Original subtitles

The foreigners were awed by the Egyptian Army's courage.

They dared attack Alexandria!

Saladin taught them a lesson they'll never forget.

Where is your brother?

Everyone is celebrating his victorious return from Alexandria

and he disappears? Look for him.

Go look for him, Adel.

The Arab princes welcomed the signing of the allied forces agreement

-for liberating Jerusalem. -Where's the sultan?

I heard he was wounded in the last battle.

They say that he's ill in bed.

He may be ill but he hasn't taken to his bed.

Did you hear what they said? Where is he?

Can no one tell us?

Where is Saladin?

Ismail!

Where is your father?

Where is the sultan? Everyone awaits him.

Hikkari, I sense you are anxious.

and want to tell me something. What is it?

Your Highness, I...

My instincts never fail me.

Your Highness...

so be it.

Amidst all the celebration

and my joy at your victories and all you have done for Egypt,

one question nags me.

Has the sultan forgotten the Arabs of Jerusalem?

Has he forgotten his oath?

The return of Jerusalem to its people.

The right of the Arabs to their usurped lands?

No. Saladin would never forget the Arabs.

Therefore, the sultan must be hiding a secret even from his old friend.

No secret, old friend, but a plan.

The rich bounties of Jerusalem enjoyed by the Crusaders

make taking it from them no easy matter.

We must be well prepared and certain of the unity of our forces

to avoid shedding more Arab blood.

Until today, we weren't fully prepared but now...

This is news to me, sire.

You knew what was going on.

Your Highness has genius,

I have experience.

-So? -This honorable surprising visit

tells me you bring news.

The agreement of the Arab princes...

-...to join forces with us. -And...

The sultan wants me to accompany him to the palace

to discuss the matter.

After you, Your Highness.

Thus, the three warriors destroyed the Crusader battalion.

My dear...

Tell me what had happened during my absence.

The princes awaited you, but I was very...

Has any messenger been sent by an Arab prince or King Al-Saleh?

None.

Commander Hossam Eddin arrived, sent by the people of Jerusalem.

Where is he?

I told him your Highness would see him the next day.

Where is he?

In the library.

I'll be right back.

I'll be right back.

Welcome, Commander Hossam Eddin.

Welcome, welcome!

How are you, Hossam?

What news of our brothers in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is in a lamentable state.

You are its last hope.

Jerusalem awaited you to heed its call.

Jerusalem lives under siege

and fear under continued attacks by the Crusaders.

They live in terror.

The smiles that lit children's faces

has turned to grief in the hearts of young and old.

The Arabs of Jerusalem are now mere refugees,

driven from the land on which they lived for generations.

They are starving, Your Highness.

Yet... they still dream of salvation.

They await you.

Is this water drinkable?

Didn't I say that God would not forget you

and that you would return victorious to your lands?

He has answered our prayers and sent us the liberator.

Listen...

Those are his drums, he has come!

It's him.

I know them. They are Issa, Abdallah and Hossam Eddin.

The strict one, the smiling one, and the bold one.

Our respects, sultan of the Arabs.

Welcome, brothers in arms.

There's a place for you in the front ranks.

This is my son, Ismail.

He's under your care, Issa. Your nickname is the smiling one.

Teach him to face danger with a smile.

-Treat him as an ordinary soldier. -Welcome, Issa.

Welcome to our ranks.

I hope you'll make us proud.

Try to learn from each of these men

their best skills.

The Arabs await you, Your Highness.

I can't ignore their call.

I hope to see the Arab nation united under one flag.

Only then can we liberate Jerusalem

from the foreign usurpers

with God's blessings.

With God's blessings, we shall liberate Jerusalem.

Sire, look.

How wonderful to see Arabs' hearts united.

Sire, my happiness today is that of every Muslim.

You've made our dream come true by uniting us.

Our joy will not be complete until we liberate Jerusalem.

Your ambition knows no bounds, Virginia!

Don't throw all responsibilities on your husband.

Saladin's armies are taking down town after town.

-He's aiming for Jerusalem! -Jerusalem will not fall!

Don't deprive me of a tender parting.

Go blame the responsible.

I'm leaving tonight for Jerusalem

to discuss a defense plan with King Guy.

You're responsible for what happens now.

-Renaud? -Virginia.

I must kiss you goodbye.

The Governor of Acre still awaits Your Highness.

-He brings gifts. -He can go to hell!

-Show him in. -Take his gifts

then tell him to go away.

No, let us not turn him away.

-Summon him in, Your Highness. -Not now.

Go away!

-Renaud! -Don't ruin our moment of parting.

Welcome, dear friend, Governor of Acre.

Your Highness, Princess Virginia...

and Prince Renaud.

So, Saladin beckons

and you run to him.

Never. I have my pride, Your Highness.

-It's what I value most. -Have a seat, please.

Our friend answered Saladin's call for unity.

Not out of weakness.

He had to do something to keep Acre.

What guarantee do we have...

of your loyalty?

Is my personal confidence in him not enough?

We shall all return safely, God willing,

when the pilgrimage is over.

May God protect you.

I shall miss you, but your journey to the holy lands

and your visit to the tomb of the Messenger

ease the pain of parting.

Your Highness,

the caravan from Mosul has arrived,

carrying the princess, cousin of King Al-Saleh.

Why won't you take me with you?

You are still young, my son.

See that the princess has all she requires.

The safety of the pilgrims is a sacred trust.

The safety of the cousin of King Al-Saleh is a sacred duty.

Rest assured, sire.

She will be cared for as if she was your own sister.

Give my regards to my brother, the prince of Mecca.

Amen.

Welcome to Jerusalem, Prince Renaud.

What is it, Prince of Kerak?

Saladin is advancing on Jerusalem, Your Highness.

He considers it Arab territory and wants to take it.

Yet, I don't believe he wants to take it by force.

King of Jerusalem, you don't know what's happening.

We can always negotiate Saladin's demands.

He's unified the Arabs to attack us.

So, I've decided to take command of our armies

to defend Jerusalem.

But--

With all respect to Your Majesty's spiritual and royal rights, of course.

Do you agree?

Yes.

Our coffers are empty.

Attack the pilgrim's caravan.

No!

I've given them my word of safe passage.

I gave my word of honor.

He is advancing on us.

We need money to defend Jerusalem.

That's no excuse.

Attacking pilgrims is outrageous.

Saladin protects our own Christian caravans.

As a Christian, you must respect the treaty.

This case is different.

Render to Caesar what belongs to him.

Attack the caravan and take all the gold and jewels.

I warn you against such treachery!

Wait until their entry into Hejaz,

during prayers,

when they are unarmed...

attack them.

God is great!

God is great!

God is great!

God is great!

God is great!

Avenge the pilgrims!

How can we accept such a thing?

We'll take revenge on those murderers.

But revenge is not enough.

We must also ensure the safety of Muslims from tyrants like Renaud.

History will not say we neglected our duty.

To Hittin!

Nothing will quench my thirst

but Saladin's blood.

Hear how he talks.

He started this bloody war with his savage deeds.

He speaks like a warrior.

There's no room for mercy in our Holy War.

The water tanks, are they full?

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Two patrols guard them day and night.

Very good.

Our dear Louisa will be responsible for them.

I still say our position is vulnerable.

Since when do officers discuss orders?

-I meant that Arabs-- -Enough.

We are...

in a strategic position on this hill.

We can easily pounce on the enemy.

We are high up, the enemy is below us.

So, which side is vulnerable?

The Crusaders are camped on the hilltop in Hittin.

-Let's kill them. -Let's attack them at once.

Not while they occupy such a high and well-guarded position.

We'll camp here tonight.

Hikkari, start the obstacle course training.

In full battle gear.

Adel, give orders to set up camp.

Set up camp!

Set up camp!

Set up camp!

Get some sleep, son.

It's been an exhausting day.

Renaud is a clever commander.

He's a conceited fool.

We must use his vanity

to lure him out into the open...

and kill him.

