Original subtitles

LEICESTER: I've been with him for a long time.

LUCAS: Stop.

LEICESTER: How long are we there for?

LUCAS: You knew the situation at the time.

Five... hours we were out there hunting.

I've never seen anyone miss a deer so many times.

Dear Lord, bless this journey in the name of Christ,

who suffered on the cross for our redemption.

I pray that You'll allow me to fulfill my oath to You.

That I will be able to liberate Jerusalem in Your name

through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your son, who is God,

and lives and reigns with You, in unity with the Holy Spirit,

a world without end.

Amen.

Spying on me?

It's my last chance.

They're all waiting for you.

It stopped to drink in a stream, and I was thinking,

"Surely this time, please". But he still missed it.

- Oh, it moved, you startled it. - What's so funny?

- Lucas' inability to hunt. - Yeah, I think the deer can smell him.

Oh, just make sure you bring my brother back alive, Lucas.

- Of course, Your Majesty. - I promise you, we'll protect him.

Bring yourself back, too.

- Don't worry. - How can I not?

Let's go.

Maybe your sister should be coming with us.

She likes you, Leicester, but she doesn't like you that much.

NARRATOR: Almost 1,000 years ago,

Richard the First, King of England, set out to war.

Not for power or wealth, but for God.

This was a new kind of war,

one that still casts its shadow today,

for it would pit Crusader against Jihadi,

West against East,

the God of the Cristians against the Muslims' Allah.

These Crusades would give rise to a new kind of warrior.

One prepared to risk everything for his faith.

And the most famous of these was Richard the Lionheart.

Four months after arriving in the Holy Land,

Richard the Lionheart's vast Christian army was on the move.

12,000 men marching down the coast

of what is today Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

They were there to fight an enemy that had struck fear

into the heart of the Christian world.

For the forces of Islam, or as they called them, "Saracens",

also claimed this land as sacred.

Richard had already won a great siege at the port of Acre.

Now he was advancing down the coast

towards his ultimate goal, the city of Jerusalem.

Each soldier had made an oath before God to free it.

If they succeeded, their reward would be a place in heaven.

The previous Crusades had ended in defeat

and the Christians had been driven from Jerusalem.

But the hopes of this, the Third Crusade,

rested on the finest warrior in Christendom:

Richard The First of England.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, you need to halt the march.

Halt!

Saladin's army is on the other side of the woods.

- How many men? - I don't know, all of them.

What do you mean, all of them?

I mean all of them, his entire army, 20,000.

What's your order?

We keep going.

We mustn't be drawn into a full battle. That's what Saladin wants.

I want tight defensive formations, or we'll be picked off by degrees.

- Pass the order. - Wait!

This isn't just your decision.

Burgundy, we don't have time.

- This is as much my army as it is yours. - Well, decide!

Lucas, tell Master Garnier the plan.

In no circumstances must he be sucked into a battle. Go!

Go!

NARRATOR: The Crusader Army was an uneasy alliance

drawn from across Europe.

It included English nobles, like the Earl of Leicester,

French knights, led by the Duke of Burgundy,

and, at the rear of the column, the Hospitalers,

an order of warrior monks,

who had been fighting in the Holy Land for 40 years.

Their leader was Garnier de Nablus.

"Do nothing," says His Majesty.

Easier said than done.

NARRATOR: Richard's plan just to keep going may seem strange,

but it was standard tactics for the time.

Though he'd been involved in many sieges,

Richard had never fought a pitched battle.

It was always regarded as too risky.

Why don't they attack? They know we're here.

Come on.

Come on.

- Cover! Cover! - Cover!

Hold formation! Hold the line!

Keep moving, don't stop.

NARRATOR: The Saracen army had twice as many soldiers

as the Christians that day.

Their plan was to soften the Crusaders up with their archers

and then break the column apart with their cavalry.

They could then pick off each section piece by piece.

There's a gap. Close the gap!

Hold formation!

Hold the line! Keep moving! Keep moving!

The line's broken, we're being slaughtered.

We keep going. That was our plan.

I'm changing it.

