Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

SYNOPSIS

Release Date: May 6, 2005

Director: Ridley Scott

Written by: William Monahan

Producer: Ridley Scott

Cast: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Marton Csokas, and Liam Neeson

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is an epic adventure about a common man who finds himself thrust into a decades-long war. A stranger in a strange land, he serves a doomed king, falls in love with an exotic and forbidden queen, and rises to knighthood. Ultimately, he must protect the people of Jerusalem from overwhelming forces – while striving to keep a fragile peace. From Ridley Scott, the master of the modern epic. (Photo and synopsis from Twentieth Century Fox)

Rated R for strong violence and epic warfare. (from mpaa.org)

Kingdom of Heaven wil be released on video and DVD on October 11 (US).

GALLERY

View images from the movie in the Gallery.

DISCUSSION

Discuss the film @ the Forums.

CAST

(in alphabetical order; click on name to visit website)

Jouko Ahola
Ahola’s role is unknown at this time. Note: Ahola was named World’s Strongest Man in 1997 & 1999. This is his first American film role.
Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Troy)
Orlando plays Balian, the young blacksmith who becomes a knight to fight for Jerusalem. Note: This is Orlando’s first lead role in a major film.
Marton Csokas (Lord of the Rings trilogy, XXX, Timeline)
According to IMDB, Csokas plays Guy De Lesignan. Note: Csokas played Celeborn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy with Orlando and was in Timeline alongside David Thewlis.
Eriq Ebouaney
According to sources, Ebouaney plays Firuz, a Turkish mercenary of African origin. Thanks to A. Bernard for the photo.
Khaled El Nabaoui
According to sources, El Naboui, a native of Egypt, has a significant role in the film but further information is not known at this time. Thanks to A. Bernard for the photo.
Brendan Gleeson (Cold Mountain, 28 Days Later, Braveheart, Troy)
According to IMDB, Gleeson plays Reynald. Note: Gleeson played Menelaus to Orlando’s Paris in 2004’s Troy.
Eva Green
Green plays Sibyllia, the princess of Jerusalem and Balian’s love interest. Although well-known in her native France, this is Green’s first role in an American film.
Jeremy Irons (Time Machine, Man in the Iron Mask, Reversal of Fortune)
According to IMDB, Irons plays Tiberias, a knight.
Ghassan Massoud
According to IMDB, Massoud plays Saladin, the shiekh laying siege to Jerusalem. Note: This is Massoud’s first American film and biographical information is scarce. More information should turn up as promotion for the film increases. Thanks to A. Bernard for the photo!
Liam Neeson (Love Actually, Gangs of New York, Schindler’s List)
According to IMDB, Neeson plays Godfrey of Ibelin, Balian’s father.
Edward Norton (The Italian Job, Fight Club, Primal Fear)
According to IMDB, Norton plays King Baldwin IV.
Alexander Siddig (Reign of Fire, Vertical Limit, Spooks)
Sid plays Nasir, Saladin’s student and aide.

NOTE: Originally Sid’s character’s name was ‘Imad’, but partway through filming it was changed to ‘Nasir’. A line of dialogue will be added to the DVD release in which Nasir introduces himself to Balian.

David Thewlis (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Timeline)

According to IMDB, Thewlis plays Hospitaller, a priest.

FILMING

Production began in Spain on January 12th, 2004, with a budget of approximately $110 million. After about six weeks of filming in various locations in Spain, the production moved to Morocco for the remainder of the shoot (approximately 3 months). Principle photography ended in early June 2004. (from Greg’s Previews)

ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS

Kingdom of Heaven Filming in Avila (from OBF)

Adventure in the Desert (from OBF)

PHOTOS

Photos from The Orlando Bloom Files (set photos and fan photos)

Set photos from The Z Review (warning: lots of pop-ups)

LINKS

Greg’s Preview @ Yahoo!

IMDB film page