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Acclaimed filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott has been behind some of the most iconic films of all time. He has helmed many box office hits, although his projects weren't always a hit with the critics.

2005's Kingdom of Heaven is one of them. His lesser-known historical epic premiered on May 6, 2005, and received mixed reviews, but made decent money at the box office. As the film recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, Kingdom of Heaven has also scored a brand-new streaming home and will head to Hulu on July 1, per WhenToStream.

The historical epic had previously switched streaming homes late last year. Ahead of Gladiator II's release, which marked the sequel to probably one of Ridley Scott's most famous works, 2000's Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven headed to Prime Video on Nov. 1. The film had been available on Disney+ before, and now it's heading to Hulu.

The move is not surprising. Kingdom of Heaven...

20 years ago, 20th Century Fox began the summer-blockbuster season with a sword-and-sandals epic about the Crusades. Kingdom of Heaven‘s pedigree was impressive, if not bulletproof. Ridley Scott was only five years on from his Best Picture-winning Gladiator and newly minted movie star Orlando Bloom had plum, stand-out roles in two successful franchises (one of which had just won Best Picture itself). Still, it was a risky endeavor. Even riskier when considering the filmmakers’ challenging of religious truths and customs at a time when many had allowed fear to give way to hate, using their faith as a rationalization for terrible sins.

The film tells of the blacksmith Balian (Bloom), a tortured soul reeling from the death of his wife and infant child. His father, Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson), and legion of crusading knights arrive to invite him to travel with them to the Holy Land. Though he initially refuses,...

At long last, Ridley Scott's crusade to bring his vision of Kingdom of Heaven is at its end. The director's cut of the medieval epic is returning to theaters for one day only. The film will screen on May 14 and tickets are now available on Fandango.

First released in 2005, Kingdom of Heaven is a fictionalized version of the Third Crusade, and centers around a blacksmith-turned-knight (Orlando Bloom), who gets swept up in the battle for Jerusalem in the 12th century. The film ran into problems with test audiences, and 20th Century Fox ordered that 45 minutes be cut from the film. The resulting two-hour, 24-minute film was released to mixed reviews (it holds a 39% Rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and middling box office, grossing $218 million Usd on a $130 million budget.

The director's cut, which featured Scott's intended vision for the film, runs for three hours and ten minutes, and restores...

Kingdom of Heaven, released in 2005, is celebrating 20 years with a new 4K Uhd Blu-ray Steelbook that includes a restored and remastered director’s cut of the film as well as a slew of bonus features. Per Geek Vibes Nation, Disney announced that the film will be released on physical media on May 27.

Ridley Scott (Gladiator)directed the historical war epic which is a mainly fictionalized portrayal of what happened leading up to the Third Crusade. The film stars Orlando Bloom as Balian of Ibelin, who fights to defend the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem from the Sultan Saladin, played by Ghassan Massoud.

The 20th anniversary Uhd Blu-ray will feature three discs in a limited-edition Steelbook case which contain behind-the-scenes footage at the movie’s special effects, deleted scenes and an introduction by director Ridley Scott. Kingdom of Heaven has a stellar cast that includes Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Edward Norton, Kevin McKidd...

Ridley Scott sold the set of his 2005 movie for $10, only to pay $1 million to rent the set again fifteen years later. Scott has a dynamic directing career that began with the 1977 film The Duellists. His next movie, Alien, proved to be a breakout hit that launched a long-running franchise and remains one of Ridley Scott's best movies. Scott's next science-fiction film, Blade Runner, was critically divisive when it was released in 1982 and underperformed at the box office, but it is now considered to be a highly influential staple of the science-fiction genre.

Scott has made a lasting impact on other genres as well. His 1991 crime drama, Thelma and Louise, is still widely lauded as a powerful feminist film. A decade later, Scott's Black Hawk Down showcased the true horrors of war based on real events from the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Scott has also helmed numerous movies that are historical epics,...

Iconic Hollywood filmmaker Ridley Scott is set to bring Gladiator II to the big screen this November. However, fans can revisit one of Scott's lesser-heralded historical epics on streaming before his anticipated sequel hits cinemas, as his Kingdom of Heaven movie finds a new online home.

Prime Video confirmed it will begin streaming Kingdom of Heaven on Nov. 1, becoming the latest service to carry the film after Disney+. The film's Prime Video debut comes two weeks before Gladiator II premieres in theaters internationally, offering movie lovers a chance to catch up with another of Scott's films in the meantime.