We must force them down from the hill

and into the valley.

But they are 120,000

and we are only 40,000.

How many small troops have overcome a large troop by Allah's will.

Therewith, God heartened the faithful during the battle of Badr.

In that battle, the Messenger achieved victory

with 300 faithful men

against one thousand infidels.

The sultan has not announced his plan.

It's lovely swimming in lake Tiberius.

They number more than 120 thousand.

The sultan must have some plan

for dealing with such a difficult situation.

Who wants to come for a swim with me?

Will we return without a battle?

I'm going for a swim.

We all feel threatened.

-Except Issa. -He may have a secret.

Of course.

Tell us, so we may be reassured.

Talk, Issa.

I know...

that the sultan knows.

Who goes there?

-Please, don't come closer. -Who are you?

I'm a crusader from the Hospitallers.

A crusader?

Show yourself or else...

-Surrender, or... -I beseech you! I'm...

Get dressed, you are my prisoner now.

I'll give myself up.

I beg of you turn around while I dress.

Turn around and let you escape?

Just let me dress, then do whatever you want.

Get dressed.

Quickly! My eyes hurt from shutting them.

Open but don't turn around yet.

You're taking too long.

Don't bother making yourself look pretty.

You're going to jail.

Be patient. The Arabs are known for their chivalry.

Give me reason to believe that.

-You want chivalry. -A lesson to you, Arab.

We'll meet again one day,

I'll get my revenge.

Your last day will be the day we meet again.

We'll meet.

Next time my arrow will not pierce your arm...

but your heart.

That arrow could have killed you.

-God saved me. -Tell me the whole truth.

From which direction did the arrow come?

I wanted to take a swim in lake Tiberius.

I undressed,

suddenly there appeared five armed Crusaders.

I was defenseless...

-Alone. -Scouts?

No, they were far from our lines.

Five Crusaders accosted you while you were undressed?

And unarmed.

They attacked me.

-I defended myself. -With what?

-A tree... a branch. -Branch?

It was a brave battle on the ground.

-You mean the lake. -I fought until...

What happened after they shot the arrow?

-She ran away. -She?

The five Crusaders were a she?

Did I... say "she"?

You told the truth, Issa.

Is their camp far from the lake?

I could see its lights reflected on the water.

Assemble the men.

Here are tanks that are filled from the lake.

If we destroy them, we'll deprive them of water.

Thirst will drive them to use most of their troops

to forge a way to the lake.

But the road is open.

The front's too big to defend with the troops we have.

Let's narrow that front as much as possible.

Let's light a line of fire along the front

to prevent their advance.

They will have only the pass.

The arrogant Renaud will try to overrun the pass.

Then we will engage.

The Muslims won the battle of Badr with a similar plan.

God help you.

Tonight, while Renaud thinks we're exhausted from travelling,

we'll start by destroying the tanks.

-Me, sire! -Who is better than the swimmer?

Are you sure your state of health will allow you to undertake the mission?

Thanks to your treatment, my wounds are healed, sire.

Don't deprive me of the honor of going into battle.

With God's blessing.

We need good swimmers

to sneak in behind their lines via the lake,

which you've become familiar with.

From here, Hossam...

you and the Strict One

wait for Issa at the tanks at dawn.

Gather your men and go to the lake at once.

Guards! Be on the alert.

Everything's fine.

Orders... Always orders!

Forward, men!

This is hell!

Where's the water?

I need water!

Water!

Saladin will pay dearly for this.

He will pay for daring to challenge Renaud.

Time is still on our side.

I can still persuade Saladin to agree to a reconciliation.

A reconciliation?

I knew you were a defeatist, but not to this extent.

Can there be a worse defeat than this?

Defeat?

The battle hasn't begun!

Since the tanks have been empty, only you alone drink

and don't think of others.

My men can take it.

I must drink in order to lead them to victory.

You're throwing them into battle with parched throats?

Thirst will induce them to fight better.

But we can negotiate with Saladin.

If we ask Conrad of Montferrat

to come to our aid with his men,

Hittin battle will be the decisive battle.

Otherwise, we'll lose Jerusalem.

Renaud needs help from no one.

I can wipe out the Arabs single-handed,

erase them from existence!

I'll never allow my men to die of thirst on a hilltop.

Prepare to attack!

I'll enter Jerusalem before sundown

with Saladin's head at the end of my sword.

Renaud's soldiers are dying of thirst.

Now they will have to leave their positions.

We'll force them through the narrow pass

by raising walls of flame there...

and there

to close off the other passes.

Make sure the wood you use is dry.

Arabs, this is the decisive battle.

Renaud attacked unarmed pilgrims,

disregarding all treaties.

It is our holy duty to wipe him out

and send him to hell, where he belongs!

Let every beat of the drum

declare the end of treason, injustice and oppression.

Beat the drums!

Beat the drums!

As soon as they set foot in the pass, we'll execute our plan.

Let's see how useful our obstacle course training has been.

You want me in the pass, so be it.

I'm coming.

But you'll be sorry, Saladin.

Prepare to attack the pass!

I'm warning you, Renaud.

That would be sheer madness!

Surely, Renaud isn't afraid of Barbarians.

I'm coming to you, Saladin!

Their forces are moving into the pass.

I'll take the center, you take the right flank.

-Yes. -Take your position.

Adel, hide with your men to the left.

Don't attack until they fill the pass completely.

Take your positions.

Left flank,

forward!

The rear flanks are in position and await your orders.

Tell Hossam to signal at the right moment.

Attack!

Follow Renaud to the pass.

Retreat.

Attack!

Attack!

Saladin is at the gates of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem must not be lost!

It would be your end, Your Majesty, and ours.

You must fight to the end.

Throw the rest of the men into battle.

What men? Your stupid husband threw

our bravest warriors into the clutches of the lion.

Those who didn't die of thirst,

perished in the battle.

How can you accept defeat?

Jerusalem is lost and your husband taken prisoner.

My husband's fate

does not concern me.

But Jerusalem will not be lost.

I shall seek help

from the kings of England, France and Germany.

They will never allow the Holy City

to fall into Saladin's hands.

Put up some resistance until I return.

Don't forget your sacred duty.

Death will be the end of all this.

The sultan's son, let's kill him.

Retreat!

Retreat!

God is great!

God is great!

I'm Renaud!

I'm Renaud!

I should not be treated like this!

Where are my men?

-God is great. -God is great.

God is great.

You're Christian,

yet you fight with them?

They are...

my brothers.

I'm an Arab.

And your brothers in Christianity?

Those who use the cross as an excuse to invade my land

are not brothers.

May I ask you what your name is?

Louisa de Lusignan, Commander of the Hospitallers.

What if your men saw their commander crying?

What's your name?

Issa.

They kill the Muslims without mercy!

Your soldiers snatch babies from their mothers' arms.

Leave her.

Come forward.

You who claim wisdom,

return my only daughter to me.

My daughter was kidnapped by Constantine's soldiers

and sold in the slave market.

Constantine's soldiers are not mine, calm down.

Look for the child and return her to her mother,

at any price. I shall pay it.

And you,

understand that our law here is justice and mercy.

All are free to worship their faith.

Religion belongs to God and the motherland is for all.

I shall count on you, Governor of Acre

to send my message to Prince Conrad.

One of my men will meet him tonight and deliver your message to him.

When the message and campaign funds reach him,

he'll not hesitate to come to our aid.

If he asks for more money...

-give it to him. -But...

When I return with the European kings,

I'll pay you back...

and more.

Are you prepared?

I'll be here to welcome you and the kings of Europe.

Acre, its army, and its governor will always be at the service

of the beautiful Virginia,

I always keep my promises.

And Virginia will not forget her promise

to make you King of Jaffa.

King of Acre and Jaffa.

Water, water! A glass of water.

Where's the water?

You drank alone,

now you scream alone.

We're all thirsty,

yet you alone call for water.

Long live the great sultan!

Long live the liberator of Jerusalem!

