Christian warriors leave Europe to redeem the ancient city from Arab occupiers, setting off decades of wars.

Beginning in the 11th century and lasting for nearly two hundred years European armies were sent to the Holy Land to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. It was also part of the mission to convert as many people to Christianity as possible, using that age-old persuader, the edge of a sword. Though there was overlap there were three distinct Crusades that cost thousands of lives and created hostilities and repercussions that continue to this day.

The westerners knowledge of the Crusades (whatever info has been gleaned from history classes, movies and books) is usually colored by its focus on the European version of events. This documentary avoids that trap and provides both sides of the story, making an effort to include the less known and certainly less understood Muslim point of view. It was a complex situation, with much more at stake than simple religious expansion, and the sense of that is conveyed.

PART I

no pass

560 mb

PART II

NO PASS