Braveheart

Rating:
Summary: Historical Fantasy
Review: This much over-rated film, while strong on filming techniques, is weak on history. Mel Gibson's direction ensures that not only will William Wallace be handled like a fantasy, but the film will also suffer from a total anti-English bias which distorts the movie. England's Edward I was one of the most impressive monarchs of the Middle-Ages. But of course you would never know that after Mel gets through turning him into a Nazi of the 13th century! While he was certainly no saint, Edward I labored to make England one of the great kingdoms of its day. He deserves better treatment than he receives here. I don't know what Mel's problem is, but he seems to hate the English to the point of absurdity.

The battle scenes, while impressive visually are flawed and inaccurate. Stirling was more like an ambush with the English being caught on a bridge. Falkirk did not have any Irish changing sides or boiling oil on the battlefield. The actual battle was just a slaughter as the English archers mowed down the Scottish Schiltrons. And of course with superman Wallace it looks like he can just cleave up the English army single-handed with his cohort of super-Scots! Nonesense! The made-up romance between Wallace and the Princess of Wales is total fantasy. There is so much historically wrong with this movie that it almost detracts from its fine production value. I think if someone more balanced than Mel Gibson had directed it we could have gott'en a more historically accurate, and still entertaining work.

The tragic thing about pretencious movies like this is that viewers emerge from the theater thinking they have seen real history. Unless they balance what they see on the screen with actual readings then they will forever be ignorant on the subject. Directors like Gibson do a dis-service to viewers by distorting history so. The real history is every bit as compelling, and does not require the anti-English propaganda of Mel Gibson to be made real. We should not be surprised with this because Mel does it again with "The Patriot" which is even worse historical farce.

As for his portrayal of Wallace, we know little of him. He was not a 13th Century nationalist, but likely more of a brigend who was made into a legend by poets like Robert Burns and Walter Scott. William Wallace is like El Cid, a national hero that was created in later times to celebrate a dark moment in a nation's history. The real person was doubtless not as appealing as we see on film here. Enjoy Braveheart for what it is, an entertaining Fantasy with a lot of impressive scenes, action and some moderate acting. If you think its real history, then you have a lot of problems.

The DVD version has some interesting production scenes and contains Mel Gibson's prattle about how the movie was made and its attention to historical detail! Take that with a grain of salt!

Rating:
Summary: I don't really like this movie
Review: Maybe I would be more interested in the story of a man SO HAUNTED by his wife's murder that he leads his country to war if the protagonist wasn't smirking and looking quite care-free through the entire film. Maybe I would think him more heroic if the movie didn't show him, inside, on HORSEBACK, killing an old man who was IN HIS BED... from the perspective of the old man!! It showed Randal Wallace, the "hero," killing a bed-ridden geezer from the OLD MAN'S view-point, I'm serious! Am I the only one who had trouble rooting for the elderly-man-crushing hero, telling a few lame jokes to his mates before lightheartedly rushing out to very violently kill dozens of people? The movie can't decide whether it's lighthearted comedy or gripping drama. If you like the movie, don't be offended, I just can't relate to it I guess, mostly because of Mel Gibson's Christ-like killer/hero; he doesn't seem all that brave to me, just really really fake.

Rating:
Summary: A lesson in fighting tyranny.
Review: BRAVEHEART is a marvelous film, full of love, pain, vigor, fright, and bravado. It remains Mel Gibson's crowning achievement. While certain details of the story are suspect, the arching narrative is so powerful and affecting, it's hard not to become enveloped inside. The characters are wonderful and the cinematography is among the best in film history.

This DVD offers a nice round of extras for the film buff, lots of commentary and trailers-the standard fare. This is an essential DVD for all film libraries. As an aside, I find inspiration in Gibson's character. I'm sure many guys want to have the convictions and strength of William Wallace. I am no exception. I try to live by his famous line "Every man dies, not every man really lives."

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great Scots
Review: Starred in and directed by Mel Gibson, this epic movie is based on the gruesome events that took place when Scotland decided to resort to fighting to gain its freedom from the ruling fist of England, "Braveheart" is one of those movies that has it all. If you want romance, laughter, drama, action, or death, it's all here. From loves first, innocent kiss to the final blood curdling screams that escape the lips of the dying as the last threads of life part from their limp twisted bodies, this movie will draw you into the action making you feel as if you're witnessing it all first hand.
Mel Gibson gives what I consider to be his best performance in his role as William Wallace, a man hell bent on avenging the death of his true love. In the process of seeking his own revenge Wallace rallies the people of Scotland and leads them into battle after battle against the English army, making a name for himself, and showing England that Scotland is a serious threat and will not be bought by false promises of land and money.
The battle scenes in this movie are superb, making it well worthy to be a "man's movie", but the romantic, noble side of William Wallace, makes this a sweet love story, guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of anyone with half a heart. I for one will openly admit that I shed tears for the noble purpose that captured my attention, fulfilled my need for gore, and then immediately enthralled my mind.

