« Why the Left Is So Damned Angry | Main | Lori Berenson: Rebel Without a Clue »
May 9, 2005
Kingdom of Crapola
When I heard that CAIR had endorsed Kingdom of Heaven, I decided not to waste my time and money on it, because if I wanted to watch the sort of warped anti-Western propaganda that would earn a terrorist front group's approval, I would just tune in to CNN. But to judge by Debbie Schlussel's review, the movie is even more of an abomination than I had imagined.
Here's her "Cliff Notes version":
Christian Crusaders are crass, violent murderers. They lie, sleep around with multiple women, and father multiple illegitimate, abandoned children. They are stupid, foolish, power-hungry, and vengeful. They are boors warring for land, not principles, and kill fellow Christians—even priests—over nothing.
Muslims, especially Saladin, are honorable, devout, decent, peaceful people. They just want to be left alone and only attack when attacked upon. They are wise, honest, kind, generous, and even offer Christians safe passage.
"To kill an infidel is not murder," one of the characters proclaims. "It's the path to Heaven." Fine, I've heard that before. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, it's a Christian who says it.
With Islamofascist terrorists trying to spin our democratization efforts in the Middle East as a resumption of the Crusades, putting out a movie like this at this point in time is unhelpful, to put it mildly. How would audiences have reacted if Hollywood had put out pro-Nazi propaganda during World War II? But these days it seems the elitist kooks in Tinseltown are confident they can get away with anything.
You may need to see Kingdom of Heaven for yourself. But do yourself a favor: read the whole review first.
Posted by Van Helsing at May 9, 2005 7:20 AM
Comments
I saw John Gibson fawning all over Ridley Scott a few days ago on Gibson's show, talking about what a wonderful movie it was. Ridley Scott was bragging about what great historical research he did for the film, and how such research is really his strong suit.
Posted by: EyeDoc at May 9, 2005 12:10 PM
EyeDoc, I saw Scott on Gibson too and was surprised to then see Van Helsing's post and the movie review. Gibson is usually on the right side of things in his commentaries. Perhaps he was trying to be Fair and Balanced with Scott (or at least polite). O'Reilly sang the movie's praises too, I believe.
Confessing that I haven't yet seen the movie, the best line of that movie review appears to be the last:
"Attention Muslims & Ridley Scott: The crusades happened a thousand years ago. Get over it."
Posted by: The MaryHunter at May 9, 2005 3:58 PM
Don Wade on WLS-AM Chicago's morning show raked Ridley over a little. He asked him straight-up if he was an atheist and Scott replied he was agnostic. I suspect Mr. Scott will never consent to another interview on WLS.
Posted by: Vonster at May 9, 2005 5:23 PM
Some historical accuracy. Balian the blacksmith. Can I laugh now? Balian was married into the King of Jerusalem Baldwin IV's family. After Hattin he took command of Jerusalem to defend it. When Salah-ad-Din beseiged the city; Balian threatened to massacre all the Muslims, destroy the al-Aqsa mosque, and the Dome of the Rock. I just do not see Orlando Bloom as Balian threatening to do that.
Or when Salah-ad-Din's forces from Egypt laid seige and then took Acre after the inhabitants of Acre refused to surrender. The fit were sold into slavery while all others were put to the sword.
This movie is not getting one dinar from me.
Posted by: Anna at May 10, 2005 10:08 PM
