Ridley Scott Kingdom of Heaven streaming has arrived on Hulu, marking the return of Scott’s 2005 historical epic featuring Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Eva Green, and Edward Norton. As of July 1, viewers can revisit the contentious film, which was initially criticized and underperformed at the box office, amid much debate about its direction and vision.
Ridley Scott’s Ambitious Crusade Returns to the Spotlight
Kingdom of Heaven joins Hulu alongside other major titles like The Abyss, The Day After Tomorrow, Flight Of The Phoenix, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. The film features an impressive cast beyond Bloom and Neeson, with Eva Green, David Thewlis, Jeremy Irons, Edward Norton, Michael Sheen, Brendan Gleeson, and Marton Csokas all lending their talents. The screenplay comes from William Monahan, who has earned recognition for scripting films like Body of Lies, The Departed, and Edge of Darkness.
The plot centers on Balian of Ibelin, a crusader drawn into the defense of the Kingdom of Jerusalem against Saladin. The film explores themes of faith, power, and the heavy toll of war, with Bloom’s Balian navigating the morally complex world of medieval Jerusalem, surrounded by figures like the principled Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson) and the leprous King Baldwin IV (Edward Norton).
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
Mixed Reactions and the Legacy of the Director’s Cut
When Kingdom of Heaven debuted in May 2005, it met a turbulent reception both from critics and audiences. Despite a production budget of $130 million, it grossed only about $218 million worldwide, failing to live up to initial expectations. The film‘s Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score lingers at 40%, highlighting ongoing skepticism, yet audience sentiment is warmer, with a 72% rating.
Much of the irritation stemmed from studio-mandated edits designed to appeal to the broadest audience possible, resulting in removed scenes and a heavily condensed narrative. Ridley Scott himself expressed frustration, believing the shorter theatrical version undermined the depth and vision of his original work, leading to a muddled tone and incomplete character arcs.
The Director’s Cut: A Redemption Story That Changed Perceptions
December 2005 saw the release of Scott’s Director’s Cut on home media—a significantly extended version that received critical praise and altered how many evaluated the film. Some longtime critics reconsidered their earlier judgments, and the film gained a reputational boost among enthusiasts of historical cinema. However, Hulu’s addition is the theatrical cut, not the revered Director’s Cut.
The Director’s Cut is known for restoring vital storylines and clarifying crucial character motivations, providing a richer and more complex portrayal of Balian of Ibelin’s journey and the politics of Jerusalem. For those chasing the full vision, the rare four-disc Special Edition DVD box set, including both the Director’s Cut and an even longer Roadshow version, is the best resource—these versions feature elements not available in standard streaming libraries.
A Stark Example of How Studio Decisions Shape Film History
The legacy of Kingdom of Heaven underscores how studio intervention can skew the trajectory of a major film. While Scott’s film remained controversial, its later appreciation highlights the ongoing debates in Hollywood about creative control and the impact of alternate versions, especially as seen with the success of the Snyder Cut campaign for another director’s vision. The film’s trajectory demonstrates that audiences and critics may revisit films years later, changing their place in cinema history.
Kingdom of Heaven’s addition to Hulu lets a new audience encounter the film as it first appeared in theaters, reigniting discussions about filmmaking choices, director’s influence, and the representation of historical events in entertainment. It also extends the conversation about Ridley Scott’s broader impact as a filmmaker known for taking risks that sometimes ignite controversy but often leave a profound imprint on the cinematic landscape.
