Kingdom of Heaven is a Hollywood interpretation of the events leading up to the third crusade, starring none other than Orlando Bloom. As exciting and entertaining as this movie is, it is only halfway historically accurate.
For example, the real Balian of Ibelin grew up in the Middle East, unlike the Bloom Balian who travelled there from France later in life. Balian also is not historically recorded to have been an illegitimate child as he is in the movie. The future queen of Jerusalem, Sibylla, never had an affair with Balian as shown in the movie. During the final battle for Jerusalem, the movie shows the Muslims throwing balls of fire over the wall; however, this is historically inaccurate because they would have climbed the walls or perhaps had archers raining arrows on the Christians.
As inaccurate as Kingdom of Heaven is, it does have a good, factual basis. Balian WAS the man leading the Christian army during the third crusade, and he did arrange for terms with Saladin to save many people's lives from both the Christian and Muslim sides. Sibylla WAS married to Guy Luisginan, and did take him as her king after the death of her brother. Saladin DID win Jerusalem in the third crusade.
Overall, Kingdom of Heaven is a good movie, and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with the nature of the crusades. However, it is always important to do research before believing what Hollywood and Orlando Bloom say.
For example, the real Balian of Ibelin grew up in the Middle East, unlike the Bloom Balian who travelled there from France later in life. Balian also is not historically recorded to have been an illegitimate child as he is in the movie. The future queen of Jerusalem, Sibylla, never had an affair with Balian as shown in the movie. During the final battle for Jerusalem, the movie shows the Muslims throwing balls of fire over the wall; however, this is historically inaccurate because they would have climbed the walls or perhaps had archers raining arrows on the Christians.
As inaccurate as Kingdom of Heaven is, it does have a good, factual basis. Balian WAS the man leading the Christian army during the third crusade, and he did arrange for terms with Saladin to save many people's lives from both the Christian and Muslim sides. Sibylla WAS married to Guy Luisginan, and did take him as her king after the death of her brother. Saladin DID win Jerusalem in the third crusade.
Overall, Kingdom of Heaven is a good movie, and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with the nature of the crusades. However, it is always important to do research before believing what Hollywood and Orlando Bloom say.