Jerusalem returned to the Arabs!

Water! We want water!

Haven't the prisoners drunk yet?

They all have drunk except their commanders.

I was awaiting your orders.

Have you no mercy?

Give them water at once.

Read out our edict.

Equality for all Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem.

Liberation of all prisoners of war for a ransom of...

ten dinars per man

and five per woman.

Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

is authorized to all Christians.

Will we be condemned to prison or death?

When an Arab gives you water,

it means he's given you your life.

In the name of Christ, I thank you, sultan.

Thank him? Shut the old fool up.

Where the hell is that water? Didn't he order the water to be brought?

You drink the water, yet it's against my will.

You're used to quenching your thirst with blood.

Though, I'm a prisoner, I must be treated with respect.

Saladin treats you

like you treated his unarmed subjects.

Remember the pilgrims?

Had I my sword,

no one would dare talk to me this way.

Give him a sword.

He doesn't deserve a duel.

He deserves death.

He's my prisoner,

I alone have the right to kill him.

Renaud fights only an equal, a king.

He's challenging you, Saladin.

Renaud shall be killed by a lowly servant of God.

Take it.

If I could punish him for all his crimes,

I'd kill him a thousand times over.

Christian children are dying of thirst.

Pilgrims to Jerusalem are slaughtered.

Places of worship are being destroyed.

The old monks driven out into the desert.

Those, who escaped Saladin, were devoured by wild beasts.

What is it, Arthur?

Listen to the beautiful lady from the East.

If King Richard should leave for the East,

it would be your opportunity to seize the throne.

The throne of England, Prince John.

If he liberates Jerusalem and returns victorious,

who would dare to stand against him?

The martyrs' throne has returned.

The sun shall not set on your shame.

The Arabs will never occupy Jerusalem,

as long as there lives a Christian knight

called Richard the Lion-Heart.

If he comes back.

If he never returns, my dear Arthur,

rest assured I'll crown you King of Jerusalem,

beside the lovely lady.

That's a promise.

Your Majesty, allow me the honor of putting

my sword and men in the service of Christendom.

It is our duty to lead this crusade,

while you manage the affairs of our dear England.

Madam, if you please.

Come, Princess Virginia.

A war council will be held at once.

I, Richard the Lion-Heart,

declares a holy war

to liberate Jerusalem.

Long live King Richard!

Saladin set the prisoners free

and even paid the ransom of whoever were unable to ransom themselves.

-But he has forgotten me. -The sultan has chosen you

to become the companion of his dearest commander, Issa.

A companion?

You mean a slave girl?

He should have had the courage to tell me that,

rather than force me into it.

Louisa, I don't consider you a slave.

I'm a crusader.

If I was unfortunate enough to be taken prisoner,

I should be treated like a prisoner of war,

not a slave girl given to you by your sultan.

You will not be a slave.

I ask you to be my wife.

I, the wife of an Arab?

Were it not a mortal sin, I would kill myself first.

If you want to leave, I won't stop you.

Louisa.

Louisa. Louisa.

Why do you see us as deadly enemies?

Jerusalem must remain in our hands.

We are the custodians of Christianity.

Jerusalem has always been an Arab land!

Our history proves that we can rule it in peace and with respect.

You'd rather follow those to whom religion is a trade,

who turn the holy place into markets

to swindle the poor,

pay for blessings.

The money goes into Europe's coffers.

Anyone who poses a threat to these profits

gets fire, war and death.

Blackmail in the name of the Holy Scripture.

Louisa, you've always been loyal.

I am a better Christian than you.

I believe that taking what is not mine is an unforgivable sin.

My belief in justice

is the basis of my faith.

Louisa. Louisa.

Your Majesty, all the treasures of the East

have been seized by Saladin.

All those riches can be yours, king of France,

if you liberate Jerusalem.

What would the lovely princess want her share to be?

After the expulsion of Saladin,

you will surely need someone to rule Jerusalem in your name.

I am at the service of the King of France.

Virginia.

Richard is very proud and haughty.

Do you think he'll cause trouble?

We must be cautious.

Prince Conrad of Montferrat will wait for us near Acre.

The magic of the East seems to have bewitched him.

-Francois. -Your Majesty.

-Is Acre still far? -It is within sight.

Thank you.

Ten leagues to go.

Acre is within sight!

Prepare for battle. We must take Acre before sunset.

Prepare to attack!

The fort of Acre.

Acre opens its arms to receive us.

And just beyond it, lie hidden...

the treasures of the kingdom of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem.

City of the olive groves.

Through which walked Christ, our savior.

Your Highness, the Crusaders are attacking Acre with a mighty fleet.

Take the nets and take refuge behind the walls.

Hurry! Hurry!

You, to the right side. Take the children to the left quickly.

-Are you ready to resist? -Yes.

Ismail,

go inform the sultan.

Hussein, hurry to Jerusalem and inform the sultan

of the Crusaders' attack by sea.

You will take part in defending the city with Issa's division.

Richard the Lion-Heart.

Philip Auguste, King of France.

Bohemond, Prince of Antioch.

They're disembarking, shall we strike?

Wait for the signal.

It's a colossal force.

Let's attack.

The sultan has taught us to win battles with patience.

Attack!

What is the commander waiting for?

Attack!

To the left!

I said to the left.

The Crusaders' fleet is attacking Acre.

Send reinforcements to Acre at once.

Who leads the Crusaders?

Richard, King of England.

-Richard? -Richard the Lion-Heart?

He eats two sheep for his supper.

I heard he dueled with 100 men at once, and killed them all!

Arabs!

Arabs!

Europe has sent its most precious sons to you,

its cleverest commanders.

Prepare! He who dies in battle is destined for paradise.

Remember, your fathers beat those who were stronger than Richard and his men.

The first regiment has been wiped out.

Send the second and the third.

Follow me, quickly.

Follow me, quickly.

-We've run out of arms. -Take what's left in the stores.

Where are the weapons?

-We need weapons! -Where are the weapons?

Bring out the weapons!

Quickly!

What are you doing? Guards!

Open the gates.

Welcome, Virginia.

I kept my word.

It's your turn to keep yours.

Later.

Where are the weapons, Mohamed?

Treason! Treason!

Go on!

Finish the story about the Arab miser.

They cut off his hands.

He threw himself on his stash of jewels and money.

"My money!", he screamed.

"My children's future!"

Then...

he grabbed the box with his feet.

So, my men cut off his feet.

In the end, the men had to kill him to get the box.

And what did we find in the box?

-Thousands. -No.

Think... think... think...

Fifty dinars

and one jewel...

fitting only for the lovely Virginia.

Does Louisa not admire the jewel?

The whole thing is nothing to me.

I heard that Louisa,

commander of the Hospitallers, has decided

not to take part in battles

and put all her efforts into nursing.

What's the secret behind that?

You're too careworn for your age, my dear.

You're different from my friend, Louisa

who visited us in England two years ago

and filled our trips with fun and laughter.

How my husband, the king, admired you.

Now, you're sad, always silent.

Open your heart to me.

Talk to me as your friend, not the queen of England.

It helps to talk to a friend.

Your Highness...

The battle of Acre was more of a picnic

than a real war.

Let's drink to the memory of the great king Barbarossa

who met his tragic death on the way to Jerusalem.

-To Barbarossa! -To Barbarossa!

-A drink, Your Majesty? -No, thank you.

Another drink?

The king of Acre is serving us himself.

The king of Acre is always at your service.

Has Your Majesty received bad news?

The princes of Bourges, Poitiers, and Tours

have taken advantage of my absence to revolt.

I'll have their heads cut off when I return to France.

You shall succeed in ending the revolt.

I cannot go back without the keys to Jerusalem,

the riches of the East, and the pride of victory.

Only thus you can save your throne

and win the blessings of the Pope as well.

The Pope's blessings will bring you endless contributions.

Philip never forgets those who help him.

Help me conquer Jerusalem, and I'll put you on its throne...

with the lovely Virginia.

