Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven is a 2005 historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by William Monahan.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Kingdom of Heaven is a 2005 historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott. It follows a French blacksmith during the Crusades.

What it is

The film is a fictionalised account of Balian of Ibelin, a blacksmith who becomes involved in the defence of Jerusalem during the Crusades. It centres on the events leading to the Third Crusade and the conflict with Saladin.

Production and release

Directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by William Monahan, the film was produced by Scott Free Productions and 20th Century Fox. It was released theatrically on 6 May 2005 and later received a director’s cut in December 2005.

Reception and historical accuracy

The theatrical release received mixed reviews, but the director’s cut was more warmly received. The film grossed about US$218 million worldwide. While drawing on Crusader history and Balian of Ibelin, it is a dramatized retelling, not a strict historical account.

In short

  • Directed by Ridley Scott, released 6 May 2005
  • Starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, and Liam Neeson
  • Fictionalised story set during the Crusades
  • Director’s cut released later to better reviews
Canadian angle

The film was released in Canada through major home-entertainment and streaming platforms, and Canadian audiences may know it under its English title, Kingdom of Heaven.

Quick questions

What is Kingdom of Heaven about?
It is about Balian of Ibelin, a blacksmith who becomes involved in the defence of Jerusalem during the Crusades.
Who directed Kingdom of Heaven?
Ridley Scott directed the film.
Was Kingdom of Heaven based on a true story?
It is loosely based on Balian of Ibelin and historical Crusader events, but it is a fictionalised dramatization.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Heaven_(film)
    Supports: Directed by Ridley Scott; written by William Monahan; release date; cast; plot; box office; director’s cut reception.
  2. Apple TV Canada — https://tv.apple.com/ca/movie/kingdom-of-heaven/umc.cmc.r0pno8wvk2wzl578c1w207bv
    Supports: Canadian availability; cast; director; brief plot description; runtime.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0320661/
    Supports: Setting during the Crusades; fictionalised account of Balian of Ibelin; plot context.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kingdom-of-heaven-2005
    Supports: Historical setting and portrayal of King Baldwin; critical context for the theatrical release.