You said if we break formation, we'll be cut to pieces.

It's happening anyway.

Let's give Saladin the battle he wants.

Men!

This is what we came for!

A fight for God against the Devil!

It's no sin to kill Saracens, so kill them all!

Knights, charge!

RICHARD: Burgundy!

Burgundy!

Burgundy!

Where have you been?

SOLDIER: Move it, move it!

They're retreating.

Let them go!

Regroup around the standard!

We thank You, dear Lord Jesus Christ, for this great victory,

allowing us to take another step closer to Jerusalem.

We take comfort in the knowledge that those who have died today

will be forgiven their sins,

and they shall live forever in Your glory.

- Amen. - ALL: Amen.

You saved my life today.

Thank you.

I know you would do the same for me.

Tomorrow Jaffa, then Jerusalem.

NARRATOR: For the Saracens, defeat at Arsuf

looked like a disaster.

It seemed nothing now stood between the Crusaders and Jerusalem.

But the Saracen army was still intact.

And Richard was fighting the wiliest general of his time,

the ageing, but brilliant, Kurdish warlord Saladin.

His second-in-command was his brother, Prince Al-Adil.

The Emirs are saying that we have lost, that we cannot defeat Richard.

- We have lost a battle, that is all. - But the road to Jerusalem is open.

Look... they are saying that you should never have fought him.

Are they?

And they want you to consider a peace, a compromise.

There is no compromise with the will of God.

Richard knows that, and so do I.

And there will be no peace until we have driven them from our land.

Please continue.

But if we cannot defeat him in battle?

There are other ways to defeat Richard, my brother.

Who's done this?

Saladin.

He knows he can't beat us in battle, so this is how he'll fight now.

Whenever we want food, he'll burn the land,

wherever we want shelter, he'll destroy it,

even though it hurts his own people.

Summon the council.

Tell no one to drink from the well, he could have poisoned it.

NARRATOR: Saladin's scorched earth tactics

began to work like a cancer within the Crusader Army,

spreading dissension.

Richard, as the the only king among the commanders,

led the Crusade in battle, but he was not in political control.

Important decisions were taken by the Council of War,

a body made up of all the different factions:

the nobility, the many nationalities and the warrior monks.

This now descended into an argument,

from which the Crusade would never recover.

Jerusalem is only 40 miles away.

We make camp here, we bring in supplies,

- then we take the Holy City. - No!

We must defeat the Saracen army first.

I know you are a new commander in this war, Burgundy,

but do not underestimate Saladin.

He doesn't scare me like he seems to scare you, Master Garnier.

Now, there are 4 strongholds on the road.

We garrison each one as we go, create a secure corridor.

There won't be any strongholds.

Look what he did to Jaffa.

We'll be harried every inch of the way to Jerusalem.

Now, everything that you say is influenced by fear, Garnier.

I'm... I'm curious. Why is that?

You calling me a coward?

No, I don't think you're a coward, far from it.

No, the only thing you're scared about is losing your money!

- What? - For a man who vowed

to give up all their worldly goods, you seem to own a great many castles.

Gentlemen, please, enough! This is not helpful.

And no one's devotion is in doubt, but Garnier has a point.

We should consider alternatives, Burgundy,

even though I know you don't want to.

May I speak with you alone?

PRIEST: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them,

and unto Thee a vow shall be repaid in Jerusalem.

- Jerusalem is that close. - Hear my prayer, unto Thee...

- Why aren't you backing me, then? - I want to consider all the options.

If we march on Jerusalem without thinking,

without secure supply lands, we could lose a lot of men.

And they will have died gloriously.

Look at them.

The only reason any of them are here is to complete their pilgrimage.

Like you and like me.

Are you gonna deny them their salvation?

These men would follow you anywhere.

Don't take their hope away from them.

Leicester, put it to the vote.

Those in favour of an immediate march and attack on Jerusalem,

raise your hands now.

Those against?

King Richard, you didn't vote.

The decision of the council is clear. We march on Jerusalem!

All this food is brought to us by sea.

Yes, I know, Garnier.

