Tension reaches a climax during the epic battle between Saladin and Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade. As these two prominent military strategists go to war, the fate of the holy city hangs in their balance.

World War I finds Jerusalem under Ottoman rule. Prince Faisal leads an Arab revolt, aided and encouraged by Britain. The war ends with the British in control, declaring the Crusades over and setting in train the city's next great conflict.

While World War II rages, Palestinian Arabs feel trapped. The British Mandate ends, and the state of Israel is declared. War breaks out, ending in Israel's independence. The Holy City lies divided into a no-man's land of barbed wires.