Braveheart (1995)
Men don't follow titles. They follow courage.
Starring: Mel Gibson, James Cosmo, Brian Cox, Patrick McGoohan, Peter Hanly, Sophie Marceau, Stephen Billington, Angus MacFadyen, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Alex Norton, Jeanne Marine, Ian Bannen, David O'Hara, Peter Mullan
Director: Mel Gibson
Running Time: 177 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Action, Drama, War
On DVD Hills, bagpipes, mist, the word "Scotland" written along the bottom of the screen - it can only be one place. That's right, Wales. Nah, only joking - as if anyone would ever make a film about Wales.
Mel Gibson both directed and starred in this tartan-clad epic about William Wallace, the legendary Scottish freedom fighter/terrorist who, even way back in the 14th Century, had already had enough of the English going on about winning the World Cup in 1966. So, armed with just some rocks, a few hundred muck-dwellers and an extremely peculiar accent, he led a nation to fight for freedom from English tyranny. Or something along those lines.
It's actually fairly appropriate to be so vague about all of this, because nobody really knows all that much about the real Wallace (and most of what we do know comes from a poem). You could spend a lifetime picking apart the historical inaccuracies in the flick, and there would still be those who'd disagree with what you found.
Because of that, how much enjoyment you can get from this 177-minute beast depends largely on your willingness to accept Wallace as a charmer with biting wit and a permanently clean-shaven chin. As the sort of bloke beautiful French princesses would hand over national secrets to simply because of the way he looks at them. Or even just as a guy who doesn't smell like moss.
The most breath-taking, if gruesome, parts of the movie are the incredibly lifelike battle scenes. Putting them together must have been an immense project to undertake, but you've got to hand it to Gibbers - he does it very, very well. He also makes a likable hero figure, providing you can put to the back of your mind the fact that he's basically playing the original ned.
Personally I find the movie far too long, particularly as parts of it play like a TV advert for the Scottish Tourist Board. In one scene, for example, Wallace sprints to the top of a mountain and just stands there, kilt billowing, for no apparent reason. Anyone who's ever worn a kilt will of course know that the last place you're likely to linger is a-top a windy Scottish mountain. Talk about "freedom"!!
DVD Extras: Audio commentary from The Gibster, and an original trailer.
It's Got: A clutch of Oscars to its name, including Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Face Paints (sorry, I mean "Make-Up") and Sound Effects Editing.
It Needs: A second leg at Wembley.
Alternatives: Rob Roy, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Summary: It might be a load of nonsense from an historical point of view, but 'Braveheart' still produces the goods entertainment-wise. But does it really have to be so long??
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 25th November 2003
External Links
Braveheart at the IMDB
Comments7 Comments |
| Thought this was complete clap trap. It doesn't matter how many sentimental films are made about Scotland, you can't get away from the plain fact that Scotland just hangs on England's coat tails and get their arses kicked when they complain. |
| Comment by:- Saxon Boy | | 12 February 2004 | ip: logged |
| this review was crap and much of it had nothing to do with the movie and scotland did stand to england. |
| Comment by:- jj | goer@msn.com | 28 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| england rocks and braveheart is fake. there is no such thing and to make a movie about it is hogwash./? |
| Comment by:- elroy | cheaptwat111@mook.com... | 28 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Try as you might, there's no escaping the fact that Gibson & mates crafted the most gripping, inspiring and unforgettable epic film in recent memory. Why don't you shelve your snooty English superiority for three hours or so & soak in this masterpiece once more, this time with an open mind. |
| Comment by:- GA | | 30 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| this movie is top class u lot ave no sense about movies. i should no i practically live in the cinema. i nthink u shuld buck ur ideas up or watch all of it!! |
| Comment by:- billy | www.google.com | 15 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Braveheart is one of the greatest, most inspiring films of all time. Long before The Patriot and The Passion, this was Mel Gibson at his finest... |
| Comment by:- gilletbd1977 | www.thedvdreport.com/dvd_revie... | 19 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| Personally, Im not a fan of the Gibster, but I must admit, his attempt at portraying a historical/mythical figure was good. Also, this whole 'Scotland hangs on England's coattails' is a load of crap. Scottland is an independant country with its own beleifs and histories. Fascism is dead, Saxon Boy. |
| Comment by:- Jaladar | | 13 June 2005 | ip: logged |
