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Kingdom of Heaven Is A Step Forward in Portrayal of
Both Sides in Crusades, Says History Professor
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As with many movies dealing with historical topics, the
recent release Kingdom of Heaven is lacking in some
accuracy, but it represents a step forward in the complexity
with which popular culture handles the Crusades, according
to Ken Wolf, professor of history at Pomona College.
 Wolf has done research on Christian-Muslim interactions
during the Middle Ages, the Norman conquests and the first
Crusade. He has taught a course on Christianity and violence
and has used films such as "The Life of Brian" and "The Cid"
in his classes. Wolf's latest book is the first English
translation of a history of the Norman conquest of Muslim
Sicily, which occurred just prior to the first Crusade. He
is available to comment on Kingdom of Heaven and
similar films from a historical context.
Wolf was pleased to see evidence of real research in the
making of the film. "The movie is indeed based on some
historical facts," he said. " But there are significance
changes to make it work."
The plot of the movie concerns a former blacksmith, Balian
(played by Orlando Bloom as seen in the publicity photo
above), who follows his father to fight
with the Crusades. After the death of the king of Jerusalem,
a power struggle results in the crowning of a hawkish king
who incites the Muslims to fight. Balian becomes involved in
the intrigue, has an affair with the king's wife, refuses to
fight in what he considers an unjust battle against the
Muslims and attempts to create a sort of Utopian community
at his castle.
One of the things that impressed Wolf was the screenwriter's
obvious knowledge of historical texts, though, as perhaps
could be expected of a historian, he thinks sticking closer
to actual history could have resulted in a more satisfying
film.
One of the things the filmmakers got right, however, was a
more nuanced portrayal of the people on either side of the
Christian-Muslim divide in the 12th century.
"Historically speaking there were two different attitudes on
the part of Christians living in the crusader east," Wolf
said. Some viewed the Muslims from the standpoint of
Christian zealotry, while others viewed the Muslims from a
pragmatic standpoint. "They, in other words, considered
politics more than religion when making alliances."
This pragmatic attitude was often the result the experience
of living in the Middle East. "But every time a new group of
Christians came from the West, they were inspired by crusade
rhetoric," Wolf said. "Every time they arrived, they had to
be debriefed in some sense - 'Hey we don't do that.'"
Likewise, some of the Muslim leaders were more pragmatic
than idealistic when dealing with the Christians. Kingdom
of Heaven illustrates this reality much better than
movies have in the past.
"It's a step in the right direction from what one might have
imagined in an earlier generation," Wolf said.
Still, the filmmakers also threw in a third viewpoint, held
by Balian, that Wolf feels gets in the way.
"He seems to have been given this motivation which has more
to do with leaving religion behind altogether and trying to
develop this perfect society on earth." Wolf said. "I'm not
sure where this comes from ... The tension is really between
people who are motivated by ideas of Crusade and people who
are motivated by pragmatic ideas."
Despite issues of accuracy, movies such as Kingdom of
Heaven can expose audiences to parts of history with
which they might not have been familiar.
"I think at a really fundamental, superficial level that
there are positive things that come from a movie like this,"
Wolf said. "I don't think you could leave it without
thinking that leaders on both sides were driven by pragmatic
concerns...I think it's useful for an audience to see a
movie that is openly critical of fanaticism on both sides."
Pomona College is one of the nation's premier liberal arts
institutions, offering a comprehensive program in the arts,
humanities, social and natural sciences. Its hallmarks
include small classes, close relationships between students
and faculty, and a range of opportunities for student
research. For more information on Pomona College, visit its
website at www.pomona.edu.
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