As a huge movie fan, I’ve always admired Ridley Scott’s incredible range. He’s given us some of the most iconic sci-fi horror ever, but he also clearly has a passion for grand, sweeping historical dramas. And soon, we’ll be able to revisit one of his more debated films, Kingdom of Heaven, when it hits free streaming on December 1st. Like a lot of his historical work, it’s often criticized for being visually stunning but a little thin on story – and sadly, it didn’t do great at the box office despite its massive budget, which seems to be a pattern with Scott’s ambitious period pieces.
Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven tells the story behind the Third Crusade, focusing on Orlando Bloom as Balian of Ibelin, who bravely defends Jerusalem against Saladin’s forces. The film features a strong cast, including Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Marton Csokas, and Liam Neeson, alongside Bloom.
Although the 2005 film earned $218 million at the box office, its $130 million production cost meant it wasn’t financially successful. Critics weren’t impressed either, pointing out that while the director excelled at creating visually stunning scenes and large-scale battles, these strengths couldn’t overcome the film’s weaknesses – namely, uninteresting characters, a slow and confusing storyline, and a poor choice in casting Orlando Bloom as the lead in what should have been a grand adventure.
The film has received a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics have pointed out that the director prioritized impressive visuals over a compelling story. While the underwater scenes look stunning, they don’t leave a lasting impression. Many reviewers negatively compared it to the director’s much better film, Gladiator, which set an unfairly high bar. Some viewers enjoyed the numerous action-packed battles, but others, like Lewis Beale from Film Journal International, felt they were used to cover up the movie’s weaknesses. Beale noted that…
This is a remarkably violent movie, and perhaps that’s intentional. The excessive action might distract you from the fact that the story isn’t very strong.
‘Kingdom of Heaven’ Is Redeemed Through the Eyes of Audiences
20th Century
It’s common for critics and audiences to disagree about movies, and films directed by Ridley Scott often spark particularly strong debate. While critics didn’t initially love Kingdom of Heaven, its 72% audience score suggests it resonated with viewers and delivered what they were hoping for, despite any imperfections.
If you’re seeking a historically accurate portrayal of past events, a Hollywood movie isn’t the place to find it. It’s no surprise that many viewers loved the film, describing it as incredible, epic, and breathtaking. While critics weren’t initially kind, the Director’s Cut offered improvements. Regardless of which version you see, if you can overlook the questionable casting of Orlando Bloom – a flaw even positive reviews acknowledge – fans of grand historical war films will likely find something to enjoy.
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2025-11-30 19:25