Your Highness.

I have found for my beautiful friend a knight

worthy to share with her the throne of Jerusalem.

-Your Majesty. -As for me, I was hesitant.

I thank the king for choosing the loveliest of ladies

to share the throne with me.

Why aren't you at the banquet?

I'm planning...

something, dear Arthur.

I can no longer hold arms against them

for fear of killing him,

he who so generously spared my life.

-You've fallen in love. -No, I'm just a good Christian.

Has the king set the date for the march to Jerusalem?

The road lies open. In two or three days

we'll deliver Jerusalem from the barbarians.

But first, we'll have to leave a French garrison at Acre.

Not that I don't trust the governor of Acre.

I mean the king of Acre and Jaffa.

A garrison will help him keep order.

French? Why not a British garrison?

The choice is mine and Virginia's

since credit for the fall of Acre is ours.

I shall always remember the services of the governor.

To the governor!

King of Acre and Jaffa.

King of Acre and Jaffa.

With your intelligence I assume you realize

that it was the Arabs' fear of Richard

that enabled us to occupy Acre.

No need to squabble.

There are enough riches for all of us.

Do you think of nothing but loot and treasure, guardians of the cross?

The Holy War is not over yet.

THINK NOT OF THOSE SLAIN FOR GOD'S CAUSE AS DEAD,

THEY LIVE FINDING THEIR SUSTENANCE IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR LORD.

Those days we alternate among people...

God speaks the truth.

Grieve not.

Condolences for Hikkari and the martyrs of Acre.

We are all fated to die.

Defeat and victory are in the hands of God.

What's unforgivable

is that the women's tears

are the result of... treachery.

Your Highness... Brother...

The sultan is in no state to receive anyone.

I have a message from King Richard.

You won the battle of Acre by--

Abdallah, Issa.

Let him enter.

Read out your message.

"King Richard the Lion-Heart of England,

King Philip Auguste of France,

in the name of the kings and princes of Europe

and the warriors of the cross,

will await Sultan Saladin at sunrise

to start negotiations for peace

and stop spilling more Arab blood."

Tell them Saladin will negotiate

to spare the blood of the Arabs

as well as that of the Crusaders.

The invitation is worded offensively.

Their false victory has made them conceited.

It's not proper that you go to their camp.

The meeting should be held on neutral ground.

They think we're weakened.

After the easy fall of Acre.

If it's true that Richard

came here to protect the Christians

and not to seek riches,

it will be easy to reach an agreement.

Well said. Prepare the sultan's retinue.

No retinue.

Appearances are not necessary for advocates of truth.

-We'll leave that to them. -But...

-No, Issa, I'll go with no retinue. -Sire...

Richard is not like the others.

It's for him alone that I shall go.

Impossible, I won't budge to meet that barbarian

whose hands are stained with the blood of Christians.

Your Highness must make any sacrifice in order to win peace.

Your meeting with Saladin

may save Christians from the horrors of war.

Richard the Lion-King is a great king.

Saladin doesn't deserve the honor of meeting him.

The hopes of Eastern Christians depends on this meeting.

The future of Christians is not decided by highway robbers.

I've decided not to meet him.

Go, Arthur.

My dear Virginia.

Conrad is coming.

He sent three emissaries only,

an insult to the kings of Europe.

Let's send him back...

their corpses.

-Saladin himself! -With no guards, no retinue.

It's an insult.

Peace be upon you.

Philip Auguste, king of France and commander of the French armies.

Conrad of Montferrat.

Arthur, Robert, Duke of Flanders.

William, Prince of Swabia.

-Henri of Champagne. -Godfrey, Duke of Normandy.

Henry of York.

Robert, the Duke of Leicester.

Keeper of the gold shield of Alexis II emperor of Byzantium,

Commander of the Knights Templar.

Saladin, servant of God, and of the Arabs.

If you want peace,

here are our terms.

Since when do aggressors impose conditions on the legitimate owners?

You started this war.

If you want peace,

leave our territories.

Is this a declaration of war?

I hate war.

Islam and Christianity condemn the spilling of blood.

Yet, we shall fight if necessary to save our land.

War is the only option.

As honorable warriors,

we do not want to take advantage of your defeat.

We offer you peace

in return for Jerusalem and all Christian provinces.

Why should we give up parts of our land?

In order to safeguard your country

and your life.

So, it's war,

then let it be in the name of justice.

What justice?

King Richard,

the bold warrior,

Richard the Lion-Heart.

Had you not come to our land with these aggressors,

I'd have welcomed you whole-heartedly.

Richard does not accept welcome from a bandit chief

who persecutes Christians, defiles the grave of Christ,

and dares to occupy Jerusalem.

Who told you that Saladin, believer in all holy books,

persecutes Christians and defiles Christ's grave?

Jerusalem belongs to the Arabs.

The holy shrines are open to those of all religions.

You claim bravery and honesty,

yet you deny your persecution of Christians,

while your hands are still stained with the blood

of poor Renaud.

It doesn't surprise me that Renaud's widow would resort to anything.

Be careful, you're addressing a lady.

We know how to address ladies.

But I'm speaking to her as the warrior who abetted Renaud.

You pretend to be tolerant,

while your hands drip with Christian blood.

I will let a Christian do the talking.

My best general and closest friend, Issa.

Religion belongs to God and the motherland is for all.

A hired mercenary.

Conrad knows those who can be bought.

As for me, I hire no mercenaries.

King Richard, for the last time,

I offer you peace.

And I offer you, for the last time, either an unconditional surrender...

or war.

War! War!

Does that mean that King Richard rejects peace?

My conscience would never rest at ease

while the city of olive groves is in Arab hands.

Yet, you burn the olive branches.

On the road to victory

you will hail Richard the Lion-Heart.

They outnumber us by far,

but we shall attack them from behind these walls.

What are your walls against our towers?

Call the sultan at once.

They have giant moving towers unlike anything we've seen.

We must stop the towers from reaching our walls

before they use them to climb up.

We must burn them at once.

Do what you will, our towers are immune to fire.

Try again!

-Shoot the burning arrows. -Shoot the burning arrows!

Try again!

Forward, soldiers of the cross!

Retreat!

We had to give up Ashkelon to save our men.

This tragedy will be repeated

each time they attack a town with those towers.

We'll never be able to face them.

Except outside the walls.

Richard's aim is Jerusalem.

There are several roads leading to Jerusalem.

We'll lure them to the road leading to this swamp.

There we'll meet them.

The way Saladin let us take Ashkelon so easily

doesn't match the arrogance he met us with.

He fled from Ashkelon, Caesarea, and Jaffa.

Didn't I tell you this was a picnic?

I guess I'll be returning soon to France.

We should head directly to Jerusalem.

Not before we destroy Saladin himself.

Otherwise, he won't leave things to settle down.

We must destroy Saladin to ensure our victory.

Our plan is to destroy him.

So, why not head directly to Jerusalem?

Saladin's death will bring Arab resistance to an end.

So, the means to victory is the destruction of Saladin.

Sire, Saladin's troops are nearing.

They're within sight.

You'll return to France sooner than you anticipated.

Issa.

The crusaders are within sight.

I want the biggest dust cloud ever.

Faster, faster!

I'm sure the dust came from that direction.

-It came from the right. -Men, pardon, from the left.

Left or right, he was here.

-He's escaped. -Let him escape.

Look.

If we draw a line between this sword and that shield,

it will show their position.

You're a genius, my dear Conrad.

Hurry, Abdallah,

give me anything.

-I have nothing. -Anything.

Your belt, quickly.

Attack! There are the Arab devils!

Take this.

Forward!

Forward!

Forward!

Forward.

Attack!

Come on, Arabs.

We were as light as birds without armor.

While they, in their armor, moved like camels!

One warrior saw me fighting him with no armor

and fell down in a faint.

You should've seen Commander Hossam moving through their lines.

Did he?

Yes, he's resting in his tent.

