Movie Review: “Kingdom of Heaven”

This movie is based on one of the most impactful aspects of Middle Ages,
Crusades.

Crusades were the series of wars fought between Muslims and Christians mainly
during 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. European Christians professedly initiated these
wars against Muslims to capture the Holy Land of Jerusalem.

Task:

Watch Hollywood movie “Kingdom of Heaven” and critically answer the

following questions afterwards.

In the context of this movie; books, research papers and other academic resources
must be consulted and then the following questions must be answered and handed
back to the teacher as hard copy.

Question/Answers: (2 marks each)

1) Highlight the significance of Church in European society during Crusades

by explaining Church’s involvement in political affairs.

ANS: The relationship between the Church and the feudal states during
the medieval period went through a number of developments. There was
always struggle for power between kings and popes to reshape the western
world and for this purpose church greatly involved in political activities to
keep their significance share in European society.

2) The movie has highlighted the institution of knighthood in Europe during

medieval times. Describe the role of knights in war, politics and religion.

ANS: Knights have played a major role in many wars to safeguard their
kings, castles as their main obligation was just to protect their cause against
enemies. In movie “Kingdom of heaven” it is shown that knights were
neither involved in any kind of politics nor in any religious activities.
3) Who was Salahuddin Ayubi and what role did he play in Crusades?

ANS: Salahuddin Ayubi was the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and the
founder of the Ayub dynasty. Saladin led the Muslim military campaign
against the Crusader states in the Levant and succeeded to conquer
Jerusalem after a great war that he fought against crusades of Jerusalem.

4) After watching the scenes of Jerusalem’s siege by Salahuddin Ayubi, what is

your analysis about the importance of city-fortification in medieval times?

ANS: During medieval times every big city like Jerusalem had city
fortification to protect their buildings and peoples against any kind of attach
by their enemies and it is cleared after watching the movie “Kingdom of
heaven” that city fortification proved as the first line of defence for crusades
of Jerusalem.

5) In the last encounter between Salahuddin Ayubi and Balian, Balian asked
Ayubi as to what Jerusalem meant to him. Ayubi replied, “Nothing. . .
everything”.
In the light of this remark, explain Jerusalem’s significance for the Muslims.

ANS: Under the reply that Salahuddin made to Balian, it may meant as that
before Jerusalem worth nothing for Salahuddin because he was about to
destroy it for the cause to conquer it but now as he has conquered Jerusalem
it meant everything to him and he will fight till his death to protect it as
Jerusalem has great significance for Muslims because of Masjid-e-Aqsa
(which is the third holiest site in Islam) is located in Jerusalem.

PS: Test your understanding of movie’s subject in a fun way by playing the
online quiz given in the link below:
https://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2202801938d48.html