3. Kingdom Of Heaven: Director's Cut (2005)
20th Century FoxHaving reinvented the genre with Gladiator, Ridley Scott returned to the well with another historical epic, this time set against the backdrop of the Crusades. Even with a running time of 144 minutes, the theatrical version of Kingdom of Heaven rushed through plot points and left plenty of characters feeling woefully underdeveloped. Fortunately, the 189 minute Director's Cut gives the movie increased depth, turning an okay epic into an almost-great one. While Orlando Bloom's performance is still the weakest part of the movie, the Director's Cut at least provides the character with a deeper backstory and motivations, creating a more well-rounded protagonist. The supporting cast fare much better, with Liam Neeson, Eva Green and especially Edward Norton on fine form. The extended version also provides greater substance that serves to enhance the stunning cinematography, lavish production design and spectacular battle scenes, resulting in one of the best Director's Cuts ever made available.