05.06.2005  KINGDOM OF HEAVEN  

WHEN THE IDEA IS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN  Ridley Scott was working with the script writer William Monahan, on a new project called Trípoli, when suddenly appears the idea of making a film about some aspects about the Crusades. “It’s a very important and rich history period”, says Scott. “If you study those 200 years with a historical point of view, you can see all the possible aspects of human condition. You can nearly select in a very precise way what you want to investigate.”

 RidleyScott was working with the script writer William Monahan, on a new projectcalled Trípoli, when suddenly appears the idea of making a film about someaspects about the Crusades. “It’s a very important and rich history period”,says Scott. “If you study those 200 years with a historical point of view, youcan see all the possible aspects of human condition. You can nearly select in avery precise way what you want to investigate.”

   The sensibility of Monahan’s script andthe participation of the so admired Ridley Scott, where the some importantfacts that made lots of actors getting interested on the project, as we can seein the movie. “The history period has lots of points in common with our epoch:the relationship between Christians and Moslems, how they interact…” As saysJeremy Irons.

   Scott has explained lots of timethat his movie is based on history but is not a documentary. In “The kingdom ofheaven” the director uses historical facts like an empty canvas where anenormous human drama is being painted. “We’ve chosen this historical periodbecause the ambience was peaceful, fact that we can’t understand nowadays.”Insists. “That’s the reason why is so fascinating. We try to introduce bothparts on an equilibrate way. The main character, Balian, it’s a worried manthat wants everything to be done properly and in a straight way. One of themost stronger characters is Saladino, and he is performed by a Moslem”. The KingBaldwin IV and Saladino were making their best on keeping peace among theextremists of each band. Monahan worked with direct sources, and talked withlots of witness people.

  On the course of his investigation,Monahan, discovered that Baldwin and Saladino reached an armistice concerningtheir societies, this statement allowed the three religions to coexist inJerusalem.

  “The king Baldwin followed Moslem’sexample, allowing believers of other confessions practicing their religion,”Says Scott.

  When the movie starts, the truce stillexisted. “The world of commerce was beginning to flourish,” as Monahan says.“The Latin kingdom has remained this way for one hundred years. And only onemistake (greed, ambition and fanatism) made everything fall down.