Kingdom of Heaven (Ridley Scott, 2005)

I know I have reviewed this before, but had picked it up the other night to watch once again. There is a bitter irony to the title of this film, as the Crusades did anything but bring about the Kingdom of Heaven. In a pluralistic sense, something this film pushes towards, that is the beauty of Jerusalem. There's an Alpha Blondy song where he sings, "Christians, Jews, Muslims we can all be free. To live together and pray. Amen. Let’s give thanks and praises.” That is what this film is about in many ways. Praying together--and fighting together for a mutual cause. The cause of a pluralistic Jerusalem, shared by the people of the book. As-Salaam-Alaikum. A greeting which itself feels the bitter sting of irony as we witness the next round of Crusaders from France heading toward Jerusalem at the end of the film. Off to disrupt any semblance of peace. I'll get off my horse for now.