The commander isn't back from the battle.

Her beautiful eyes slayed me

and refused to give bring me back to life.

Like a verse from a love ode starting with an "N."

Now we attack the enemy.

Enough attacks, I'm talking about love.

Nay, I suffer from secret longing.

But one, such as me, does not give away his feelings.

Come on, Issa.

What's wrong, Abdallah?

Join the game. A love verse starting with "R".

Abdallah...

I assure you, Ismail and Hossam will return.

It's being said Prince Ismail was killed in battle.

Along with commander Hossam.

Who has spread this dark rumor?

We expect their return at any moment.

How could you even utter such words, Abdallah?

How can you dampen their joy at our victory?

Those soldiers aren't celebrating their victory,

nor that they survived.

They're pretending to laugh,

fearing the news may be true.

Could it be

that the sultan himself is worried?

Since the battle,

he's kept to his tent

and done nothing

but work on his experiments.

Ismail and Hossam must come back.

Commander Hossam is here.

Where's Ismail?

I closed his eyes myself.

Impossible!

Ismail is alive!

Ismail is alive!

Curse those towers!

Curse this war!

Does it have to kill everyone we love?

Damn! Damn it all!

I tell you he's alive.

Dry your tears, Issa.

We've defeated the enemy.

Thank God you are back safe, Hossam.

Return to your celebration.

Come, Hossam.

Give me forbearance, O Lord.

We've been fooled about that man, Saladin.

We believed him to be a savage.

His military plan proved he is a great strategist.

King Richard has time to teach him a lesson.

A truce? This truce is a waste of time.

Better to keep advancing.

Time is not in favor of those being persecuted there,

the victims of Saladin.

We've recently already occupied many Arab towns.

Yes, but at what price?

We need this truce

to plan ahead and strengthen our forces.

Truce?

Setting new plans requires time. Better to keep advancing.

No matter how many more soldiers are massacred?

In war,

kings should not worry about the number of dead,

victory is what matters the most.

For a victorious king,

war means glory.

And for the ordinary soldiers,

even victorious ones,

it means death.

We must think of them before anything else

and more than we think of ourselves or any worldly gains.

With such views we'll never take Jerusalem in time.

We must take it at any cost!

And then negotiate a truce.

No man will live to set foot in the holy city.

-I speak as the leader... -I refuse the truce.

I say we vote to continue the war.

-I vote in agreement. -And I...

Then I shall retreat with my men.

You will bear before God and Christ

the consequences of your madness.

There's no hope for victory if Richard withdraws.

You are forcing your way on the majority.

Prepare to send Saladin a delegation of English men.

He'll never comply with the truce.

We'll observe the truce for six months.

-Confess. -I swear to you he is a Christian.

Still, he is an Arab, you put your hands in his.

But I swear he is Christian.

If we had the courage of the Templars,

we would wipe out the Arabs without hesitation.

Six months...

Philip, when the heroes of the past faced an obstacle,

they would jump on their horses and run through the woods.

Let's get away from Richard and his suffocating atmosphere.

To Sultan Saladin, right away.

Virginia!

The war must continue.

The truce must be stopped.

Or else...

Or else...

What if we stopped Richard's emissaries from reaching Saladin?

They are on their way to Saladin.

It could be arranged upon their return from Acre.

That way,

there won't be any truce.

The Templars would do anything

to stop anyone from delaying the Holy War.

Even murder.

Saladin is bidding the emissaries farewell.

It seems he agreed to the truce.

They will set us free, then.

No hope for a Christian in the hands of Muslims.

But he offered them gifts.

-What's your name? -Bernard.

-Soldier? -I'm a mercenary.

-You? -I'm a sword maker.

And you?

A knight of the Temple, I presume.

What about you? Relax.

I'm a peasant from Normandy.

You should plant fields

instead of sowing grief.

-Have you got any children? -Four.

I meant to make soldiers of them.

I hope to return safe and teach them what I learned here.

Teach them to plant fields instead.

Before going home, I'd like to visit Jerusalem.

You will soon.

We've accepted the truce.

It's a step towards peace.

Send their corpses to Richard.

We'll see if he doesn't change his mind.

Here is Saladin's answer.

How can we deal with such barbarians?

We must fight until we destroy them all.

Let's attack them at once.

It means that Saladin has started to march towards us.

Order the attack, Lion-Heart.

Before he takes us by surprise with his dirty tricks.

Let's begin by killing the Arab prisoners.

The best response to Saladin is to kill the prisoners.

Saladin killed your emissaries

at a time we need every soldier.

We cannot spare soldiers to guard 3000 Arabs.

Order the execution of the prisoners.

Order their execution.

The war will continue.

Bring all the prisoners.

No, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! The Christian prisoners have returned.

-Lies! -They're all coming Your Highness.

-It must be a trick. -They're all coming back.

They killed our emissaries and King Richard's bravest warriors.

Richard will lose his truce with Salah.

Your Majesty! In the name of Christ and peace,

I beseech you to free all Arab prisoners as Saladin freed us.

Shoot!

Saladin sent gifts with your emissaries.

-Is this how you thank him? -My emissaries?

Stop! I, Richard the Lion-Heart, order all soldiers to withdraw.

King of France, I'll expect you in my tent.

Richard the Lion-Heart never spares

those who double cross him.

What are you mumbling about, Duke?

If the departure of Philip grieves you,

a ship is waiting in the harbor with room for dozens.

Any of you regret his departure can leave with him.

On my honor I'll stop no one from leaving.

I'll even send an emissary to see him off.

He's drunk.

Thank God Philip's soldiers are still with us.

What about the lovely Virginia?

Does his departure sadden you, too?

No, I was saying that the French army didn't depart with the king.

Even should the French army depart,

as long as I lead you into battle, even singlehanded...

Certainly, singlehanded.

Then I shall lead you to the victory.

But the knights of the Templar have withdrawn with Philip.

They have been dismissed along with Philip!

Don't ever mention them again.

Their hands are tainted with the blood of innocent prisoners.

They have brought shame on us all.

If you don't trust me...

It's said that Saladin agreed to the truce.

Saladin welcomes the truce.

And on this occasion,

I, Richard the Lion-heart,

after what I have seen

have decided to take command of all the Crusader armies.

Only thus

will I agree to bear responsibility for the Holy War.

But our front is weakened, now that our numbers have decreased.

Decreased?

We have the armies of 12 European countries.

You're afraid, Duke.

The strength of our front isn't estimated by its size

but by its unity and strength.

Have you learned nothing from the enemy yet?

Allow me to reassure the fearful kings and princes.

Go ahead.

I'm telling you, that the great Prince John's reinforcements

will reach us before the end of the truce.

Tell them what you want.

Just do what you can to replace their hearts

with lions' hearts.

And there are more reinforcements from the King of Germany

that will reach us before the end of the truce, too.

No!

Order a prayer of gratitude, Your Holiness,

that we were saved before it was too late,

from committing the sin of killing thousands of innocent prisoners.

May all who tainted the holy flag with innocent blood be cursed.

We'll hold on prayers until tomorrow when King Richard--

I am always ready to pray.

Do it now!

I want to know if our moves are blessed or cursed.

If my presence is no longer wanted, please order me to withdraw.

Finish what you were saying.

King Richard apologizes for what happened.

You mean killing 70 prisoners.

He considers it an unwilful mistake, not a breaking of the truce.

So, he wants the truce to continue,

despite killing 70 innocents.

Killing prisoners is not King Richard's way, we know.

We accept his apology and adherence to the truce.

-We pardon him. -He who can pardon, can also punish.

Please give him this gift,

as a token of our pardon

and adherence to the truce.

I don't believe King Richard wants your--

He's not a lowly subject seeking pardon

but a great warrior king who has made a slight error.

Tell your king we accept his apology.

That man hates Richard.

Conrad?

I am Arthur, Conrad's master.

-Duke Arthur. -Virginia.

It's a beautiful night.

How bewitching the nights of the East are.

