if you like these kinds of movies, I really suggest it. It was a great show.
I wouldn’t go for the historic value as it was way off on lots of points:
-it wasn’t the 2nd crusade which ended just before 1150 and it wasn’t the 3rd who started a bit after when the movie is supposed to be
-guy wasn’t a templar
etc…
but then Ridley Scott was not planning to do a historical movie really.
I went in with high expectations. They were not met. On the plus side of things, great action sequences and great mass extra scenes. I agree with you on the historical accuracy issues. Adding to your points, way too many peasants with chain mail and the locals had not picked up the english longbow.
I suspect that the dvd will be better when R. Scott gets to do the 3 hour director’s cut instead of the disjointed 2.5 hour theatrical release.
I do not understand the islamic condemnation of the movie. I do not think it shows muslims or Saladin in a poor light, to the contrary in my view. The crusaders are, for the most part, portrayed as intolerant barbarians and the muslims as civilized and tolerant.
Yes! that was also my thought. It shows the muslims a lot more advanced than ‘we’ were…which was true at this time. It shows them as men of honor etc. whereas the templars are shown as murderers (which they were on several occasions but certainly not on a regular basis)
Although compared to how Troy was butchered (the story was just gone) SR did fine…really like the show and the movie could have been an other 1h long and it was just fine
I’m looking forward to seeing it. Thanks again for your help with 1/2 IM Monaco Francois.
Tom.
I say it yesterday night. It was not great. It was only OK, maybe three out of five stars. It was big and sprawling with beautiful photography and sets but it just got old. Also, the mamby-pamby treatment of the topic is insulting to both Muslims and Christians.
It was like they would get together, have this huge battle, 1500 guys would die, then the two guys would walk out on the battlefield and go, “You’re a good man… let’s say we call this off…” and then the other guy goes, “OK, done…” and then they are pals.
If it were only that easy.
a lot of the historical facts are off (but I read an interview of Ridley Scott and he didn’t want to make a historical movie, just use some facts and create around it).
However, there was one battle for jerusalem (I forgot which one) where what you think couldn’t happen, precisely happened…They were 8 crusades so I’ll have to dig the right one out (I think it was the 3rd with Philippe Auguste, Richard etc.)
So, from what I know about the history of the crusades, what Scott did is that he took bits and pieces here and here to make the movie, which in my opinion is very good.
But the DVD will come out with the 3h40’ version which explains how he survives the storm, learns to fight etc…
the movie definitely needed another hour. and 6 more fights. have to say i was a bit disappointed. was expecting something more gladiator-like. not enough fighting. orlando bloom can’t carry a role like this.
and i was really curious as to how ballion goes from blacksmith, to weapons expert, to master military tactician after a 4 minute lesson with his pops…