Related 10 Perfect Movies, According to Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott pointed out very different films that have inspired him over the years.

Released by 20th Century Fox in 2005, five years after Gladiator's debut, Kingdom of Heaven stars Orlando Bloom, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, Eva Green, Edward Norton and Jeremy Irons. Set in medieval France,...

The director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven adds depth to Eva Green's character, turning her from a love interest into a tragic figure. The addition of a subplot involving Sibylla's son explains her decisions and adds emotional weight to her story. This change in the director's cut greatly impacts the film and makes it a far superior version with more impact.

The director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven, Ridley Scott's 2005 epic tale of the Crusades, gives Eva Green's character depth and nuance, turning her from a pure love interest into a fully fleshed-out character. Kingdom of Heaven, starring Eva Green, Orlando Bloom, and Ghassan Massoud, is a heavily fictionalized version of the build up to the Third Crusade, and the fight for Jerusalem. The historical epic centers on Balian of Ibelin, a blacksmith who finds himself in Jerusalem when seeking salvation for himself and his dead wife - he is,...

In 2005, Ridley Scott released Kingdom of Heaven, his first historical action movie since the Oscar-winning Gladiator. Set during the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven film follows Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom), a man grieving the death of his wife and on the run for murdering a corrupt priest (Michael Sheen). Balian reunites with his lost father Barisan (Liam Neeson) and the two head to Jerusalem to try to keep the peace between King Baldwin IV (Edward Norton), a dying leper, and the sultan Saladin (Ghassan Massoud). However, on the journey, Barisan dies and Balian is left to try and defend King Baldwin while also falling for the King's sister, Sibylla (Eva Green), whose husband Guy de Lusigan (Marton Csokas) looks to break the fragile truce with the Muslims. When the King dies, the truce is broken, and the Templar force is decimated. Balian is left to defend the city against Saladin's forces.

The Cello is a supernatural horror film about a talented musician who discovers a new instrument that enhances his abilities. Director Darren Lynn Bousman took on the project because he enjoys taking risks and working on unique and challenging films. The movie was shot in Saudi Arabia, which was an unconventional location for Bousman, but he found it to be an exciting and inspiring experience.

Written by Turki Al Alshikh, The Cello is currently available in theaters nationwide. The supernatural horror is in both Arabic and English and follows a talented musician named Nasser, who feels as if his current instrument hinders his abilities. When he is given an antique cello, Nasser's talents take on new life. However, he refuses to acknowledge that his recently developed skills come at a cost.

Darren Lynn Bousman serves as the director of the film and is most well-known for his work on the Saw franchise.

It was only a decade ago that the first feature film to entirely shoot in Saudi Arabia was released — and it was directed by a woman. 2012's Wadjda remains an excellent film, and initiated the slow-drip of a New Saudi Cinema that has included the phenomenal pictures The Tambour of Retribution and The Perfect Candidate. Netflix just released a Saudi film, Alkhallat+. Politics aside, the kingdom is obviously transforming itself through a cultural renaissance of sorts, a modernizing effort that is attracting businesses and artists alike. Darren Lynn Bousman is now one of them.

Bousman is the director behind four films in the Saw franchise, the bombastic horror musical masterpiece Repo! The Genetic Opera, underrated recent films like Abattoir, and genuinely innovative immersive theater experiences like One Day Die. This Midwestern horror maestro is not the first person you'd expect to embed himself in Saudi Arabia and make an Arabic film,...

Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II-iv, Spiral) is back with brand new horror movie The Cello, which will release here in North America on December 8. While you wait, Bloody Disgusting has been provided with an exclusive clip today, previewing three full minutes of the film.

Jeremy Irons is featured in this extended clip from Bousman’s The Cello, which gives us a bloody sneak peek at the terrifying power of the titular Cello. Watch it down below.

The Cello tells the story of a cellist who finds out his new cello comes with a centuries old curse. The film is written by Turki Alalshikh, a best-selling poet, musician and lyricist, based on his novel, and is produced by Rozam Media, Alamiya, and Envision Media Arts.

After the recent premiere, Director Darren Lynn Bousman said, “Getting to experience the movie in Riyadh with a packed audience was surreal. I have been so...

