This was one of the best foreign (partially) language films that I have watched it quite a while. I thought the fact that it was done without any CG effects made it all the more realistic and believable. The acting was first rate. I have to agree with several of the other reviewers. My previous experience with Swedish films has been a somewhat dreary, black & white exercise in tedium. This film was absorbing, intelligent and interesting. If you're looking for a good story with action and some strong and basic statements about honor, loyalty and courage watch this move. If you're looking for comic book blood and gore you'll be disappointed.

Sometimes I wonder whether the writer (and the screenwriters) did not want to tell us that in the Middle Ages at least,Muslims were more tolerant, chivalrous ,human and clever -the Europeans could eat their heart out as far as maths,medicine ,architecture and astronomy were concerned-than the believers of the"true" cross.Mother superior (played by Bergmanian Bibi Andersson I did not even recognize)is actually more sadistic and more dreadful than Saladdin and his warriors.It's never boring but it's never really exciting as well;as an user points out,it never peaks although there's a good chemistry between the two principals -who anyway do not share many scenes-The ending may seem original till you realize it is actually borrowed from Anthony Mann 's "El Cid" (1963).We were told the authors had a mini-series in mind and I'm sure it would have worked better that way.But you could do worse than rent this epic story which keeps you interested till the end ,in spite of a certain monotony.

I actually put this in to my Netflix Instant Queue and then avoided it like so many others that I told myself I would get around to. After a few days I figured I would give it a shot. The movie had wonderful acting and the camera work was beautiful! I watched the American version and have since read that the American version is a combination of two movies that are almost twice as long. I will be spending my weekend looking for a copy of both movies to purchase and the American version as well. I will also be looking for the books. I have read that there is now a fourth book so I cant wait to find all of these so I can relive in over and over. Wonderful movie, stellar cast and beautifully shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I hope you find this helpful in your next movie selection.

Colorful and breathtaking epic about Sweden history and Crusades in the Dark Ages based on two novels written by Jan Guillou , being Scandinavia's most expensive film production ever . The picture narrates on Crusades age and set on Sweden backdrop in 110s , the starring is Arn Magnusson (Joakin Natterqvist) son of a high-ranking Swedish nobleman turned monk , being educated at a monastery under his preceptor Father Henry (Simon Callow) and is trained in the fencing art by Brother Guilbert (Vincent Perez) . Then , there happens a stormy love story between the nobleman young and a beautiful girl named Cecilia (Sofia Helin) . Meanwhile , there are violent rivaling royal clan struggles for power in Sweden , the Sverkis and the Folkes (Stellan Skarsgard and Michael Nyqvist of Milennium saga) . But Arn is sent to battle as a knight Templar to do sacrifice for the forbidden love . As he is excommunicated , banished and obligated to fight on Holy Land as knight Templar against the Saracen . While Cecilia is sent into a convent ruled by a rigid Superior Mother (Bibi Andersson) . Arn goes to Orient land and there he manages to save Saladin who is battling King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem . Arm 'll confront Templars knights enemies as well as Muslims .The movie developed in the third Crusade and being based on epic events and historic characters , thus it appears Saladin -played by Soman- who created the dynasty Ayyubida and vanquished Crusaders in Alepo and Hattin battles and reconquers Jerusalem (1187) that had previously been won by Geoffrey Boullon in the first Crusade , also appears the Great Master Templar -well played by the British Steven Waddington- who asks help Arn for the third Crusade and defeat Saladin . This is a lavish European co-production between various countries as Sweden|UK|Denmark|Norway|Finland and Germany . It's Sweden's most expensive film production ever made . The executive producer Johan Mardell and director Peter Flinth confirmed that the movie ran over budget during production . However , Swedish Public Service withdrew support from the project only months before its release, citing lack of quality and unsatisfying amount of material as main reasons, then the studio instead claimed the disagreement was due to budget concerns . In the motion picture there are historical deeds ,overwhelming battles , gorgeous landscapes and gorgeous scenarios . Production design is magnificent , as the forts , convents , the striking outdoors and the impressive Jerusalem city. The battles are very well staged with thousands people and others by means of computer generator special effects . It's spectacularly filmed on location in Dunfermline, Fife, Lothian, Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK , Erfoud, Morocco , Lidköping , Västra Götalands län, Sweden (Arnäs buildings),Trollhättan, Sweden . Evocative and glimmer cinematography is spellbound and evocative musical score with some oriental sounds during Jerusalen scenes . Rating : 6 , Acceptable and passable historical film .