Rating:
Summary: Freedom Fighter!
Review: Braveheart (1995) is an excellent movie. Mel Gibson not only stars in the film, but also directs it. Braveheart won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Gibson plays William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish commoner who is terribly evoked causing him to begin an all out war with the cruel English King, Edward the Longshanks (Patrick McGoohan). The passion that Gibson displays for freedom throughout the film is overwhelming.

The scenery in the film is beautiful. The battle scenes are brutal. The emotion for love and loss is enormous. This epic will go down as a classic that people will enjoy for many years.

This film will keep you glued to your seat. From the very fist scene to the amazing ending, you will never bore. The emotion that prevails during the entire film is enough to keep you interested. The entire story is based on the battle for Freedom, and the huge rebellion the Scots cast on the Brits. Love, loss, patriotism, and passion work close enough on a small scale to grab the heart of every viewer.

I have seen clips of this film on TV in the past, but never the film in its entirety. I had never seen the beginning of this film prior to renting it over the weekend. The edited version that is seen on television does not do this film justice. I rate this film so strongly, because I am not a big believer in graphic blood and gore, but I could truly see past that to the beauty this film beholds.

There is enormous controversy about the historical inaccuracies of this film. Put those aside and view this movie for is slight humor, suprise twists, and the fabulous ending.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Bliss
Review: Braveheart is clearly one of the greatist movies of all time. There is little that I can write that has not already been written to sing this movies praises. It is utterly riveting and the nearly three hours of length is merely nothing and I wish deeply to see the uncut version. Utter magnifiscent in story-line, plot, beauty and anticipation. There are few movies that will hold your attention longer than this riveting film.
There is nothing that can be said to pay this movie the justice and the tribute that it deserves. It is an epic masterpiece of unfathomable bounds. It grabs you and hold you and your heart until it squeezes so hard that it breaks both. It will make you cry and pray the ending never comes. I cannot recommend this movie more.

Rating:
Summary: The legend of William Wallace
Review: This is a film based on William Wallace who led a revolt against the English in the late 1200s, early 1300s. The film starts out showing Wallace marrying the girl he loves, who he has known since childhood. Some English soldiers kill her, and this sets Wallace off, to begin his quest to overthrow British rule. What follows for the rest of the film is a captivating story, and inspirational battles to gain freedom. The battles are directed amazingly, and are very graphic, and realistic. All the characters, of Wallace, the King, Princess, and members in Wallace's army, are interesting, and drawn out. You back the good guys, and want the bad guys to get what they deserve. The film is just about 3 hours, but the time goes by real fast, and the story is always interesting, never getting boring. If your into historical films, war films, big action romantic films, check this out. Just know the battles can be disturbing for some who do not like to see realistic violence. 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite of all time!!!
Review: Braveheart is my favorite movie of all time!.Mel gibson gives a great perfomance and he also won an oscar for directing this movie (Braveheart won 5 oscar awards).I enjoy to watch the bonus cd with the interviews with Mel Gibson & Randel Wallace and the rest of the cast.If you didnt see it,you must see this movie! This was my first movie i ever buy on dvd and i be save it forever to show it to my children too.Im only 20 so i stil have time...the sound-Track for this movie is also great! The composer-"James Horner" did an exelent work on this one!.So bye for now and remember-"Every man die,Not every man realy lives..."

Rating:
Summary: Emotionally Moving and Delightfully Brutal
Review: Braveheart is a very impressive movie that has earned a spot in the upper echelon of movie greatness. Mel Gibson totally embraces his role as William Wallace and delivers an immaculate performance throughout the film. This motion picture is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Initially what grabbed me about this movie were the world-class scenery shots. From their, the movie explodes with brilliance as an amazing story unfolds and you are taken directly into the heart of a highly hostile, historical confrontation between the Brits and Scots. The battle scenes set a new standard in exellence and the love story doesn't get too overdrawn out and boring. Along with some timely humor, a few suprise twists and a great ending, Braveheart comes together to create a fabulous adventure.

The only complaint I have heard about this movie is that there are a few historical inaccuracies...honestly no body cares and we all love the kilts. If for some reason you have not already seen Braveheart, make it a priority in the very near future. I cannot recommend this movie enough, it has become one of my all-time favorites and I know I don't stand alone.

Rating:
Summary: Epic Entertainment
Review: A sweeping historical epic, BRAVEHEART is as entertaining and riveting today as it was when first released in 1995. Although the film contains some eyebrow-raising historical revision, Mel Gibson successfully conveys the struggle for Scottish independence from England in the late 13th Century. Backed by the impoverished masses, William Wallace faces not only the tyranny of King Edward the Longshanks (played masterfully by Patrick McGoohan), but the spineless Scottish nobles, whose insatiable greed for land and title from the English crown spells doom for any independence movement.

From majestic shots of the Scottish highlands, to heartracing battle scenes, to character portrayals that draw the viewer directly into the story, BRAVEHEART is compelling, brilliant film making at its best. Highly recommended for viewing, again and again.