Why Does King Baldwin Wear a Mask in Kingdom of Heaven?

King Baldwin's Mask Is a Point of Historical Inaccuracy in 2005's 'Kingdom of Heaven'

Ever marvel why King Baldwin is wearing a mask in 'Kingdom of Heaven'? Turns out the answer is traditionally erroneous.

Apr. 18 2024, Published 12:34 p.m. ET

Nearly 20 years after its authentic release, people are still speaking about Kingdom of Heaven. Directed via Ridley Scott of Alien and Gladiator repute, the film portrays a closely fictionalized and highly dramatized model of occasions leading to the Third Crusade in which Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom) fights to shield the Kingdom of Jerusalem in opposition to the Ayyubid dynasty. The movie used to be launched in 2005 to lukewarm reception, though the following director's minimize garnered much more reward on free up.

The movie is upwards of 20 years previous, but other folks nonetheless look again on it fondly, particularly with the director's reduce having been deemed a main improvement over the theatrical lower. In fact, people are still serious about many questionable parts of the film. One such talking level is that of King Baldwin IV. He was once portrayed via Edward Norton in the film, but you may no longer have known it earlier than the credits roll making an allowance for he was once in a mask the whole time. Why did he have this on? Let's smash it down.

King Baldwin's mask is a level of historical inaccuracy in 'Kingdom of Heaven'.

One of probably the most outstanding figures in the film was King Baldwin IV. As King of Jerusalem, he used to be kind-hearted and sought to rule peacefully, gaining the respect of his subjects and Balian throughout his reign. By the time he took the throne, however, he had been long suffering from leprosy. Throughout the years, his condition worsened as he became extra frail and sickly and was once frequently confined to his chamber. His face became deformed and sores have been inflicted upon his limbs.

Because of his ever-worsening illness, Baldwin frequently hid his bodily look. He wore a mask all the time in order that his face could no longer be noticed through his people. He lived this fashion right up till his demise, ultimately succumbing to his illness and passing away along with his sister Sibylla (Eva Green) via his aspect. During his funeral service, Sibylla in any case removes his mask, revealing his deformity for the first and remaining time in the movie.

Unsurprisingly, the film took plenty of creative liberties with the portrayal King Baldwin IV. Historical accounts counsel that Baldwin used to be actually rather vigorous right through his reign regardless of his real-life bout with leprosy. Furthermore, there's no historic evidence to indicate that he ever wore a mask in real lifestyles in order to cover his illness.

Of path, everything of the movie has been matter to historic and political scrutiny following its unencumber. Many even view its depiction of the relationship between Christianity and Islam as extremely problematic and destructive to precise global historical past. Having a character wear a mask when he did not in fact accomplish that in historical past is likely the least of the film's issues.

Regardless, the film continues to be known these days as an unsung gem unfairly judged by the quality of its theatrical free up.

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