Question.3826 - Just like last time, this is a two part assignment. Part 1: Post a complete draft of your historical film analysis essay here for peer review as early in the week as possible. Remember, 1000 words minimum along with a works cited with five academic sources acquired on the LARC databases. Part 2: Review the projects of TWO other students by Friday at 5:00. Respond to each of the following questions in your review Copy and paste the student's thesis statement Offer advice for improving the thesis focusing on the clarity of their three evaluation criteria. How can the student author improve support of the thesis? How effectively does the author utilize their five sources in their essay? Think about intro-tag-quote-cite-explain from the Mock Essay. Do they implement those techniques effectively? Do they properly cite their paraphrases and quotes in the essay? Do they utilize all five sources? How effectively does the author utilize evidence from the film in their essay? How could they better utilize example moments from the film to support their criteria? Provide the student author with specific examples of mechanical problems in the paper. Is every quote properly synthesized into the paragraphs supporting their evaluation criteria? In what other ways can the paper be improved? As you know, peer review points are earned by posting your own complete essay and by reviewing others' papers by the due date. Reply
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Alyssa Maurizi Dr. Darr Composition II - Darr A - S06 04 October 2024 Historical Film Evaluation: The Kingdom of Heaven The Crusades are chronicled in Ridley Scott's 2005 book Kingdom of Heaven, focusing on the events preceding Jerusalem's fall in 1187. The film centres on the blacksmith-turned-nobleman Balian of Ibelin, who is shown as a crucial player in the city's resistance against Saladin's armies. Though the film is visually attractive and conceptually appealing, it takes substantial liberties with historical facts. This study assesses the historical accuracy of the Kingdom of Heaven by addressing three crucial areas, religious reasons, battle specifics, and the portrayal of real individuals. Although the Kingdom of Heaven delivers a thrilling and sophisticated tale, it is historically wrong regarding religious reasons, war sequences, and its portrayal of significant historical figures involved in the events surrounding the Crusades.The Kingdom of Heaven minimizes the great religious fervor that drove many of the Crusades, instead depicting them as a convoluted and ethically dubious struggle. The main character of the movie, Balian, is shown as a morally grounded sceptic who doubts the legitimacy of the Crusades, especially in light of the atrocities carried out in the name of religion. Saladin, King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, and other Christian and Muslim officials are shown in the movie as kind and reasonable people, implying that diplomacy and politics played a more significant role than zeal for religion. Nonetheless, historical data suggests that religious reasons were a major driving force behind the Crusades. In an effort to free Christians from Muslim rule over Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade in 1095 and presented it as a holy war. Historian Thomas Madden claims that Christian eschatology significantly influenced the Crusades and that many Crusaders saw their participation as a means of achieving salvation and carrying out their religious obligation. The film portrays Balian as sceptical, starkly contrasting the tremendous religious fervor that marked many of the real Crusaders. Although Ridley Scott's inventive decision modernizes the character's motivations and makes them more relevant to a modern audience, it lessens the period's historical authenticity. Furthermore, the movie oversimplifies the religious conflicts that exist between Muslims and Christians. Though historical reports indicate that the Crusades were characterized by periods of tremendous religious violence and persecution on both sides, Saladin is portrayed as a noble, tolerant king. The movie romanticizes the harmonious cohabitation of Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem while downplaying the long-standing theological disputes that led to the Crusades. The battle scenes highlight Ridley Scott's skill at creating visually striking and dramatic combat scenes that are among the most memorable parts of Kingdom of Heaven. There are massive battles, siege towers, and catapults in this intensely theatrical portrayal of Balian leading the city's defence against Saladin's army during the Siege of Jerusalem. The scope of the battle between the Crusader and Muslim armies is captured in the film, which also successfully portrays the ferocity and chaos of medieval warfare.However, how military technology and tactics are portrayed in the movie significantly deviates from historical reality. The movie exaggerates Balian's involvement in the siege by showing him as the only military commander in charge of planning the defence of Jerusalem. Although he was not the only leader engaged in the endeavour, Balian of Ibelin did play a significant part in protecting the city. The way he is portrayed in the movie, as a blacksmith who becomes a nobleman and military commander, is entirely made up. Before the events of the film, Balian was, in fact, already a well-known aristocrat in the Crusader realms. Furthermore, the movie's portrayal of siege warfare is a little outdated. While using trebuchets and other siege engines is historically correct, the movie overstates how quickly and effectively they may be used. The events of the Siege of Jerusalem are condensed into a few days in the film, but medieval sieges were frequently drawn-out affairs that lasted for months or even years. This creates urgency and drama but sacrifices historical authenticity for narrative convenience. Additionally, there is some inconsistency between the depiction of the Crusaders' armour and weapons and historical accounts. Although full plate armour was uncommon during the Third Crusade, many Crusaders in the movie are depicted wearing it (11891192). For most soldiers, the primary means of protection would have been chainmail. The fight scenes in the movie are visually stunning, but they put more emphasis on spectacle than historical realism. Several well-known historical characters, including King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, Saladin, and Balian of Ibelin, appear in the movie. Despite its best efforts to give them nuance and complexity, the movie makes considerable artistic license in how these people are portrayed historically. As previously stated, Balian's journey from a menial blacksmith to a brave warrior is wholly made up. Although necessary, Balian's participation in the defense of Jerusalem was not as meaningful as the movie portrays it because the actual Balian was already a member of the Crusader nobility. Most portrayals of Saladin, the Muslim leader who drove the Crusaders out of Jerusalem, are favourable. His gallantry, discernment, and kindness are highlighted throughout the movie, especially concerning his choice to provide the Christian citizens of Jerusalem with safe passage following the city's capitulation. Although Saladin was renowned for his valiant actions, inevitable brutalities in his military operations are minimised in the movie. According to historian Carole Hillenbrand, Saladin was a cunning and aspirational leader who employed both force and diplomacy to accomplish his objectives. While the films portrayal of Saladin is not wholly wrong, it romanticises his character to fit the premise of mutual respect between Christian and Muslim leaders. The "Leper King," or King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, is another significant character in the movie. Baldwin, despite his crippling illness, is shown in the Kingdom of Heaven as a caring and knowledgeable monarch who strives for harmony between Christians and Muslims. The film downplays the nuanced political climate in Jerusalem, but it accurately depicts Baldwin's illness and his attempts to keep the peace. Internal conflicts among the Crusader nations throughout Baldwin's reign were characterised by rivalries for dominance and power. The way Baldwin is portrayed in the movie as a tragic, saintly man ignores these inner struggles in favour of highlighting his battle with leprosy.The Crusades are depicted in the Kingdom of Heaven in a visually magnificent and emotionally compelling way, although it significantly alters historical facts. In order to fit the story, the movie frequently romanticises or simplifies historical figures, war scenes, and religious causes. The movie offers a thought-provoking and fascinating look at the Crusades, yet it is not entirely accurate in some crucial ways. A portion of the intricacy and nuance of the actual historical events that the Kingdom of Heaven attempts to depict are lost in favour of theatrical storytelling and contemporary sensibilities. Work Cited Barber, Malcolm, and Keith Bate. Letters from the east: crusaders, pilgrims and settlers in the 12th13th centuries. Routledge, 2016. Bull, Marcus. "The Western narratives of the First crusade." Christian-Muslim Relations. A Bibliographical History. Volume 3 (1050-1200). Brill, 2011. 15-25. Madden, Thomas F. The New Concise History of the Crusades. Rowman & Littlefield, 2005. Nicolle, David. The Crusades. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014. Tyerman, Christopher. Gods War: A New History of the Crusades. Penguin Books, 2006.More Articles From Education_Teaching
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