Santa Isn't Real: "After suffering a brutal attack on Christmas eve, a young woman, Nikki, struggles to convince her friends that the assailant was none other than Ol' Kris Kringle. When Santa returns to terrorize the group in their remote cabin the next Christmas, Nikki and her friends must overcome disbelief as they fight to stay alive."

Written and Directed by: Zac Locke (The Voyeurs, Black Christmas) Country of Origin: USA Language: English Genre: Horror Distributor: XYZ Films Run Time: 76 minutes Cast: Scarlett Sperduto, Dana Millican, Kaya Coleman

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The Cello: "Like many musicians, accomplished Saudi cellist Nasser (Samer Ismail) has aspirations for greatness, though he feels like he’s held back by the old, dilapidated instrument he’s forced to play. When Nasser is offered the chance to take possession of a gorgeous red cello by a mysterious shop owner (Tobin Bell), he finds new inspiration both for his playing and for his composing.

'The Cello' is a horror movie directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, featuring Tobin Bell and Jeremy Irons. The film follows the story of a Saudi cellist who obtains a new cello, unaware of its dark history, leading to horrifying events. Bousman, known for his work in the Saw franchise, brings his expertise in the genre to 'The Cello,' making it a highly anticipated film for horror fans.

Saw director Darren Lynn Bousman teams up with franchise star Tobin Bell for The Cello, his next horror movie, coming to theaters on December 8th. Music can be a blessing but also a curse. The Cello presents the story of Nasser, a Saudi cellist who feels frustrated because he has great aspirations but his instrument, an old and worn cello, does not allow him to demonstrate his full potential. So, when the opportunity arises to obtain a new, much newer and more refined instrument,...

Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II-iv, Spiral) is back with brand new horror movie The Cello, which had its World Premiere on September 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Muvi Cinemas on famed Riyadh Boulevard. The film will release in North America on December 8.

While you wait, check out a fresh teaser trailer for The Cello below.

The Cello tells the story of a cellist who finds out his new cello comes with a centuries old curse. The film is written by Turki Alalshikh, a best-selling poet, musician and lyricist, based on his novel, and is produced by Rozam Media, Alamiya, and Envision Media Arts.

After the premiere, Director Darren Lynn Bousman said, “Getting to experience the movie in Riyadh with a packed audience was surreal. I have been so lucky in my career to shoot all over the world and Cello took me to Saudi Arabia, Prague & Ireland. It was...

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live: "AMC Networks announced tonight that The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, the highly anticipated next series in the Walking Dead Universe, will premiere Sunday, February 25, 2024 on AMC and AMC+. A new teaser for the series, which stars Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira as beloved Twd characters Rick Grimes and Michonne, was also released during tonight’s series finale of Fear the Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live presents an epic love story of two characters changed by a changed world. Kept apart by distance. By an unstoppable power. By the ghosts of who they were. Rick and Michonne are thrown into another world, built on a war against the dead... And ultimately, a war against the living. Can they find each other and who they were in a place and situation unlike any they've ever known before? Are they enemies?...

The consensus thus far on Ridley Scott's "Napoleon," including from /Film's own Chris Evangelista, is that it feels like the shadow of a greater film — namely, the four-hour cut that Scott has confirmed will premiere on Apple TV+ at a later time. This wouldn't be the first time that such a fate befell one of Sir Scott's historical epics. Let's go back to 2005 when his opus "Kingdom of Heaven" met a muted response.

Set in the late 12th century, the film follows French blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom), who joins his long-lost father Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson) on a quest to Jerusalem. Balian is seeking redemption; his wife died by suicide after the death of their child, denying herself entrance to Heaven, and he then killed the village priest (Michael Sheen) after the man mutilated her corpse. Balian is caught in the middle of power struggles; power-hungry knight Guy de...

Hammer Films Annoucnes October Release for Doctor Jekyll: "Hammer Films is thrilled to announce the theatrical release of B Good Picture Company’s Doctor Jekyll exclusively in UK cinemas from 27 October 2023.

Directed by Joe Stephenson featuring an impressive cast including Eddie Izzard, Scott Chambers, Lindsay Duncan and Simon Callow, Doctor Jekyll’s UK-wide release marks the first release for the recently resurrected Hammer, following its acquisition by theatre and entertainment mogul John Gore.

