What makes it different from others?

Am I Missing Something?

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Shoddy, clumsily written, hammily acted, sloppily directed with very poorly staged "action" scenes--and those are its good parts. This is an Italian mini-series, but it's much more reminiscent of the "sword-and- sandal" mini-epics that cheapjack Italian producers ground out like sausages in the 1960s, and not as entertaining as many of them. The acting is on the level of an overheated silent-era melodrama, and the script is so confusing and convoluted it's hard to follow who's doing what to who. This pitiful "spectacular" has few saving graces, and one of them is the exquisitely beautiful Karen Proia, who plays "Maria". Well, now that I think about it, she's the ONLY saving grace this film has. I gave it two stars, and that's just because watching her made viewing this claptrap a lot less painful. Otherwise, avoid this thing at all costs.

I really enjoyed this epic which is fine for a winter night by the fireside, and gave a more balanced view of the horrors of the crusades, but I was puzzled by one aspect at the beginning. Peter's mother, A Saracen camp follower, appeared to be dying of smallpox. Why then would she be nursing her baby and why would the possibly infected baby be given to a family to raise? None of them seemed the slightest bit bothered that the baby might infect them all.The only other problem was the American English dubbing. As I always have the subtitles or captions on, I would have preferred to hear the actors speak in their own language, or at least an accentless English. when one of the characters kept shouting "lets, go, go, go", prior to a battle scene it sounded like a gung ho "GI's winning the war" film. At least no one said "yeah, right!" For that we may be truly thankful.

What makes this movie so good is the realism. Hair, hands, faces are as you would expect in the 11th century. You feel like you are right there and the movie completely absorbs its audience. This movie did not have the multi-million dollar budget of many recent films but the overall effect is the best I have seen. The actors are so good. the costumes are so real. The movie will tear at your heart. It makes no excuses for war and there is no political statement to be made - just a story about the worst and best in us.To the people who think this is a pro-Christian or pro-Muslim movie .. get a life and open your eyes! Evil can be found in the holiest of places, and sometimes in the hearts of seemingly the noblest of people. And there is good to be found everywhere regardless of religion or color of one's eyes.

I did not expect that this movie(195 min on video) could be so interesting,well done made with the specific atmosphere of those times and the musical score to guide you in the adventures of the crusaders,actually 3 fellows who want to see the Holy Land. I have to admit that performances are not special,maybe above average but the nice battle scenes,the good unpredictable story and the sights of Israel, give you a nice impression for the movie. I recommend this movie or series,I think since Das Boot series, we have not seen such interesting tv production and especially european one. I give to this movie 8/10.