I didn't have great expectations, so it isn't that ruining the experience for me, but Arn - Tempelriddaren failed to engage me in any case. I haven't read the Guillou-book, but the story seemed so simplified that I fear the book is the same. Let's hope not.
The best thing is the photography and the scenery. This is good, and believable.
The worst thing is that the film is extremely slow, even for persons enjoying slow films. The film is trying some times to be witty, but mostly fails.
The main actors are not very believable, but are too caricatured. They are impossible to like, except perhaps a couple of the older supporting roles. Even Arn as a kid is not charming. Maybe he is supposed to be a bit stupid, growing wise. The trouble is that Arn never grows to look wise, not even bearded in the holy land.
All the women in the film seems to have scarred upper lips (maby something they had a 1000 years ago (?!?) and the films love scenes are unbelievable childish.
I'm afraid to say that this film was a great disappointment. I give it a 2 out of 10 as it would give some romantic story readers good value. If you're looking for action, look elsewhere, or actually anywhere else.