Your Majesty also knows we are about to march 40 miles inland to Jerusalem,

through a barren desert.

How is the food gonna reach us then? It's madness.

I'm just saying, it would be tragic if we were to make the wrong decision.

The decision's been made. It's what the men want.

But you're the king and as Your Majesty has frequently demonstrated,

- you can change the decision. - Yes, I am the king.

The decision's been made and you'll obey it.

Your Highness.

Leicester.

Oh, oh, oh. Someone help me, please, help me.

RICHARD: Lucas!

- Somebody help me, please! - Lucas.

Lucas!

Lucas.

Lucas.

I'm sorry.

He died because of me.

We should never have been there, it's my fault.

Then you must make amends.

I can't.

He's gone.

Can't you?

Why did he die? Hmm?

He died because you were reckless.

You went hunting.

You left the protection of the army, and you took him into danger.

- Why did you do that? - Because I was angry.

But why were you angry, Richard?

Because if we march on Jerusalem we could lose a lot of men.

So Lucas died because you acted like a child, and not a king.

NARRATOR: On the 17th of November, 1191,

Richard set out on the march from Jaffa to Jerusalem.

He had ran out of options, and now had to follow a course of action

about which he had great doubts.

Ahead lay 40 miles of savage winter and wilderness.

The Christians are on the move.

SALADIN: Looks like rain is coming.

He's running at us with his eyes closed.

We have come to the greatest struggle of our times, brother.

These will be the longest weeks of their lives.

Destroy everything between Jerusalem and Jaffa:

Ramla,

Latrun, Lydda,

every town.

They must have no shelter, no warmth,

no respite.

And cut down every tree.

Men don't have enough to eat.

You know this land, Garnier, that's what you're always telling us.

We need food. Go and find it.

Well, go on. Or are you too old for the job?

I know you're hungry. This is part of Saladin's plan.

But believe that God will provide.

God will provide.

- We got lucky. - That's not luck.

NARRATOR: The Crusaders' journey inland from Jaffa lasted 2 months.

But despite everything that Saladin and the weather threw at them,

on the 6th of January, 1192,

they made it to the ruined town of Beit Nuba.

Jerusalem was now within their grasp.

We'll camp here tonight. Tomorrow we fulfil our oath.

Tomorrow, we will destroy our enemies!

Like Saint George, we'll kill every infidel who stands in our way!

Tomorrow, the Lord will grant us salvation!

Come on, Garnier. I want to see the city.

If we take the city, your pilgrim army will go home,

leaving us Hospitaliers to hold it, which we won't be able to do.

There aren't enough of us.

We'll just lose it again.

When Jerusalem falls, Saladin will be finished and his army will desert him.

GARNIER: Wishful thinking!

I've been fighting here for years and...

Enough, Garnier, both of you!

I've seen the city.

Bring me a map.

There are double walls,

the inner walls are even bigger than the outer.

We've won sieges before. The Saracens in the city are weak.

We can't build siege engines

because Saladin has destroyed every tree. It's impregnable.

Then we encircle it, we starve them out.

It won't be them under siege, it'll be us.

Saladin has 1000's of reinforcements who will all come to his aid.

We'll be surrounded and trapped against the wall,

between Saladin, in the city, and his army, outside.

He'll kill every one of us.

We can't take the city.

We have to turn back.

- No, you can't do this. - You promised us.

You promised God we'd take Jerusalem.

You think I don't want that?

It can't be done, not like this. We need to think.

God does not want us to die needlessly.

How do you know what God wants?

You're betraying Him and your own men!

Are you determined to do this?

Yes.

Then you're a coward, and a traitor to God.

And I won't serve under you, nor will my men.

NARRATOR: The retreat from Jerusalem was a humiliation for Richard.

During the next 6 months, he tried everything to make amends,

moving down towards Egypt and attacking Saladin's supply routes.

But, without the French,

he never had enough men to strike a decisive blow.

He even tried a second march on Jerusalem in the summer,

but, again, he pulled out before the final assault.

The Christian Coalition fell into savage infighting.

The Third Crusade was faltering.