Such nights were made for love, my beauty.

How dare you enter my tent and speak to me this way?

You are speaking to a princess, not an alley girl.

Playing with Conrad is dangerous.

I'm advising, not threatening.

Richard is more alert than you imagined.

-What do you mean? -Arthur holds his silence.

If he wanted to talk, he would have done it sooner.

I know you are intelligent and prudent.

Conrad can't be depended on.

He knows nothing about love and sacrifice.

Come to my tent, let us talk in more privacy.

Remember, Arthur, the future king of Jerusalem

will choose the beautiful Virginia to share his throne.

Come with me to my tent.

With you? To your tent?

We are one of a kind, our aim is one.

Cooperating with me will be more profitable for you.

You disgust me.

Get out!

One night, less beautiful than this one,

you'll come crawling to me.

-Until that night. -Out, before I call the guards.

My regards to your handsome knight Conrad.

Read the Damascene's letter.

He has perfected his invention, a liquid,

-which will destroy the enemy towers. -At last.

-Thank God for that! -The hour of vengeance is near.

May Ismail rest in peace.

The Damascene is unable to leave Acre,

he's closely watched.

He could come by sea,

but he will need me, the swimmer.

Get ready.

Take this ring; it will tell him

that you're a friend.

You two, carry out the other mission.

Yes, sir.

A liquid that sets the towers on fire.

May our victims rest in peace. To Acre.

-Our patrol is over. -To the tavern.

There's the ship that's taking Philip back.

Good riddance!

-Meat. -Go away.

Go away?

Go away.

I'm going to go read the king of France's palm.

I might reveal the reason for his defeat in East.

I want to find it full when I return.

You remind me of the only woman I ever loved.

She had the same sad eyes.

We'd planned to marry.

But only God knows when I will return.

Am I destined to die in a foreign land?

Richard has appointed his friend, Arthur, to see you off.

The situation is dire.

We need some gains to justify this failure of a war

and the huge taxes we imposed to finance the campaign.

Can any gains be made while Richard is in charge?

Listen, Conrad...

Don't think of tomorrow. Enjoy today.

This wine is for King Philip.

-I require a big favor from you. -Pay for it first.

Listen.

Abdou, Abdou, Abdou.

If France were able to conquer some Crusader provinces

and find a Crusader state.

Saladin's only concern is to keep Jerusalem.

Let him keep Jerusalem in return

for Kerak, Ashkelon, Jaffa, Acre and Saida.

I'm certain he'll agree to avoid more hardship.

Tonight, I will send the offer to Saladin.

Rest assured, sire.

Tonight, one of their emissaries delivers their offer to Saladin.

Their voice was low, but I heard them talking about

handing over Jerusalem to Saladin.

Patrol is over. Forward, march!

It pleases me that your face is the last memory

I take with me from the East.

Who is it?

-Who is it? -Me.

-Open up. -God help you.

I'm not a beggar, I'm Issa, here's the sultan's ring.

Issa, the swimmer?

How did you get here?

I swam, I came on the sultan's order

to take you and your invention back with me.

Quickly, there's no time.

But the foreigners are watching the roads.

Hurry up! Leave that to me.

Quickly.

May God be with us!

-Who's there? -A spy on the run! Catch him, John.

Hurry up.

-Run. -What about you?

Run! The important thing is that you reach the sultan.

To the king himself.

Jerusalem betrayed for a few crowns?

Just like Christ was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

Judas has risen from the dead.

Is this the Holy War

in which thousands of our sons die?

Lord, we thank you for saving your pious son, Richard.

What punishment

does such treason deserve?

Rest easy, sire.

Thank God your brave friend Arthur

discovered the treachery in time.

Is that how knights do battle?

Is an honorable campaign such as this? Treason and treachery!

What difference is there between Saladin

and the pagan emperor who paid 30 dinars

for the arrest of Christ?

We still don't know what Saladin's answer is.

You nearly trusted him the day he returned the prisoners.

We never fooled ourselves when it came to the baseness of Arabs.

But the attitude of the French has shocked us.

Send one of your most loyal men to the king with this same message.

When we receive Saladin's reply, you shall face Conrad with it.

You speak of Saladin's morality.

We shall see, my queen.

A drowning man!

He is Christian, he wears a cross.

Such a pleasant way to while away the time

during the truce.

Treating patients is a sacred duty not a pastime

A form of prayer?

Not a form of prayer but the purest of heart would understand.

Will you enter a convent after the war?

It's the man they saved from drowning.

You may go, I'll stay with him.

I put down my arms

to avoid facing such a dreadful situation.

Dear lord, if you're giving me this experience,

don't give me more pain than I can bear.

At last.

Your tent amidst the wounded camp. I can't bear it.

Better to be away from Richard's spies.

I don't care about Richard or his spies.

I will await you in my tent.

Conrad, I...

Fine.

Until another night when Richard's spies sleep.

You're Virginia's guest tonight.

The beautiful Virginia.

Are you afraid?

Conrad of Montferrat,

I've decided to kill Richard.

If we don't, he'll bring back Guy

and put him on the throne of Jerusalem.

Richard can't be killed on a mere whim.

Admit that you don't have the guts.

I won't wait to hear more insults.

I'm sure Richard knows that Philip killed his emissaries

and of our role in it.

Louisa! Does your prayer and piety mean spying on others?

Where am I?

Louisa!

Louisa!

I was certain...

I was certain we would meet.

Divine providence put us in each other's way.

It's impossible to escape God's will.

Why would she spy on us?

That girl knows more than she should.

I don't like that girl.

The likes of her can't be trusted.

How can you consider this a divine victory?

I'm not saying you should accept giving up

all your provinces in exchange for Jerusalem.

-But in principle... -I have principles, too!

How dare you suggest we end the war in such a demeaning manner?

If a foreign king offers to withdraw from the war in battle,

in return for some personal gain,

I say we shouldn't refuse

and demand him to settle his differences with his allies.

You think Saladin could trust a king who betrays even his allies?

The Messenger himself won victories

by sowing dissension between his enemies.

As the Messenger said, war is trickery.

The Messenger was in the midst of battle.

He had no choice!

We are observing a truce.

We must not rejoice in a victory given by a Christian king

over the bodies of his brothers.

"After I find a way to break the truce

and Richard's men engage,

in the midst of battle he withdraws,

leaving his allies unprotected."

Such a victory would be shameful!

We don't fight over a patch of land

but for the triumph of moral and spiritual values.

If they betray each other, why not take advantage?

How can you, as a politician,

trust a man

who betrays his own cause and people?

Lies to his allies?

He is certainly incapable

of honoring his pact with you.

We suffered a great deal from treason...

and despised the victories

gained by our enemy through treason.

Remember Acre.

Write to King Conrad. Tell him that

though he does not deserve the honor of an answer,

the Arabs want to teach the foreigners that a defeat with honor

is better than a dishonorable victory.

If Your Highness will allow me.

Come in, Damascene.

I have a small quantity of this liquid.

Show us.

-A real feat. -Thank you.

Jerusalem will be their next target.

Make sure the Damascene has everything he needs

to produce a large quantity of this liquid.

Thank you, sire.

What news of the swimmer?

It's too dangerous for you to be here.

Is that all you can say

after our long separation?

I see another Louisa, strange, distant...

Where are you?

I don't feel you with me.

I don't feel your heart beating.

When we last met,

as you tried to lose yourself in the crowds...

I felt your presence.

I felt you wanted to be with me.

You were with me despite pretending otherwise.

You were with me, Louisa.

And now...

where are you, Louisa?

You are beside me,

yet I feel you're far away.

Did we meet again to say goodbye?

You gave me my freedom, I shall now pay back my debt.

Now that your wound has healed you must leave.

Saladin's seal...

So, he's an Arab.

Guards!

Louisa.

Louisa.

Come with me.

Arrest this spy!

I knew that your piety was a front

for cowardice of the lowest degree,

to avoid going into battle.

We should've known.