Bringing a modern twist to the critically adored tale, Doctor Jekyll will receive its red-carpet premiere at London’s iconic Odeon Leicester Square on 11 October. The film was also selected to play at FrightFest London 2023 where an initial cut of the film was screened as part of the festival’s line-up.

A modern interpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Doctor Jekyll, is a reimagining of the...

Cello, the under-the-radar English and Arabic-language horror movie shot in Saudi Arabia by Saw filmmaker Darren Lynn Bousman received its world premiere this week at the Muvi Cinema in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Oscar winner Jeremy Irons (House of Gucci) and Saw star Tobin Bell lead the cast alongside Syrian actor Samer Ismail (The Day I Lost My Shadow) and Saudi actress Elham Ali (Ashman) in the story of an aspiring cellist who learns that the cost of his brand-new cello is a lot more insidious than he first thought.

The film was written by Turki Alalshikh, the current Chairman of the General Authority for Entertainment of Saudi Arabia. The film was produced by Rozam Media, Alamiya, and Envision Media Arts. Producers report the film has pre-sold over 15,000 tickets for the upcoming opening weekend in the Arab region. The pic will debut stateside on December 8.

The Saudi premiere was attended by Bousman and producer Lee Nelson (The Ice Road). Others in attendance included stars Elham Ali, Samer Ismail, Suad Abdullah, Ibrahim Samman, Muhanad Al-Hamdi, Fahad Alqahtani, Baraa Alem, and Ghassan Massoud as well as co-producer Raul Talwar and executive producer Niko Ruokosuo.

“Getting to experience the movie in Riyadh with a packed audience was surreal. I have been so lucky in my career to shoot all over the world, and Cello took me to Saudi Arabia, Prague & Ireland,” Bousman said following the debut screening.

“It was such a fantastical adventure getting to work and play in such different and unique areas. We had the great fortune to work with superstars of the Arab region. Then, add Jeremy Irons and Tobin Bell into the mix it & was a once in a lifetime experience.”

Nelson added: “The production was comprised of an international team of artists from all over the world. Our 250-person crew came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Canada, Italy, Egypt, Africa, India, Ireland, Tunisia, Jordan, Dubai, and the UK. It was such a humbling experience to be at the center of so many talented people at the top of their trade. It was a truly global collaboration.”...

Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II-iv, Spiral) is back with brand new horror movie Cello, which just had its World Premiere on September 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Muvi Cinemas on famed Riyadh Boulevard. The film has already pre-sold well over 15,000 tickets for the upcoming opening weekend in the Arab region and will release in North America December 8.

While you wait, check out some first-look images from Cello below. The first two are being exclusively shared by Bloody Disgusting, while the others were sent out to press today.

Cello tells the story of a cellist who finds out his new cello comes with a centuries old curse. The film is written by Turki Alalshikh, a best-selling poet, musician and lyricist, based on his novel, and is produced by Rozam Media, Alamiya, and Envision Media Arts.

After the premiere, Director Darren Lynn Bousman said, “Getting to experience the movie in Riyadh...

British director director Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) is shooting Saudi Arabia-set actioner “Desert Warrior” featuring a top notch international cast led by “Captain America” star Anthony Mackie and Aiysha Hart.

Mbc Studios, the production arm of prominent Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group, has teamed up with U.S. producer Jeremy Bolt (“Resident Evil”) and Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios on the big-budget period epic set in 7th century Arabia.

Pic, which started filming in September in Neom, a futuristic city being built in the Tabuk province of northwestern Saudi Arabia, is being touted as the kingdom’s first tentpole movie and Saudi-owned Mbc’s biggest production to date. The shoot is expected to continue for three more months, a statement said.

Besides the two leads, the “Desert Warrior” cast also comprises Ben Kingsley, Sharlto Copley (“District 9”) and Ghassan Massoud (“Kingdom of Heaven”).

Zeinab Abu Alsamh,...

Exclusive: Production is underway on Desert Warrior, an action packed epic feature set in 7th Century Arabia. Anthony Mackie stars with Aiysha Hart, Sharlto Copley, Ghassan Massoud, Sami Bouajila, Lamis Ammar, Géza Röhrig, and Sir Ben Kingsley. The film is shooting in Neom and Tabuk in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The script is by Wyatt, Erica Beeney, David Self, and Gary Ross.

Mbc Studios, Jb Pictures and AGC Studios are teamed on the film, the first tentpole-sized picture to be shot at Neom.