And then, after months of rumour, came news from home.

Fighting for God, it seems,

was no refuge from the ruthless world of medieval politics.

What... do you want?

Your brother John is threatening your throne.

You've said that before, you've been saying it for months.

This time, he's being supported by the King... of France.

The French!

I've got no choice. I have to return to England.

That means you must break your oath.

I've got to go back. I'm their king.

I promised at my coronation to protect them.

You also made a solemn vow to God

to liberate Jerusalem in the name of God.

And that is what you must do now.

I've done everything I can,

but I've failed here.

I've got to go home.

You?

There are still Christians in Jaffa. They need a priest.

Pray with me one more time. I need to pray for forgiveness.

There is no forgiveness if you turn away from God.

You break your vow to Him and you are damned.

NARRATOR: And so, in July, 1192,

Richard took his remaining loyal soldiers

back along the coast to the port of Acre.

From there, he planned to return home, to England,

to settle the rebellion started by his brother, John.

His crusade had ended in crippling disappointment.

King Richard is leaving, heading home.

- Is he? - Yes...

His army is heading to Acre. His fleet is being prepared.

So it's worked, the great King Richard has finaly failed.

We must strike at Jaffa, take back the city.

But you said you would never fight them again.

No! I said would never fight Richard again.

Are you sure?

But if you'd lose the Emirs will no longer support you.

We will win.

We shall.

NARRATOR: With Richard apparently out of the way,

Saladin made his move.

Summoning troops from across his Empire,

he took personal charge of the assault on Jaffa.

NARRATOR: Within 3 days, the tiny Crusader garrison was overwhelmed.

The few survivors managed to pull back into the citadel,

the stronghold in the centre of the town.

But they were completely cut off.

- Jaffa's under attack. - What?

If the city falls, they'll all be killed.

Tell the fleet we're not leaving.

- How many men has Saladin got? - Ten thousand.

Take your army by the coast. I'll go by sea.

NARRATOR: Within days,

the Hospitalers set off on the 60-mile march down from Acre.

But Saladin intercepted them.

No one knew, however,

that Richard had planned a two-pronged assault on Jaffa.

He and a small force of 2,000 men were approaching the city by sea.

There are only Saracen flags.

Too late.

Is there nothing I can do here?

We need to let them know we're still alive.

Look, my lord. Look!

There are Christians still alive there. In the citadel.

We'll row straight for the beach, at full speed and run aground.

Men!... It can be done. Today, we win a victory for God.

Come on!

NARRATOR: Richard was outnumbered 6 to 1.

But his amphibious assault caught the Saracens completely by surprise.

The coastal side of Jaffa was unprotected.

But regaining the citadel had been the easy part.

Richard's small force

now confronted the full might of Saladin's 12,000-strong army.

For the first and only time,

the two greatest warriors of their age came face to face.

This would be the defining moment of the Third Crusade.

Come on! Who wants to be the first to die?

Or are you all cowards?

Come out here and fight me!

You wanna go to heaven? I'll make it happen!

- Signal the attack now! - Signal the attack!

Come on!

Attack! Attack, I say!

Al-Adil, signal the attack now! Forward! Forward, men!

Forward! Attack!

Forward! Come out here and fight me!

Do not be afraid, he's just a man!

Come on! Attack!

He's just a man.

NARRATOR: The accounts of both Christian and Muslim writers agree.

Despite being vastly outnumbered, it was Richard's sheer physical presence

that defeated Saladin that day.

In that one moment, the legend of Richard The Lionheart was born.

That holy warrior who stood by his principles.

A King who would risk both his life and his Kingdom to save Christians.

As his army melted away, so did Saladin's authority.

This forced him to make peace with the Crusaders.

In fact, both sides had to compromise.

The Christians kept their coastal lands

and were allowed safe passage into Jerusalem,

but it remained in Muslim hands.

Richard the Lionheart eventually returned to England

and was again crowned as king.

He died five years later, while fighting the French.

Almost 1,000 years after Richards' death,

Jerusalem and the Holy Land

are still at the center of religious conflict.