Saw this movie pointed out on the Ridley director's battle voting thread and was intrigued because I did not realize there was a Director's Cut of this film. I did see the theatrical version of the film when it came out and walked away from it thinking it was a decent film but nothing special but really wanted to check out the Director's Cut after that thread.

Watched it this last weekend and highly recommend you check it out. The Director's Cut adds another 30 minutes to the film. I have no idea what is different in this version vs original but many others seem to think it changed the movie much for the better.

And I will just say that Balian's speech in the climax of the film is highly damn relevant for what we are seeing in America right now and yet it would probably be decried as unacceptable.

I would think that eventually whatever studio he's working for would just leave him the cutting cutting floor and let him cut the movie his way. People will see a long movie if it's good, LOTR is the best example of this. TCTTS might have some insight, but is there an expected decline in audience for a +2.5 hour movie over the 1.75 standard? That's the only reason I could see why they would make him cut every movie, even if they're almost all better longer.

the director's cut is 194 minutes. that's 3.25 hours. i think you'll see a reduced audience from a film that long. but what do i know?

i actually own it on blu-ray, but haven't watched it. bought it used at a movie resale store for like $8 and was like "why not?"

Is there any way to watch the directors cut without buying the bluray?

A buddy of mine has been beating this drum for over a decade now, since he knows how much I hated that movie.

I'll have to give it a shot sometime.

powerbelly said:

---

Is there any way to watch the directors cut without buying the bluray?

---

I watched it on Prime.

I know Orlando Bloom does a lot of action roles, but I doubt I'll ever take him seriously as the gritty badass fighter. That's my main problem with Kingdom of Heaven. I only see Paris from Troy.

YouBet said:

---

Ulrich said:

---

I know Orlando Bloom does a lot of action roles, but I doubt I'll ever take him seriously as the gritty badass fighter. That's my main problem with Kingdom of Heaven. I only see Paris from Troy.

---

But Legolas????

---

Yes, an elf. That's not exactly a gritty blood and guts crusader.

I added it to my list too! Very curious to see it.

Ulrich said:

---

YouBet said:

---

Ulrich said:

---

I know Orlando Bloom does a lot of action roles, but I doubt I'll ever take him seriously as the gritty badass fighter. That's my main problem with Kingdom of Heaven. I only see Paris from Troy.

---

But Legolas????

---

Yes, an elf. That's not exactly a gritty blood and guts crusader.

---

Someone hasn't read The Silmarillion.

YouBet said:

---

Ulrich said:

---

YouBet said:

---

Ulrich said:

---

I know Orlando Bloom does a lot of action roles, but I doubt I'll ever take him seriously as the gritty badass fighter. That's my main problem with Kingdom of Heaven. I only see Paris from Troy.

---

But Legolas????

---

Yes, an elf. That's not exactly a gritty blood and guts crusader.

---

Elves are totally badass warriors.

---

Anyone else hear the above in this guy's voice?

I've been beating this drum as well for the last dozen years, simply bc I am fascinated by the crusades era so i had a soft spot in my hear for the theatrical cut already. But the directors cut of KoH is such a better film. Its actually, IMHO, the quintessential directors cut in that actually does what it is supposed to and isnt just some vanity project giving you a few random scenes that make zero sense or dont really add anything. It gives the characters so much more development, from why Balain murdered the priest (and who he was actually), Sibylla and her motivations, and some of the side characters get a little more screen time and depth (David Thewlis for example). And yes, a couple of the battles scenes like the ambush are longer and even bloodier.

Its just such a more nuanced and infinitely better film. i cant recommend it enough.

YouBet said:

---

The Director's Cut adds another 30 minutes to the film.

---

I think its closer to 45 or 50. no way its 30 but i could be wrong. its substantial and feels like so much more, i know that.

HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

---

YouBet said:

---

The Director's Cut adds another 30 minutes to the film.

---

I think its closer to 45 or 50. no way its 30 but i could be wrong. its substantial and feels like so much more, i know that.

---

You might be right. I may have looked at it wrong.

according to imdb, it's 50 minutes longer if you have the director's cut (roadshow)

schmendeler said:

---

according to imdb, it's 50 minutes longer if you have the director's cut (roadshow)

---

Well, I guess that explains why folks think it is such a different movie. Was Liam Neeson even in the original?

Ulrich said:

---

I know Orlando Bloom does a lot of action roles, but I doubt I'll ever take him seriously as the gritty badass fighter. That's my main problem with Kingdom of Heaven. I only see Paris from Troy.

---

i think that may be a reason why i like the directors cut that much more. obviously, Bloom is still the star of the film, but the other characters are illuminated so much more in the directors cut that it takes a little of the spotlight away from him, which i think is a good thing. i mean, he's fine in the role, but a better actor would have elevated the film that much more.

Wow... now I have to try it. This was one of those I disagreed with a lot of people on. I love Kingdom of Heaven and enjoyed it the first time I saw it.

powerbelly said:

---

Ulrich said:

---

YouBet said:

---

Ulrich said:

---

I know Orlando Bloom does a lot of action roles, but I doubt I'll ever take him seriously as the gritty badass fighter. That's my main problem with Kingdom of Heaven. I only see Paris from Troy.

---

But Legolas????

---

Yes, an elf. That's not exactly a gritty blood and guts crusader.

---

Someone hasn't read The Silmarillion.

---

I've read the Silmarrillion. I know the history. I'm just saying, Legolas is a very elegant elvish type character for the most part. Intentionally contrasted with the blood and guts and ugliness of Gimli.