You helped Saladin's spy escape? Why?

He's the lover of Louisa the pure!

Only God knows that I'm not sinful.

You will appear before the military tribunal.

Your fate will be that of witches. You will burn!

Thus Louisa has fallen.

O kings and princes of Europe,

who have left your countries,

leading your armies here across the seas

to take back the holy land of Christ

from the enemies of the cross...

Louisa betrayed you.

That's what Louisa has been reduced to.

I throw myself at your mercy.

Bow down to none other than your God.

Have mercy on me for the sake of my children.

Did you think of others when you gave up Acre to the invaders?

Leaving them to wipe the smiles off children's faces?

No one, except Louisa,

denies that Saladin is anything but a savage.

Only Louisa objects to that.

Saladin has been generous with his prisoners.

Arabs are not barbarians,

thus, it's not shameful to deal with them.

She no longer has the sacred hate in her heart.

Your heart is like a city without walls.

You have uprooted love from your heart.

You hate your country and Arabness, and gave up Acre.

The enemy found a way to her heart.

She gave her Christian body to an Arab,

threw herself into his arms.

She has forgotten our sacred hatred for them.

Without it we will never be victorious.

It was hatred that made you throw yourself into battle,

forgetting the traditions of the honorable war,

our noble traditions.

Love others so that God may have mercy on you.

Love has replaced the sacred hatred in your heart.

The hatred in your life has driven out love.

Don't let compassion mislead you from duty

-of killing this woman. -No!

Do you not understand that with this deed

you've condemned your brothers to death?

There's no victory without hate.

And no liberation without love.

Let us rekindle our sacred hate.

Down with hatred!

To the stake! Burn her like a witch.

Let the Lord's will be done.

This must be the punishment of God

for all those who have betrayed Jerusalem.

Their flesh dissolves as they remain standing.

Damnation to you, Conrad!

Take off your mask.

By the Lord's will, may all masks fall off.

You betrayed Jerusalem, you betrayed us,

the future of our kings and princes.

You betrayed the blood of our martyrs

who came to place the cross on the tomb of Christ.

The curse of God will follow you to the grave.

The Arab has refused your filthy conspiracy.

Saladin has refused to cooperate with you.

O kings and princes, read the proof of treason.

May God smite those who conspire against Jerusalem.

We shall give you traitors punishment.

"The punishment of those who betray trust,

conspire against their brothers, spread dissent

and wreak havoc

is death."

Behead the traitor!

O Lord, may Christmas pass peacefully.

The sultan has condemned the Acre traitor to death.

-He's right. -Because of him Sultan Saladin

-has rejected Conrad's offer. -King Richard understands that now.

-I want... -Issa the swimmer has arrived!

-Where is he? -At the gate.

-What? -Issa is here!

Tell commander Abdallah.

Welcome, Issa!

Welcome.

Go to the sultan at once.

Your Highness, commander Issa has arrived.

-Issa. -Your Highness.

Welcome to Jerusalem of the Arabs.

Thank God the Damascene arrived here safely.

The sultan knows that without your help,

I never would have arrived.

My brother, to complete the Arabs' joy, go to King Richard.

Invite him to visit Jerusalem for Christmas.

His Highness cannot refuse the invitation.

The king hasn't said anything yet.

Your king can speak for himself.

King Al-Adel, tell Sultan Saladin--

I will tell him whatever you want.

Tell him that Richard thanks him for the invitation

and will decide shortly.

Why not accept it now? You are invited as a Christian pilgrim.

You'll get an answer before sunset.

Come so that you may see how the Christians live in freedom.

Thank you.

Whatever your reply may be,

it is our custom as Arabs

to reply to any salutation with a better one.

Peace be upon you.

Peace be upon you.

Our salutation is peace as you can see.

Saladin chooses his emissaries well.

If you accept, how can you have the heart to fight them to the end?

Accepting the invitation means nothing.

Why must we fight them to the end?

Because Jerusalem is ours. Thus decreed Christ.

Christ did not decree that Jerusalem belongs

to the likes of Conrad and Philip.

Christ damned the likes of them on the Mount of Olives.

What are you saying?

Should we leave Jerusalem to Saladin?

Saladin is an honorable man.

He refused Conrad's offer to give him Richard's head.

He doesn't persecute Christians like we heard.

He guarantees them freedom of worship.

Why then should we drive thousands of our soldiers to the slaughter?

-What would we gain? -Hear me all martyrs of Christianity!

The queen of England, wife of the Lion-Heart.

Richard, defender of the cross,

wants to give Jerusalem to the enemies of Christ!

I, as a Christian queen, after spending a year here in the East,

prefer that Jerusalem remain in the hands of a just king of any religion

than falling into the hands of treacherous, immoral Christians.

What about our bride? What about the glory that awaits King Richard?

The garlands being woven for you in Europe.

The bells ringing in your honor in every European capital.

All of Europe awaits your return with the key to Jerusalem.

Richard's return with the kingdom of Jerusalem.

The king has not yet replied.

Will he ask for a reconciliation, like the queen wants

and return to Europe in defeat?

From what terrible hell do you come by your words?

The Lion-Heart must raise his flag over Jerusalem.

Richard's flag high over Jerusalem.

Tell Saladin, I'll visit Jerusalem in two days.

That doesn't mean peace.

If he wants peace,

let him give up Jerusalem.

Virginia...

listen.

-Jerusalem. -City of the living God.

-Richard! -Treason!

An Arab poisoned arrow killed Richard.

His blood won't go in vain.

We must have the heads of the murderers.

Richard's blood shall be avenged!

With an Arab arrow.

Salute.

-King Richard is dead. -Long live King John!

The truce has come to an end.

In a few days

the lovely Virginia will share the throne of Jerusalem with Arthur.

Saving Richard means saving face

from the accusation of killing a man to whom we promised safe passage.

Why don't you send him your doctor to treat him and tell him what you want?

No. I'll look after him myself.

It would be dangerous for the sultan to go to the European's camp.

They have sworn vengeance on all Arabs.

Our good reputation is more important than my life

so are thousands of Arabs' lives that are threatened by vengeance.

Adel, be on your guard.

I hope we're not forced to fight.

Allow me to accompany you.

I know who can take us to Richard.

There has been treason.

King Richard has been killed with an Arab poisoned arrow.

The only response to that treason

is to kill them all!

A single Arab shall not be spared.

Revenge on those who have violated the truce.

Revenge on those who have breached the pledge.

O soldiers of the Lion-Heart,

avenge your king!

Don't spare anyone.

Kill them all, men, women, and children!

Liberate Jerusalem!

Their treachery must be avenged.

Richard's death must be avenged.

To hoist Richard's flag over Jerusalem,

we must unite our forces.

Will you leave Jerusalem in the hands of the Arabs?

Their treachery deserves revenge.

There's no hope for him except a miracle from heaven.

The sultan of Muslims comes to save Richard.

Pray that his recovery may be at the hands of a humble man.

O soldiers.

In this tent lies King Richard,

victim of treason.

Avenge the death of your king,

victim of vile treachery!

Avenge every drop of his blood

by taking the lives of hundreds of Arabs.

-Revenge! -We would all die for you, Richard.

At sunrise, let's teach the Arabs a lesson they'll never forget.

-Duke Arthur. -Yes?

The queen asks you to stay away.

Send my apology to the queen and tell her that we're going to get revenge.

Richard's blood has not been shed in vain.

Tomorrow his flag will be hoisted over Jerusalem.

You are very brave.

I'm sure it was not an Arab hand that shot the arrow.

I know an Arab could not commit such a crime.

As a Christian wife I thank you

for doing your best to save my husband's life.

Let's hope his delirium doesn't last till dawn.

I was king of Jerusalem.

The sun...

Richard! Your Majesty!

You're better.

Sultan Saladin said you would get well.

Saladin?

He came to your aid

after we had lost all hope.

Saladin, always Saladin.

In consciousness, in sleep.

Even in illness he is here.