It’s 7th century, when Arabia is made up of rival, feuding tribes, disunited and forever at each other’s throats. Emperor Kisra (Kingsley) has a fearsome reputation for being utterly ruthless. But when the Arabian Princess Hind (Hart) refuses to become the emperor’s concubine, the stage is set for an epic confrontation. It is a battle that, by its conclusion, will have changed the...

Saudi Arabia is stretching its filmmaking arms into Hollywood once more.

Having already come aboard to finance the Gerard Butler action-thriller Kandahar, Mbc Studios, the production arm of the Saudi government-controlled regional broadcasting giant Mbc, is now set to produce the historical epic Desert Warrior from Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Mosquito Coast), marking its biggest production to date.

Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Avengers: Endgame) and Aiysha Hart (Mogul Mowgli, Colette) are leading the picture, which sees Mbc Studios partner with fellow producers U.S.-based Jb Pictures and AGC Studios. Joining them are Sharlto Copley (District 9), Ghassan Massoud (Kingdom ...

Saudi Arabia is stretching its filmmaking arms into Hollywood once more.

Having already come aboard to finance the Gerard Butler action-thriller Kandahar, Mbc Studios, the production arm of the Saudi government-controlled regional broadcasting giant Mbc, is now set to produce the historical epic Desert Warrior from Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Mosquito Coast), marking its biggest production to date.

Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Avengers: Endgame) and Aiysha Hart (Mogul Mowgli, Colette) are leading the picture, which sees Mbc Studios partner with fellow producers U.S.-based Jb Pictures and AGC Studios. Joining them are Sharlto Copley (District 9), Ghassan Massoud (Kingdom ...

When people tend to think of Central Asian cinema, regardless of genre, many would immediately conjure up images of the region’s vast steppes, striking awe in the eyes of many thanks to gifted cinematographers bringing the landscape to life, rendering its characters insignificant and enveloped by the expansive beauty. Many would tend to think of vivid colourisation or striking monochromes, with every pigment popping onto the screen in a dazzling display ripe for High Definition or even 4K. As far as the length and breadth of the region’s historical dramas and epics are concerned, these elements are translated into the costume and production design too, replicated with a historical accuracy usually akin to more famous Chinese epics. Given the magnitude of legends surrounding such a figure as Tomiris, a warrior queen who, depending on which account you believe, defeated King Cyrus II at a battle near the Syr...

From Well Go USA: With the likes of Charlize Theron kicking butt in The Old Guard, 2020 is turning into the year of the strong female action hero, and joining “Wonder Woman”, “Mulan” and “Black Widow” is “The Legend Of Tomiris”, the epic drama on one of the world’s first female warlords, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD September 29 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Directed by award-winning director Akan Satayev (“The Liquidator”), this is the story of the life of the great queen of the steppe – the legendary Tomiris, a woman destined to become a skillful warrior and strategist, unite the Scythian/Saka tribes under her authority, and slay the founder and first king of the Persian empire. The Legend Of Tomiris, the highest-grossing action film in Kazakhstan, stars Almira Tursyn, Adil Akhmetov, Yerkebulan Daiyrov, Berik Aitzhanov, Azamat Satybaldy, Aizhan Lighg and Ghassan Massoud (“Kingdom of Heaven...

"I swear... I shall take back everything you left for me!" Kick his ass! Well Go USA has released an official trailer for a historical epic titled The Legend of Tomiris, an extension of the original title Tomiris. As the title indicates, the film tells the story of the life of the great queen of of the steppe - legendary Tomiris. She is destined to become a skillful warrior, survive the loss of close people and unite the Scythian/Saka tribes under her authority. She is an iconic individual in Asian history, and is the namesake of the modern name Tomris. The Kazakh film stars Almira Tursyn as the iconic Tomiris, with Adil Akhmetov, Erkebulan Dairov, Berik Aytzhanov, Satybaldy Azamat, Aizhan Lighg, and Ghassan Massoud. This actually looks great! Some solid action footage and authentic storytelling, might be worth a watch after all. That final shot where she stares down...

Spoilers ahead for Kingdom of Heaven. In 2005, Ridley Scott released Kingdom of Heaven, his first historical action movie since the Oscar-winning Gladiator. Set during the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven film follows Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom), a man grieving the death of his wife and on the run for murdering a corrupt priest (Michael Sheen). Balian reunites with his lost father Barisan (Liam Neeson) and the two head to Jerusalem to try to keep the peace between King Baldwin IV (Edward Norton), a dying leper, and the sultan Saladin (Ghassan Massoud). However, on the journey, Barisan dies and …...

