"Kingdom of Heaven" Sought to Be an Epic Film, But Became a Disaster in Production

Kingdom of Heaven - 1 Star (Terrible)

Unfortunately for the "Kingdom of Heaven", what started out as an ambitious epic film about a little known time in history, became an almost disaster at its release and was only average at best. There is enough blame to spread around.

First, there is a reason why the immortal "Gone with the Wind", which involved a turbulent love affair in the American south during the Civil War and Reconstruction, took almost 4 hours to see. You apparently cannot make a quality, classic film about the Civil War in less time. Ken Burns' acclaimed documentary film "The Civil War" consisted of 9 episodes and took 11 hours to view.

Second, there may be a market for a film in the Middle Ages about the Christian Crusades, a series of military expeditions by Europeans to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims in the 11th, 12th and 13th Centuries. That market, regrettably, is very small compared to an epic about the Civil War, World War I or World War II.

Third, when 3-time, Best Director Oscar-nominee Ridley Scott ("Black Hawk Down", "Gladiator" and "Thelma and Louise") presented the film to the studio at 194 minutes (3 hours and 14 minutes), the studio execs demanded that it be cut to two hours, believing that moviegoers would not sit through a 3-hour film.

This proved to be a critical mistake in judgment. It was nearly impossible for Scott to tell the Kingdom of Heaven story in 2 hours, and when the movie received really mixed reviews and proved to be a financial disappointment in the United States, the error was clearly noticeable.

Fourth, not only was this film to be an epic story, its production cost was enormous. Most of the filming was in Morocco, and Mohammad VI, King of Morocco, provided 1,500 of his military personnel with accompanying equipment to help in the filming.

In addition, there were apparently 15,000 handmade costumes for the film that also required helmets, boots, gloves, chainmail, belts and scabbards. The flag budget for the film was $250,000. There were 7,500 weapons, 3,000 shields and 20,000 arrows used in the film. In one scene alone, there were 143 extras, 60 military personnel, 125 horses and 60 camels.

A massive replica of Jerusalem was constructed in the Sahara Desert, containing 28,000 square meters of wall that required 6,000 tons of plaster. The front set was 1,200 feet long and the walls were 56 feet tall. Good grief.

Fifth, writer William Monahan's first draft of the script was 186 pages. Executive producer Lisa Ellzey thought Fox would never approve the script because of its length, so she cut it to only 20 pages before submitting it.

Sixth, Orlando Bloom was not ready to play the leading role as Balian of Ibelin, and his performance did not reflect the kind of command and presence necessary to pull it off.

Seventh, I had great difficulty as a moviegoer following the story as its presentation required much more help in context, or from a narrator, to understand what was happening when and why it was important.

Eighth, the sound in the film was terrible. There were times when it was impossible to understand the dialog and, without this essential element, there is no way the film would be rated good by my standards. Sound is too basic of a need to succeed and, when it goes unnoticed because it is well done, it is not an issue.

Ninth, this whole project was sad from start to finish. What could have become a good film could not overcome the obstacles along the way. Two bright spots in the film were the performances of Liam Neeson as Godfrey de Ibelin and Ghassan Massoud as Saladin, the great Muslim leader.

In his quest to be noble, Liam Neeson was able to deliver this dialog as Godfrey de Ibelin: "Be without fear in the face of our enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath." (Spoken to his son, Balian, when making him a knight.)

History records that Saladin and his Muslim troops did recapture Jerusalem after defeating the King of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin near the Lake of Galilee. When Saladin's soldiers enter the City of Jerusalem, they were not allowed to kill civilians, rob people, or damage the city.

In many ways, the Muslims come out looking better than the Christians in Kingdom of Heaven, and historically, they were.

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

"Kingdom of Heaven" attempts an epic film, but it was a disaster in production

Kingdom of Heaven - 1 star (terrible)

We apologize for the "Kingdom of Heaven," which began as an ambitious epic of a little known time in history, was a disaster almost on his release and was only average at best. There is enough blame to spread.

First, there is a reason why the Civil War and Reconstruction immortal "Gone with the wind in the South," which involved a turbulent love affair in the United States during that lasted almost 4 hoursto see. It might not seem like a quality, classic film about the civil war in less time. 'Acclaimed documentary by Ken Burns "Civil War consists of 9 episodes and took 11 hours to see.

Secondly, there may be a market for a film from the Middle Ages, the Christian Crusades, a series of military expeditions of Europeans in the Holy Land from the Muslims back in 11, 12 and 13 centuries. This market is very small in comparison, unfortunatelyan epic poem about the Civil War, World War I or World War II.

Third, when three-time Best Director Academy Award nominee Ridley Scott ("Black Hawk Down," "Gladiator" and "Thelma and Louise"), the film studio to 194 minutes (3 hours and 14 minutes), the study presented leaders demanded that it be reduced to two hours and I think the audience is not sitting in a movie of 3 hours.

This proved a critical error in the verdict. It 'been almost impossible for ScottUnited to tell the story in 2 hours, and when the film received mixed reviews, and in fact proved a financial disappointment in the U.S., the error was clearly evident.

Fourth was not just this film about an epic story, its cost of production dramatically. Most of the filming in Morocco, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, where they help to 1,500 of its soldiers with the equipment that accompanies the film.

In addition, there were apparently 15 000Hand made costumes for the film, if required vaginal helmets, boots, gloves, coats, belts e. The flag for the film's budget was $ 250,000. There were 7,500 guns, 3,000 and 20,000 arrows shields used in the film. In one scene alone, there were 143 extras, 60 soldiers, 125 horses and 60 camels.

A massive replica of Jerusalem was built in the Sahara desert, with a wall of 28 000 squares, 6,000 tons of plaster required. The facade is set1,200 meters long and the walls were 56 feet high. Good Grief.

Fifth, the writer William Monahan's first draft of the 186 pages of the script. The executive producer Lisa Ellzey thought Fox would never have accepted the script because of its length, so as to cut only 20 pages before sending it.

Sixth, Orlando Bloom is not ready to play the leading role as Balian of Ibelin, and his performance is not the type of command and presence necessary to remove them.

Seventh, I have had greatDifficulties such as spectators, the story of how after his presentation, you need much more help in a context, or by a narrator, to understand what was happening, when and why it was important.

Eighth, the tone of the movie was terrible. There were times when it is impossible to understand the dialogue was, and without this essential element, there is no way the film and my standards were. The sound is a fundamental need to succeed and, if unnoticed because it's done right, it isno problem.

Nona was sad the whole project from start to finish. What would be a good movie can not overcome the obstacles to have on the road. Two bright spots in the film were the performances of Liam Neeson as Godfrey of Ibelin and Ghassan Massoud as Saladin, the great Muslim leader.

In his effort to be noble, Liam Neeson was able to provide this dialogue, as Godfrey of Ibelin: .. "Be Be fearless in the face of our enemies, brave and upright that God loves you Speakthe truth always, even if his death. Save the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath. "(He speaks to his son Balian, if you make a knight.)

The story reported that Saladin and his Muslim troops recapture of Jerusalem after the victory against the king of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin near the Sea of Galilee. When Saladin's troops entered the city of Jerusalem, were not allowed, civilians, people who steal or damage to the city to kill.

In many ways, are the Muslimsto look better Christians in the kingdom of heaven, and historically, they were.

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley