Synopsis

In 12th-century France, grieving blacksmith Balian travels to Jerusalem and becomes entangled in the fragile politics of the Crusader kingdom. As rival factions threaten a tenuous peace with Saladin, Balian must decide what he believes and defend the city against overwhelming forces. The historical epic blends personal redemption, religious conflict, and large-scale medieval warfare.

Factoids & Trivia

• Most of the film's exterior photography was completed in Ouarzazate, Morocco, along with extensive location work in Spain. A massive Jerusalem set was built in the Moroccan desert, featuring walls approximately 1,200 feet long and 56 feet high.

• The production created roughly 12,000 to 15,000 costumes. Many outfits consisted of numerous separate pieces, including helmets, boots, gloves, chain mail, belts, and scabbards.

• The film used about 1,200 flags in 650 designs. The flag budget alone was reported to be $250,000.

• The theatrical release was substantially shorter than Ridley Scott's preferred version. The Director's Cut restored about 45 minutes of material, including a major subplot involving Sibylla's son, and was much more positively received.

• Edward Norton played the masked King Baldwin but initially asked not to receive screen credit. His name was later restored in home-video credits.

• Although based around real events and historical figures connected with the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, the film heavily fictionalizes Balian's background and relationships for dramatic purposes.