Ridley Scott‘s historical epic, Kingdom of Heaven, is now streaming on Hulu as of July 1, allowing viewers a new chance to watch this polarizing film and explore the story behind its mixed legacy. With the addition of the Ridley Scott historical epic streaming Hulu, both longtime fans and newcomers can experience the film that generated conversation upon its original release and continues to fuel debate within film communities.
Kingdom of Heaven Joins Hulu’s Summer Lineup
Hulu’s latest library update introduces Kingdom of Heaven, the renowned historical drama directed by Ridley Scott and featuring Orlando Bloom and Liam Neeson in leading roles. The streaming service has also acquired several other popular titles, such as The Abyss, The Day After Tomorrow, Flight Of The Phoenix, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.
Kingdom of Heaven first premiered in theaters in May 2005, featuring Eva Green, David Thewlis, Jeremy Irons, Edward Norton, Michael Sheen, Brendan Gleeson, and Marton Csokas. Authored by William Monahan, known for The Departed and Body of Lies, the film centers on the journey of crusader Balian of Ibelin during the religious conflicts surrounding Jerusalem, highlighting both the human drama and the significant historical backdrop.
An Intense Journey Through Crusade-Era Jerusalem
The narrative follows Balian, played by Orlando Bloom, as he copes with personal tragedy and then joins his estranged father, Baron Godfrey, portrayed by Liam Neeson, to embark on a perilous journey to Jerusalem during the Crusades. Along his journey, he enters the court of King Baldwin IV, brought to life by Edward Norton, facing political intrigue and division fueled by Guy de Lusignan, played by Marton Csokas. This rivalry for power and control ultimately threatens to push the city toward war.
“Still in grief over his wife’s sudden death, village blacksmith Balian (Bloom) joins his long-estranged father, Baron Godfrey (Neeson), as a crusader on the road to Jerusalem. After a perilous journey to the holy city, the valiant young man enters the retinue of the leprous King Baldwin IV (Norton), which is rife with dissent led by the treacherous Guy de Lusignan (Csokas), who wishes to wage war against the Muslims for his own political and personal gain.”
—Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis
This sweeping plot brought together historical figures such as Saladin, Baldwin IV, and Guy de Lusignan, set against a backdrop of simmering tensions between Christians and Muslims in the kingdom of Jerusalem. The film‘s ambitious scale and intense emotional tone reflect Scott’s cinematic vision, although it left many viewers and critics conflicted over its execution and substance.
Critics’ Initial Reception and the Theatrical Cut’s Impact
When Kingdom of Heaven first appeared in theaters, it received a muted response from audiences and was widely panned by critics. The film earned $218 million worldwide but struggled to recoup its hefty $130 million budget, quickly earning a reputation as one of Scott’s most divisive releases. As it stands, the movie holds a 40% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, contrasted with a notably higher audience score of 72%.
Ridley Scott attributed the dissatisfaction to extensive edits imposed by the studio, arguing that the shortened theatrical cut failed to fully capture the depth and tone of the original narrative. Scott maintained that critical story elements were removed to make the film more accessible to wider audiences, but this ultimately undermined both its coherence and intended impact.
The Director’s Cut: A Truer Vision Divides Audiences
Later in December 2005, Ridley Scott introduced a Director’s Cut of Kingdom of Heaven, providing an alternative for viewers curious about his unvarnished perspective. The extended version offered more nuanced storylines and restored key plot points—these features led many critics to re-examine the film. In some cases, opinions shifted, with the revised edition receiving more positive acknowledgment and generating debate about how studio involvement can shape a movie’s fate.
The Director’s Cut, celebrated among cinephiles for its improved pacing and richer character development, remains rarely available on streaming platforms. Currently, Hulu’s streaming library only features the theatrical version, leaving those interested in Scott’s complete epic to seek out the four-disc Special Edition DVD set. This box set includes both the Director’s Cut and the Roadshow Director’s Cut—the latter even longer and enhanced with classical elements such as an overture and intermission for viewers who want the fullest experience.
Legacy and Enduring Controversy Over Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven’s presence in Hulu’s lineup revives discussions about Ridley Scott’s complicated relationship with studio edits versus artistic control. The film’s cast—which includes Martin Hancock, Eva Green, Marton Csokas, David Thewlis, Michael Sheen, Eriq Ebouaney, Brendan Gleeson, Nathalie Cox, Liam Neeson, Edward Norton, and Jeremy Irons—helped create a vivid portrait of historical and personal conflict during a volatile period in Jerusalem’s past.
For those interested in the power struggles of the Crusader era, as well as the challenges filmmakers face bringing such stories to screen, this is a chance to revisit or discover a film that blends spectacle with a conflicted legacy. With the Ridley Scott historical epic streaming Hulu now, viewers once again have an opportunity to experience a complex and emotional depiction of the kingdom of Jerusalem, its battles, and the enduring debate over which cut truly captures the director’s intent.
