Balian finds Jerusalem ruled by King Baldwin IV (Edward Norton), the "Leper King," who maintains a fragile truce with the legendary Muslim leader Saladin (Ghassan Massoud). Balian aligns with the king's vision of a peaceful coexistence between faiths. He also enters into a tentative romance with the king’s sister, Princess Sibylla (Eva Green).

However, this peace is threatened by fanatical Christian crusaders, particularly Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) and the brutal Raynald de Chatillon (Brendan Gleeson), who provoke Saladin with unsanctioned raids on Muslim caravans. War and the Siege of Jerusalem

With the Christian army destroyed, Balian is left to defend Jerusalem against Saladin's massive siege. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Balian uses his engineering skills to hold the city walls for three days. Realizing the city cannot be held indefinitely, Balian negotiates a surrender with Saladin. In a final act of honor, Saladin grants safe passage to all inhabitants, allowing Balian, Sibylla, and the remaining citizens to leave for Christian lands. Return to France