Soldado de Deus

Before watching this film, leave behind any references to The Kingdom Heaven. This is an extremely low budget film shot somewhere in the desert (certainly not the judean desert) and with no sets to speak of. The film gives the impression it's going to lead you to some profound revelation at some point. This never happens and by the end I was left feeling cheated that I struggled through Rene's (The Templar) rare, mumbled, accented dialogue for nothing. I will never cease to be amazed at how easily some film goers are pleased. The reviews that paint this as some sort of beautiful, well acted, historical treat are myopic in my opinion and I am being kind. This was an awkward, pointless film, with a pointless story.

After seeing all the awards this movie had won I got it out expecting something special. This is a dreadful movie. It never started, just droned on and on. The main character's diction/accent is so poor it's hard to make out a word he said. But after rewinding it, we realised it wasn't worth hearing anyway.

And I can't believe another user thought the acting was good! It was ABYSMAL. In one of the first scenes we see the Templar Knights discuss how they will react to the Islamic King's actions - apart from one actor the rest of the cast give truly cringe-worthy performances.

This is definitely one to leave on the shelf. Embarrassingly, my guests also thought it was spectacularly rubbish.

To be honest you'd be better off watching Colin Farrell as Alexander the Celt (What? Alexander wasn't Irish?!) - yes, it is that bad!!!!

(RE: User comment by Dyxrum regarding the Da Vinci Code

Although I'm no fan of Dan Brown or his work, the Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction and as such must be quite well written as it topped the bestseller lists for quite a while - so maybe the 12 year old comment is a tad O.T.T. Surely it's the mislead people who regard the Da Vinci Code as a work of nonfiction that you're referring to - not to the work of fiction itself. So before you get on your high horse take a look at your own 'know all' review!)

(RE: Comparisons to Kingdom of Heaven

Come on they're not really comparable...the plot's so simplistic it's better suited to kids than adults - big budget: no brainer. On the other hand, Soldier of God is meant to be cultured/high-brow. My opinion? Dull as dishwater.)

I watched this incredible HD feature at the Dallas Deep Ellum Film Festival (where it walked away with a big award) and was amazed that the filmmaker had pulled off such a huge film for a small budget. Filmed in California, Mir Bahmanyar somehow managed to transform a California desert to the middle east, but that transformation was second to the incredible transformation by Bill Mendieta into a Muslim fighter who harbors a deadly secret. At the completion of the movie, at first I was surprised by the ending, but realized the subtext of the story must be met (congrats to Bahmanyar and Kuhlen). Tim Abel's Knight Templar and Mendieta's characters dominate the story with an ease of slipping into the skin of such three dimensional characters. Mapi Galan, whom they discovered in Spain, helped develop the story into a rich depth with her beautiful and exotic Sohelia who mesmerizes the men who visit her tent and seem to alter their attitudes towards war. Neil Lisk's cinematography was exceptional and if you look at the crew you'll note that Mir Bahmanyar's name is all over the place, and this was due to his dedication of getting the story made and offered to the viewing public.

It's well acted that's for sure. Not bad to watch at all.

It doesn't compare to Kingdom of Heaven in the shear scale of modern film making, but it's an interesting critique on the madness of absolute belief some warriors may have lived by, at the time of the crusades. I noticed a previous comment mentioned that a member of the crusading knights would not have acted in the way depicted in the film - I wonder how you would know that of every knight. It's an interesting take on the ambiguities that could beset devote individuals of any faith.

I doubt we have come that far since the time depicted in the film, but I'm sure it will all turn out all right in the end.

Oh dear...

The characters from this movie are far a way from any culture (Christianity, Islam,...)

A muslin woman living alone in the desert...with two man...some time she rise the voice and both man calm down.... Do you really know how was the condition of woman in that age ..in Islam ?

Someone say: "I highly recommend this movie to all students of medieval history, and those interested in comparative religious studies." D. Chaltry, Florida.

Ha Ha Ha...

Mr. Mir Bahmanyar and Kathryn Kuhlen.....please...read at least one book before to write a movie.