BBC Crusades with Terry Jones "Jihad"

1995 · BBC

Crusades is a 1995 historical documentary series presented by Terry Jones . It looked at The Crusades and occasionally used elements of black comedy . Prominent historical figures are depicted by actors wearing masks and costumes, giving the appearance of living artistic images in the style of their original cultures. Emperor Alexios I , for example, appears as a Byzantine mosaic , while European and Muslim figures are brought to life by actors appearing in the style of medieval European, and near eastern miniatures. At times, production is deliberately anachronistic, such as showing the use of 1930s style newsreels by the Church to drum up mass support for the Crusades. 3. "Jihad" The third episode chronicles the response that the Arab world gave to the gains of the Crusades. Jones takes the viewer from Syria to Jordan to shed light on the Arabs counter-crusade led by Muslim leader Saladin . Additionally, experts detail the political intrigue behind Saladin's rise to power as he tried to lead Muslims in winning back Jerusalem from the Christians.