[Virginia Ridgerunner]

The Crusades took place in a completely different era under completely different circumstances, and a presentist interpretation does that particular era no justice. In 1095, when Pope Urban II preached the first Crusade, Europe was finally emerging from the so-called Dark Ages and entering the Middle Ages. At that time, Islam was in fact a most tolerant and enlightened religion, and Muslim civilization, which was far advanced over that of western Europe, stretched from Moorish Spain to India, whereas Christian Europe was bogged down in internecine war, strife, and ignorance. In fact, the Muslims at that time had saved much of the science and mathematics of ancient Greece which had heretofore been lost to Europe. While the Islamic world of that time did have its share of fanatics, the religion itself was hardly the death cult that it has become today. Saladin was in fact a great leader who, during the 3rd Crusade, fought King Richard Couer de Lion to a standstill. And his actions were generally much more honorable than Richard throughout their battles, especially at Acre, when Richard had 3,000 prisoners beheaded in a single day. In short, the European Crusaders were nasty and brutish, as demonstrated by their massacre of both Christian and Jewish civilians at Jerusalem in 1099 and their sack of Christian Constantinople in 1214. I'm no apologist for the Muslim world, but folks just need to keep this stuff in its proper perspective and remember that classical Islam was far different than the Islam of today.

[Tribune7]

Debbie is generally on my wavelength when it comes to films. I doubt if I'll see this.

I never was a big Scott fan anyway.

[big'ol_freeper]

Ping

[dennisw]

bttt

[Theophilus]

• Kingdom of Heaven (2005) ???

• Matchstick Men (2003) Have not seen

• Black Hawk Down (2001) Loved It!!!

• Hannibal (2001) Have not seen

• Gladiator (2000) Loved It!!!

• G.I. Jane (1997) Hated It!!!

• White Squall (1996) Have not seen

• 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) Have not seen

• Thelma & Louise (1991) Interesting But Not Loved

• Black Rain (1989) Have not seen

• Someone to Watch Over Me (1987) Have not seen

• Legend (1986) Have not seen

• Blade Runner (1982) Loved It!!!

• Alien (1979) Have not seen but is a classic.

• The Duellists (1978) Loved It!!!

[Tallguy]

That’s the other interesting point “Kingdom” conveniently omits. At the time of Saladin, the 12th Century, there were Muslim Crusades in Spain and North Africa.

This is curious since the History Channel reported that the movie was filmed in Spain at an authentic "Crusader Castle." Now how you 'spose a "Crusader Castle" got installed in the Pyrennes Mountains? Even the History Channel glossed over that one!

[Americanexpat]

I think we ought to make an epic no holds barred movie on the life of Muhammad and another one on the spread of Islam. Show the battles, arson, rape and slavery of the Holy Jihads. If you were to show the truth of all this the Muslims all over the world would flame out.

[baseballfanjm]

And I've learned to see a movie before passing judgement on it, and not letting a writer do it for me.

[Wormwood]

[eclectic]

They really hold the movie-going public in contempt! Don't allow yourself to be treated as morons, vote with your wallet!

[RaceBannon]

Debbie Schlussel Bump!!

[k2blader]

Having seen the movie, I submit the author of this piece is a nutbar. :-)