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Braveheart

Starring: Mel Gibson
Director: Mel Gibson
Genre: Action
Year: 1999
Rating: 5 / 5

Reviewed by Guest Scribe Julio

What can I say about this movie that has not been said already? Five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Mel Gibson, were all deservedly awarded to this epic historical masterpiece that has rightfully been compared to classics like Spartacus and Lawrence of Arabia. In addition to his work behind the camera, Gibson also shines as 13th century Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace. In many ways a man ahead of his time, Wallace was a commoner who led a revolution against English rule in his homeland. He is generally considered to be the father of guerrilla warfare. His actions paved the way for Robert the Bruce's ultimate liberation of Scotland.

The film was Gibson's passion, and this clearly comes through both in his directing and acting. Gibson's Wallace is intelligent and emotional, sensitive and savage, warlike and peace-loving. Gibson's charisma and intensity bring Wallace to life, and he flawlessly directs everything from giant, bloody battles, to tender, intimate moments between Wallace and the love of his life. Interestingly, it is the more personal scenes that teach the audience more about Wallace than the huge set pieces. Ultimately, Gibson captures this complex, larger-than-life character. He is a man who does unbelievable things, but yet throughout the film he remains very human, very understandable, and very real.

Wallace's foil in Braveheart is the tyrannical Edward the Longshanks, played brilliantly by Patrick McGoohan, who received an Oscar nomination for his work. Edward serves as a counterpoint to Wallace. Unlike Wallace, who is willing to sacrifice all in order to obtain freedom for his people, Longshanks is the ultimate pragmatist, motivated solely by his own selfish goal of expanding his domain.

In addition to being a powerful film that tells an important story, Braveheart is also extremely entertaining. While it is about three hours long, I found myself wrapped up in the plot from the first frames, and I did not lose interest until the final credits rolled. While primary credit should be given to the excellent cast and crew, I should at least mention the stunning scenery - both Scottish and Irish locations were used. John Toll deservedly won an Oscar for his beautiful cinematography.

Upon its release Braveheart received extensive criticism for it's extremely violent battle scenes. While some audience members were offended, the truth is that this was a violent time, and Wallace was a violent man. He was a man who was willing to kill and risk his own life and those of his men for his goal. Furthermore, compared to films which came after Braveheart, the violence in the film is closer in nature to Saving Private Ryan than The Matrix. It is not glorified, but rather serves to show the great sacrifices that must be made to preserve freedom. Braveheart is only a movie. Nevertheless, for me it ranks among the most moving pictures ever filmed. The audience feels what Wallace feels, and we learn a great deal about sacrifice, as well as what is truly important in life.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for violence.
Running Time: 177 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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