Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut (2005)

I'd been told to watch the directors cut and not to bother with the theatrical cut of Kingdom of Heaven, so when I sat down to watch it this week that's precisely what I did. I love Ridley Scott, but this is down there with his lesser offerings, and dare I say, only just above his worst (Alien: Covenant, Exodus: Gods and Kings). I dread to think what the theatrical cut looks like, in the sense that even the directors cut isn't long enough to justify Orlando Bloom's presence as the lead character, whilst he prances around like a burk in full chain mail. There is an interesting story to be told about the crusades and the battles for the Holy Land, but it isn't told well here, and although Scott's visuals and world building are as impressive as ever, the storytelling badly lets the films down. It's not helped by following a lead actor who simply blends in with the pillars of the city when he tries to act. Eva Green is very good, and Jeremy Irons is always terrific, but if you want to watch a Ridley Scott historical epic, Gladiator (2000) is still your best bet. 3.9/10