VHS : Braveheart [1995]

Rating: - "It's well beyond rage"
This film doesn't pretend to be a history lesson.What it does do is inform people about the Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace and it does it in an excellent way.Many people have been critical about the historical inaccuracies in this movie but they miss the point.More than anything,'Braveheart' has opened the door for so many people to perhaps learn more about a man they may never have heard of before this film came along.
Mel Gibson deserves enormous credit for both his portrayal and direction.Indeed,the acting is pretty much top notch here and special praise must go to Patrick McGoohan as King Edward 1st.He positively drips evil and dominates every scene he is in.
This is true five star entertainment with fantastic cinematography,true emotion in many scenes and a superb soundtarck from James Horner.If you want a history lesson,you had better watch the History Channel on Sky.If you want rattling good action and an introduction to a special Scottish hero then 'Braveheart' is a must.

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Rating: - Incredibly Moving
Let's get this straight from the start - I am a very poor historian and know very little about whether the events portrayed in this novel are closer to fact or fiction, except for what I have read from other reviewers who complain about the historical innacuracies in Braveheart. I guess that is part of why I was so open-minded when I saw this film - I didn't really mind (or should I say notice) any deviances from the reality of what happened, really all I was looking for was a good film to watch with perhaps a little history thrown in, and that's exactly what this film provides.

Following the story of William Wallace who, after his (secret) wife Murron MacClannough is killed by Englishmen who are supposedly keeping 'order' in Scotland, Wallace decides to be the one to stand up and fight against the English for Scottish freedom. It's an incredibly interesting (and moving) story portrayed brilliantly (the film is close to 3 hours in length but doesn't feel it) with parts that will make you cry, make you laugh, inspire you, and infuriate you with the injustice being shown. Mel Gibson plays Wallace to perfection, infact, the entire cast are faultless - the children at the beginning, Murron, the princes and kings, princess Isabelle - absolutley everyone, including the extras.

The film was made in 1995, but doesn't show it's age at all, infact, it could be showmn as a new film in cinemas today and nobody would notice. Mel Gibson also did the directing for this film, showing that not only is he an incredibly talented actor, but a brilliant director to. He is a man of many talents!! This is an incredible film that is definately worth a watch. If you're a historian though, just go into it with an open mind. Fantastic stuff.

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Rating: - The Legend Grows...
Gibson surrounds himself with brilliant actors who snatch the scenes off him, while he snatches the entire movie straight back from all of them. Randall Wallace's script is a stand-out as is Angus MacFadyen as the haunted 17th Earl of Bruce and the unforgettable Patrick MacGoohan as Edward, Hammer of the Scots, while the final charge at Bannockburn always sends chills down my spine.

Any time some English person wants to sound off about how unrealistic Braveheart is, I always tell them:

'It is unrealistic - the reality was much worse.'

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Rating: - Not too bad, only terrible..
Without bleating on about historical accuracy (hollywood needs to go back to school) it has to be said that I'd get about as much entertainment from reading a large historical book on the same subject matter. It has little to offer when compared to the true fantasy epics in terms of story or action. Same applies when compared to other histoicaly inspired movies out there.

Scotlands tourist info office is able to provide plenty of footage of splendid scenery and rolling hills on DVD if thats what you're into. Couple that with a panpipe moods album and you're on your way to creating a hollywood blockbuster.

That said in terms of raw entertainment value, little can compare to watching Mel Gibson go all wobbly and big eyed as he screams "freedom!".

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Rating: - About as historical as Thomas The Tank Engine...
It's fun, yes, and it's momentarily inspiring, provided you can get past the two-dimensional characterisations.

In point of fact, this film is equally insulting to Scottish and English sensibilities. The English are all evil, despotic or cowardly, whilst the Scots are all tartan barbarians living in dry-stone crofts in the highlands (Edinburgh was a large stone-built city at the time, with fine architecture and a strong tradition of scholarship).

So enjoy it for what it is - a fun historical action film. Just don't see any real history in it, because the truth is easily found and far more interesting.