Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Summary: Kingdom of Heaven tells the story of Balian of Ibelin, a French blacksmith who becomes a knight and participates in the Crusades, defending Jerusalem against Saladin’s Muslim forces. The film explores themes of religious conflict, chivalry, and honor.
Foundational Historical Facts:
- The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims, largely over control of the Holy Land, with the First Crusade beginning in 1096.
- The Siege of Jerusalem in 1099, shown in the film, was a pivotal moment in the Crusades, when Christian forces captured the city from Muslims after a bloody battle.
- Saladin, the Muslim leader featured in the film, is remembered for his military strategy and his commitment to fairness, particularly in his treatment of Christian prisoners after the reconquest of Jerusalem in 1187.