Saladin Film 2017

The project was the brainchild of Turkey’s state-run broadcaster, TRT, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. The goal was unambiguous: to reclaim the narrative of the 12th-century Kurdish-Muslim leader who recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187. In a decade marked by President Erdoğan’s neo-Ottoman foreign policy, Saladin was the perfect icon—a unifier of fractured Muslim lands, a chivalrous warrior, and a merciful conqueror.

The director’s chair was given to Sedat İnci, a veteran of Turkish historical dramas. His mandate? Authenticity over Hollywood melodrama. “We are tired of seeing our heroes through Orientalist lenses,” İnci told a press gathering in Antalya. “Saladin was a man of justice. We will show his war councils, his poetry, his mercy to the Christians of Jerusalem. We will not reduce him to a sword-wielding cliché.”

Production began in the dusty plateaus of Cappadocia and the sprawling sets built outside Antalya, costing a reported $17 million—a staggering budget for Turkish cinema at the time. Thousands of extras, many of them army conscripts temporarily released for filming, donned chainmail and turbans. The cast was pan-Islamic: Turkish actors played the Ayyubid court, while guest stars from Egypt and Jordan filled out the Kurdish and Arab ranks.

The role of Saladin fell to yet-to-be-discovered actor Uğur Güneş, a brooding presence with a calm intensity. In a pivotal scene filmed over two weeks, Saladin’s army marches on the Horns of Hattin. The sun blazed at 40°C, and a stuntman lost two fingers in a sword clash gone wrong. But the real drama was off-camera.

Screenwriters clashed with historical advisors. The film’s early script had erased the role of Saladin’s Kurdish heritage, instead framing him as purely “Turkish.” After outcry from Iraqi and Syrian media, a hasty rewrite inserted a single line of dialogue where Saladin says, “My father was a Kurd from Dvin, but my sword speaks for all Muslims.”

Meanwhile, the depiction of the Crusaders was a minefield. To avoid alienating Western distributors (though few would pick it up), the filmmakers avoided pure villainy. The character of Reynald de Châtillon, the historical Crusader lord infamous for torturing prisoners, is shown as a snarling psychopath—but other Frankish knights are portrayed with grudging respect. “Saladin respected Richard,” the screenwriter noted. “So do we.”

In 2017, a notable project surfaced titled , a planned Pakistani historical epic directed by

, a Columbia University film graduate. While a teaser trailer was released that year to showcase the film's visual ambition, the project primarily sought funding to become a full feature. The proposed story for this version of

was intended to be a grand, cinematic retelling of the life of Salahuddin Ayyubi saladin film 2017

, the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Based on the project's focus and historical context, here is the developed narrative outline for that film: Story Outline: Saladin (2017 Project) The Unifier's Rise

: The story begins with the fragmentation of the Muslim world in the 12th century. It follows a young, devout Salahuddin as he rises through the ranks in Damascus under Sultan Nur ad-Din, eventually becoming the Vizier of Egypt. The Breaking of the Truce : The central conflict is ignited by the treachery of Raynald of Châtillon

, a Crusader lord who violates established treaties by attacking Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. This act of aggression forces Saladin to abandon diplomacy for a decisive military campaign. The Road to Jerusalem : The narrative builds toward the legendary Battle of Hattin

(1187). The film highlights Saladin’s strategic brilliance as he lures the heavily armored Crusader army into the parched terrain of the "Horns of Hattin," leading to a total victory and the capture of King Guy of Lusignan. A Just Conquest

: In stark contrast to the bloody First Crusade, the climax focuses on Saladin’s peaceful reclamation of

. The story emphasizes his mercy and chivalry, allowing the Christian inhabitants to leave the city safely—an act that earned him respect from friend and foe alike. Clash of Icons : The final act introduces the Third Crusade King Richard the Lionheart

. The story shifts from physical combat to a psychological and ideological duel between two leaders who share a deep, mutual respect for each other’s honor. Legacy of Peace

