champion” and gains the respect of his Muslim opponents. He eventually presents himself to King Baldwin of Jerusalem (Edward Norton) and is confirmed as Baron of Ibelin. Balian finds Ibelin to be a remote desert oasis, but does his best to manage his new lands well.

The various Christian knights and lords are constantly bickering, with some pleased with the status quo, while others seek wealth and glory by attacking Muslim caravans and trying to expand the Christian-controlled territories. Guy de Lusignan, a member of the Knight’s Templar, is especially aggressive, and causes a rupture with the Muslims by attacking them ceaselessly. When King Baldwin dies, the truce with the Muslims is broken, and the Christians ride out to assault Saladin’s (Ghassan Massoud) mighty army. They are quickly dispatched in the desert, and Saladin besieges Jerusalem.

Balian and the people of Jerusalem fight for their lives as Saladin assault the city. They are badly outnumbered, however, and eventually have to capitulate. Saladin graciously allows them to leave the city, provided they leave all precious objects and gold behind. Balian returns to France, and is seen working as a smith again at the end of the film. He is approached by King Richard (of England) asking if he is Balian of Ibelin. Balian replies that he is a blacksmith, nothing more.

Watch Kingdom Of Heaven Full Movie Online For FREE

Comment on “Kingdom Of Heaven”