Crusades: Crescent & the Cross (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Directors:

Stuart Elliott
Mark Lewis

Release Date:

6 November 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

It started with a belief. No one could know where it would end.

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Keith David	...	Narrator
Nayef Rashed	...	Ibn Al Athir

Directed by
Stuart Elliott
Mark Lewis

Produced by
Steffan Boje	....	producer
Richard Bradley	....	executive producer
Orwa Nyrabia	....	line producer: Syria (uncredited)

Cinematography by
Jeff Baynes		(director of photography)
Chris Vile		(co-cinematographer)

Film Editing by
Simon Greenwood

Makeup Department
Abounouom Mariam Lee	....	key makeup artist (2005)

Production Management
Ahmed Abounouom	....	production manager

Sound Department
Robert Brazier	....	supervising sound editor
Lisa-Marie McStay	....	sound editor (as Lisa McMahon)

Stunts
Gérard Lesage	....	stunts

Editorial Department
Des Murray	....	on-line editor

Other crew
Brian Bero	....	armorer

Production Companies

• Dune Films (2005)
• Lion Television

Distributors

• History Channel (2005) (worldwide) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Molinare Studio  post-production facilities
• Proaction  uncredited (production services: Syria)

Runtime:

USA:240 min (2 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (hi-fi)

Filming Locations:

Israel

Company:

Dune Films

High marks for history and visuals

This is an excellent introduction to the Crusades presented clearly and creatively. Many original period documents are used as the basis of the narrative, and the visuals in many cases are stunning. The filmmakers hit the high points of the 200-year struggle, re-enacting many of the main battles (some shot in Morocco rather than at the original sites). Not as whimsical as the Terry Jones series of the previous decade, but probably easier to follow and great to watch. The companion DVD in the History Channel set is a mixed bag. There's an hour-long program about the Templars which relies too much on speculation and tabloid-style rumors (including many presented by the author of the justly-maligned book which was the basis of the DA VINCI CODE). It was obviously filmed on a shoestring compared to the main feature. There's also an interesting behind-the-scenes intro to the series, interviewing several of the producers and actors...but strangely padded by interviews with contemporary men and women who are involved in various charitable ventures. The insights into how they used CGI for the crowd scenes are worth watching.