: The film concludes not with a final victory, but with the signing of a treaty that allows pilgrims of all faiths to access the Holy City, cementing Saladin’s legacy as a ruler who prioritized justice and humanity over mere conquest. Thematic Elements The project was the brainchild of Turkey’s state-run

The 2017 vision for the film aimed to move away from "safe" romantic comedies and instead deliver an epic period drama with visuals comparable to Game of Thrones . Its core themes included: Saladin (1963) - FAQ - IMDb

While there is no major global theatrical film titled " " released in 2017, the name is associated with a few specific media projects and historical epics from that period: " Teaser (2017) In 2017, a teaser was released for an upcoming Pakistani film simply titled

. The project aimed to depict the life of the 12th-century Sultan and his quest to unify the Muslim world and retake Jerusalem. While this specific production generated buzz in regional media at the time, it did not achieve a wide international release like other historical epics. 2. Turkish Historical Productions (2017 Era)

The year 2017 was a peak time for Turkish historical dramas, which often featured Saladin as a pivotal character. Payitaht: Abdülhamid

While focused on the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, this series often referenced the legacy of Saladin. The Conqueror of Jerusalem More recently, a major Turkish series Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem

was produced by Akli Film, though it premiered later (2023). 3. Enduring Classics often Associated with 2017

Because Saladin is such a legendary figure, older films are frequently re-released or discussed in relation to newer historical anniversaries: Kingdom of Heaven

Directed by Ridley Scott, this remains the most famous Western portrayal of Saladin (played by Ghassan Massoud). It is frequently featured in cinematic retrospectives and high-definition re-releases. Saladin the Victorious (1963): This Egyptian epic is widely considered the definitive Arabic portrayal Even though the 2017 film never saw the

of the Sultan. It was selected as one of the top 100 Egyptian films and is often featured on streaming platforms like

Watch trailers and historical breakdowns of Saladin's most famous cinematic portrayals:

Even though the 2017 film never saw the light of day, examining its intended script provides a fascinating lens into how modern storytellers approach Saladin. Based on leaked script pages and interviews with pre-production consultants, here is how the film would have depicted key historical moments compared to the facts.

| Historical Event | What Really Happened (1187-1193) | How the Lost 2017 Film Planned to Portray It | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | The Battle of Hattin | Saladin’s army trapped Crusader forces by cutting off their water supply, leading to a decisive Muslim victory. | A 25-minute CGI-heavy sequence emphasizing relentless heat and thirst; a slow-motion shot of Saladin raising the sword of Nur ad-Din. | | Capture of Jerusalem | Saladin famously refused to massacre civilians, allowing them to ransom themselves (or leaving the poor to go free). | A dramatic, tearful scene where Saladin tells his generals, "Jerusalem is not a prize; it is a trust." | | Meeting with Richard I | The two never met face-to-face, but exchanged gifts and letters. Richard proposed his sister marry Saladin’s brother (a deal that fell through). | The script fictionalized a tent meeting, giving Saladin a rousing speech about coexistence—a clear anachronism for political message. | | Saladin’s Death | He gave away his fortune to the poor; his shroud was his only possession. | A slow, mournful finale with voiceover from his son, al-Afdal. |

The film would have downplayed Saladin’s political ruthlessness (his conflicts with fellow Muslims, his assassination of political rivals) in favor of a saintly, unifying figure.

A detailed analysis of the 2017 film must address the characterization of Batu Khan. In historical chronicles, Batu Khan is often recorded as a ruthless conqueror. However, cinema has a tradition of romanticizing adversaries to elevate the hero's victory.

In Ridley Scott’s 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven, Saladin is depicted as merciful, strategic, and morally superior to many of the Crusaders. This created a cinematic template for the "Eastern Leader."

The Legend of Kolovrat applies this template to Batu Khan:

If you came here hoping to find a 2017 gem, do not despair. You have better options. Here is a quick guide to the best Saladin films available today:

Avoid: The “Saladin 2017” fan edit. It is poorly edited, mislabeled, and disrespectful to the original actors’ work.