David Crow May 6, 2019

The Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut is one of Ridley Scott's finest films and every bit as good as Gladiator.

When one thinks back to Ridley Scott’s many great films, it can be tricky to simply cull them down to a top-tier: Alien; Blade Runner; The Duellists; Thelma & Louise; Gladiator; The Martian. There are just so many. Yet one that almost never gets its due is the criminally overlooked Kingdom of Heaven, a masterclass of grandiose epic storytelling that is every bit as layered and emotionally complex as all of the above pictures. Perhaps even more so.

Trust us, if you’ve only seen the theatrical cut of Kingdom of Heaven, you basically haven’t seen it at all.

Indeed, 20th Century Fox made the calculated choice in 2005 to have their thrice Oscar nominated director cut his sprawling meditation on Crusades, codes of honor,...

We at Lr had a chance to check out about 40 minutes of director Ridley Scott’s new historical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings last night. Here’s what we thought.

The series of clips shown went from massive battles to small, intimate character moments that really tried to give you a sense of the grand scale the film is trying to work on as well as the personal story it’s trying to tell beneath it. Bible stories seem to be the new avenue for filmmakers to go down these days, and though Darren Aronofsky’s Noah left a little to be desired it looks like Ridley Scott is embracing his usual overblown sword and sandals method to tell this timeless biblical tale of Moses and Ramses.

The first clip began with both Moses (Christian Bale) and Ramses (Joel Edgerton) preparing to go off to war. We’ll get to...

Exodus

Director: Ridley Scott

Writers: Bill Collage, Adam Cooper, Steve Zaillian

Producers: Peter Chernin, Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott

U.S. Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Cast: Aaron Paul, Christian Bale, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Indira Varma, Ben Mendelsohn, María Valverde, Emun Elliott, Golshifteh Farahani, Dar Salim, Ghassan Massoud, Hiam Abbass

Sure, people are bound to be bent out of shape about the very non-Egyptian casting of its leads, but since we’re talking about mythology and Scott is a vocal agnostic, it seems rather fitting. Beyond what we assume will be yet another memorably committed performance from Bale, and a big budget role for Aaron Paul, Scott reunites with his Alien star Sigourney Weaver for the third outing, this time as the Egyptian Queen, Tuya (let’s hope it’s a better union than 1492: Conquest of Paradise in which she starred as Queen Isabella...

Kingdom of Heaven: The Director’s Cut

Directed by Ridley Scott

Written by William Monaghan

UK/Us 2005

Various directors take very differing stances when it comes to the ongoing threat of executive meddling. This, of course, is when the studio moneymen stop what you’re doing and tell you that what you’ve made will simply not cut it at the box office, that key demographics that their marketing department has been stringently working on (usually in the form of charts) will dislike your movie. If you’re Terry Gilliam, you’ll go to war with said studio and prove that you have the significant integrity (read massive cojones) to work yourself into the ground to make sure nobody interferes with your baby. If you’re David Fincher, you’ll probably go home as loudly and publicly as you can manage.

But if you’re Ridley Scott, one of...

Ever since the birth of the concept in the early eighties, the prospect of a ‘Director’s Cut’ has become one of the most mouth watering morsels for film fanatics, a chance to glimpse an expanded version or in some cases a radically altered vision to their favorite movies. Whether it be the lengthening of an already acclaimed feature (Apocalypse Now Redux), or a total overhaul on the original (Superman II: The Donner Cut), the opportunity to claim even more entertainment, and insight, from a released film is too good to pass up.

However, for every second look that breathes new life or realizes unfulfilled potential for a film, there is the ill-judged revisit of pointless, self indulgent or apparently maliciously motivated proportions. Sometimes, a feature film pleads to be seen in its full light. Other times, it’s better left well alone.

Here is a look at six notable re-cuts,...

Imagine if the studio’s wishes had been fulfilled, and Robert Redford had been cast as Michael Corleone in The Godfather. Or imagine if Raiders of the Lost Ark had been scored by Randy Newman. What would it be like if Apocalypse Now ended with a musical number, complete with Montagnard cabaret dancers and Marlon Brando doing the cancan? As a point of clarification, that last one isn’t wishful thinking.

