This 1995 winner of five academy awards including best picture is truly a masterpiece of a film. The history as portrayed is of course not very accurate, but the film is one that weaves a wonderful fiction based on some true events, and real people. The action, the music, and the acting are all superb, and truly transport you to 13th century Scotland. If I was to choose one thing that keeps me aware of the fact I am watching a Hollywood production, it is the costumes. The weapons are all great, but the chain mail leads much to be desired. After 'Lord of the Rings'....it is hard to find a film that does arms and armour like WETA.
I found it fitting watching this film as today is St. Patrick's day. Granted, this is a film about Scottish rebels fighting for freedom from the English, but my favorite supporting character is a crazy Irishman who joins the Scottish cause for a chance to 'kill Englishmen.' Let me be the first to remind all of you Braveheart aficionados out there...'IT'S MY ISLAND!!!!'
'Braveheart' is truly an amazing film. The classic cries of William Wallace, and the inspirational score using 'outlawed tunes, on outlawed pipes' are enough to make one want to grab a sword, don a kilt and 'go pick a fight.' But enough of the quoting. As I write this and watch the final scene in which Wallace is 'purified' (those that have seen the film know where we are,) I am reminded of what this film truly stands for....that some things, like freedom, are worth fighting for.
-David
I've been a little afraid to watch this film again. I've seen it once before, and all I could really remember was how gruesome some of the scenes were. I'm not really a fan of violent films, so you can imagine my hesitancy. However, even though I was grading history tests through part of it (I'm in the middle of student teaching), I found myself able to appreciate different aspects of this film. The music for instance, is very well done. As is the cinematography. The acting is good too, especially the supporting roles, such as the French Princess. Mel Gibson does a decent job too I guess, I just find him somewhat a bit dramatic. He plays this same kind of role in The Patriot, and I'm sure some other films I haven't yet seen.
This movie is rated R, and for good reason. The violence, though probably less than Gladiator, is still hard to watch, at least for me. In fact, there was one scene where my husband told me I might want to shield my eyes. Which I did. Even so, I found that I was able to enjoy this movie, probably more so than the first time I watched it. And it is a good story about standing for what you believe in, which is a message I think anyone can get behind. Expect for maybe the English King.
-Bethany
