Empires: Holy Warriors

This drama-documentary challenges the popular view of Richard the Lionheart and Saladin's epic clash for control of Jerusalem, using the latest research into the original Christian and Muslim ancient sources and the insight of leading experts from both East and West.

Richard emerges as a man who earned the name Lionheart as much for his murderous brutality as for his chivalry. Equally, Saladin was revered in his own time in Europe, for his mercy towards the crusaders in contrast to the demonized caricature of popular modern-day Western myth.

Filmed on location in the Middle East, Richard the Lionheart & Saladin: Holy Warriors recreates the heroic encounter between these two great men. It traces their very different origins, their struggle to understand each other, and the mutual respect that emerged as they battled for the destiny of the world's most sacred city.