There have been a number of films over the years that have been 9/10 jobs, movies that manage to build themselves into potential masterpieces or classics, but put a foot wrong with tragic consequences; a film that may have been a great, but fell just short all by its own doing.

Here is a run down of four such films, and a look at the easily resolvable flaw in each that dragged them down from potential greatness.

Heat

A crime epic in every sense,...

AMC will air a special premiere presentation of director Ridley Scott's 'directors cut' of the 2005 feature, "Kingdom Of Heaven", Sunday, January 22, 2012.

Written by William Monahan, set during the Crusades of the 12th Century, "Kingdom Of Heaven" stars Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Marton Csokas, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McKidd, Alexander Siddig, Ghassan Massoud, Edward Norton, Jon Finch and Michael Sheen :

"...a French village blacksmith goes to aid the city of Jerusalem in its defense against the kurdish leader 'Saladin', who is battling to reclaim the city from the Christians leading to the 'Battle of Hattin'..."

Location filming included Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou in Morocco, where Scott had also filmed Oscar-winner "Gladiator" and "Black Hawk Down", with a replica of medieval Jerusalem constructed in the desert. Filming also took place in Spain, at the Loarre Castle, Segovia, Ávila, Palma del Río and Casa de Pilatos in Sevilla.

Kingdom of Heaven is probably about as good a movie as anyone could make about the Crusades. This was a ghastly though vitally important stretch of history when Western civilization, whipped up by religious fervor and bitter poverty, confronted the Muslim world with both the sword and cultural arrogance.

Director Ridley Scott and writer William Monahan have managed to put a positive spin on that tragic swath of history in an epic entertainment that seeks and actually finds honor, romance and spiritual redemption amid the slaughter. Brilliantly cast and produced -- hallmarks of Ridley Scott films -- Kingdom fulfills the requirements of grand-scale moviemaking while serving as a timely reminder that in the conflict between Christianity and Islam it was the Christians who picked the first fight.

Boxoffice response should be solid domestically with even greater ticket sales coming from overseas. The Fox release is unlikely to trigger protests from Islamic groups as the main quarrel is between Christians with widely differing agendas. When they appear at all, the Arabs, then called Saracens by Westerners, are portrayed as honorable and brave. They are also two-dimensional but two out of three isn't bad.

Monahan's screenplay traces the astonishing and improbable ascendance of a French blacksmith, unloved by God -- or so he believes -- who in short order finds himself the sole defender of the Holy City of Jerusalem against a vast Saracen army led by legendary Muslim figure Saladin.

Orlando Bloom plays this hero named Balian, who has just buried a wife, a suicide following the death of their infant son, in France in 1184. Then along comes a Crusader, Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson), on a recruiting mission back home. Godfrey abruptly declares himself to be Balian's father and wants him to come away with him to the Holy Land to create his life anew.

This promise of rebirth and forgiveness lies at the heart of the story the film wants to tell. Indeed much contemporary thinking has been transposed on the 12th century, but then how else to make the Crusades relevant or even palatable to modern audiences?

Kingdom takes place during the reign in Jerusalem of a Christian king, Baldwin IV, who forged a fragile peace to keep Saladin's army at bay and permit all three monotheistic religions, the Christians, Muslims and Jews, to worship within city walls. Jerusalem, Godfrey declares to his son, is a true kingdom of heaven -- "a kingdom of conscience, a kingdom of peace." Here a peasant can reinvent himself as a knight by swearing allegiance to noble ideals such as "speak the truth," "safeguard the helpless" and "do no wrong." Thus can a peasant wind up with a very nice piece of property along the road to Jerusalem so long as he keeps it safe for all pilgrims.

Initially, the surly and Godless Balian rejects his father's offer. Then the movie indulges in its strangest and most off-putting episode. Balian brutally slays a village priest, whose minor sin is the theft of a crucifix from the corpse of Balian's wife. He then runs to papa and his rag-tag followers for protection. The village police come a-calling, a slash-and-stab battle ensues and nearly everyone winds up dead and dad is mortally wounded. Not a great beginning in the nobility and righteousness business.

Dad lasts as far as Messina, gateway for the Holy Land, where he dubs his son a knight. Balian then falls under the not always watchful care of his dad's Hospitaler (David Thewlis), a kind of knight-confessor. A shipwreck and deadly duel precede Balian's entry into Jerusalem, where his father's knights conveniently recognize his dad's sword and swear fealty to the son.

