Kingdom Of Heaven is Ridley Scotts most underrated work, a sweeping historical epic set during the Crusades. It works as a blockbuster and a history lesson, and hidden amongst the quality cast and Orlando Bloom is Ed Norton, playing the leper King Baldwin. Clad behind a silver mask for the entire role, Norton is able to portray the strength of a man who desperately wants to keep the peace, but is also aware that forces around him make that almost impossible. His voice and body language might be fragile, but hes also got a concealed fury that he briefly unleashes when he beats a traitorous ally. Norton apparently relished the challenge of working behind a mask, and wanted to remain uncredited for the role to maintain the mystery around the character. That clearly didnt work out, but King Baldwin remains up there with the best of Nortons acting work.
