Normally, I’m a fan of director Ridley Scott, so I had eagerly anticipated the theatrical release of his latest film, Kingdom of Heaven. But the mixed feedback from early reviews and initial public reaction turned me off to the film. I waited to see it until the movie made a quick transition to DVD, and then I understood the cool reaction it had received in theaters; Kingdom of Heaven seemed to be an epic film with no heart and little point. I couldn’t bring myself to care for the characters or their predicament.
Now one year after the theatrical release we get the Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut; with almost an extra hour of footage. This is almost a completely different movie; character arcs that weren’t even hinted at before are exposed and existing ones filled out. Now the characters’ motivations are evident, we know them and understand their decisions. Suddenly what had been an empty, swords and sandals pictures has turned into a sophisticated story on the relationship between people, their faith, and morality.
With the Director’s Cut, Kingdom of Heaven has evolved from a mediocre swords and sandals film into a don’t epic tale. Don’t pass over this revised version of the movie, regardless of what you thought of the initial release.