He's always confronting me.

I hoped we could have met at the gates

of the Church of Resurrection in Jerusalem.

I had expected that, if it hadn't been for the plot against you.

Who was behind that plot?

It has been proven that those nearest to you

are the ones most likely to betray you.

I don't want your head

but your hand stretched out in peace.

What peace, when you invite me to Jerusalem

-and set a trap for me? -Richard...

Your Majesty, offer a prayer for the deliverance of your husband.

You know that your accusation is false.

Why would we want to kill you?

You're afraid to see me enter Jerusalem.

You shall visit it soon.

Soon I shall be King of Jerusalem.

Why must you be king of Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is the birthplace of Christ.

Christianity is respected here, you know this.

Jerusalem belongs to the Arabs.

Stop this bloodshed.

That would satisfy God and Christ.

You forget that the Pope...

-the woodsmen in the hills, -Richard...

...as well as the peasants in the fields,

the elderly gathered around their fire places.

Richard!

Thousands of humble Christians

eagerly await my return

with the keys to Jerusalem.

Richard! You're running after an unattainable dream!

You're not fighting for Christianity

but for your own vanity.

You're seeking personal glory.

You're leading your men to their death

in order to become king of Jerusalem.

You're looking for garlands.

You're driving thousands to their death on foreign soil

in order to become king of Jerusalem.

The horns blow.

Richard, the Lion-Heart, liberator of Jerusalem.

You want war.

So be it.

But I warn you,

you will never win.

Beware of yourself, noble knight.

Richard is alive!

Richard is alive!

No illness can defeat Richard!

No poison can overcome Richard!

Long live Richard!

The Lion-Heart... is invincible!

It's a miracle from Heaven.

We shall avenge you, Your Majesty.

O king of the Christians.

God has answered our prayers.

He has cured his son to lead us to Jerusalem.

We're all eager to attack them and hoist Richard's flag.

-Jerusalem! -Jerusalem!

Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is ours.

Lead us, Richard.

Forward, O warriors.

With the dawn,

my flag will be flying over Jerusalem.

Forward.

This is your time, Damascene.

Are you sure this works?

Yes, although I have never prepared it

in such large quantities, only God knows...

Careful!

You'll blow us all to high heaven.

So, you are certain of the results.

Saladin!

Everything is ready.

Everything is ready, Your Majesty.

This is your time, Damascene!

Forward, heroes!

Forward, brave men!

Forward, Crusaders!

Jerusalem!

Conquer Jerusalem! Long live King Richard!

Attack without mercy.

Cling to every foot of land.

Nothing is more honorable than death

beneath the walls of Jerusalem.

All of Europe awaits.

Your victorious return, warriors of the cross.

Let us take Jerusalem tonight!

Make the supreme sacrifice.

Every step forward toward Jerusalem

is worth dozens of martyrs.

-To battle! -To battle!

Your Highness, hear me before you go.

Every inch of the road to Jerusalem is covered with the remains of victims.

What do you mean?

Raise the white flag

before we are crushed by defeat.

Defeat? Richard does not know the meaning of defeat.

Europe does not ask that you return with the heads of innocents.

I shall return with the keys to Jerusalem and Saladin's head.

And now, sire?

It's our turn to attack.

Open the gates!

Attack!

Forward! March on!

My god, I'm cold.

It's a fever, friend, you'd better rest.

My wife, I want to go home.

You know the orders of the king. We must take Jerusalem tonight.

Tonight, we'll die in Jerusalem.

Fool! Put out this fire!

You think this fire gives us away?

See that black mountain?

Those are the hordes of Saladin's soldiers.

Tonight, this Christmas night

we meet our death.

Lower your voice.

Everyone is fated to die.

A mountain of fire, a cloud of dust.

Don't burn me with the fires of hell!

I'm a sinner!

Have faith.

God will alleviate your pain.

Faith! The Lord spared the fornicator.

She was spared.

But he forgets Virginia.

May Christ be with you!

I am no longer a beauty.

Help me, good Louisa.

Pray for me.

My sin has brought my doom.

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."

Enough! Enough!

Praying will not change our fate.

The Arabs are coming from that hill.

This Christmas eve they'll spare no one.

Forgive me, Louisa.

I shall make a confession.

To me?

Yes, you.

You are pure and chaste.

You are close to the Virgin's heart.

Conrad and I schemed against you.

We wanted to get rid of you and Richard.

God forgive me,

but Conrad betrayed me.

He wanted to sell Jerusalem.

Jerusalem...

grave of the prophets.

Keep away from me!

Help me, Arthur.

The beautiful Virginia disfigured with fire.

Leave her, Louisa.

Don't go! you're the only real Christian here, hear my confession.

It's no confession.

She's delirious.

After Conrad had died, Arthur returned

-with an Arab poisoned arrow. -Keep quiet!

Quiet, Virginia, shut up!

Louisa.

Arthur shot King Richard with an Arab poisoned arrow.

Quiet, Virginia!

Virginia!

Virginia!

Answer me.

We're the kings of Jerusalem.

Virginia! Virginia!

We're the kings of Jerusalem, Virginia!

Virginia! Virginia! Virginia!

Virginia! Virginia!

Virginia's dead. The poisoned arrow...

was Arthur's doing.

Louisa. Louisa, Louisa!

All your allies betrayed you,

even Arthur.

All are treacherous.

The truce has expired.

-We are out of patience. -Resume the offensive.

Tonight, we'll wipe them out.

We'll show them how it is to fight by night.

We'll teach them once and for all never to invade our land again.

We'll wipe them out.

Shall we give the signal for the attack?

Merry Christmas.

Did you wish Issa and all our Christian brothers a merry Christmas?

-Merry Christmas! -Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Announce to all our Christian soldiers there'll be no war tonight.

-We'll wait till tomorrow. -God is great.

God is great! God is great!

-Hasten to prayer. -I bear witness

that there's no God but Allah.

I bear witness that there's no God but Allah.

And that Mohamed is His Messenger.

And that Mohamed is His Messenger.

Hasten to prayer.

Hasten to prayer.

Hasten to salvation.

Hasten to salvation.

God is great. God is great.

There's no God but Allah.

Enough!

The battlefield is covered with corpses.

This war has stopped making sense.

It is what you wanted, Richard.

It is not becoming of a king with a lion's heart

to go on fighting out of sheer obstinacy.

The Lion-Heart begs you to accept the hand he holds out.

On my way here,

I saw thousands of corpses littering the trail.

I could not distinguish the corpses of the Crusaders from those of the Arabs.

Before, I feared for Richard from Richard himself.

Today, I thank you for being the Richard I've always imagined.

I am only a vanquished king.

You could have waited for reinforcements.

What conditions does the triumphant sultan impose on the defeated king?

No conditions.

But let us pledge not to fight any longer.

You'll leave this country

but you'll always be welcomed back as pilgrims to the holy places.

The soldier who willingly gives his life

is more worthy than his commander who seeks glory and personal gain.

He who forgets his pride is more worthy than all.

When you return to your country,

tell the peasants and the elderly,

who eagerly await your return

and tell of your conquests round their fireplaces in winter.

Tell the simple people of England...

in their warm houses.

Tell the people of Europe

upon your return...

that life is the right of all

and that war cannot be the law of life.

Have they gone? Have they gone?

-Have they gone yet? -Patience, my son.

What do you say?

There they are, the sultan, Issa and Conrad.

Conrad died, you ignorant fool.

We hope to see you again in Jerusalem, as a pilgrim.

I'm the king of Jerusalem.

He ends his days in a cage like an animal.

Why don't you answer, Virginia?

John, King of England, will punish Richard.

I am the king of Jerusalem! I am the king of Jerusalem!

Louisa, I will never forget your service to me.

I hope to see you here again when I return as a pilgrim.

Issa! Issa!

Issa! Issa!

Commander Issa, you're dismissed.

My thanks, O Lord.

You've made your servant victorious.

By your will alone, we have vanquished the enemy.