Balian takes one look at his dad's acreage outside town and notices there is no water. So he digs a well and everyone is happy about the new master. You mean nobody thought to dig a well in the desert before this peasant came along?

Balian quickly becomes a political insider within the Christian rulers of the Holy City. Young king Baldwin is dying of leprosy so hideous he hides his face behind a silver mask. His beautiful sister Sibylla (French actress Eva Green) is unhappily married to a thug, Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas), who waits in the wings to assume the throne. Meanwhile, Guy plots with red-headed maniac Reynald of Chatillon (Brendan Gleeson) to stir up trouble among the Saracens to create a pretext for war.

The king's advisor Tiberias (Jeremy Irons) strives unsuccessfully to calm the situation as events spin out of control with Balian's affair with Sibylla, the king's death and, well, you know things never go right in the Middle East.

The crux the matter is Balian's refusal to allow Baldwin to remove Guy from the picture so Balian can marry his sister and peacefully rule the city after the king's passing. This is a kingdom of conscience, remember, and apparently Balian's knightly conscience will not allow the killing of a tyrant but is willing to countenance the deaths of thousands and the fall of Christianity in Jerusalem that results from his decision.

The film wisely avoids showing the slaughter of Guy's army by forces lead by Saladin (Syrian film star and director Ghassan Massoud). The film's focus is the siege of Jerusalem and Balian's defense of the city against impossible odds through strategic guile. This is a truly memorable sequence of military planning and action involving huge, mobile engines that hurl heavy rocks against the walls, a sky filled with deadly arrows, burning pitch and sulfur poured on attackers and vicious hand-to-hand combat. It is, in Balian's words, "a fight for the people's safety and freedom," freedom being a relative term in the 12th century.

There are no false notes among the cast. Bloom makes a worthy hero, neither overplaying his hand nor striving to rob the movie of its ensemble quality. Green is suitably enigmatic and sultry, but the script falls to flesh out her character. Irons and Thewlis are British thespians playing wise counselors in a period drama as only British thespians can. Csokas and Gleeson are glorious punks without a scintilla of moral compunction or religious fervor in their greedy, blood-thirty grabs for power. In fleeting moments, Neeson and Massoud play battle-scared, weary warriors with comforting aplomb.

Harry Gregson-Williams' music contains nice Eastern touches but can be a tad aggressive on occasions. Arthur Max's set designs (abetted by CGI) create a finely detailed Holy City and its environs while John Mathieson's cinematography goes in for an appealingly darker palette than epics usually get. The battle sequences are among the best in recent memory -- which says a lot, not only for their intensity but their restraint from exploitative gore.

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

A Scott Free production

Credits:

Director/producer: Ridley Scott

Writer: William Monahan

Executive producers: Branko Lustig, Lisa Ellzey, Terry Needham

Director of photography: John Mathieson

Production designer: Arthur Max

Music: Harry Gregson-Williams

Costumes: Janty Yates

Editor: Dody Dorn

Cast:

Balian: Orlando Bloom

Sibylla: Eva Green

Tiberias: Jeremy Irons

Hospitaler: David Thewlis

Reynald de Chatillon: Brendan Gleeson

Guy de Lusignan: Marton Csokas

Godfrey of Ibelin: Liam Neeson

Saladin: Ghassan Massoud

MPAA rating: R

Running time -- 144 minutes...

Director Ridley Scott has been praised for challenging the post 9/11 demonization of the Muslim religion and warfare in his latest movie Kingdom Of Heaven. The controversial film depicts a 12th century Muslim-Christian battle for Jerusalem during the Third Crusade - and is set to cast aside stereotypical views of Muslims and show the benefits of diplomacy over war in resolving Middle Eastern crises. Historians have praised the accurate character portrayals - in particular that of Muslim leader Saladin, played by Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud. Muslim scholar Hamid Dabashi says, "There are a few inaccuracies, in that he has probably made Saladin look too heroic. Saladin was always respected more by Christians than Muslims, and would show mercy to those who could afford to pay him. But this is a film that tries to deal as accurately as possible with the difficult issues of religion and warfare of the time. Muslims have nothing to fear." The film, shot in Morocco and Spain, hits screens next month.