Kingdom of Heaven director's cut, 2005

 

Kingdom of Heaven director's cut

“What does that say?“

“What man is a man, who does not make the world better.”

“I pray the world and Jerusalem can accommodate such a rarity as a perfect knight.”

“If this is the Kingdom of Heaven, let God do with it as he wills.”

“When you rise again, if you rise, rise a knight.”

-Kingdom of Heaven, director's cut

The director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven, is a cinematic presentation of history at its most dense and vibrant. Designed as a vehicle to explore perceptions rather than a chronicle of historical events. Kingdom of Heaven is a deeply agile search for the true meaning of Crusade, history intermingles with theme and narrative to great effect here. Seemingly in an effort to challenge the common conceptions of the Crusades, as well as enrich this lavishly constructed view of history, with a sense of real honesty and pathos.
Offering us a lens into the Crusades that seeks for meaning, beyond the perceptions of tainted motivations and religious failures. Kingdom of Heaven's central figure is a reversal of these preconceived notions. Though Balian is human, he must still come to terms with his fallen humanity, before reaching his true potential as a knight. So, Kingdom of Heaven begins, not in a disregard of misconception, but in full acceptance of it.
In other words, the desired purpose of the Crusades, to protect and defend, is obscured once again by the looming presence of human failure. Failure to understand what true faith and religion should actually convey. At the start of Kingdom of Heaven, the contrast between what we perceive religion to be, and what it actually is, is heightened for a simple reason, to make way for the truth. In essence, the film is an historical excavation of sorts, a dig to unearth the chivalric nature of knighthood, and place it within the desired historical context.
Kingdom of Heaven eloquently sidesteps a rewrite of history by exploring the hope of knighthood, in the context of an unrelentingly pessimistic world. Balian's journey throughout the film then, is a sincere and meaningful counterpoint to a world torn apart at the seams. Balian's story is not so much a rewrite of history, as it is a refocus on an historically weighted understanding of the true nature of knighthood. A nature built on protecting and upholding the truth. Director Ridley Scott and his team unlock an exquisitely dynamic window into the second Crusade. Offering us a glimpse into what It means to be a true defender of the Kingdom of Heaven.

If you plan on watching this film do not watch the theatrical cut. The director's cut is far superior. The theatrical cut is basically a different film. There is a reason why Disney/20th Century Fox no longer releases the theatrical cut on disc. it is not the film they want you to see. There is nothing functionally wrong with the theatrical cut, save for the fact that it is nearly 50 minutes shorter than the director's cut. It also cuts out complete storylines and characters essential to the viewing experience. For reference the theatrical cut is 2 hours and 24 minutes, the roadshow version of the director's cut is 3 hours and 13 minutes.

Rated R for strong violence, epic warfare, and brief sexuality (Note, sexual content is more in line with PG-13. No graphic nudity and/or prolonged sequences. There are two brief scenes.

I found the director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven to be visually enthralling, deeply meaningful, and thought-provoking. I hope in some way you do too.

The director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven can be purchased on any digital video streaming service. It is available physically on a 10th anniversary 3 disc Blu-ray set, and the newly released 20th anniversary 3 disc 4K Ultra HD set.