Daniel Risk

I was recently having a conversation with a friend, who mentioned David Fincher’s FIGHT CLUB (1999) as an example of a film that speaks to young men in Western society, because it diagnoses a serious problem of our modern age: The fact that so many young men today feel—strongly and instinctively—a loss and place or purpose. A lack of acceptance and meaning in their lives. But while FIGHT CLUB is a fine film, and certainly speaks to this subject, I think a much more important work—and one that far fewer people have seen—is Ridley Scott’s KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: DIRECTOR’S CUT (2005). This film too, speaks to the yearning that young men have for purpose and place. But rather than simply touching upon the problem, it lays out the solid moral framework of an actual solution. In the film, a young blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) loses his family and his place, and goes on a journey to find himself. And what he finds is that he must choose between two paths: One of aggression, bloodshed, and war… or one of sacrifice, guardianship, and virtue. Each path offers brotherhood. But only one offers genuine meaning and a code of honor. William Monahan’s screenplay for KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is filled with dialogue and moments that illustrate these two paths, and that code… “What man is a man who does not make the world better?” “Remember that howsoever you are played or by whom, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say, “But I was told by others to do thus,” or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice.” “Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee.” “Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong.” “I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. By what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man. Or not.” The genius of this film is that these principles are universal. They apply whether a person believes in God or not, and has religion or not. They assume that each human being has a basic freedom to choose—every single day—to do good or evil. And they speak to a personal responsibility that each of us has to ourselves and to our fellow human beings to choose goodness, and to the reward of genuine personal meaning that only the virtuous path provides. Anyway, just some quick Saturday afternoon thoughts. The bottom line is that the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: DIRECTOR’S CUT is a masterpiece of cinema and moral philosophy. It’s visually striking, has a terrific cast, and plenty of action. And Ridley Scott is at his world-building best. I simply can’t recommend the film more highly. Show it to your sons, brothers, and friends. Share it with your fathers and grandfathers. I think they’ll all appreciate it.