Arabs have not generally fared well in Hollywood blockbusters, where they are usually cast as blood-thirsty terrorists and savages intent on spilling the blood of innocent Westerners.
So in the current climate of conflict between the West and the Arab world, it was natural for Muslims to feel more than a little concern about a Hollywood blockbuster featuring their legendary warrior and leader Saladin in deadly battle with Christian knights.
Initial reactions to the $140-million (about R850-million) movie Kingdom of Heaven have included expressions of outrage - but not from Muslim groups.
Instead, it is Christians who are up in arms, accusing the film of falsely portraying Saladin as an exemplary humanist while the Christian crusaders are seen as ruthless, blood-thirsty extremists.
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'I knew we had to do it absolutely properly' The movie, which had its premier in Hollywood on Thursday and opens in wide distribution on May 6, is the work of Gladiator director Ridley Scott.
Shot in Morocco and Spain, the movie stars Orlando Bloom as the knight Balian, who eventually surrenders Jerusalem to Saladin, played by veteran Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud, to save the lives of the city's inhabitants.
The movie aspires to be historically accurate, focusing on a tumultuous time in the late 12th century when Baldwin IV, the king of Jerusalem, brought peace to the region by opening the city to all faiths.
But after Baldwin's death in 1185, militant Knights Templar began attacking Muslim desert convoys, and Saladin laid siege to Jerusalem with an army of 200 000. Eventually, Balian surrenders, and Saladin grants the crusaders safe passage back to Europe.
Some scholars have voiced concern that the story could deepen animosity during the current conflict in which devout Muslim fighters are again battling Western invaders.
'I honestly can't wait to see the movie'
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