Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Ridley Scott has made some of the greatest films that have stood the test of time and are celebrated today. The filmmaker is behind classics such asAlien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Thelma & Louise,etc, and at 86, he continues to churn out epic films mounted on a huge scale. The director is also known for being a perfectionist and is very particular about the look of his films.
One of his most divisive films was the theatrical version ofKingdom of Heaven.Audiences expected the historical epic to be on the level ofGladiatorbut it lacked depth and characterization. Several crucial scenes that the director wanted to put were cut from the theatrical version. However, the director’s cut version of the film became a significant improvement over it.
Frustrating Studio Interference OnKingdom of HeavenLed To The Birth of Its Director’s Cut
After hits likeGladiator, andBlack Hawk Down, Scott returned to the historical epics with the 2005 filmKingdom of Heaven. The film led by Orlando Bloom chronicled the journey of Balian of Ibelin who fights to defend the Kingdom of Jerusalem and tries to establish peace between the capital and the East who are engaged in a holy war.
“This is historically accurate. Look it up”: Gladiator 2 Trailer Might Seem Rewriting History in One Scene After Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ But Surprisingly it’s Absolutely True
The theatrical version of the film was released in 2005 and it received negative reviews from fans. The film seemed to be lacking several key elements throughout the story and many characters felt sidelined and unexplored. One of the characters that was criminally ignored in the theatrical version was Eva Green’s Sibylla.
“I think you have to take a pinch of salt”: Russell Crowe Revealed the Truth Behind Working With Ridley Scott in Gladiator That Involved Putting His Life at Actual Risk
In the theatrical version, the whole integral subplot about Sibylla sacrificing her son as he had contracted leprosy was omitted. This scene was focused in the director’s cut of the film and the whole subplot ran for about 17 minutes. In an interview onThe Reelblend Podcast, Scott revealed he had tocut that scenedue to the pressure from the studio who deemed the scene unnecessary and making the film long. He said,
The last time that a director’s cut, for me, was really relevant was Kingdom of Heaven. And to my regret, I removed the 17 minutes. Because people are saying ‘The film’s long, why do you need this part,’ and how wrong they were.
Scott’s original vision would prevail in the end as the director’s cut received great reviews and is considered the definitive version of the film. It was a great win for an artist struggling to put out his original vision against the demands of the studio. A similar situation was seen withZack Snyder‘s director’s cut ofJustice Leaguein 2021.
Orlando Bloom Was Stumped When He Saw The Theatrical Version ofKingdom of Heaven
Much has been said about howRidley Scottwas done dirty by the studio for making several cuts and edits to his historical epicKingdom of Heaven. The lead actor Orlando Bloom saw the theatrical cut of the film the day before doing press interviews. In an interview withCollider, Bloom revealed that he was stumped and shocked after seeing how drastic changes were made to it.
Matt Damon’s ‘The Martian’ Could Have Been a Massive Flop if Ridley Scott Didn’t Find a Way to Fix the Film’s Biggest Problem
The actor stated that Scott had worked hard on makingthe filmto be an emotionally rich historical epic. However, many changes were made to it and the heart of the film was gone in the theatrical cut. Bloom said,
I remember watching the theatrical release the day before I had to go and do press for the movie. And I was just stumped. My head went into ‘How do I make this work, How do I sell this? What am I gonna say to people?’…The heart of the movie had kind of gone and it was apparent to the press because they were coming in and going ‘Wait it feels truncated’.
Kingdom of Heavendid not work at the box office when it was released in May 2005, grossing only $218 million against a $130 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo). The director’s cut of the film is now celebrated as one of Scott’s best films.One can watch/rent this version ofKingdom of Heavenon Prime Video.
Rahul Thokchom
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1276
Rahul Thokchom is a senior content writer at Fandomwire who is passionate about covering the world of pop culture and entertainment. He has a Masters Degree in English that contributes to the richness and creativity in his works.
More from Rahul Thokchom
“His team is non stop with trying to paint him as the goody two shoes”: Jennifer Lopez Gets Surprise Fan Support as Ben Affleck’s Controversial Past Surfaces Amid Divorce
“I don’t know what I’m looking for anymore”: Playing Homelander for So Long Has Made Antony Starr Make a Confession That’s Devastating News for DCU Fans Hoping He Plays an Iconic Justice League Villain
“We didn’t have a lot of money..”: Eric Bana’s Hulk Was a Big Threat to Will Smith’s $273 Million Movie Along With Keanu Reeves’s Highest Grossing The Matrix Movie
Recommended
Every Peaky Blinders Villain, Ranked by How Close They Came to Actually Beating Tommy Shelby
Tobey Maguire And Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man Era Dies In 2027: Reports
Every Harry Potter Movie Ending, Ranked Worst to Best
“Just like a horse”: Aubrey Plaza, Amy Poehler Agree Rihanna’s Eyes Are on the Side of Her Head
2 Reasons Why the Helldivers 2 x Halo ODST Warbond Isn’t Perfect
Who Is Jasveen Sangha: Ketamine Queen Connected to Matthew Perry’s Death
Ridley ScottZack Snyder
